Florida Pharmacy Today October 2018

The Official Publication Of The Florida Pharmacy Association OCT. 2018

LOOKING BENEATH THE SURFACE OF DIR

florida PHARMACY TODAY Departments 4 Calendar 4 Advertisers 5 President’s Viewpoint

7 Executive Insight

23 New Members 26 FPA Region Updates 32 Buyer’s Guide

VOL. 81 | NO. 10 OCTOBER 2018 THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE FLORIDA PHARMACY ASSOCIATION

Features

10 14 16 17 24 26 29

Looking Beneath the Surface of DIR Disaster Strikes: Are You Ready to Help Your Community?

Speaker of the House Delegates Report 2018 Adopted Resolutions National Pharmacy Technician Day Government Affairs Committee (GAC) Update University of Florida APhA-ASP Chapter Engagement Report

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FPA Calendar 2018-2019

NOVEMBER 10

FPA Council Committee Meetings

22-23 Thanksgiving - FPA office closed 30

APhA Diabetes Certificate Program Sarasota DECEMBER

1 - 2

Regulatory and Law Conference Sarasota

11 - 12 Florida Board of Pharmacy Meeting Orlando 24-25 Christmas Holiday FPA Office Closed

Florida Pharmacy Today Journal JANUARY

1

New Years Day - FPA Office Closed

21

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day FPA Office Closed

26-27 FPA Clinical Conference Sandestin 31

Mission Statements:

FPA Election Ballots Due MARCH

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First Day of the Legislative Session

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FPA Legislative Days and Health Fair Tallahassee

22-25 APhA Annual Meeting Seattle, Wash.

For a complete calendar of events go to www.pharmview.com Events calendar subject to change

CE CREDITS (CE cycle) The Florida Board of Pharmacy requires 10 hours’ LIVE Continuing Education as part of the required 30 hours’ general education needed every license renewal period.

There is a new 2 hour CE requirement for pharmacists on the dispensing of controlled substances effective this biennial renewal period.

Pharmacists should have satisfied all continuing education requirements for this biennial period by September 30, 2019 or prior to licensure renewal. Consultant pharmacists and technicians will need to renew their licenses and registrations by December 31, 2018.

For Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Application, Exam Information and Study materials, please contact the FPA office.

For more information on CE programs or events, please contact the Florida Pharmacy Association at (850) 222-2400 or visit our website at www.pharmview.com CONTACTS FPA — Michael Jackson (850) 222-2400

The Florida Pharmacy Today Journal is a peer-reviewed journal which serves as a medium through which the Florida Pharmacy Association can communicate with the profession on advances in the sciences of pharmacy, socio-economic issues bearing on pharmacy and newsworthy items of interest to the profession. As a self-supported journal, it solicits and accepts advertising congruent with its expressed mission.

Florida Pharmacy Today Board of Directors The mission of the Florida Pharmacy Today Board of Directors is to serve in an advisory capacity to the managing editor and executive editor of the Florida Pharmacy Today Journal in the establishment and interpretation of the Journal’s policies and the management of the Journal’s fiscal responsibilities. The Board of Directors also serves to motivate the Florida Pharmacy Association members to secure appropriate advertising to assist the Journal in its goal of self-support.

Advertisers EPIC....................................................................... 2 PHARMACISTS MUTUAL.............................. 25 KAHAN & ASSOCIATES................................. 27 SHARP’S INC..................................................... 20 PQC........................................................................ 9

FSHP — Tamekia Bennett (850) 906-9333 UF — Kristin Weitzel (352) 273-5114

FAMU — Leola Cleveland (850) 599-3301 NSU — Carsten Evans (954) 262-1300

DISCLAIMER

Articles in this publication are designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with respect to the subject matter covered. This information is provided with the understanding that neither Florida Pharmacy Today nor the Florida Pharmacy Association is engaged in rendering legal or other professional services through this publication.

If expert assistance or legal advice is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. The use of all medications or other pharmaceutical products should be used according to the recommendations of the manufacturers. Information provided by the maker of the product should always be consulted before use.

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FLORIDA PHARMACY TODAY

E-MAIL YOUR SUGGESTIONS/IDEAS TO dave@fiorecommunications.com

The President’s Viewpoint ANGELA S. GARCIA, PHARMD/MPH, CPH

Celebrating Pharmacy as a Profession

W

ith American Pharmacists Month being so well recognized, it’s always interesting for me to walk into different pharmacies and wonder why there isn’t more recognition and celebration. Over the years, many of us have worked with students to record public service announcements played over the radio, provide outreach and screening services to different populations in the community and oversee the development and promotion of social media campaigns.

We promote and educate our patients and provider colleagues about the amazing month of October and American Pharmacists’ Month being dedicated to celebrating what members of the pharmacy profession do for the health care system, our provider teams and of course, our patients.

It’s not just a celebration of pharmacists though, it’s celebrating our technicians, our student pharmacists, our trailblazers, our supporting clinical partners and our legislators about the importance of passing sound legislation every year. October is about what the profession has done to change the landscape of health care across the country and right here across the state of Florida.

Every year we have dedicated efforts and advocacy campaigns as part of our FPA Legislative Agenda, which are intended to draw an increased awareness of the clinical services our profession already provides and the support for promoting changes and improvements in pharmacy practice laws and other health care-related legislation.

Our members and affiliates join us

in grassroots advocacy and organized events, which we have been pushing already this season. The examples we provide daily in our pharmacies, clinics and practice sites are just the tip of the iceberg for what we do in our nor-

We promote and educate our patients and provider colleagues about the amazing month of October and American Pharmacists’ Month being dedicated to celebrating what members of the pharmacy profession do for the health care system, our provider teams and of course, our patients. mal interactions that lead to significant impacts and contributions to improving the overall health and health care services for Floridians.

Having discussions with many of our members over the past several months demonstrates their excitement

Angela S. Garcia, PharmD, MPH, CPh

for, and intent to, raise the visibility of our profession as we progress with our new strategic plan, updates to the website and in our outreach of the councils and committees. We must come together to recognize and promote what our profession is doing right now – not what we want to do.

WE are integrating services that optimize patient care outcomes. WE reduce spend on sick care by focusing on disease prevention and health promotion. WE empower patients to take an active role in the management of their own health. WE in pharmacy make a difference.

Pharmacists are elevating already established innovations in practice, bridging clinical services, closing gaps in access to care and enhancing patient care through formal Collaborative Practice Agreements (CPA) and Memorandums of Understanding (MOU), as well as informalized but highly inteOCTOBER 2018

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2018-19 FPA Board of Directors The Florida Pharmacy Association gratefully acknowledges the hard work and dedication of the following members of the FPA leadership who work diligently all year long on behalf of our members.

Suzanne Wise.....................................................................................................Board Chair Angela Garcia...............................................................................................FPA President Ashley Huff.................................................................................................... FPA Treasurer David Mackarey.......................................................................................President-Elect Jeanette Connelly...................................................................Speaker of the House Gary Koesten..................................................................Vice Speaker of the House Sandy Estrada......................................................................................... FSHP President Joyanna Wright................................................................................... Region 1 Director Neil Barnett............................................................................................Region 2 Director Dean Pedalino.......................................................................................Region 3 Director Cheryl Rouse.........................................................................................Region 4 Director Melissa Ruble........................................................................................Region 5 Director Barbara Beadle...................................................................................Region 6 Director Paul Delisser.......................................................................................... Region 7 Director Ramy Gabriel.........................................................................................Region 8 Director Mitchell Fingerhut.............................................................................Region 9 Director Julie Burger........................................................................................Technician Member

Florida Pharmacy Today Journal Board Chair.............................................................. Carol Motycka, motycka@cop.ufl.edu Vice Chair....................................................Cristina Medina, cmmedina@cvs.com Treasurer.........................................................Eric Jakab, ericjakab@hotmail.com Secretary................................................................... Stuart Ulrich, stuarx@aol.com Member.................................................. Michael Finnick, michaelfinnick@ufl.edu Member.......................................................Matt Schneller, schnem18@gmail.com Member..........................................Teresa Tomerlin, teresapharmd@cfl.rr.com Member............................................Greta Pelegrin, gretapelegrin@yahoo.com Technician Member........................Julie Burger, julieburger133@gmail.com Executive Editor................Michael Jackson, mjackson@pharmview.com Managing Editor...................Dave Fiore, dave@fiorecommunications.com Journal Reviewer....................... Dr. Melissa Ruble, mruble@health.usf.edu Journal Reviewer....................................Dr. Angela Hill, ahill2@health.usf.edu

grated collaborations with their physician or provider partners.

Whether through enhanced laboratory and genomics testing, clinical specialization and specialty care services, or providing chronic care management, pharmacists are uniquely qualified and fill much needed niches in multiple health care arenas.

Many of our practicing members are unaware of the longstanding services that have been available to our patients. In Florida, we have been providing home care (i.e. delivery) and telehealth applications (i.e. telephonic MTM and video conferencing) for many years.

Many of our practicing members are unaware of the longstanding services that have been available to our patients.

In Florida, we have been providing home care (i.e. delivery) and telehealth applications (i.e. telephonic MTM and video conferencing) for many years.

These are not new services and allow pharmacists to effective reduce or close barriers to access for our patients in some of our underserved populations and rural communities.

By providing added personalized approaches to care, pharmacists and pharmacy care teams are actively addressing issues surrounding health literacy with translation services, infographics and disease prevention measures including vaccines. Our teams are teaching patients to self-monitor, reSee President’s View, continued on page 13

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FLORIDA PHARMACY TODAY

Executive Insight

BY MICHAEL JACKSON, RPH MICHAEL JACKSON, BPHARM, EVP & CEO, FLORIDA PHARMACY ASSOCIATION

You Need to See My What?

H

ere is a typical exchange between a pharmacist and a patient picking up a prescription that could be a real event or perhaps imagined. To set the stage, we have a patient being treated for pain but there is a twist to this encounter that could be entertaining for our readers of Florida Pharmacy Today. The stage is set as the patient enters her community pharmacy.

Pharmacist – “Hi, mom. How have you been doing?”

Patient – “Hello, son. Good to see you. I didn’t know that you were on duty this morning. I usually see your partner when I come by the pharmacy for my meds”.

Pharmacist – “Well, we had to shift our schedules a little for him to take vacation with his family. Sometimes that happens. What can I do for you?”

Patient – “I have a prescription for my pain medications that I need to get filled. I just left my doctor’s office for a follow-up visit on the hip replacement that I had and have been experiencing some break-through pain. He wants to put me on a short round of pain meds for a few days.”

Pharmacist – “I see. I’ll take care of your prescription for you. By the way, I see that you have customized your walker. I like the new soft pads where your hand grips are and I like the rubber tips that you put on the bottom for safety. By the way, mom, do those look like racing stripes and lightning bolts on the sides of your walker?”

Patient (smiling) – “Yeah, son. Do you like them? They make me look fast and mobile. They are quite a conversation piece with my senior friends at the community center.”

Michael Jackson, B.Pharm

Pharmacist – “OK, let me get to work on your prescription. I should have it

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FPA STAFF Executive Vice President/CEO Michael Jackson (850) 222-2400, ext. 200

Director of Continuing Education Tian Merren-Owens, ext. 120

Educational Services Office Assistant Stacey Brooks, ext. 210 Coordinator of Membership Christopher Heil, ext. 110 Accounting Coordinator Ashley Gandy ext. 211

FLORIDA PHARMACY TODAY BOARD Chair..................................... Carol Motycka, St. Augustine Vice Chair................................Cristina Medina, Hollywood Treasurer...........................................Eric Jakab, Gainesville Secretary.........................Stuart Ulrich, Boynton Beach Member............................... Michael Finnick, Jacksonville Member...............................................Matt Schneller, Tampa Member...................................Teresa Tomerlin, Rockledge Member..............................................Greta Pelegrin, Hialeah Technician Member.................Julie Burger, Pensacola Executive Editor.........Michael Jackson, Tallahassee Managing Editor.........................Dave Fiore, Tallahassee

This is a peer-reviewed publication. ©2018 FLORIDA PHARMACY JOURNAL, INC. ARTICLE ACCEPTANCE: The Florida Pharmacy Today is a publication that welcomes articles that have a direct pertinence to the current practice of pharmacy. All articles are subject to review by the Publication Review Committee, editors and other outside referees. Submitted articles are received with the understanding that they are not being considered by another publication. All articles become the property of the Florida Pharmacy Today and may not be published without written permission from both the author and the Florida Pharmacy Today.

The Florida Pharmacy Association assumes no responsibility for the statements and opinions made by the authors to the Florida Pharmacy Today.

The Journal of the Florida Pharmacy Association does not accept for publication articles or letters concerning religion, politics or any other subject the editors/publishers deem unsuitable for the readership of this journal. In addition, The Journal does not accept advertising material from persons who are running for office in the association.

The editors reserve the right to edit all materials submitted for publication. Letters and materials submitted for consideration for publication may be subject to review by the Editorial Review Board.

FLORIDA PHARMACY TODAY, Annual subscription - United States and foreign, Individual $36; Institution $70/year; $5.00 single copies. Florida residents add 7% sales tax.

FLORIDA PHARMACY ASSOCIATION

610 N. Adams St. • Tallahassee, FL 32301 850/222-2400 • FAX 850/561-6758 Web Address: http://www.pharmview.com 8 |

FLORIDA PHARMACY TODAY

ready for you shortly. Do you want me to bring it by the house or do you want to wait on it?”

Patient – “I’ll wait on it. Your Uncle Jess was kind enough to bring me to the pharmacy as he was running errands anyway.”

Pharmacist – “Great. Just have a seat and I’ll let you know when it’s ready.”

After a few minutes the prescription is ready to present to the patient.

Pharmacist – “Hi, mom. I have your prescription ready.”

Patient – “Great. I’m getting ready to go to the community center for our book club meeting. I hear that the author of one of the books we are reading has plans to drop in on us.”

Pharmacist – “Sure, mom. Your copay is $15. Also do you have any questions that you would like to ask me about your medications?”

Patient – “Son, why would you ask me that? I figured that if it was something important you would tell me anyway.”

Pharmacist – “You were on this medication before and I talked to you about what to expect. It’s just that I have to make that offer each time I give medications to patients, even if there were no changes in your health.”

Patient – “OK, I understand. Here is $15 cash for the copay that your uncle loaned me. I left my purse on the kitchen table back home.”

Pharmacist – “Great. Now can I see your ID please, mom?”

Patient – “My what?”

Pharmacist – “Your ID. Do you have one on you?”

Patient – “Son, perhaps you didn’t hear me. I left my purse on the kitchen table. My ID is in my purse. What do you need that for? I’m your mother.

Don’t you know who I am?”

Pharmacist – “It’s not that mom, rather, there are these regulations that require me to view a government-issued ID when giving medications like this to patients. We are required to report to a state database the type of ID 1

F.S. 893.055 (3) (A) (7)

and the issuing agency.”1 Patient – “But son, remember that I am your mother. I gave birth to you.

I consoled you when your first girlfriend dropped you like a bad habit.

Now you are asking to see my ID like you have no idea who I am?”

Pharmacist – “Come on, mom. I know that this seems unusual but there is an opioid epidemic and these regulations are designed to help fix some of those issues. Besides, as a pharmacist, I could get into some trouble if I don’t follow through with what the regulations require us to do. You never complain to homeland security when they ask you for an ID before you fly to Aunt Martha’s place.”

Patient – “Yeah, but those guys in the blue shirts and the official badges are looking for terrorists and I didn’t change their diapers like I changed yours. With my hip replacement I don’t think that I am much of a risk anyway.

Can’t you make an exception here? My prescription is for only a three-day supply and I am not going to be selling my pain meds on the street.”

Pharmacist – “Mom, there are security cameras here in the pharmacy that monitor activity and if I make this exception it could come back to bite me.”

Patient – “Well this is very inconvenient. Now I have to get your Uncle Jess to carry me back home to get my ID and bring me back here to show it to you. What can be done to fix this?”

Pharmacist – “Well, mom, this requirement got put into place by the Florida legislature and it is that entity that has to change the laws to give us pharmacists more discretion when needing to report this information. Do you know who your state senator and state representative are? You can talk to them about this.”

Patient – “No, but I will find out.

Can your Uncle Jess pick up my prescription for me?”

Pharmacist – “Sure, but he needs to show me his ID.” n

“I’M ALWAYS WATCHING OUT FOR MY PATIENTS, BUT WHO’S WATCHING OUT FOR ME?”

WE ARE. We are the Alliance for Patient Medication Safety (APMS), a federally listed Patient Safety Organization.

Our Pharmacy Quality Commitment (PQC) program: • • • •

Helps you implement and maintain a continuous quality improvement program Offers federal protection for your patient safety data and your quality improvement work Assists with quality assurance requirements found in network contracts, Medicare Part D, and state regulations Provides tools, training and support to keep your pharmacy running efficiently and your patients safe

Call toll free (866) 365-7472 or visit www.pqc.net PQC IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY YOUR STATE PHARMACY ASSOCIATION

Looking Beneath the Surface of DIR Goar Alvarez Pharm.D., Ranga Santosh Narla, Pharm.D., Leanne Lai, Ph.D., Albert Wertheimer, Ph.D. Nova Southeastern University, College of Pharmacy The economics of the American health care system with the Federal government is primarily being driven by the private sector and their ability to negotiate. Thus, to facilitate fair dealings and transparency, the government often intervenes.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services (CMS) provide pharmacy services to Medicare beneficiaries through Part D plan sponsors. These sponsors in turn contract with the Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to administer drug benefits.

Medicare makes partially capitated payments to these plan sponsors for delivering drug benefits to beneficiaries.

They completely rely on the transaction data reported by these benefit managers to make accurate payments. PBMs or Plan sponsors usually receive rebates from drug manufacturers which are not reported to CMS. To resolve this issue, as part of the Medicare Part D program, direct and indirect payment of fees was administered to transfer these benefits to federal reserves and in turn to beneficiaries from Pharmacy Benefit Managers or plan sponsors.

Thus, DIR fees were initiated as part of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) and can be found in the federal rules (42 CFR 423.308).1 This rule relates to drug price reporting requirements intended for plan sponsors by CMS. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) defines DIR as follows: “Often, the Part D sponsor or its pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) receives additional compensation after the point-of-sale that serves to change the final cost of the drug for the payer, or the price paid to the pharmacy for 10

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the drug. Examples of such compensation include rebates provided by manufacturers and concessions paid by pharmacies. Under Medicare Part D, this post point-of-sale compensation is called Direct and Indirect Remuneration (DIR) and is factored into CMS calculation of final Medicare payments to Part D plans.”

So, the history of PBMs negotiating deals with manufacturers and drawing money out of artificially high drug prices, led to the initiation of DIR fees.

Endorsing laws to increase transparency among drug prices was CMS’s prime objective.

This facilitates the process of calculating the net cost of the drugs and allows CMS to legally reimburse the least possible amount, eventually shrinking overall health care costs. The anticipation behind initiating DIR fees was simple and straight forward but the path the PBMs trod to have all the leverage negated the whole concept.

Implications of DIR fees on the Government: PBMs draw rebates on some specialty drugs and specific brand name medications from manufacturers most often post Point of Sale (POS). Often, the government ends up paying the gross price set on high priced medications.

When price calculation on such drugs at the point of sale is challenging, DIR fees help the government to stay updated with the net cost of these drugs post point of sale as the rebates are passed on to them by PBMs. But in recent times these rebates have been increasing and so have DIR fees.

This shows that dealings of PBMs with manufacturers to price drugs after POS have been on the rise. This leads to increased coinsurance costs for a pa-

tient in the coverage gap (Donut hole), as the coinsurance is calculated based on the cost of the drug at POS. As the patient’s out of pocket costs increase, more burden is placed on beneficiary cost sharing. They transition swiftly into catastrophic phase where CMS bears 80 percent of the drug costs.

There is no suggestion that beneficiaries’ out-of-pocket costs are dropped or reimbursed by PBMs when these magnified costs are adjusted by DIR Fees.

According to CMS, DIR fees were intended to “preserve the competitive nature of the Part D program by ensuring a level playing field for Part D sponsors, regardless of their contractual arrangements with PBMs,” which is opposite to the actual reality.

Implications of DIR fees on Community Pharmacies: Costs on most specialty and brand name medications are being determined after POS, perplexing to community pharmacies, as it is hard to comprehend the actual reimbursement.

Adding to this confusion, Star ratings or performance based measures imposed by PBMs make it even more difficult for pharmacies to estimate the profit margin when dispensing medications.2 Star ratings were initially imposed

by CMS to track the performance of PBMs and plan sponsors. They have four major criteria where they are measured on:3 ■■ Drug plan customer service ■■ Member complaints and changes in the drug plan’s performance ■■ Member experience with plan’s drug services and ■■ Drug safety and accuracy of drug pricing

http://blog.transparentrx. com/2017/03/pharmacy-benefitmanager-back-end-fees.html

These criteria are measured using specific measures. The measures are comprised of numerous different areas of review, including ■■ Medication adherence for diabetes medications ■■ Medication adherence for hypertension ■■ Medication adherence for cholesterol and ■■ Medication therapy management program completion rate for CMRs Some of these measures are dependent on the performance of pharmacy providers and thus were imposed on them by PBMs. While PBMs receive numerous benefits when they achieve a five-star rating like the quality bonus payments from CMS and special enrollment period; none of these benefits are transferred to the individual providers. Instead they are punished for lower star ratings.

percentage of AWP is clawed back post POS on all eligible claims.4 However, no reference to the specific claims on which the fees are collected is seen. So, the amount cannot be traced back to the specific POS transaction, which leaves providers with a dilemma. Some instances of how DIR fees can be charged are provided in the below examples.

Adapted from a white paper by Frier Levitt law firm

Understanding DIR fees: PBMs started charging DIR fees as either a flat-rate fee or percentage fee. There are no distinctive indications for imposing either of them. All DIR fees are collected retroactively, on a quarterly basis on all eligible claims. PBMs collect the respective DIR fees from the reimbursement.

So as a flat-rate fee, a specific amount is clawed back on all the eligible claims from the reimbursement post POS. This specific amount clawed back depends on the star rating and performance-based measures. As a percent fee, specific

DIR Fees

Flat rate fees

Percentage fees

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With looming closure of these pharmacies, an estimated three million rural residents are at risk of losing the only pharmacy in their community.

For many of these individuals, the nearest pharmacy is more than 10 miles away, which create access to care issues. ●●

■■

All of these consequences are startling and will hamper the ability to deliver services in rural areas. Hence, On Sept. 8, 2016, the United States House of Representatives introduced a bill aimed at prohibiting the use of retroactive DIR Fees.

■■ ■■

Based on the performance measures, some part of the collected amount is given back to the pharmacies, which is not clearly stated. Quality metrics used to grade pharmacies are murky, so owners and staff don’t know what they’re aiming for.

This leaves the providers ambiguous as to how to improve their ratings. Pharmacies above 80th percentile or with performance scores of five, receive greater reimbursements than pharmacies that score less.

However, no specific guidelines are provided as to how these reimbursements are calculated. Recently, Caremark updated the criteria for measuring the performance of pharmacies that dispense more than 25 percent specialty drugs.

It is very challenging to keep track of all DIR claims, star ratings, amount clawed back from reimbursements and then adjudicate to the amount refunded based on the performance.

Discussion: Many issues independent pharmacies are facing right now, can be traced back to DIR fees and MAC reimbursements. As per a survey conducted by NCPA on 640 community pharmacists, 87 percent of pharmacists said DIR fees significantly affected their pharmacy’s ability to provide patient care and remain in business.

67 percent of them said that no information is given as to how much and when DIR fees will be collected or assessed.

While DIR fees started in the Medicare Part D program, 57 percent said they now appear in some commercial plans as well.

When considering rural metrics, the RUPRI (Rural Policy Research Institute) Rural Health Policy Analysis of 2016 stated that: ■■ Almost 10 percent of the prescriptions paid by PBMs are under the actual cost to buy and 80 percent are under the cost to dispense.

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the “Improving Transparency and Accuracy in Medicare Part D Spending Act” (H.R. 5951) with a companion bill in the Senate (S. 3308)

However, this bill expired in the last congress and has not been re-introduced in the 115th congress. Alarmed by the increasing DIR fees every year, CMS issued a report on “Impact of Legitimate DIR on Medicare and Beneficiary Spending” and on Jan. 19, 2017, CMS released a Fact Sheet entitled “Medicare Part D – Direct and Indirect Remuneration (DIR)” Conclusion: PBMs use of DIR fees for their leverage significantly increases the burden on beneficiaries and thus in turn on the government. More information should be provided on the flow of money clawed back from individual providers to CMS through PBMs. Providing some special platforms to calculate the DIR fees at POS by PBMs, helps the pharmacies in understanding their reimbursement. Workshops also can be conducted by PBMs to clearly indicate the quality metrics used in calculating performance ratings and helping pharmacies in improving their performance and in turn, their reimbursements.

References

1 42 U.S.C. § 1395hh (a), et seq. (providing, in pertinent part, the “Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the administration of the insurance programs under this subchapter . . .”).

2 Melanie Maxwell, Understanding Pay for Performance and DIR Impact to Pharmacy Reimbursement RxSelect Pharmacy Services, 20, 22, Sept. 12, 2015.

3 Phil Galewitz, Medicare Plans Score Higher Ratings and Millions in Bonuses (Mar. 7, 2016), available at http://khn. org/news/medicare-plans-score-higher-ratings-and-millionsin-bonuses/ 4 Battling DIR Fees One way to fight back: “Contact your representative and your two senators and make sure that they can spell DIR fees backwards and forwards – in other words, get RID of DIRs.” October 06, 2016 by Christine Blank.

President’s Viewpoint, continued from page 9

cord their own health information and become an essential part of their own health.

Many of our independent pharmacies have partnered or contracted with institutions to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of patient discharge processes, coordinate continuity of care with transitional care planning and identifying comprehensive care teams to support institutional initiatives and reduce rehospitalizations.

Many pharmacists are partnering with coalitions to help prevent emergency department visits through patient-education initiatives that empower them to understand their diseases, increase adherence and make better lifestyle choices to reduce adverse health risks.

Across the state, our technicians have been celebrating their nationally recognized Technician Day and students have promoted patient-care projects such as those highlighted by APhA-ASP Patient Care Operations through community outreach.

We have layers of impact across the patient-care continuum, and both technicians and student pharmacists are essential members of our team that foster the relationships that allow us to be extremely effective in our patients’ decision making and behaviors regarding their health and medications. We absolutely celebrate them!

I cannot imagine a day without technicians or students knowing the impact they have on our patients, our businesses, and our ability to do the things we do regardless of the area of practice.

So, if you haven’t already thanked your technicians and student interns, please join me in recognizing the very important roles they serve in the profession of pharmacy and care of patients.

Recently, the governor signed an Emergency Order allowing Florida pharmacists the ability to provide support and care to those affected and displaced by Hurricane Florence. In these critical times, we are trusted to first do right by our patients and use our clinical judgment. How amazing would it be if our profession could come togeth-

er for the right reasons and gain that same level of trust in our judgement to provide enhanced services year-round?

We understand the need for consistent and continuous care and preventing events due to missed and inappropriate refills medications. It’s so important for all of us to share our stories with our local legislators.

Many pharmacists are partnering with coalitions to help prevent emergency department visits through patient education initiatives that empower them to understand their diseases, increase adherence and make better lifestyle choices to reduce adverse health risks.

with their local legislators to have these critical conversations.

We all need to share our stories and support our Governmental Affairs Committee in drafting language for sound bills that place us securely within the health care team and protect us from decisions that would isolate us or remove us altogether.

The Power of WE is focused on bringing pharmacy together and remain as a core pillar of the health care team. WE must be diligent in our efforts to enhance the efficiency of our services and be judicious with the use of technology to ensure we don’t allow our profession to make decisions that drive us out of where we are fighting to be, where we need to be.

My challenge to everyone in this profession, member or not, is to use your voice and send your stories to your local unit associations. The local units will work with our regional directors and get this information to our Public Affairs Council to help us build a repository of data, examples and programs to showcase the undisputable and undeniable value we make in patients’ lives and in Florida health care practice.

This will serve as the foundation of educational campaigns needed in outreach to our legislators. It’s time to be visible. It’s time to stop telling each other what we do well, and instead, bring the Power of WE to the legislators and community to forge pathways for our legislative agenda and priorities. n

We all remember show and tell, right? Show them first hand and continue to tell our stories – that’s how we are going to make impactful changes in pharmacy practice. We can’t just ask for what we want, we need to show our legislators exactly how we are helping our patients in our communities (their constituents and their communities).

We are essential providers improving patient outcomes and we should be viewed as irreplaceable members of the health care teams. Many members of our pharmacy community (both FPA and local unit associations) are actively engaged in grassroots efforts meeting OCTOBER 2018

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DISASTER STRIKES: Are You Ready to Help Your Community?

Practice Perspective: Bert Martinez, MD, BPharm, CPh As pharmacists, student pharmacists or pharmacy technicians, we are poised to play a critical role during times of crisis and planning for handling those unanticipated events.

Although we can serve in traditional capacities, we have opportunities to receive additional training to serve our communities in times of bioterrorism, mass casualty disaster, epidemics and pandemics and especially during natural disasters.

In 2002, after 9/11, President Bush sent out presidential decrees, one of which formed the Citizens Corps.

The purpose: to organize volunteers on a national level to come together to support first-responders, law enforcement to ensure safety among our communities. There are five distinct entities under the Citizens Corps: Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Fire Corps, Volunteers in Police Service, Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) and USA on Watch (renamed Neighborhood Watch).

The mission of the Citizen Corps is to harness the power of every individual through education, training and volunteer service to make communities safer, stronger and better prepared to respond to the threats of terrorism, crime, public health issues and disasters of all kinds.

The Citizens Corps is coordinated nationally by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In this capacity, FEMA works closely with other federal entities, state and local governments, first responders and emergency managers, the volunteer community and the Corporation for National & Community Service. There are more than 1200 county, local or tribal Citizen Corps Councils and 56 state or territory councils.

The Citizen Corps asks you to embrace the personal responsibility to be prepared; to get training in first aid and emergency skills; and to volunteer to support local emergen14

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cy responders, disaster relief and community safety. As part of our licensure, many of these areas already overlap.

Out of the five distinct entities of the Citizen Corps, I am a member of two of them. So, for the purposes of this article, I will concentrate on these two volunteer entities. As members of the health care team, the logical choice for pharmacists, students and technicians to serve as volunteers would be as members of the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC).

The MRC is a national network of local groups of volunteers engaging local communities to strengthen public health initiatives, reduce vulnerability of our patients, build resilience among our communities and improve preparedness, response and recovery capabilities.

The MRC coordinates the skills of practicing and retired physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other health professionals, as well as other citizens interested in health issues. They harness the call to service and eagerness to volunteer to address their communities’ ongoing public health needs and support during large-scale emergency situations.

To get involved with the MRC, I encourage you to reach out to your local or county public health department for more information on the point of contact and upcoming training and certifications. Some of the benefits are portions of the population will be able to manage themselves, their families and communities for minor issues.

In the event of a major disaster, these MRC team members serve in triage and support allowing first responders to focus on critical elements of the response. Credentialed volunteers can be quickly integrated into a team, and asked to administer immunizations, dispense prophylaxis, triage injuries, provide basic first aid, treat patients, serve as interpreters, operate HAM radios (amateur radios) for communication when

cell towers are out, assist with registration of patients/victims and record keeping.

I have been called many times to participate in a Point of Distribution (POD) situation where my primary roles were administering immunizations, dispensing prophylaxis and providing direct patient treatment.

Some of the training events that have been the most impactful were Anthrax Outbreak, Pandemic Viral Outbreak and Zombie Apocalypse events. There was a one-day training for a radiological event where we received instructions on assembly and using a portable walk-through Geiger counter (similar to a doorway).

The radioactive samples that we were using were portable gas lamp sleeves from China with levels high enough to set off the Geiger counters. One of my training roles was triage for people exposed to radiation and knowing when to direct them to the chemical showers, or quarantine and transport to the hospital.

Another training session was how to use the bleeding kit.

Currently, there is a national drive to include bleeding kits at all AED stations. A properly trained person can save lives in a mass casualty event by stopping fatal bleeding in victims, giving time for transport and advanced care initiatives to sustain life.

With Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School mass shooting, there were 34 gunshot victims. Seventeen of those victims were saved by first responders that had access to these bleeding kits, who would otherwise not have made it to the hospital in time to receive help.

The two actual situations that I have participated in are H1N1 immunizations and the Zika Virus Outbreak. It was announced by the media, that the public health department, with their MRC volunteers, would be vaccinating the community for the H1N1 virus at the Miami County Fairgrounds the year pharmacists were given the privilege of vaccination in our practice act.

We started at 10 a.m. and continued until we ran out of vaccine. By noon, the police had to turn people away because we had exceeded the number of patients for the 5,000 doses we had access to for that event. We did not expect that level of response from the community and we had to schedule multiple events to cover the entire need.

During the Zika Virus Outbreak in North Miami, MRC volunteers went out into that community to interview the residents, obtained urine samples to track the outbreak and provided education on the prevention of spread. It was important for us to provide mosquito repellant to all residents in the identified risk areas, as well as information on locations to seek treatment for the Zika Virus infections.

The other organization that I am involved with is the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). The CERT program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for many environmental hazards that may impact their areas, as well as training in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue and disaster medical operations.

This opportunity is available to members of the communi-

ty, as well as members of the health professions. The training is provided by your local fire department and is usually for three days; however, many CERT training areas have weekly classes to accommodate those with restricted schedules like Nova Southeastern University and Davie Fire Department.

You will receive credentials from CERT and a backpack with several pieces of safety equipment. The main tool we are given is the gas and water shut-off tool that is non-metallic, so it will not produce a spark, if in contact with a live wire.

My firefighter instructor was carrying a tool called Fubar III throughout the training and he demonstrated how to use this tool to get into a house and rescue people.

For those who know me, I am a man of gadgets and tools.

So, of course the first thing I bought when I finished the class was the Fubar III. Although I have not been activated for a disaster call, I have participated in several simulations of mass disaster events across the state.

We have been used as victims in the Miami International Airport Triennial Disaster Event training. We simulate victims of an airplane crash with varying levels of injury, included victims who did not survive the crash.

The CERT members were given victim cards and makeup was used to simulate bleeding and burns so first responders would have to quickly assess the situation to make a determination of care. The survivors were triaged and taken by ambulance or helicopter to area hospitals.

Another event collaborated with a mortuary group, Florida Emergency Mortuary Operations Response (FEMOR), the Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) unit from the Miami Beach Police Department and the National Guard, who ran a simulation on identifying victims using DNA portable testing for identification of victims.

Actual cadavers and body parts were used, and the event set up stations for identification of victims (some using body parts only) and to help the family members searching for their loved ones. We used enhanced technology including sonograms, x-rays, hair follicle identification systems and all were very rapid detection systems.

On a local level, I have used my CERT skills after Hurricane Irma came through Miami. I put on my vest, helmet and goggles, grabbed my battery-operated chain saw and went out to help my neighbors cut down trees and clear the roads to allow the cars to pass.

Whether called into action or training officially, the skills I have learned have given me the confidence and ability to serve my community, support my company to reactive patient services and prescription dispensing, as well as ensure my family and immediate neighborhood was as safe as possible until first-responders arrived.

Traveling to more heavily impacted areas and performing my duties under the Emergency Operations Declaration and Executive Orders declared during a state of emergency has been a passion of mine and something I enjoy based on the enhanced training I have received. I encourage all members of the pharmacy care team to at least receive basic training and awareness and for those with similar interests to mine, go further to do more.

OCTOBER 2018

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2018 FPA Annual Speaker of the House Delegates Report Presented to the House of Delegates Greetings, Florida Pharmacy Association members. This past July, our association gathered for the 128th Florida Pharmacy Association Annual Convention on the west coast of our state in Bonita Springs. The convention was filled with pharmacists, student pharmacists, technicians and state college of pharmacy faculty. It was fantastic to see the faces of so many active FPA members all together.

During the convention, our association had its annual House of Delegates meeting. I am pleased to report we had a full house this year with both voting delegates and general membership in attendance. A total of 17 resolutions were presented in the House of Delegates.

Of those resolutions, a total of Jeanette Connelly, PharmD seven were adopted, two were referred to our Public Affairs Council for further review, two were withdrawn by their sponsor and six were not adopted.

Further in this report are specific details for each resolution presented during the House of Delegates. There were no proposed changes to our bylaws during the convention this year.

Thank you to all of our state’s local units for submitting your involvement during the last year. All submissions were reviewed by the FPA, and several local pharmacy association units were recognized for excellence in the following areas during the House of Delegates: ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■

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Community Service: Duval County Pharmacy Association Legislative Involvement: Brevard County Pharmacy Association Membership: Duval County Pharmacy Association Continuing Education: Dade County Pharmacy Association Association Involvement: Alachua County Association of Pharmacists Public Relations: Duval County Pharmacy Association

FLORIDA PHARMACY TODAY

Although it may seem early in the year, I would be remiss if I didn’t remark on the importance of the resolution-writing process. I encourage all of you to consider becoming more active in the pharmacy advocacy process by submitting a resolution to our 2019 House of Delegates.

A great way to get involved in the resolution-writing process is to become active in your local pharmacy unit. There, you can work with your fellow members and craft a resolution that is meaningful to your pharmacy practice. Resolutions have long-lasting impacts on our association and profession. I hope that you will be an integral part of the process.

Finally, I would like to introduce to you the 2018-2019 FPA House of Delegates Board of Directors. These individuals are volunteering their time and talents to help move our profession forward. The members serving this Board of Directors are: Chair of the House Board........................David Mackarey Speaker of the House............................. Jeanette Connelly Vice Speaker.................................................... Gary Koesten Director...................................................Matthew Schneller Director.................................................... Damien Simmons Director..............................................................Kathy Petsos Parliamentarian............................................................... TBA FPA President Elect...................................David Mackarey Secretary of the House..............................Michael Jackson Thank you again for allowing me the privilege to serve as the Speaker of the House of Delegates. I am looking forward to a productive year with our association.

2018 2018 Acted Resolutions Acted Resolutions

David Mackarey, Speaker House of Delegates Jeanette Connelly, Vice Speaker David Mackarey, Speaker House of Delegates Jeanette Connelly, Vice Speaker Directors Eric Alvarez (2018), Matt Schneller (2019) and DIRECTORS Damien Simmons (2020) Eric Alvarez (2018), Matt Schneller (2019) and Damien Simmons (2020)

Carol Motycka, Chair and Immediate Past Speaker Carol Motycka, Immediate PastEx-Officio Speaker Angela Garcia,Chair FPA and President Elect and Angela Garcia, FPA President Electofand Michael Jackson, Secretary theEx-Officio House

Michael Jackson, Secretary of the House

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2018-1: Establishing a Telehealth Alliance for the State of Florida

2018-5: QRA (Quality & Regulatory Affairs) Audits of Pharmacies by Wholesalers

Contact: Angels S. Garcia, asgarciapharmd@gmail.com

Contact: Jay Wright, james.wright@fivepointsrx.com & Theresa Tolle, theresa.tolle@baystreetpharmacy.com

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Florida Pharmacy Association initiate the process for a Florida Interprofessional Telehealth Alliance reflecting key community stakeholders, clinical providers, health professions organizations and key members of the public health community.

Substitute resolution submitted by sponsor on floor: ThereforE be it resolved: The Florida Pharmacy Association initiate the process for developing an Interprofessional Telehealth Alliance. Be it further resolved: The FPA delegate this process to the Professional Affairs Council and a subcommittee who will determine the details of the parties requested to be involved, strategic planning alignment with GAC, and all necessary functions Action: Resolution adopted, referred to Professional Affairs 2018-2: Lobbying and its “Goals” Contact: Barry Paraizo, ferrbp@bellsouth.net THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the FPA work with legislators to eliminate lobbying and to save money to use creating jobs, improving education, and repairing infrastructure.

Action: Resolution not adopted 2018-3: Drug Price Disparity Contact: Barry Paraizo, ferrbp@bellsouth.net THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the FPA work with national partners to urge American drug companies to sell their products for the same price in the United States as they sell them overseas.

Action: Motion to refer to Budget and Finance Committee.

Motion to refer not adopted. Resolution not adopted 2018-4: Exorbitant Price Increase on Generic Drugs Contact: Barry Paraizo, ferrbp@bellsouth.net THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the FPA work with national associations to limit prescription drug price increases in a way similar to states’ caps on real estate taxes. THEREFORE, BE IT ALSO RESOLVED, that the FPA advocate to prevent mergers that would create a monopoly.

Action: Resolution not adopted

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Florida Pharmacy Association encourages pharmacy wholesalers to adopt consistent policies regarding QRA audits that are communicated to their customers. These policies should include the reason for QRA audits, the expected process of the audit, the potential outcomes of the audits and any appeal process for the audit outcomes. The policies should also limit audits to only the minimum necessary information or outcomes. Policies should not require or enforce pharmacies to be required to reach out to physicians about their prescribing practices.

Wholesalers may include best practices as part of their QRA audits, however, their policies should be clear as to what is mandatory and what is a suggested practice.

Action: Resolution adopted. Referred to Governmental Affairs Council 2018-6: Defining a traumatic injury Contact: David Baker, davidbakeriii@gmail.com & Norman Tomaka, FLrx9@aol.com THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, The FPA request guidance from the Florida Board of Pharmacy and Florida Department of Health regarding the communication of an Injury Severity Score to the pharmacist when relevant, as well as guidance regarding the prescribing of emergency opioid antagonists, specifically if they must be prescribed each time a prescription is written for the treatment of pain related to a traumatic injury with an Injury Severity Score of 9 or greater.

Action: Resolution withdrawn by sponsor 2018-7: Requirements for security in permitted pharmacies Contact: Kathy Petsos, kcpgatorx@gmail.com & William Ballough, william_ballough@hotmail.com THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, The FPA work with the appropriate regulatory agency so pharmacies that dispense schedule II narcotic medications adopt a security policy that incorporates at a minimum the presence of an alarm capable of being activated by any member of the pharmacy staff and CCTV system, and at each CQI meeting pharmacy staff review their company policies relating to security, and annually pharmacy operations leadership review companywide policies to ensure security is consistently being adhered to according to the minimum standards set forth by the Florida Board of Pharmacy.

Action: Motion to refer to Professional Affairs Council. Motion to refer adopted

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2018-8: The support of patient safety and care through the opposition of time-oriented metrics and operational quotas Contact: Teresa Tomerlin, teresapharmd@cfl.rr.com & Barbara Beadle, bab83168@gmail.com

2018-11: Pharmacy Technician on the Board of Pharmacy Contact: Sandra E. Buck-Camp, alcrip@aol.com

Amended resolution submitted by sponsor on floor: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, The FPA opposes the use of operational Quotas or time-oriented metrics pertaining to the pharmacist activities in fulfilling medication distribution which will have a negative impact on patient care and safety

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the FPA supports having a Florida Registered Pharmacy Technician placed on the Florida Board of Pharmacy. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED; that the FPA suggests that any pharmacy technician appointed to the Board of Pharmacy should continue to work in Florida.

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED; that the FPA also suggests that any pharmacy technician appointed to the Board of Pharmacy should have work experience in at least two of the following health care pharmacy settings: 1. Acute Care Hospital, 2. Outpatient Pharmacy, 3. Long-term Care Pharmacy, 4. Community Pharmacy.

Action: Resolution adopted as amended. Referred to Professional Affairs Council

Action: Motion to refer to the Professional Affairs Council.

Motion to refer adopted

2018-9: The Florida Pharmacy Association Mental Health and Wellness Alliance

2018-12: Subsidizing CE Cost for Local Units

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, The FPA adopt a policy that is consistent with the APhA and echo their opposition to use of operational Quotas or time-oriented metrics that will have a negative impact on patient care and safety.

Contact: Joseph Scuro, RxLawDoc@gmail.com THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the Florida Pharmacy Association through its leadership will appoint a committee charged to study, develop and oversee a program to destigmatize pharmacist addiction and mental health treatment and thereby to provide information, resources and services to promote the mental health and general wellness of its members.

Action: Resolution Adopted.

2018-10: Pharmacist Role in Physician Assisted Death Contact: Joy Wright, nerissafaye@yahoo.com THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the FPA or Subdivision of FPA: convene a working group including pharmacists in various areas of practice, specialties and views on this topic to draft a position paper that supports both an active role for pharmacists that want to participate but also affirm a pharmacist’s right to decline participation in filling or educating on the use of medications for the inducement of death and will incur no professional repercussions. The position paper will be presented for a vote of approval by the FPA members at the House of Delegates summer 2019. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if legislation is introduced at the state level, FPA will be proactive in getting legislators to include language supported by the position paper into the proposed law.

Action: Resolution adopted on standing vote. Referred to Professional Affairs Council, Educational Affairs and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Contact: Regina Mears, cmrmears@gmail.com & Michelle Lennox, MLLennox@icloud.com THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: The Florida Pharmacy Association charges the Professional Affairs Council and Budget and Finance Committee to determine a dues percentage that is commensurate with similar state organizations regarding a portion of the membership dues collected to be reinvested at the local unit level to support continuing education programs. Be it Further Resolved, This percentage of reinvested dues would be based on the number of dual memberships held between the Local Unit Association and the FPA, and not a flat rate or set amount.

Action: Resolution withdrawn by sponsor 2018-13: Repository of Florida Board of Pharmacy (BOP) and Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) Approved CE Providers Contact: Regina Mears, cmrmears@gmail.com, Michelle Lennox, MLLennox@icloud.com THEREFORE, BE RESOLVED, the FPA will establish a repository for ACPE and Florida BOP approved required CE content to be made available to local unit associations to allow access to their members.

Action: Resolution not adopted 2018-14: Differentiation of Definitions relative to Telehealth, Telemedicine, Telepharmacy, Remote Dispensing, and Remote Supervision Contact: Michelle Lennox, MLLennox@icloud.com, Angela S. Garcia, asgarciapharmd@gmail.com, Regina Mears, cmrmears@gmail.com OCTOBER 2018

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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the FPA advocate for the amending of Chapter 465.003 Definitions to provide for a standard definition of terminology for key terms related to telehealth, telemedicine, telepharmacy, remote dispensing, and remote supervision to protect the health of the public, as well as the practice of pharmacy to the standards of our sworn Oaths.

Action: Resolution adopted. Referred to Professional Affairs Council and then to Governmental Affairs Committee 2018-15: Creation of the Position of FPA Practitioner Mentor Membership Affairs Council Contact: Sarah Haley, sarahghaley@gmail.com THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the FPA create the application-based voluntary position of FPA Practitioner Mentor to allow participating FPA pharmacists with active membership to serve and mentor Florida Schools and Colleges of Pharmacy.

Action: Resolution adopted. Referred to Membership Affairs Council 2018-16: Information Sharing for Medical Marijuana Contact: Joe Koptowsky, Docjik1215@aol.com

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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the FPA support the inclusion of dispensaries of medical marijuana to register patients in the state E-FORSCE drug monitoring program to facilitate the communication between and among health care providers of the patients’ use of this agent. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the FPA work with other state agencies and pharmacist associations to facilitate the use of medical marijuana in inpatient settings.

Action: Motion to amend by removing the 2nd resolve. Motion to amend adopted. Resolution not adopted RESOLUTION SUBMITTED AFTER THE DEADLINE: NEW BUSINESS 2018-17: Cost Analysis of Resolution Contact: Arelys Del Pino, arelysdelpino@gmail.com THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the FPA conduct a cost analysis for each resolution that passes the House of Delegates and be it disclosed to the members of FPA so if needed in the future, funds can be raised for the legislative process to cover the cost of lobbying and promoting the resolution.

Action: House rules suspended. Resolution not adopted

CALL FOR RESOLUTIONS TO THE 2019 HOUSE OF DELEGATES The House of Delegates Board of Directors will meet in May 2019 to review and approve resolutions for the Annual Meeting. The deadline for submitting resolutions is May 10, 2019!

PLEASE NOTE THIS DEADLINE. The last day to submit items of new business is June 7, 2019.

The following information will be needed when submitting resolutions: 1. Name of organization: The name of the organization submitting the resolutions(s); 2. Name and telephone number of individuals: A contact in the event clarification or further information is needed; 3. Problem: A statement of the problem addressed by the resolution; 4. Intent: A statement of what passage of the resolution will accomplish; 5. Resolution Format: Please type and use double spacing.

TITLE OF RESOLUTION NAME OF ORGANIZATION WHEREAS , AND

WHEREAS :

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED (THAT THE FPA OR SUBDIVISION OF FPA)

CONTACT NAME AND PHONE #: PROBLEM: INTENT:

Return this form to: Membership Coordinator, Florida Pharmacy Association, 610 North Adams Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32301 or fax (850) 561-6758

OCTOBER 2018

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NATIONAL PHARMACY TECHNICIAN DAY

By Julie Burger

American Pharmacists Month has been celebrating the crucial role of pharmacists since 2004. During this recognition period, one day is reserved to celebrate the pharmacy technician. Each October, the third Tuesday is celebrated as National Pharmacy Technician Day. This year, our day fell on Oct. 16 2018.

As the role of the pharmacist in accountable care organizations expands, delegating tasks to pharmacy technicians has become crucial. Pharmacy technicians play an essential role in daily pharmacy operations with evolving roles and responsibilities. Pharmacists have constant increasing demands for productivity and accuracy. Achieving these goals would not be possible without the support of excellent pharmacy technicians.

There are many ways you can show the technicians in your life how much you care. In the workplace you can decorate your pharmacy, host a lunch or 22

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display photos of the technicians on your team to highlight their role. If you need help with the graphics, the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board has graphics and badges available for download at www.ptcb.org.

You could also set up a display in your pharmacy, health system or practice setting to highlight some key roles of pharmacy technicians. Asking a local government official to declare a proclamation is also a public way to celebrate your pharmacy technician team members.

For community involvement, you could volunteer to guest lecture at a local pharmacy technician program. In

the field of technician education, partnering with pharmacists and pharmacy students is a critical step in building the teamwork approach in the workforce.

A more personal way to support the technicians on your team would be to purchase a membership to their local pharmacy association or the FPA. Networking and education is also an important step in technician career development and progression. Our pharmacy associations help make this happen! As always, a personal note or thank you note is always an impactful and heartfelt way to pay it forward.

As reported by the Board of Pharmacy during the Regulatory and Law Conference, there are currently 33,886 licensed pharmacists and 49,563 registered technicians. Odds are, you know many pharmacy technicians in your practice. We rely on each other to ensure patient safety and the best health outcomes for patients. So, don’t forget to tell your pharmacy technician how much you appreciate all they do!

Welcome, New FPA Members The Florida Pharmacy Association would like to recognize the following members who joined the association between January 2018 and October 2018.

Trent Abel Rucha Acharya Daniel Acosta Cassandra Acosta Lisa Adamich Sunny Aggarwal Geo Aickareth Larry Alaimo Yarittza Almora Marissa Aloyo Christian Alvarez Kaylee Alwine Chris Ambrose Emet Anceaume Adeyemi Anderson Juliet Aneke Leah Anklam Beatrice Armstrong Theresa Arnott Kimberly Atkinson Samantha Axtell James Azzata Joseph Azzata Joseph Azzata Rebecca Bahr Jessica Bailey Lolade Bakare Ashley Ball Alexa Nicole Banaag Grizel Barbeite Jose Barboza Christine Bartol Jennifer Beaumont Grace Behr Kimberly Benavente Emilie Bergsma Yana Birbrayer Sandra Birza Rosibel Blanco Erin Blood Venkateswara Bollineni Jordan Boyd Amanda Boyer Brenda Bozarth Christa Brechin Laura Bredenberg Shawn Bridley Pauline Broderick Anne Brown Karl Burgos Shauna Buring Whitney Cabrera Brandi Campbell Brooke Caperton Ryan Carpenter

Morgan Carson Mario Castillo Jacintha Cauffield Wanda Centeno Wanda Centeno Matthew Chacko Demetrios Chagoya Vanessa Chamba Stacy Chao Binu Cheriyan Walters Cheso Eric Cheung Nwabufo Chidolue Nicholas Chow Koreen Clarke Nundie Cliett Juanesha Cobb Murad Cofer Joseph Comito Melinda Conner Jessica Conyers Anita Coorey Suzanne Costa Philip Cratem Stephanie Cremades Yazaely Cremata Tasha Dallmann Liem Dang Lataesha Davidson Carys Davies Nrec Dedaj Jaleesa Dekilder Rebecca Deleo Pascal Desdunes Catherine Diaz Marilu Diaz Andrea Diaz Jaffice Donaldson Angelia Douthit Luberta Duffy Stephanie Dunbar Aldeta Duncan Rachael Earls Sumanth Edara Justin Egan Mazin Elamin Gerald Ellis Francesco Erace Tatiana Escudero Sandy Estrada Grace Evans Beishouy Fahmy Leyany Feijoo Ramos Katie Ferguson Elizabeth Fernandez

Jenna Ferreira Danna Fichtel Malissa Field Harry Finke Mark Fischer Bernard Fischer Robin Fox Kristie Fox David Frantz Seth Fricks Patrice Gabriel Stacey Gause Ghina Ghanem Madeline Giera Amanda Giggy Andrea Gil Catalina Giraldo Camay Golding Nicole Gonzalez Gretel Gonzalez Brandon Gould Carley Graham Lauren Grimes Mcclellan Grimm Aileen Guadalupe Matthew Haas Brianna Hachey Isaac Haddy Andrew Haines Lizbeth Haker Doreen Hale Cynthia Hall Delrae Hartsfield Zahra Hashemy Kathryn Hatch Matthew Heard Vivian Hernandez Alex Herwig Rick Hessler Daniel Hickman Rebecca Hines Tram Ho Enrique Howard Zana Hunt Natalie Hurst Thao Huynh Lauren Ingram Melanie Jameson Joseph Jean Franky Jean Carmela Jean Anthony Jeffries Jessica Jennings Rosa Jimenez Rohan Johnson Tevin Johnson William Jones Mariana Jones Julia Jones Chandra Jordan Shaunda Jordan

Holder Claudia Joseph Anthony Juncal Nazifa Kadery Dipali Kadiwar Roni Kaitz Dale Kawales Alyssa Kellogg Angie Kemp Sierra King Brooke Kirkland Christian Kirklon Greg Kitchens George Kitchens Julie Kjos Ira Klein Valeriy Krayter Kayla Kuhns Jenay Kyles Richard Ladner Damon Lang Madeline Lang Scott Leeds Jessica Lendoiro Avia-Ann Lezeau Mark Linden Kimberly Little Kevin Liu Jennifer Ljubisavljevic Benjamin Lowry Justina Luckey Jordan Lyons Lisa Lyutov Grae Macdonald Molly Macek Carrie Mach Crystal Maharaj Tinamarie Mahon Monali Majmuder Rhonda Mangione Rhonda Mangione Kathy Mansur Ahmad Marar Victoria Marinucci Iris Marrero Kera Marsh Anthony Martinez Balvinder Marwaha Joanna Matheney Geneen Maxwell Jennifer Mcnamara Yissel Medina Joseph Mendes Tina Merriman Nenad Milenkovich Morgan Miller Nicole Miller

Patricia Moeller Carmen Mojica Christine Moll Lavern Montac Elvin Montanez Michelle Montoya Jennifer Mooney Maridalys Morales Sherri Morgan Jessica Mosher Clarisse Mukeshimana Lauren Mullen Levonne Mullen Lince Munoz Adriana Munoz Suja Nair Francine Napolitano Elias Nazario Jennifer Negron Jacqueline Nguyen John Nigara Russell Norfleet Russell Norfleet Amos Okegbola Nandi Okonkwo Krista Onan Frances Ordieres Lizet Ortiz Annette Pagan Lauren Palowitz Xiomara Paredes Bernal Margarita Parrilla Jasmin Patel Niraliben Patel Bhavina Patel Tejas Patel Virendra Patel Joanne Pauyo Emily Peabody Kayla Peludat Sara Penuel Sara Peretzman Judith Perez Lori Petro Julie Pham Laura Phan Jessica Piercy Grettel Plasencia Scott Portman Anita Pothen Daisy Prados Wesley Preble Gregory Presti Renee Prokos Randa Qaisi Lazara Quiala Magda Quintana

Lauren Quiroga Monica Ramirez Jelinna-Marie Rances Mumtahinah Rashid Jessica Reyes Gonzalez Adriana Rhodes Tara M. Richardson Gary Roberts Jessica Rodiles Jennifer Rodriguez Elias Rodriguez Elias Rodriguez Luis Rodriguez Leonor Roman Jessica Rosado Rivera Courtney Rosenthal Christine Rowe Michelle Rowland Ana Rubido Margarita Rubido Robb Russell Nicole Russo Elizabeth Russo John Rutsch Marilyn Ryan Yulia Rybalka Sonam Sagar Jose Saleh Katrina Sales Koreen Sanders Guetan Sarrazin Michael Sasser Erica Satterwhite Erin Scarpace Donna Scott Carly Seidle Steffany Sepulveda Margaret Sgritta Apurv Shah Dawn Showwalter Ayaz Siddiqi Michael Silberman Gabriele Simas Angenette Simpson Corinne Singer Alesha Singh Vivien Singh Hannah Skipper Samson Skipper Rima Sleiman Brooke Smith Tracey Smith

Sukhpaul Sodhi Shawn Somers Zachary Sotomayor Cristina Sprouse Tara Steakin Candice Sullivan Shelby Swartzentruber Victoria Sweet Ismael Syed Abdul Naveed Syed Brixhilda Syla Martin Szkodzinski Jacqueline Tewell Charlene Throop Patricia Tice Laura Tipton Tracy Tolf Vanessa Tomm Victor Torrales Chandra Torry Tammy Tran Jackson Tran Morgan Turney Barbara Vagi Megan Van Fleet Nichole Varela Gonzalez Albert Vellucci Meralis Villanueva Michael Vincent Phu Vo Brandi Vosberg Scott Vouri Magdaliene Vricos Yvona Vroumpel Cucnhat Walker Cristal Wallace Taylor Watkins Kim Whiteman Sara Williams Winny Wong Glenda Wong Monica Woodham Michael Wozniak Katerina Xu Estefany Yanqui Kelley Yeoman Juliet Young -Samuels Kangning Yu Renee Zawistowski

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Government Affairs Committee (GAC) Update

By Eric Larson, PharmD

Hello, fellow FPA members. I hope all is going well in the pharmacy community this month. I know things are gearing up as we prepare for flu season, and we are excited to also be preparing for advocacy and legislative activities. I wanted to provide a brief synopsis of what the GAC has been working on this month.

The 2018 campaign season is in full swing. The entire House of Representatives is up for grabs and the GAC is keeping a close eye on certain districts as we position ourselves for the legislative season, identifying bill sponsors and supporting candidates who have an interest in our profession and the services we provide to our patients.

We will be posting the FPA’s Political Contributions on our website so you can see where we are putting our political funding efforts and support. We will also be offering a communication tool for our members that provides informa24

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tion on your individual campaign contributions (not the financial specifics, but who we, as members, are supporting) so our leadership is better informed when meeting with these legislators about which of our Association’s constituents have made contributions, worked campaigns or attended priority events.

This will also allow us to reach out to our membership and communicate directly on issues specific to those districts or legislators. We believe this will serve our Association and the goals of the GAC in growing our legislative impact and visibility.

Our ‘ask’ to the membership: we need your help. If you have a relationship with a legislator and/or want to take an active role in advocacy and the legislative process, please reach out to the FPA office and the staff will get you in touch with a GAC member in your area or region.

As always, if you have any questions please feel free to contact me directly. Next month we will have specifics on the FPA Advocacy Plan and regional political events, so check out our article in Florida Pharmacy Today!

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Region 2 Director Report Neil Barnett, PharmD, CPh

Greetings, Florida Pharmacy Association membership, and hello to my colleagues in northeast Florida! I am serving my second term (third year) as your Region 2 director for the FPA, representing Clay, Duval, Flagler, Marion, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns Counties.

To give you a little background on me: I am the program manager at Clyde E. Lassen State Veterans Home in St. Augustine and an alumnus of Nova Southeastern University, class of 2003. I concurrently serve as the chairman of the Board for Duval County Pharmacy Association (DCPA) and am the immediate past president.

My journey into pharmacy leadership began at the local unit association level immediately following graduation and has continued to grow over the past several years.

For a few years, my family and I relocated to Tennessee, but when we returned, I was back actively engaged with Duval County with a renewed sense of commitment to pharmacy leadership.

I believe key elements make a regional director successful as liaisons between the local unit and the FPA. What I have tried to cultivate is a sense of relationship between both Volusia and Duval County associations.

I lived in New Smyrna Beach and was a technician member of Volusia County and had a strong mentor, Marcus Dodd-o, who serves as president of Volusia County Pharmacy Association, helping me understand the importance of engagement. Once I finished school and entered into practice I remained active – it was instilled in me.

When I became DCPA President, Michael Hebb, who was

FPA REGION 2 INCLUDES VOLUSIA AND DUVAL COUNTIES.

WE ARE VERY FOCUSED AT DCPA IN REACHING OUT TO STUDENTS – WE CONNECT TO OUR STUDENTS MONTHLY BY ENCOURAGING THEM TO ATTEND OUR LOCAL UNIT MEETINGS. 26

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the former FPA Region 2 director, reintroduced me (this time as a pharmacist) to Marcus Dodd-o. It was amazing to see his continued presence and immediately we reconnected; this began an open line of communication about pharmacy issues locally and we make sure to stay connected through email.

I try to remember that when serving the FPA and the local units, it’s very important to recognize my responsibility and accountability to disseminate all the information from BOD meetings timely to the local unit leadership. They have to ensure the information gets out to our membership and likewise, pharmacy-related issues come back to me, so I can bring those up during our Board of Director meetings.

I work very closely with Carl Kesgen, current president of DCPA, and Marcus Dodd-o, current president of Volusia County. I have my finger on the pulse of everything happening across northeast Florida and I rely heavily on those relationships.

Mentors like Carol Motycka, whom I met during my fourth year of pharmacy school, helped keep me become more connected during my transition from a graduate to a new practitioner.

This is why our local unit associations are critical – they are the stepping block for leaders in the profession and we must reach out to our students and technicians and serve in roles of mentorship every opportunity we can.

We prioritize communication with students primarily through the University of Florida Jacksonville campus, which is our closest college and largest source of students in the area. Many pharmacists with DCPA (including myself) are registered as experiential preceptors. My site qualifies as a Geriatric/Ambulatory Care APPE and Administrative Pharmacy Elective APPE through the VA. We are very focused at DCPA in reaching out to students – we connect to our students monthly by encouraging them to attend our local unit meetings. UF and DCPA work collaboratively to support and engage the FPA student group to make sure those students stay connected during their fourth year.

This is a drop-off period for many students, so we want to be present and support them in every way possible.

DCPA sponsors a student for the FPA Annual Convention that participates in the student mentoring program and we recognize a student through our memorial DCPA Michael

Hebb Student Scholarship award. Students must be encouraged and welcomed in at the local unit level, and especially as they transition into active practicing pharmacists.

As a regional director, I also work closely with NEFSHP (Northeast Florida Society of Health-System Pharmacists) and immediate past presidents for FSHP (Kathy Baldwin and Charzetta James) who are also members of DCPA. We coordinate travel to Legislative Days and work to have a presence at local legislative events to ensure a strong presence for the northeast region of the state and a collaborative effort toward prioritized pharmacy-related issues. One of the primary issues we focus on legislatively are the limited opportunities for pharmacists in this area of the state and challenges to optimize our contributions among health care teams.

We have an imbalance created by the growing numbers of pharmacists in the area, but we also facilitate new opportunities working together to expand the recognition of what we do on interprofessional health care teams from many areas of practice (community, ambulatory care, institutional, consulting, etc.). We facilitate communication about job opportunities to our membership and raise awareness about legislative issues, employment issues and other health care-related issues.

In our Region, we make sure to be very present and connected to our local national legislators: Senator Travis Hutson, District 7, (R) – Health Policy Committee; Representative Cindy Stephenson, District 17, (R) – Health and Human Services Committee and Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee Vice Chair; as well as our politician from the 4th Congressional District, John H. Rutherford (R).

We really push against remote dispensing as it was submitted in the 2018 legislative session and we push for provider status and broadening the scope of pharmacists’ and their ability to enhance patient care.

We suggest remote dispensing be restricted to serve those rural areas governed by Indian Health Services and have strong oversight by the local Departments of Health. We want them to hear from us the importance of pharmacist contributions to innovative health care approaches, including pharmacists as mid-level providers acting within their appropriate scope providing enhanced clinical care. We support the provision of services under the direction of a physician in collaborative practice agreements to optimize patient outcomes similar to other mid-level providers.

I am excited for another active legislative session and look forward to my continued service to the profession through both local and state leadership roles. I am honored to be part of the profession of pharmacy and I take my service as the Region 2 director to heart.

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Region 9 Local Unit Association Report

By Tenim Novoa, PharmD, CPh

Welcome to Broward County! My name is Tenim Novoa and as president of the Broward County Pharmacy Association (BCPA) I am honored to introduce myself and the activities of our local unit to the FPA membership.

Our mission here at the BCPA continues just as strong as it was 25 years ago - To unite pharmacists and technicians in Broward County who are interested in supporting and encouraging high standards in pharmaceutical practice; establishing and maintaining relationships with health professionals, industry leaders, and government officials; and sponsoring continuing education for all of its members.

Our Board of Directors meets the first Wednesday of every month at Nova Southeastern University College of Pharmacy and our CE Programs are held the second Tuesday from September through May. We remain centrally located in Broward County (Region 9) so our members have a well-known and easily accessible location to engage.

Our focus within the BOD is to be accessible to our local membership and address our regular business including upcoming community events, regular and repeating special events and CE programming needs. We make sure that our Board diversity and community engagement connects us with ongoing and emergent local pharmacy-related or legislative issues, especially those that impact our ability to practice and care for our patients safely.

Last year we established six committees to help carry out the operations of the Board with the intention of creating pathways for members to become more actively engaged and develop leadership skills. We believe this pipeline will help us recruit and mentor future leaders and increase the number of active members.

We also encourage our teams to identify ways to align with FPA initiatives to ensure we are working in conjunction with them and our neighboring local units (Palm Beach, Dade and InterAmerican). Each of the committees represent a different aspect of our local association. We strongly believe that working together we can accomplish great things.

BCPA Committees Highlights: Membership Committee - recruits and maintains membership for technicians, students and pharmacists; maintains member roster for pharmacists in good standing; and maintains historical record of yearly membership. Every month thus far, we have had an average of 10 new members join and we actively working to increase this number to strengthen our pharmacy community.

As our activity and visibility grows, it becomes easier to sell membership in BCPA and recruit for active engagement.

We encourage all our members (especially the new members) to join FPA as well so as to get the full benefit of pharmacy practice in Florida.

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Laws, Regulations, and Legislative Committee - reviews our bylaws for the purpose of considering any additions and/ or revisions which may be deemed necessary over time with oversight and advisory input by the Board. The committee is charged with documenting accomplishments of their responsibilities, protocols, guidelines and standard operating procedures.

They are also responsible for organizing and facilitating our Association’s submission of Resolutions to the FPA HOD. We recognize the importance of our members’ priorities and issues relevant to their practice. This committee will work closely with the FPA Governmental Affairs Committee (GAC) to ensure legislative updates are communicated in a timely manner and we attend priority events in our community.

Continuing Education Committee - schedules, vets and reports continuing education to CE Broker, offering 36 continuing education credits per biennial licensure renewal period. The committee explores integrated technology to market track and report credits and explores innovative ways to bring member to specialty CEs (i.e. Wine Tasting & CEs). We try to engage socialization with education, similar to other local units.

Scholarship Committee - responsible for maintaining professional scholarships for technicians and students learning, living and practicing in the Broward County area to support their efforts in education and to recognize their leadership and workforce support as crucial members of our profession.

Annually, we award a $1,000 memorial service scholarship (Jean Lamberti) and three $500 patient-care scholarships to students. For technicians, we award two $250 service scholarships and free BCPA memberships for a year. We accept students from both Nova Southeastern University and Larkin University, as well as technicians in the same catchment areas.

As we continue to grow, engage our members and listen to their needs for professional engagement, advocacy, education and practice issues, we are making changes to stay current and meet their needs.

We have a legacy of tradition and contributions from many of our members that have shaped the way we practice in Broward County and across the state. Active local units serve as the gateway for future leaders of active state associations.

We are very proud of the work we are doing to strengthen our foundation, encourage active affiliation with the FPA and be ambassadors for the profession to our practicing colleagues and patients throughout Broward County. We embrace the Power of WE and look forward to continuing our tradition of strong leadership and engagement.

University of Florida APhA-ASP Chapter Engagement Report

By Riley O’Donnell UF APhA-ASP Orlando Campus and Public Affairs Council Student Member

University of Florida students share a great passion for the Florida Pharmacy Association and work on all three campuses to promote conversation about policy and the pharmacy profession. This fall you can find many different events and projects at our respective campuses that display our love for pharmacy and the strides we are making to inform others on what pharmacists do and why we should all care about our place on the health care team.

UF Gainesville Campus This semester, students in Gainesville hosted the Great Gator Health Fest. This is an annual health fair that occurs before a home football game for the Florida Gators (this year’s was held before the LSU vs. Florida game). Students performed point-of-care testing for the public before the game, such as blood glucose and cholesterol screening. There were several booths set up with representatives from each department in the APhA-ASP chapter, so that people could see what each chair and department does to provide for the community.

In terms of policy, students are in the planning stages for a debate night in which they recruited teams of students advocating for or against talking points based on legislation.

Pictured: Gennaro Hernandez, Erik Gomez, Thigpen Van, Meena Manepalli, Doug Tam

Pictured: Doug Tam

Pictured: Jack Guerci

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UF Orlando Campus This semester in Orlando, students geared up for our annual Policy Panel held on October 15. This panel allowed for students to engage with other leaders in pharmacy and legislation to open up discussion for where pharmacy goes in the future. Students had the opportunity to learn how we can best play a role in advocating for our profession. This year’s panel consisted of visitors from the Florida Pharmacy Association, Florida Society of Health-System Pharmacists and a congressman from the area.

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Last year’s policy panel, held on November 13, 2017. Picture left to right: Maria Grazia, Kiomara Zayas, Athena Perez, Sonam Sagar, Amanda Al-Bahou, State Representative Rene “Coach P” Plascencia, Dr. Suzy Wise, Hillary Landers, Jennifer Ryder, Sean Speer.

UF Jacksonville Campus In Jacksonville, the schedule for Fall was filled with events for policy and health care in the community: ■■ Pints and Policy (Sept. 28) – Bearded Buffalo at 6 p.m. ●● Four different tables discussed four different pertinent policies.

■■ Voter Registration (Oct. 1) 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. ●● Initiative to get students registered to vote.

January 2018: Students from the University of Florida (all campuses) in the state Capitol attending Legislative Days.

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Policy week APhM (Oct. 15 – 19) ●● Oct. 15 – GBM with FSHP – Speaker: Dr. Garcia/FPA member ●● Oct. 16 – Policy Panel Stream (stream video from Orlando’s Policy panel) ●● Oct. 17 – Coffee & Policy (APhM Coffee sleeves distributed to local coffee houses to inform Jacksonville community on what pharmacists do) ●● Oct. 18 – I am a Provider Note/Pictures ●● Oct. 19 – Pumpkin Spice and Policy, MRM online registration deadline Health Fair (Oct. 20) – Women’s Initiative ●● Booth with thank you cards to send to legislators and discuss how we can promote women’s health as pharmacists.

Bend and Brew (November) – Collaboration with APhA Mental Health and Membership

APhA-ASP Chapter Update The University of Florida chapter’s Policy Team is committed to promoting policy education for student pharmacists to enhance advocacy efforts for the pharmacy profession.

Throughout the year, each University of Florida chapter campus coordinated multiple events to increase their reach to students, including Policy Week and the AdvoGatoRx Challenge.

During Policy Week in Gainesville, all of the policy vice presidents united for the largest policy education and tabling event of the year, Tri-Campus Tabling. More than 500 student pharmacists from every campus spoke with the policy vice presidents about provider status, collaborative practice and ways to connect with legislators.

THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, EACH UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA CHAPTER CAMPUS COORDINATED MULTIPLE EVENTS TO INCREASE THEIR REACH TO STUDENTS, INCLUDING POLICY WEEK AND THE ADVOGATORX CHALLENGE. Student pharmacists had the opportunity to advocate for provider status through the Pharmacists Provide Care website while also becoming members of APhA-ASP. The AdvoGatoRx Challenge was another opportunity for the chapter to encourage advocacy. This new fundraising challenge had APhA-ASP members compete against each other to raise funds for the Back the PAC campaign through the Text-To-Donate initiative.

The campaign raised $1,486 with contributions from 92 students. The winning class was rewarded with lunch provided by the chapter. Both Gainesville and Orlando hosted Policy Panels, reaching 75 students total.

The panels featured faculty members, the Florida Pharmacy Association president, and State Representative Plascencia fostering genuine discussion about pharmacy legislation and how student pharmacists can make an impact. Jacksonville hosted Pints & Policy, where one of the University of Florida College of Pharmacy’s law professors provided examples of legal issues then had the 33 attendees research the laws behind them.

This event also featured a Legislative Update to discuss pharmacy-related bills that were signed into law during the 2017-2018 session and why other laws were not as successful.

By working together, each of the campuses saw a growth in policy interest and support which led to the formation of Policy Committees on every campus.

Another mission of the University of Florida chapter’s Policy Team is to educate the public about the impact of pharmacists on the quality of health care. Legislative Days at the Florida Capitol provided an opportunity for student pharmacists to advocate for the profession of pharmacy.

With 103 student pharmacists in attendance, despite multiple exams and classes that week, the chapter reached 37 legislators; many of whom were more accepting of the concept of collaborative practice compared to last year.

In particular, State Representative Julio Gonzalez, who is an orthopedic surgeon, had a 180-degree change of opinion on collaborative practice from the previous year when he opposed the bill. During this year’s Legislative Days, he was very supportive of the bill and proclaimed he would continue to support efforts towards its approval.

In addition to Legislative Days, multiple events throughout the year educated the public about the pharmacy profession. During American Pharmacists Month, students at the Jacksonville campus spread the word about the profession of pharmacy by distributing 500 coffee sleeves bearing a message about pharmacist education at the campus’s Starbucks.

Additionally, Orlando students hosted a letter-writing event where 144 student pharmacists participated in the Pharmacists Provide Care campaign by sending an email or writing a letter to their legislators.

Throughout the legislative session, students called legislators rallying in support of the pharmacy profession. The Policy Team at the Gainesville campus conducted phone calls to legislators during spring break in opposition of HB679/SB848 (Remote Dispensing Bill) and in support of HB351 (PBM Transparency Bill), a new initiative that will be expanded upon in the coming year.

Collectively as a chapter and with many pharmacists and student pharmacists across the state, the Remote Dispensing Bill was withdrawn from consideration and the PBM Transparency Bill was signed into law at the end of the legislative session.

THROUGHOUT THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, STUDENTS CALLED LEGISLATORS RALLYING IN SUPPORT OF THE PHARMACY PROFESSION. THE POLICY TEAM AT THE GAINESVILLE CAMPUS CONDUCTED PHONE CALLS TO LEGISLATORS DURING SPRING BREAK IN OPPOSITION OF HB679/SB848 (REMOTE DISPENSING BILL) AND IN SUPPORT OF HB351 (PBM TRANSPARENCY BILL), A NEW INITIATIVE THAT WILL BE EXPANDED UPON IN THE COMING YEAR. Geared towards building momentum and increasing attendance for the upcoming FPA Legislative Days event, this meeting gave much needed insight into the outcomes that can be achieved when we find the courage to speak out for the profession of pharmacy.

Our esteemed guests included Dr. Suzy Wise, who was FPA president and is now the chair of the FPA Board of Directors, and Director of Pharmacy at the Cleveland Clinic in Miami, Bill Kernan. Student Council was even able to arrange for a special guest appearance by State Representative Rene “Coach P” Plascencia, who reiterated the importance of relaying concerns to our legislators, so they are aware of what matters to us.

Being able to hear from pharmacy leaders as well as having the viewpoint of a legislator brought a unique mix to this year’s event and stirred up a passion that was evident in the increased number of student pharmacists that registered for Legislative Days from the Orlando Campus.

Hearing the personal stories along with words of wisdom and encouragement from our speakers made the daunting task of being a spokesperson for our profession seem like a goal that was well within reach.

Annual Policy Panel The Second Annual Policy Panel was recently held this Fall as a joint meeting between APhA-ASP and FSHP. This event highlights the importance of policy and advocacy and how student pharmacists can take control of their future by getting involved.

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florida PHARMACY TODAY

FREQUENTLY CALLED NUMBERS

BUYER’S GUIDE

ADVERTISERS: This is a special section designed to give your company more exposure and to act as an easy reference for the pharmacist.

PHARMACY RESOURCES PPSC Retail Pharmacy Purchasing Program (888) 778-9909

LEGAL ASSISTANCE Kahan & Associates, PLLC Brian A. Kahan, R.Ph., Attorney at Law (561) 392-9000 The Health Law Firm George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M. (407) 331-6620

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AHCA MEDICAID PHARMACY SERVICES 2727 Mahan Drive Tallahassee, FL 32308 (850) 412-4166 www.fdhc.state.fl.us/medicaid/ pharmacy AMERICAN PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION (APhA) Washington, D.C. (800) 237-2742 www.pharmacist.com AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEALTH SYSTEM PHARMACISTS Bethesda, MD (301) 657-3000 www.ashp.com/main.htm DRUG INFORMATION CENTER Palm Beach Atlantic University (561) 803-2728 druginfocenter@pba.edu FLORIDA BOARD OF PHARMACY 4052 Bald Cypress Way Bin #C04 Tallahassee, FL 32399-3254 (850) 245-4292 www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa FLORIDA POISON INFORMATION CENTER NETWORK (800) 222-1222 www.fpicn.org NATIONAL COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION 100 Daingerfield Road Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 683-8200 (703) 683-3619 fax info@ncpanet.org

Advertising in Florida Pharmacy Today Display Advertising: please call (850) 264-5111 for a media kit and rate sheet. Buyers’ Guide: A signed insertion of at least 3X per year, 1/3 page or larger display ad, earns a placement in the Buyers’ Guide. A screened ad is furnished at additional cost to the advertiser. Professional Referral Ads: FPA Members: $50 per 50 words; Non‑members: $100 per 50 words; No discounts for advertising agencies. All Professional Referral ads must be paid in advance, at the time of ad receipt.

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