September 2022 Florida Pharmacy Today

FPA Board of Directors

Daniel Buffington

Florida Pharmacy Association Unit Association Recognition Award

University of Florida College of Pharmacy Profile

Gout & EconomicsWhat's the Connection?

Board Chair

Carol Motycka President Jeanette Connelly .President Elect

Kathy Baldwin

Alexander Pytlarz

Verender Brown

FSHP President

Speaker of the House

Technician Director

William Mincy Treasurer

Joshua Pullo Vice Speaker

Joyanna Wright

Eric Jakab

Matt Schneller

Region 1 Director

Region 2 Director

Region 3 Director (Interim)

James Alcorn Region 4 Director

Bob Parrado. Region 5 Director

Katherine Petsos

Paul Delisser

. Region 6 Director

. Region 7 Director

Jacob Johnson Region 8 Director

Goar Alvarez Region 9 Director

Helen Sairany

EVP & CEO

FPA

OCTOBER

1-4 NCPA Annual Meeting

Kansas City

7 FPA Point of Care Test & Treat training program Kissimmee

8-9 FPA Midyear Clinical via Zoom or in Kissimmee

19-20 Florida Board of Pharmacy Meeting Ft. Lauderdale

21-22 - FPA Nuclear Conference via Zoom

NOVEMBER

6 FPA Board of Directors via Zoom

11 Veterans Day

FPA Office Closed

24-25 Thanksgiving

FPA Office Closed

DECEMBER

3-4 FPA Regulatory and Law Zoom Conference via Zoom

14-15 Florida Board of Pharmacy Meeting Orlando

26-27 Christmas HolidayFPA Office Closed

JANUARY

2 New Years - FPA Office Closed

Mission Statements:

Florida Pharmacy Today Journal

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

Florida Pharmacy Today Board of Directors

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 two-hour CE requirement for pharmacists on the dispensing of controlled substances effective this biennial renewal period. The Reducing Medication Errors course is needed for pharmacists and technicians.

Pharmacists should have satisfied all continuing education requirements for this biennial period by Sept. 30, 2023, or prior to licensure renewal. Consultant pharmacists and technicians will need to renew their licenses and registrations by Dec. 31, 2022.

For the 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.floridapharmacy.org

CONTACTS

FPA — Tian Merren-Owens (850) 222-2400

FSHP — Tamekia Bennett (850) 906-9333

UF — Emely McKitrick (352) 273-5169

FAMU — Dr. Selika Sampson (850) 599-3301

NSU — Carsten Evans (954) 262-1300

DISCLAIMER

Note: The views of the authors do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Florida Pharmacy As sociation, Florida Pharmacy Today or any related entities.

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 Jour nal 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 ap propriate advertising to assist the Journal in its goal of self-support.

Articles in this publication are designed to provide accurate and authoritative infor mation 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.

The President’s Viewpoint

CAROL MOTYCKA, PHARM.D., CHSE

A New Era for the Florida Pharmacy Association

OnSeptember 19, we welcomed new Executive Vice President and CEO Helen Sairany as she joined the Florida Pharmacy Associ ation on her official first day. This is a new era for the association as we look to the future for new ideas and new methods of breathing life back into our organization, which has been a beacon for the profession of pharmacy since its inception on June 8, 1887.

The FPA was first created to elevate the pharmacy profession and improve the health care of Floridians and that is what we have continued to do for the past 135 years. A plaque commemo rating the first meeting of the organi zation in Jacksonville was recently re stored and placed for public display in the Downtown Jacksonville Library along with other important Jackson ville historical artifacts. Our profession and our organization need these types of public displays in order for us to con tinue to move forward.

The pandemic pushed pharmacists to new limits and expanded our abil ity to care for more patients at such a difficult time. Our grit and resiliency was impressive, but it was in our en gagement with professional organiza tions that took a hit through these often exhausting times. All organizations, including the Florida Pharmacy As sociation, have seen a decline in both membership and engagement as phar macist, intern and pharmacy techni cian time was stretched thin caring for those desperately needing treatment.

As we now have a better handle on caring for patients with COVID and have tremendously improved health care of Floridians through our effort, it is time to reengage with our organiza

tions and pick back up with the second portion of where FPA first started: ele vating our profession.

The incredible work done over the years by Michael Jackson is now be ing picked up by Helen Sairany as she works tirelessly with the rest of the FPA staff in Tallahassee to ensure our members’ voices are heard by legisla

The pandemic pushed pharmacists to new limits and expanded our ability to care for more patients at such a difficult time.

Carol Motycka, Pharm.D., CHSE

is time for us to be seen and heard for all of our achievements. All of us can take at least one step forward in order to do that.

tors and by the general public.

As we begin American Pharmacists Month, there is no better time for our voices to be louder and stronger across our state. We can help as members by finding ways to be in the public eye through immunization efforts, may oral proclamations of American Phar macists Month in your city, or simply by recruiting new FPA members to join the effort.

If each member could encourage one new member to join, our organi zation would be back to pre-pandem ic strength and our effort and resound ing voice would double across Florida. I encourage each of you to take part in American Pharmacists Month as a member of the FPA, but most impor tantly as a member of our profession. It

Thank you all for providing the warm welcome to Helen and remem ber to continue to push forward.

Lace Up and Don’t Stop! n

Executive Insight

HELEN SAIRANY, BA, PHARMD, MBA, RPH, BCACP EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT & CEO

Educate! Advocate! Engage! Network!

Carolina, I have heard from members about how abuses by PBMs are impact ing the mental health of our pharma cists and support staff as well as the fi nancial stability of our profession. I am excited to hear about Governor Ron De Santis’s support for my fellow pharma cists here in Florida through his execu

tive order to ensure transparency and accountability.

I am also aware of the challenges pertaining to unbearable work condi tions. Just like other healthcare provid ers, pharmacists and their team mem bers are under an immense amount of stress, pressure and demand to serve the needs of their patients.

Throughout the pandemic, overrun hospitals were often referred to as com bat zones, and healthcare workers as

Helen Sairany, BA, PharmD, MBA, RPh, BCACP

frontline soldiers. Research shows that those comparisons were probably war ranted. As they faced fatigue, death, fear of infection, burnout and watching people ignore public health recommen dations, healthcare workers have been experiencing record levels of mental health distress.

The impact of the pandemic on the mental health of healthcare workers, including pharmacists, has been well documented. Every day, we hear about rising reports of exhaustion, burnout and staff turnover in our communi ties. A recent survey reveals that over 60% of pharmacists report experienc ing a high level of burnout in practice. This is one of the highest rates among all healthcare professionals, even high er than surgeons, oncologists and emer gency and trauma unit practitioners.

Research shows that members of the healthcare team, pharmacists included, are more prone to making errors when

We all have the responsibility to advocate for the profession through patient care services. Protecting and advancing the pharmacy profession requires constant vigilance by identifying, monitoring and quickly acting upon current, as well as future, opportunities and threats.

FPA STAFF

Executive Vice President, CEO Helen Sairany, ext.200

Director of Continuing Education

Tian Merren-Owens, ext. 120

Continuing Education Coordinator Stacey Brooks, ext. 210

Coordinator of Membership

Ranada Howard, ext. 110

FLORIDA PHARMACY TODAY BOARD

Chair David Mackarey, Boynton Beach

Vice Chair Matt Schneller, Tampa

Treasurer Eric Jakab, Gainesville

Secretary Julie Burger, Pensacola

Member Aiya Almogaber, Tampa

Member Michael Finnick, Jacksonville

Member Carol Motycka, Jacksonville

Member Teresa Tomerlin, Rockledge

Member Greta Pelegrin, Hialeah

Technician Member Julie Burger, Pensacola

Executive Editor Helen Sairany, Tallahassee

Managing Editor Dave Fiore, Tallahassee

Journal Reviewer Dr. Melissa Ruble

Journal Reviewer Dr. Angela Hill

This is a peer-reviewed publication.

©2022 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 as sumes 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.

Executive Insight, continued from page 6

under a lot of pressure. This is particularly concerning considering that medical errors are the third-leading cause of death in the United States, with cardiovas cular disease and cancer being the first and second.

Due to the demand and the stress they are under, pharmacists are more like ly to suffer more from PTSD than the general population. It’s easy to understand why. Pharmacists bear witness to their patients’ suffering, and many lack com plete control over their work conditions and their ability to maintain personal safety. New demands created by COVID-19 are fueling these stress responses— further raising the risk of PTSD.

Engage!

Engagement is the central pillar of what we do here at FPA. The only way we can tackle and resolve big agenda items is by having engaged members. I want to hear from you and learn about your needs and concerns. It is only through your engagement that we can protect and advance the profession.

Network!

Coming out of the pandemic and social isolation, I can’t emphasize enough the importance of social connection. I am working diligently with my staff to firm up some of our upcoming events. I hope you are able to join us in one of our future live events so I can meet you in person.

Educate!

Here at FPA we strive to provide cutting-edge educational content to help you stay up-to-date, fulfill your professional development needs and practice at the top of your license. Please check our calendar of events at floridapharmacy.org for our upcoming educational events.

Lastly, I would like to leave you with a challenge. I challenge you to increase your level of engagement with FPA 2022-2023. Attend one of our live events. Re new your membership at a higher level. Donate. Volunteer for a committee. Run for an elected position. As you can tell, the opportunities are endless and the need is great.

I look forward to serving along side you this year.

FLORIDA PHARMACY ASSOCIATION

610 N. Adams St.

• Tallahassee, FL 32301 850/222-2400

• FAX 850/561-6758

Web address: www.floridapharmacy.org

Florida Pharmacy Association

Unit Association Recognition Award

Joy Wright, B.Sc.Phm., Pharm.D., CPh, BCPS, TTS, CFMS

To highlight the efforts of local unit associations, the FPA has rec ognition awards in several catego ries that are presented during the an nual meeting. We wanted to take a moment and share a 2021-2022 sub mission from the Alachua County Association of Pharmacists (ACAP).

Over the next few issues, we will con tinue to share submissions from dif ferent categories to encourage oth er members and local units to share their efforts in the Journal.

the PAC.

ACAP is very visible at Legislative Days, providing pack ets to legislators on the issues. This year, our Student Engage ment Fund (special treasury account for student activities) awarded FPA memberships to students throughout the state who participated in Legislative Days. Also, each fall when the P-1’s are starting at UF, ACAP is involved with tabling events and finding other ways to be visible with the students, often encouraging FPA membership alongside ACAP membership to all UF students. In addition to assembling welcome pack ets for incoming students, ACAP extends free membership to ACAP and FPA to many of the event participants. ACAP also supports the students by providing speakers for events planned at the college.

The Unit Association Recognition Award is designed to recog nize a local unit association with respect to association involvement. Recognition may be warranted based upon the unit association’s ser vice to the Florida Pharmacy Association.

The Alachua County Association of Pharmacists support ed FPA through attendance at conferences, volunteering on councils, assisting with Legislative Days and promoting and participating in the leadership conference. During the past year, ACAP provided approximately 20 free FPA member ships to pharmacy students across the state.

Association members serving as officers, council chairs, council/committee members or delegates for the Florida Pharmacy Association include:

n William Garst, Florida Pharmacist Political Committee, Legislative Days

n Joy Wright, FPA Board Member, District 1; Chair, Profes sional Affairs Council, participated in Legislative Days

n Edwin (Charlie) Brown, Student Affairs Council, SAOT, Legislative Days Student Affairs Committee FPPC, GAC

n Yania Aguero-Martinez and Emmaleigh Munn, Student Affairs Council, SAOT, Legislative Days

n Tim Rogers, William Garst, Paul Ackerman, Charlie Brown, Jeff Consaul and Joy Wright, House of Delegates (July)

Corresponding secretary, Charlie Brown and newsletter editor, William Garst either highlighted issues or forwarded STAT news to members as needed throughout the year. Mi chael Jackson was asked to speak not only at each meeting of this year but presented a two-hour CE on legislative updates to our members which also encouraged them to contribute to

University of Florida College of Pharmacy Profile

As the University of Florida Col lege of Pharmacy approaches its cen tennial year in 2023, it’s important to reflect upon the rich history of ed ucating Florida pharmacists while boldly planning for the next 100 years. From its humble beginnings in UF’s Science Hall, the UF College of Pharmacy has emerged to become a national leader in pharmacy educa tion, research and patient care. The Pharm.D. program recently received a perfect accreditation score, and for the sixth time in seven years, the college led the nation in the number of students placed into residency programs. Annual research funding reached a record $32.3 million, and for the first time, the col lege ranked in the top three nationally in all the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy’s major funding catego ries (NIH, federal and total grant funding). New and inno vative approaches to patient care have allowed the college to expand its clinical footprint in Florida, including a new alli ance with Shell Point Retirement Community in Fort Myers. These achievements and more are highlighted in this edi tion of Florida Pharmacy Today. It’s a great time to be a Ga tor pharmacist, and the college is well-positioned to make an even greater impact on the pharmacy profession during our second century.

John G. Gums, Pharm.D., FCCP Interim Dean, Associate Dean for Clinical and Administrative Affairs

UF College of Pharmacy

Julie Johnson

Bids Farewell as Dean

After nine years of leading the Uni versity of Florida College of Pharma cy, Julie Johnson, Pharm.D., stepped down as dean on Aug. 14. As a vision ary leader, Johnson helped the college reach new heights, including its firstever top-five finish in the U.S. News & World Report Best Pharmacy Colleg es rankings.

During Johnson’s tenure, the col lege made significant strides to im prove its education, research and clin ical areas. She led the recruitment of many world-renowned clinicians and researchers, as the faculty nearly doubled in nine years from 72 to 135. The college also completely over hauled its Pharm.D. curriculum by adopting an innovative and contemporary teaching approach that the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education self-study team described as “the model for 21st-century pharmacy education.” John son also oversaw tremendous growth in the college’s re search program with annual research funding increasing from $8.5 million in 2013 to a record $32.3 million in 2021.

Johnson was the first female dean of the college and the first to hold a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. She will return to the faculty after a year-long sabbatical. A national search is underway to identify her replacement.

Carol Motycka Sworn in as FPA President

Carol Motycka, Pharm.D., a clinical professor and assistant dean for the UF College of Pharmacy’s Jackson ville campus, was sworn in as presi dent of the Florida Pharmacy Associa tion during the organization’s annual meeting in July. She was elected by a vote among FPA’s members in spring 2021 and served the past year as pres ident-elect of the organization.

As president, Motycka will lead the largest and oldest statewide orga nization representing the profession of pharmacy in Florida. Her presidential responsibilities will include setting the organization’s annual goals, appointing

Julie Johnson, Pharm.D

Carol Motycka, Pharm.D., CHSE

committee chairs and members, presiding over meetings at the annual conventions and representing FPA at state and national pharmacy events, among many other duties.

macists across the country with a variety of pharmacy prac tice settings, including hospitals and community phar macies. Nearly 5,800 postgraduate year one, or PGY1, and postgraduate year two, or PGY2, residency positions were available this year. UF’s 153 residency matches included 113 PGY1 and 40 PGY2 placements.

Residency programs from coast to coast will welcome Gator pharmacy students and graduates this summer. UF’s matches featured programs in 22 states and Washington, D.C. Most pharmacy students and graduates will continue their training in Florida, with 105 matching in the Sunshine State.

White Coat Moment Finally Arrives

UF College of Pharmacy No. 1 in the Nation Again for Pharmacy Residency Placements

The University of Florida College of Pharmacy finds it self in a familiar position atop the national pharmacy match rankings after a record 153 fourth-year students and gradu ates secured residency positions in the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, or ASHP, match in 2022.

It’s the sixth time in seven years that the UF College of Pharmacy led the nation in total residency placements.

ASHP’s match program pairs thousands of student phar

On April 2, second- and third-year pharmacy students joined their peers from the first-year class in walking across the stage to ceremoniously receive their white coats. The coating ceremonies were the first hosted by the UF College of Pharmacy since April 2019, as the COVID-19 pandemic forced the postponement of the 2020 and 2021 events.

More than 600 students participated across the three classes, with the first-year students being coated in the morning, followed by afternoon ceremonies for the secondand third-year students at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville.

In acknowledging the unusual circumstances surround ing the delayed white coat ceremonies, then Dean Julie John son, Pharm.D., applauded all the students who persisted

UF College of Pharmacy gradution ceremony

FLORIDA'S

OF PHARMACY

through difficult times to finally enjoy their moment on the stage.

“Making the transition into pharmacy school and navi gating through the curriculum is challenging under the best of circumstances, but these students have worked incredi bly hard and persevered through exceptionally challeng ing times,” Johnson said. “The white coat is symbolic of the highest ideals of the practice of pharmacy, and it was espe cially meaningful to finally present white coats to our stu dents.”

Each ceremony featured a keynote speaker and remarks from a senior UF College of Pharmacy student. Michael Jackson, B.Pharm., executive vice president and chief execu tive officer of the Florida Pharmacy Association, spoke to the first- and second-year cohorts, while Theresa Tolle, B.Pharm., FAPhA, a 1988 graduate of the UF College of Pharmacy and president of the American Pharmacists Association deliv ered the keynote remarks to the third-year students.

UF College of Pharmacy Students Take Home

Multiple Honors at APhA Annual Meeting

The American Pharmacists Association Annual Meeting and Exposition was held in person for the first time in three years and students from the University of Florida College of

Pharmacy made their presence known by winning multiple national awards in San Antonio, March 18-21.

n The 2020-21 UF American Pharmacist Association –Academy of Student Pharmacists, or APhA-ASP, chapter won the National Chapter Achievement Award for Divi sion A. The Chapter Achievement Awards Program rec ognizes outstanding activities of APhA-ASP chapters at colleges of pharmacy in the United States and Puerto Rico.

n Shirly Ly, a fourth-year student pharmacist and presi dent of the UF APhA-ASP chapter, was one of four na tional recipients of the 2022 APhA-ASP Student Leader ship Award.

n Ronald Levinson, a fourth-year student pharmacist, was elected as the APhA-ASP National Speaker of the House. As speaker, he will guide student pharmacists through the policy process and work with national, regional and chapter officers to ensure student pharmacists are pre pared to write effective resolutions and policies.

n Megan Backus, a fourth-year student pharmacist, fin ished second runner-up in the APhA-ASP National Pa tient Counseling Competition, which encourages student pharmacists to become better patient educators.

n Theresa Tolle, a 1988 graduate of the UF College of Phar

UF College of Pharmacy Students Take Home Multiple Honors at APhA Annual Meeting

FLORIDA'S COLLEGES OF PHARMACY

macy, was sworn in as president of APhA. The owner of Bay Street Pharmacy in Sebastian, Florida, will serve a one-year term leading the largest association of pharma cists in the U.S.

As a recipient of the Health Professions HEED Award — a national honor recognizing U.S. health colleges and uni versities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion — the UF College of Pharmacy was featured, along with 50 other recipients, in the Decem ber 2021 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity Magazine. The UF College of Pharmacy is one of only three pharmacy colleg es nationally to receive the honor and joins the UF College of Dentistry as a recipient of this year’s award.

UF College of Pharmacy Moves into Top 3 of National Research Rankings

UF College of Pharmacy Receives Insight into Diversity 2021 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award

The University of Florida College of Pharmacy received the 2021 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity, or HEED, Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. It marks the first time the college has received the award, which is presented annually by the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education.

The University of Florida College of Pharmacy moved up two places to No. 3 in the nation for total research funding in the latest American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, or AACP, report released June 23. The No. 3 ranking is the highest ever achieved by the college when compared to peer institutions.

The AACP compiles research data from more than 140 colleges of pharmacy around the country. For the first time, the UF College of Pharmacy ranked No. 3 in all three major categories where research funding is reported: NIH fund ing ($22.1 million), federal funding ($25.9 million) and total funding ($32.3 million).

UF College of Pharmacy Moves into Top 3 of National Research Rankings

The $32.3 million is a new record for annual research funding in the college and represents a nearly fourfold in crease since 2013 when the college secured $8.5 million.

“To achieve these record-setting results takes a tremen dous amount of hard work and dedication by our faculty and the research teams who support them,” said Julie John son, Pharm.D., former dean and distinguished professor in the UF College of Pharmacy. “Scientific discovery is a neverending pursuit, and our faculty have demonstrated an un wavering commitment to improving the health and welfare of others through their pharmaceutical research.”

The UF College of Pharmacy increased the number of grant-funded faculty from 53 to 57 during AACP’s reporting period from October 2020 to September 2021. AACP’s report also indicated that 92.5 percent of the college’s tenure-track research faculty were grant-funded. Both numbers reflect new statistical highs for the college.

“Anticoagulation medications require careful and con stant management, and this new collaboration with Shell Point allows our UF pharmacists to share their expertise and provide a high-quality service to the Shell Point communi ty,” said John Gums, Pharm.D., FCCP, associate dean for clinical and administrative affairs and a professor of phar macotherapy and translational research in the UF College of Pharmacy.

The anticoagulation clinic is the first to launch at Shell Point, and the college has added a polypharmacy service which began in June 2022. This telehealth offering is helping patients who are taking multiple medications to reduce their side effects, costs and the likelihood of a drug-induced emer gency room visit or hospital admission.

UF’s First Black Ph.D. Graduate Honored with Distinguished Alumnus Award

Ira C. Robinson Sr., ’66, had a ca reer nothing short of distinguished. He overcame racial tension and ad versity to become the University of Florida’s first Black Ph.D. graduate — earning a degree in industrial phar macy. He was the first Black Ph.D. se nior research scientist at Pfizer, and at the age of 28, he became the na tion’s youngest pharmacy college dean at his undergraduate alma ma ter, Florida A&M University. Later in his career, he served as dean of the Howard University College of Pharmacy.

Building Trust Through Telehealth

When the COVID-19 pandemic emerged in spring 2020, clinical pharmacists in the University of Florida College of Pharmacy pivoted to telehealth to help patients manage their medications. With physician practices and clinics shut tered and many people staying home, video conferencing became a lifeline between pharmacists and their patients. The service model proved so effective that the college be gan exploring new ways to deliver pharmaceutical services through telehealth.

In September 2021, the college formalized an alliance with the Shell Point Retirement Community in Fort Myers, Florida, to launch the first telehealth anticoagulation consul tation service. Three mornings a week, a clinical pharma cist from the UF College of Pharmacy’s Orlando campus provides medication consultations with Shell Point resi dents nearly 200 miles away. The pharmacist has access to the patient’s medical records and can record notes in realtime. They also work closely with the four physicians and five nurse practitioners providing on-site care at the retire ment community.

Robinson recently added to his list of accomplishments as the recipient of UF’s Distinguished Alumnus Award. The honor is the highest bestowed upon a UF doctoral gradu ate and only about 300 individuals have ever received the award. UF recognized Robinson during the university’s Doctoral Recognition Ceremony on April 28.

“Throughout his career, Dr. Robinson has demonstrated being a trailblazer and pioneer in the profession of pharma cy,” said John Allen, Pharm.D., associate dean of diversity, inclusion and health equity in the UF College of Pharmacy. “His exemplary career in the pharmaceutical industry and pharmacy education was grounded in knowledge, skills, and attitudes obtained at the University of Florida, and were instrumental in his success. Being UF’s first Black Ph.D. graduate took great endurance and courage, and his great est legacy may be found in the generations of Black students who have followed in his footsteps and sought a more equi table education.”

Robinson used his industrial pharmacy education to es tablish his own international pharmaceutical health care consulting business. He advised the U.S. government and Ministries of Health around the world on drug supply logis tics as well as the importation, manufacturing and storage of

Ira C. Robinson Sr.,

medications. His devotion to advancing Blacks in pharmacy was evident through his service to the profession. He found ed and served as executive director for the National Pharma ceutical Foundation for 17 years and was instrumental in the establishment of the Student National Pharmaceutical Asso ciation, which is dedicated to the pharmacy profession and serving the underserved.

Editor’s Note: Dr. Robinson passed away on April 28, 2022, after a long illness. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Robinson fam ily during this difficult time.

UF College of Pharmacy and APhA Offering Test and Treat Certificate Program

The University of Florida College of Pharmacy and the American Pharmacists Association, or APhA, announced a new partnership in April that will allow pharmacists to test patients for several non-emergency health issues.

The two organizations will leverage their expertise to of fer one of the first national pharmacy-based test-and-treat certificate programs. APhA is the largest association of phar macists in the United States, while the UF College of Phar macy ranks among the nation’s top five pharmacy colleges according to U.S. News & World Report.

The training will expand a pharmacist’s ability to provide on-the-spot testing services at their local pharmacy. Pharma cists will be able to test and initiate therapy for influenza, strep throat, urinary tract infections and other minor, non complicated health conditions in accordance with their state practice. This expansion of pharmacy-led services will sig nificantly improve a patient’s access to care.

Pharmacists seeking to enroll in the test-and-treat certif icate training program will complete 20 hours of self-study and live training. The comprehensive curriculum was de signed to meet the credentialing requirements in every state — allowing pharmacists from coast to coast an opportunity to earn the certificate.

To register for the program, visit pharmacy.ufl.edu/testand-treat.

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Gout & Economics- What's the Connection?

By William Garst

William Garst, Pharm.D. Consultant Pharmacist

Gout is an inflammatory condition caused by the deposit of uric acid crystals in the joints, and in 50% of the cases the joint of the big toe. This is caused when levels of uric acid in the blood become too high and the uric acid comes out of solution in the blood as crystals. The treatment of gout includes medica tions for an acute episode and long-term prevention. The medications used for acute episodes include non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibupro fen, naproxen and steroid drugs (prednisone), but for centuries colchicine was used and still used today for acute attacks.

Colchicine is obtained from the plant Colchicum autumnale. The extract from this plant has been ref erenced for inflammatory conditions as far back as the Ebers Papyrus 1500 B.C. and additional referenc es from the first century A.D. and 550 A.D. However, it was not until 1820 that French chemists P.S. Pelleti er and J.B. Caventau isolated colchicine, and in 1833 it was purified and named colchicine by P.L. Geiger. It is interesting to note that Benjamin Franklin, who suffered from gout, brought the Colchicum autum nale plants back to America, having become acquaint ed with this remedy while Ambassador to France.

In 2006, the FDA started a program called the Un approved Drug Initiative. The purpose of this pro gram was to remove unapproved drugs from the market and obtain more rigorous testing for safety and effectiveness for drugs like colchicine and other “unapproved drugs” that have been used for a long time.

A small Philadelphia company, URL Pharma (eventually acquired by the Japanese drug mak er Takeda) applied to the FDA to do the testing on colchicine and was granted rights for the drug.

URL Pharma did 17 studies investing $100 million, of which $45 million went to the FDA for the appli cation fee. This gave URL Pharma monopoly pow er over the drug and it sued to have other colchicine products removed from the market. Until then col chicine tablets were sold as a generic drug by many generic drug-makers for as little as $0.09 per tablet.

URL Pharma quickly raised the price for their col chicine (naming the product Colcrys and selling it as capsules) to $4.85 per capsule, almost 54 times in crease in price.

Currently, a colchicine product by another man ufacturer is on the market but it still costs around $2.50 per tablet and Colcrys now sells for $4.15 per capsule. This price increase for colchicine has result

ed in state Medicaid programs costs for the drug ris ing from $1 million to an estimated $50 million. Also, Medicare costs have been significantly impacted by this situation. It has been argued that the govern ment and insurers could have done the testing them selves and saved a considerable amount of money.

The FDA program, Unapproved Drug Initiative, had the unintended consequences of making an old inexpensive generic drug into a branded prod uct with market exclusivity. This same situation oc curred in the case of other drugs such as thalidomide and pyrimethamine. Pyrimethamine is the famous drug that once the manufacturer had market exclu sivity the price was raised from $13.50 to $750 per tablet.

Proving safety and effectiveness of a medicine by clinical trials is an expensive undertaking and im portant to public safety. The rewards of a successful marketing of a drug are great, however, it is the com petition between manufacturers that controls prices for the public good in the end.

Stay informed and stay healthy.

William Garst is a consultant pharmacist who resides in Alachua, Florida. He received his bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Auburn University in 1975. He earned a master’s degree in pharmacy from the University of Flor ida in 2001. In 2007, he received his doctor of pharmacy from the University of Colorado. Dr. Garst is a member of many national professional associations as well as the lo cal Alachua County Association of Pharmacists. He serves on the Alachua County Health Care Advisory Board. He works part-time at the UF Health Psychiatric Hospital and retired from the VA in 2016. Dr. Garst enjoys golf, read ing (especially history) and family. He writes a blog called The Pharmacy Newsletter (https://thepharmacynewsletter. com).He can be contacted at communitypharmacynewslet ter@gmail.com

GOUT IS AN INFLAMMATORY CONDITION CAUSED BY THE DEPOSIT OF URIC ACID CRYSTALS IN THE JOINTS, AND IN 50% OF THE CASES THE JOINT OF THE BIG TOE.

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CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FPA

APhA Foundation and NASPA Bowl of Hygeia

Awarded to a pharmacist for out standing community service above and beyond professional duties. The use of the following selection criteria is required:

n The recipient must be a Florida li censed pharmacist and member of the FPA.

n The recipient must be living. Awards are not presented posthu mously.

n The recipient has not previously received the award.

n The recipient is not currently serv ing nor has he/she served within the immediate past 2 years on its award committee or an officer of the association in other than an ex officio capacity.

n The recipient has compiled an out standing record of community ser vice, which, apart from his/her specific identification as a pharma cist reflects well on the profession.

James H. Beal Award

Awarded to the “Pharmacist of the Year”. The criteria established for this award is that the recipient be a Flori da licensed pharmacist and a member of FPA, who has rendered outstanding service to pharmacy within the past five years.

Criteria:

n The recipient must be a Florida li censed pharmacist and a member of the FPA.

n The recipient has rendered out standing service to pharmacy within the past five years.

Technician of the Year Award

Awarded annually to a Florida pharmacy technician who is recog nized for his/her outstanding perfor mance and achievement during his/ her career.

Criteria:

n Candidate must be a member of the Florida Pharmacy Association for at least 2 years.

n Candidate must have demonstrat ed contributions and dedication to the advancement of pharmacy technician practice.

n Candidate must have demonstrat ed contributions to the Florida Pharmacy Association and/or oth er pharmacy organizations.

n Candidate must have demonstrat ed commitment to community ser vice.

n Candidate is not a past recipient of this award.

R. Q. Richards Award

This award is based on outstand ing achievement in the field of phar maceutical public relations in Florida.

Criteria:

n The recipient must be a Florida registered pharmacist and a mem ber of the FPA.

n The recipient has displayed out standing achievement in the field of pharmaceutical public relations in Florida.

Frank Toback/AZO Consultant Pharmacist Award

Criteria:

n Candidate must be an FPA mem ber, licensed with the Florida Board of Pharmacy as a consultant pharmacist in good standing.

n Candidate should be select ed based on their outstanding achievements in the field of consul tant pharmacy.

DCPA Sidney Simkowitz Pharmacy Involvement Award

Presented annually to a Florida pharmacist who has been active at the local and state pharmacy association level in advancement of the profession

of pharmacy in Florida.

Criteria:

n A minimum of five years of active involvement in and contributions to the local association and FPA.

n Candidate must have held office at local level pharmacy association.

n Member in good standing for a pe riod of at least five years in the FPA and must have served as a member or chairman of a committee of the association.

n Candidate must have been active ly involved in a project that has or could potentially be of benefit to members of the profession.

Pharmacist Mutual Companies Distinguished Young Pharmacist Award

Awarded to a young pharmacist for their involvement and dedication to the practice of pharmacy:

Criteria:

n Licensed to practice for nine (9) years or less.

n Licensed to practice in the state which selected.

n Participation in national pharmacy association, professional programs and/or community service.

IPA Roman Maximo Corrons Inspiration & Motivation Award

Interamerican Pharmacists As sociation created this award to hon or the memory of Roman M. Corrons who inspired and motivated count less pharmacists to participate active ly and aspire to take on leadership roles in their profession. Roman was always there with guidance and sup port that motivated pharmacists and encouraged visionary leadership, ap proachable active membership and succession planning. This award rec ognizes the motivators among us who inspire others to continue to advance

the profession.

Criteria:

n The recipient must be a Florida li censed pharmacist and a member of the FPA.

n Candidate should motivate others to excel within the profession by encouraging them to be leaders.

n Candidate is not necessarily an as sociation officer, but guides, sup ports and/or inspires others.

n A brief description on the candi date’s motivational/inspirational skills must accompany the nomi nation.

The Jean Lamberti Mentorship Award

The Jean Lamberti mentorship Award was established in 1998 to hon or those pharmacists who have taken time to share their knowledge and ex perience with pharmacist candidates. The award is named in honor of long time FPA member Jean Lamberti for her effort in working with pharmacy students.

Criteria:

n The recipient must be an FPA mem ber.

n The recipient must serve as a role model for the profession of phar macy.

Upsher Smith Excellence in Innovation Award

Awarded to honor practicing phar macists who have demonstrated inno vation in pharmacy practice that has resulted in improved patient care.

Criteria:

n The recipient has demonstrated in novative pharmacy practice result ing in improved patient care.

n The recipient should be a practicing pharmacist within the geographic area represented by the presenting Association.

n Qualified Nominee: A pharmacist practicing within the geograph ic area represented by the Associa tion.

DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS: FEBRUARY 28, 2023

FPA AWARDS NOMINATION FORM

NOMINATED BY:

Name:

Date Submitted:

Signature:

Please describe briefly the nominee’s accomplishments, in cluding why you feel he or she should receive this award. (At tach additional sheets if necessary.)