2018 GEORGIA PHARMACY CONVENTION • JUNE 21-24 • NASHVILLE
February/March 2018
GOT CE?
OUR 2018 EDUCATION CATALOG (P. 14)
POWER UP ADVOCATE FOR YOUR PROFESSION STAND UP FOR YOUR PATIENTS
contents 14 EDUCATION 2018 It’s a license-renewal year, and GPhA has a long list of seminars, courses, classes, and even printable CE material to help you meet your requirements — and improve your practice. A FEW TWEAKS You might notice some changes with this issue. We’ve added a lighthearted back page called, obviously, “The Back Page.” We’ve also introduced “Shout Outs” (page 6) where we’ll recognize some noteworthy members. And there are a handful of other nips and tucks — we hope you enjoy!
4
3 prescript It’s time CEO Bob Coleman on why every pharmacist in the state needs to participate, fight back, and prepare.
8 shout outs
22 contact us
New GPhA members, plus who’s made it into the 100% Club and President’s Circle
Who does what at GPhA — and how to reach us
23 postscript
10 pharmacy school update What’s happening at Georgia’s pharmacy schools
4 quick hits
24
12 legal injection When and how to handle your disputes with PBMs
What’s happening in the Georgia pharmacy world Co-pay twists, women and ADHD drugs, Georgia’s healthcare taskforce, and more
18 PharmPAC 7
Investors in the future of pharmacy in Georgia
Front and center GPhA President Liza Chapman on how sharing your stories with the right people is the best way to spread our message.
24 the back page The lighter side of pharmacy and healthcare news
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Georgia Pharmacy magazine is the official publication of the Georgia Pharmacy Association. Unless otherwise noted, the entire contents of this publication is licensed under a Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license. Direct any questions to the editor at akantor@gpha.org.
February/March 2018
Chief Executive Officer Bob Coleman President and Chair of the Board Liza Chapman President-Elect Tim Short Immediate Past President Lance Boles
Director of Communication Andrew Kantor akantor@gpha.org Art Director Carole Erger-Fass ADVERTISING All advertising inquiries should be directed to Denis Mucha at dmucha@gpha.org or (404) 419-8120. Media kit and rates available upon request.
Georgia Pharmacy is distributed as a regular membership service, paid for with membership dues. Non-members can subscribe for $50 per year domestic or $65 per year international. Single issues are $10 per issue domestic and $20 international. Practicing Georgia pharmacists who are not members of GPhA are not eligible for subscriptions.
POSTAL
Georgia Pharmacy (ISSN 1075-6965) is published bi-monthly by GPhA, 6065 Barfield Road NE, Suite 100 Sandy Springs, GA, 30328. Periodicals postage paid at Atlanta, GA and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Georgia Pharmacy magazine, 6065 Barfield Road NE, Suite 100 Sandy Springs, GA 30328.
Georgia Pharmacy
1
UR MARK YO RS CALENDA 8 4, 201 June 21-2
2018 GEORGIA PHARMACY CONVENTION
Nashville
It’s the perfect mix of networking, education, and the country’s most vibrant music and entertainment scene. From Music Row and the Grand Ole Opry, to the Country Music Hall of Fame, to the acclaimed Nashville Zoo and historic mansions and plantations, Nashville is an amazing city to visit (at night and in between sessions, of course).
The Georgia Pharmacy Convention is in the Omni Nashville hotel — a hop, skip, or jump from all the city has to offer. Check out GPhAconvention.com for more details!
2018
Join hundreds of pharmacists, technicians, students, and other professionals for three days in glorious Nashville!
PRESCRIPT From the CEO
It’s time After nine months, maybe it’s time to stop calling me the new guy. It’s been a steep learning curve and one that I’m sure will continue for many months, if not years to come. (I’ve always been taught to never stop learning.) BOB COLEMAN From time to time, I’ve been asked if I thought coming into the position without a background in pharmacy was a positive or negative. My answer is that it’s been both, but generally I feel it’s been positive. Just keeping up with the acronyms is a challenge, much less understanding the politics of a situation. On the other hand, I approach the industry with a clean slate and no preconceived biases — much like the patients you serve every day. In fact, nine months ago, I was that patient, with no knowledge of terms like “clawbacks,” “DIR fees,” or “reimbursement rates.” My interaction with my pharmacist was simply 1) drop off the prescription, 2) pay whatever they said I owed, and 3) hope that whatever it was I was taking made me feel better. What I’ve learned about how that process works was shocking. As an MBA, I can’t imagine investing in a business where your cost of goods changes rapidly, and where someone outside of your business decides what you are going to be paid … and six months later someone else might decide to take back a good portion of what they paid you. (Heck, according to Representative Buddy Carter it might be five years later.) So, with little control on your part as a business owner, you might be selling product at a profit or a loss depending on the day of the week, and your banner year could turn into a loss overnight. Sound familiar? Well, in my opinion it shouldn’t. It’s not right and it’s not fair. So, what do we do about it? Fortunately there are several things that we can and should be doing. February/March 2018
It’s time every practicing pharmacist in the state, regardless of his or her practice setting, becomes a member of GPhA. It’s really true that numbers count. The more members we have, the louder our voice with our elected officials and regulators. It’s time to participate. You are either the hunter or the hunted. The good news is you get to choose which one you are. Call, write, text, or e-mail your state and federal legislators. When GPhA asks you for examples to use when we speak to your representatives, take the time to provide the information to us. It makes a difference. It’s time to fight back. Yes, I know it feels like David versus Goliath, but remember who won! When dealing with PBMs in particular, follow the steps to appeal unfair reimbursements and fees. With our victories in 2015 and 2017, after following the proper procedures, you can now appeal to the Georgia Insurance Commission for help on issues including audits, reimbursements, copay clawbacks, and retaliation. And, don’t forget to call GPhA as well. We’re here to help you, and you might be surprised at the number of inquiries we’ve been able to get reversed in our member’s favor. It’s time to prepare. We continue to hear that the traditional pharmacy model must change to survive; dispensing is no longer enough. MTM, DSME, smoking cessation, and weight control — along with what I’m sure to be a myriad of future services — are being touted as possible solutions. The jury may be out on that, but if those services, combined with dispensing, result in profitable business models, you should prepare now to offer them. Rest assured we’re fighting for the profession and your place in it. Thank you for your continued support. It’s appreciated more than we can express. Georgia Pharmacy A S S O C I AT I O N
BLACK & WHITE
OPEN
GLOSS/GRADIENT
FLAT COLOR
1
Bob Coleman is chief executive officer of the Georgia Pharmacy Association. Georgia Pharmacy
3
QUICK HITS MEDICAID EXPANSION SAVING RURAL HOSPITALS In states that expanded Medicaid under the ACA, fewer rural hospitals were forced to close — 84 percent less likely, in fact, according to a study published in Health Affairs from the University of Colorado. “We found,” the authors concluded, “that the ACA’s Medicaid expansion was associated with improved hospital financial performance and substantially lower likelihoods of closure, especially in rural markets and counties with large numbers of uninsured adults.”
NOT GOOD TO BE A KID The U.S. has the worst childhood mortality rate in the developed world, and a new study finds that we’re also improving the slowest. The culprits: premature birth and SIDS for the youngest; car accidents and firearms for tweens and teens. Of the 50 U.S. states and D.C., Georgia ranks seventh worst for child mortality. 4
Georgia Pharmacy
New twist coming to co-pays A change in the way insurers pay for drugs is gaining traction, and it will likely cost your patients more — while making the whole payment/insurance process even more complicated. If you have patients who are confused about deductibles and co-pays, wait’ll you get a load of “Co-pay accumulator” programs. In a nutshell: Many people have a separate prescription deductible as part of their health insurance., and prescription co-pays come out of this deductible. When those co-pays are expensive (e.g., if the medication is in the insurer’s highest price tier), drug makers often step in with “co-pay assistance” programs or simply coupons to help cover the out-ofpocket cost.
That assistance is between the patient and the drug maker, so patients still count their full co-pays against their deductibles. (It’s as if a friendly relative helped pay for their meds.) But that, says Drug Channels’s Adam Fein, is starting to change. Health plans are beginning to say, “If the drugmaker gives you a coupon, it doesn’t count against your deductible.” And that will be a shock for a lot of patients, who suddenly have to bear a much larger share of their annual prescription costs because these coupons effectively count against them. As Fein explained, adding insult to injury, PBMs give these policies names like “Out of Pocket Protection program.” And, he says, “Every word in those names is wrong.” February/March 2018
GPHA BOARD NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN GPhA is now accepting applications for the 2018–2019 board of directors. For complete information on the roles and responsibilities of GPhA board members, as well as details on the application process please visit GPhA.org/2018board. There you will also find a link to the actual application form. We encourage applications from all pharmacy practice settings. If you have questions before you apply, feel free to contact Governance Manager Ruth Ann McGehee at rmcgehee@gpha.org. Applications are being accepted for the following seats: • Representing the Academy of Employee Pharmacists (three-year term);
• At-large members elected by the GPhA membership (three-year terms). The deadline for applications is 11:59 p.m. EST on March 15, 2018. As the bylaws require, an online election will commence on May 20, 2018 and will close at midnight following the first general session of the 2018 Georgia Pharmacy Convention, which is June 22, 2018. GPhA will announce election results on June 23, 2018, at the convention’s second general session. New directors will be installed at the 2018 General Membership Meeting on June 23, 2018. Thank you for your interest in a GPhA leadership position.
PEOPLE REMAIN DEAF TO Q-TIPS WARNING Cotton swabs — what you, me, and everyone else calls “Q-Tips” — are still a major cause of eardrum perforations. In fact, two-thirds of cases are caused by people sticking something in their ears,
such as a Q-Tip, pencil, hairpin, toothpicks, or a duck*. And half the time, says a study in JAMA Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, the offending item was a cotton swab.
* Just making sure you were paying attention
Focus, ladies, focus Young women are using ADHD drugs at more than five times the rate they were just a few years ago. Government researchers tracked prescriptions for drugs to treat ADHD, like Adderall and Vyvanse, among women aged 15 to 44 between 2003 and 2015. ADHD prescription rates inFebruary/March 2018
WHO’S SUING?
creased sharply in all age groups during that period, but most steeply among young adult women: by 700 percent among women aged 25 to 29, and by 560 percent among women aged 30 to 34. Of note, “the largest increases [were] in Southern and Western states.”
Since the beginning of the year, look who’s filed lawsuits against opioid manufacturers for their marketing and sales practices.
3
Indian tribes — the Rosebud Sioux, Flandreau Santee Sioux, and Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate
+
Randolph County, N.C. Rockford, Ill. (home of the Rockford Peaches!) Augusta, Ga. New York City
Georgia Pharmacy
5
QUICK When flu beats nukes HITS SAVE THE DATES: REGION MEETINGS ARE COMING GPhA’s twice-annual regional updates are the time pharmacists, technicians, and students across Georgia sit down with friends and colleagues in their part of the state to catch up on the latest in the world of Georgia pharmacy. Briefings include CE credit, guest speakers, and dinner. They’re some of the best networking opportunities you’ll get all year. Spring Meeting Schedule Tues, April 17 - Regions 2 & 10 Wed, April 18 - Regions 6 & 9 Thurs, April 19 - Regions 3 & 7 Weds., May 2 - Region 5 Thurs, May 3 - Regions 4 & 12 Tues, April 24 - Regions 8 & 11 Region 1: TBD Find out more —including your region — at GPhA.org/ briefings.
MORE OPIOID DEATHS, MORE ORGAN DONATIONS For the fifth straight year, organ donations in the U.S. increased, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing. Donations in 2017 were about three percent higher than in 2016 — and a 27 percent jump from 2007. Most notably, 13 percent of donors died from drug overdoses, which is up 144 percent in just five years. 6
Georgia Pharmacy
The CDC had planned a monthly Public Health Grand Rounds session on “Public Health Response to a Nuclear Detonation.” But (not surprisingly), the session got a lot of attention — perhaps a little too much. The agency decided the nix
that topic for now, and offered one on flu treatment and prevention instead. Grand Rounds sessions are monthly presentations targeted at pharmacists, physicians, and other healthcare professionals.
CVS AND SHILOH HIGH CREATE MOCK PHARMACY LAB This is pretty cool: Shiloh High is working with CVS and opening a new lab — a replica of a pharmacy. The lab, which is a replica of a typical CVS Pharmacy, will allow students enrolled in Shiloh’s
Wellness Health and Education Academy to get on-the-job instruction in taking, processing and filling prescription orders. In addition, the program focuses on handling narcotics properly and keeping inventory on medication.
Georgia task force looking for healthcare solutions recommends creating two “centers” to look for healthcare solutions The Georgia GOP leadership has said that Medicaid expansion is not on the table this year; Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle calling it “big government.” Instead, he said, the state will implement at least some of the suggestions of the Georgia Health Care Reform Task Force. The task force — comprised of state lawmakers — met five times in 2017 with local residents across Georgia. Its goal was to devise solutions that are provided by private corporations, rather than with government help. Its proposal, to which Cagle had alluded, is to create two other
groups that will discuss and create solutions to healthcare issues: • a Health Coordination and Innovation Council (“to identify and unite behind policy priorities”) • a Health System Innovation Center (“to develop the technical expertise of the state’s academic, health policy, data, and workforce resources”) State Senator Dean Burke said legislation is being written to create these two centers, which would be funded by the state. February/March 2018
www.financialplanningRX.com
for retiring on your own terms.
CHARITY OR KICKBACK? There are charities that help patients pay for medication they might otherwise not be able to afford; they get a huge amount of money from pharmaceutical companies. Drug makers are not allowed to provide co-pay assistance to Medicare patients. But these charities are. The issue: Are the charities just a way for drug makers to avoid the law and steer Medicare patients to their products? (And get a tax deduction at the same time?) To try to prevent that, the Department of Health and Human Services has some rules about how much the charities are allowed to communicate with their donors — the drug makers. But now at least one of those charities is suing the government, saying that the rule violates its First Amendment right to communicate with those pharmaceutical companies. But critics say that it’s not about communication — it’s about how much those charities help the pharmaceutical companies. Certainly the charities help patients, but it’s not a bad deal for the companies that provide the discounts — they keep a customer and get good press for their efforts. And it’s worth it; a 2017 report from Citi Research found that every $1 million the drug industry spends on coupons and other “donations” to help patients pay for expensive medication they could reap up to $21 million in benefits. Not a bad return. February/March 2018
Visit our website to learn more: www.financialplanningRX.com
Planning for your future doesn’t have to be complicated. We help build strategic, common-sense financial plans for pharmacists and pharmacy owners. Call Mike Tarrant at 770-353-6414 to schedule your Reerement Readiness assessment.
Integrated Financial Group | 200 Ashford Center North, Suite 400 | Atlanta, GA 30338 Securiies offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory Services offered through IFG Advisory, LLC, a registered investment advisor. Integrated Financial Group and IFG Advisory, LLC, are separate ennnes from LPL Financial.
Representing pharmacists and pharmacies before the Georgia Pharmacy Board, GDNA and DEA. AREAS OF PRACTICE Professional Licensing Medicare and Medicaid Fraud and Reimbursement Criminal Defense Administrative Law Healthcare Law Legal Advice for Licensed Professionals
WWW.FRANCULLEN.COM (404) 806-6771 • admin@francullen.com
Georgia Pharmacy
7
SHOUT-OUTS
New Members PHARMACISTS Marqueta Bell-Hall; Macon Charles Bennett; Fitzgerald Rick Bidwell; Knoxville, Tenn. David Book; Atlanta Kat Buescher; Valdosta Gilmore Constantino; Macon Christina Davenport; Morganton Sonali Dinani; Villa Rica Jerry Dixon; Fitzgerald Heike Doerr; Marietta Chidozie Ezenekwe; Columbia, S.Car. Jennifer Hayes; Columbus Jocelyn Hines; Perry Kristina Howe; Lithia Springs Sandra Jones; Hahira Charles Kim; Roswell
TECHNICIANS
Linda Joyce; Macon
Tiffany Attaway; Macon
Nancy Kennedy; Kingston
Ying Lin; Cayce, S.Car.
Uniqua Barron; Macon
Hua Ling; Duluth
Virginia Bias; Lilburn
Beverly Kimsey; Turtletown, Tenn.
Kenneth Lord; Evans
Julie Brazier; Preston
Juliet Leverett; Reynolds
Kevin Lunceford; Valdosta
Mae Joe Britt; Thomaston
Sheryl Marshall; Macon
James McNally; Nashville, Tenn.
Grace Brumback; Ellabell
Julia Murphy; Thomaston
Jennifer Middleton; Roswell
Jennifer Carr; Tifton
Ashley Plyer; Rhine
Erik Novak; Sarasota, Fla.
Helen Clark; Eastman
Harold Riley; Butley
James Paciotti; Savannah
Michelle Crowder; Macon
Hayden Sample; Thomaston
Laurie Parkerson; Macon
Becki Cummings; Milan
Heather Seagle; Blue Ridge
Jessica Paulin; Ellenwood
Julie Davis; Buena Vista
Kristen Slaton; Thomaston
Tri Phan; Poway, Calif.
Britney Durham; Macon
Shondaleah Slaughter; Macon
Jonathan Riley; Athens
Debbie Fallin; Thomaston
Susanna Smit; Newnan
Jodi Rogers; Blairsville
Laine Frazier; Preston
Kellie Sullivan; Macon
Gina Roland; Lake Park
Brandy Hannah; Cartersville
Tammi Taylor; Buena Vista
Robert Snipes; Preston
Ashley Hennessy; Newnan
Quinteria Walker; Macon
Min Song; Mount Prospect, Ill.
Kelsey Hill; Pembroke
Angela Warnell; Pembroke
Elizabeth Studstill; Abbeville
Lindsey Holmes; Bonaire
Sandra Warren; Abbeville
Dayna Timmer; Greenville, S.Car.
Sarah Hughes; Pembroke
Kelli Westbrooks; Cartersville
Nichelle Wilson; Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Sharon Johnston; Thomaston
Angelia Whiggum; Eastman
Sarah Kraham; Simpsonville, S.Car.
8
Georgia Pharmacy
February/March 2018
The 100 Percent Club Georgia pharmacies where 100 percent of employees are GPhA members. Abbeville Discount Pharmacy, Abbeville Owner: Clements Carter
The President’s Circle GPhA members who recruit their fellow pharmacists, technicians, academics, and others to become part of the association are eligible to be recognized as part of the President’s Circle.
Silver Level (brought in one to four new members) Katie Bastug, Augusta
Batts Drug Company, Hawkinsville Owners: Ben and Denise Cravey
Claude Bates, Monroe
Brasstown Professional Pharmacy, Blairsville Owners: Donald Stiles, Hugh Rogers, Amy Galloway
Blake Daniel, McDonough
Nikki Bryant, Preston Sharon Deason, Newnan
Justin Hildreth, Cumming William Huang, Smyrna Joe Ed Holt, Valdosta John Price, Fitzgerald Jonathan Sinyard, Cordele William Tatum, Cartersville
David’s Drug & Surgical Shop, Griffin Owner: David Clements Dawson Pharmacy, Dawson Owner: Charles Scott, Sr. Dogwood Pharmacy, Tifton Owner: Laura Tyson Eastman Drugs, Eastman Owner: Kenneth Rogers Express Rx Pharmacy, Macon Owners: Erica Pounds, Bridget Hogan Hospital Discount Drugs, Griffin Owner: Blake Daniel Newnan Plaza Pharmacy, Newnan Owner: Roy Charles Brownlow Rhine Drug Company, Rhine Owner: Andy Carter Clements Jr. Scott’s Healthmart Pharmacy, Macon Owner: Wade Scott Your Corner Drugstore, Macon Owner: Matt Frazier February/March 2018
Your Complete Pharmacy Planning | Design | Installation Solution FULL LINE OF PHARMACY AND RETAIL STORE FIXTURES AVAILABLE
QUICK DELIVERY FROM OUR NC WAREHOUSE Our talented design team with over 100 years of experience is ready to help you with your design and installation needs!
Larry Beavers, Pharmacy Planning Specialist Office: (704) 525-5300 | Cell: (803) 412-2818 lbeavers@displayoptions.com
displayoptions.com 9517 Monroe Road, Suite A Charlotte, NC 28270
Georgia Pharmacy
9
We’re Leveling the We’re Leveling Playing Fieldthe So You We’re Leveling the Playing Field So You We’re Leveling the Playing Field So You Can Grow Your Business
Can Grow Your Business Playing Field So You Can Grow Your Business Can Grow Your Business Health Mart is designed for today’s ®
® independent owner. Health Mart is ®designed forfor today’s Health Mart ispharmacy designed today’s independent pharmacy owner. independent pharmacy owner. Our member pharmacies are locally owned and focused on great service, ® Health Mart is designed for today’s but also gaining a competitive edge and recognition in Our they’re member pharmacies are locally owned and focused on great service, Our member pharmacies are locally owned and focused onnational great service, pharmacy owner. but they’re also gaining a competitive edge and national recognition in but independent they’re also gaining a competitive edge and national recognition in ways that community pharmacies never have before. That’s what happens
wayscommunity that community pharmacies have before. That’s happens ways that pharmacies nevernever have before. That’s whatwhat happens when thousands of independently owned pharmacies together, using Our member pharmacies are locally owned and focused on greatcome service, when thousands of independently owned pharmacies come together, usingsolutions whenour thousands of independently owned pharmacies come together, using comprehensive of edge marketing, clinical and business but they’re also gaining aportfolio competitive and national recognition in our comprehensive portfolio of marketing, clinical and business solutions our ways comprehensive portfolio of marketing, clinical and business solutions that community have before. That’s what happens to help care for thepharmacies health of never your patients. tocare helpfor care for the health of patients. your patients. o help the health of your when thousands of independently owned pharmacies come together, using our comprehensive portfolio of marketing, clinical and business solutions ACCESS TOhealth PREFERRED NETWORKS GAINtoGAIN ACCESS TO PREFERRED NETWORKS help care for the of your patients. ® ® ® • Managed-care contracting support provided by AccessHealth Managed-care contracting and and support provided by AccessHealth • Managed-care contracting and support provided by AccessHealth As advocates for advocates independentfor indepen As As advocates for independent toto help andand improve patient adherence and clinical outcomesoutcomes pharmacy, RxOwnership® is fully • Tools Tools help track improve patient adherence and clinical • Tools toACCESS help track and improve patient adherence and clinical outcomes GAIN TOtrack PREFERRED NETWORKS pharmacy, RxOwnership® pharmacy, RxOwnership® is fully toto implement medication synchronization dedicated to helping achieve • Programs to implement medication synchronization •• Programs Programs implement synchronization dedicated to helping you you achieve dedicated to helping you • Managed-care contracting andmedication support provided by AccessHealth®
GAIN ACCESS TO PREFERRED NETWORKS
• Tools to help track and improve patient adherence and clinical outcomes BRING PATIENTS TO YOUR STOREsynchronization • Programs to implement medication BRING PATIENTS TO YOUR STORE • Local marketing tools and support matching funds • Local marketing tools and support with with matching •• National Local marketing tools and support with funds matching funds brand with co-branding flexibility BRING brand PATIENTS YOUR STORE • National withTO co-branding flexibility •• Physician National prescribing brand withdata co-branding flexibility and marketing materials • Local marketing tools and support with materials matching funds • Physician prescribing data and marketing • Physician prescribing data and marketing materials Social, mobile and digital marketing tools • National brand with co-branding flexibility • Social, mobile and digital marketing tools signage and décor with design services • Customizable Social, prescribing mobile and digital marketing tools • Physician and marketing materials • Customizable signage anddata décor with retailretail design services
BRING PATIENTS TO YOUR STORE
• Customizable signage and décor with retail design services • Social, mobile and digital marketing tools EXPAND YOUR SERVICES FOR ADDED REVENUE • Customizable signage and décor with retail design services EXPAND YOUR SERVICES FOR ADDED REVENUE • Manufacturer-sponsored clinical services • Manufacturer-sponsored clinical services • Vaccines andSERVICES immunizations EXPAND YOUR FOR ADDED REVENUE • Vaccines and immunizations •• Specialty Manufacturer-sponsored clinical services solutions • Manufacturer-sponsored clinical services • Specialty solutions •• MTM Vaccines and immunizations and synchronization • Vaccines andmedication immunizations • MTM and medication synchronization • Specialty solutions • Specialty solutions • MTM medication synchronization • MTM andand medication synchronization
EXPAND YOUR SERVICES FOR ADDED REVENUE
READY LEARN MORE? READY TO TO LEARN MORE? READY MORE? READYTOTOLEARN LEARN MORE?
Call 866.329.0113 Call 866.329.0113 Visit www.betterpharmacyhealth.com Visit www.betterpharmacyhealth.com Call 866.329.0113 Call 866.329.0113 Visit www.betterpharmacyhealth.com
Visit www.betterpharmacyhealth.com
As advocates for independent your at every step along your goalsgoals at every stepgoals along your at every step a pharmacy, RxOwnership® is fully the way. the way. the you way.achieve dedicated to helping We partner with current and We partner current and your goals with at every along with current a Westep partner prospective pharmacy owners, prospective pharmacy owners, the way. prospective pharmacy ow pharmacy associations, buying pharmacy associations, buying Wegroups partnerand withpharmacy current and schools pharmacy associations, b groups and pharmacy schools to to prospective pharmacy owners, help independent pharmacy thrive. groups and pharmacy sch help independent pharmacy thrive. pharmacy associations, buying Let us guide you to your pharmacy help Let us guide to yourindependent pharmacy pharma groups and you pharmacy ownership goals. schools to ownership goals. Let us guide you to your p help independent pharmacy thrive. • No-fee planning advice, industry ownership goals. us guide you to your pharmacy • Let No-fee planning advice, industry experience and resources ownership experiencegoals. and resources • No-fee planning advice, • Confidentiality, trust and respect • •Confidentiality, trust and respect No-fee planning advice, industry experience and resourc • Financing options experience and resources • Financing options • Confidentiality, trust and • Individualized matching of Confidentiality, trust andofrespect • •Individualized matching qualified buyers and sellers • Financing options •qualified Financing options buyers and sellers • Career, internship and junior matching • Individualized Individualized matching of • •Career, internship and junior equity opportunities qualified buyers and se qualified buyers and sellers equity opportunities • Career, internship and junior • Career, internship and j equity equity opportunities Visitopportunities RxOwnership.com Visitfor RxOwnership.com more information. for more information.
Visit RxOwnership.com Visit RxOwnership.co for more information.
for more information.
Health Mart is proud to be a member of the McKesson family, sharing in the collective industry
knowledge andtoexperience residing all of family, the McKesson affiliates. Since 1833, Health Mart is proud be a member of thewithin McKesson sharingcorporate in the collective industry McKesson has been residing committed to the of independent pharmacies through delivery knowledge and experience within allsuccess of the McKesson corporate affiliates. Sincethe 1833, of innovative programs and reliable distribution services. Learn more at www.mckesson.com. McKesson has been committed to the success of independent pharmacies through the delivery Health Mart is proud and to be a member of the McKesson family, the collective industry of innovative distribution services. Learnsharing more atinwww.mckesson.com. © 2015programs Health Mart. reliable All rights reserved. knowledge and experience residing within allHM-09344-04-15 of the McKesson corporate affiliates. Since 1833, McKesson been committed to the success of independent pharmacies through the delivery © 2015 Healthhas Mart. All rights reserved. HM-09344-04-15 Health Mart isdistribution proud to be a member the McKesson family, sharing in th of innovative programs and reliable services. Learnofmore at www.mckesson.com.
knowledge and experience residing within all of the McKesson corporate a
© 2015 Health Mart.McKesson All rights reserved. HM-09344-04-15 has been committed to the success of independent pharmacies t
of innovative programs and reliable distribution services. Learn more at ww
SHOUT-OUTS
Student pharmacists from UGA and PCOM hit the Gold Dome Tuesday as part of our first “Day at the Dome” of the year. Adorned in their white coats (and their enthusiasm), they hit the halls and helped get our message to legislators.
School Updates
ndent UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA ® is fully The Office of Institutional Diversity has awardachieve ed two grants to the College of Pharmacy: Dr. along
Vivia Hill-Silcott, Dr. Danielle Vitale, director of recruitment and career development; and Ashley and Townsend, administrative manager — in collabowners, ration with Veronica Pennington, coordinator of buying diversity initiatives at the UGA College of Veterhools to inary Medicine — have received approval for a acy thrive. $22,500 grant award in support of the proposal, pharmacy “DawgTrails: Follow the Trail to Become a Future Pharmacy or Veterinary Medicine Professional.” , industry The grant, called “New Approaches in Diversity and ces Inclusion,” focuses on educating underrepresented d respectand minority high school students from around the state of Georgia about professional degrees and careers in Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine. g of Additionally, Dr. Vivia Hill-Silcott; Dr. Deborah llers Elder, clinical associate professor; and Dr. Michael junior Fulford, director of assessment, have received approval for a $17,500 grant award in support of the proposal, “Promoting Diversity and Inclusion through Academic Coaching: A Strategy to Inom crease Pharm.D. Student Retention.” Considering the number and caliber of both proposals received, their selection reflects the high quality and anticipated impact of their proposal. Congratulations! — Mickey Montevideo, director of public relations, communications, and marketing, UGA College of Pharmacy
he collective industry affiliates. SinceFebruary/March 1833, 2018 through the delivery ww.mckesson.com.
PCOM As an outreach to the community, PCOM’s Georgia campus hosted Gwinnett Medical Center’s Medical Explorer Post on campus. The Explorers, made up of high school juniors and seniors, meet one evening a month during the academic year to explore various healthcare careers. This year, the pharmacy, osteopathic medicine and physician assistant programs joined forces to explore diagnostic and treatment methodologies for a patient with congestive heart failure. Titled “Getting to the Heart of the Matter,” the evening began with a case presentation followed by an interview with a patient actor. The anatomy of congestive heart failure was demonstrated and diagnostic and treatment options were discussed. Then, Dr. Jay Lee, PharmD, used an interactive quiz to help students learn the role that a pharmacist plays in determining pharmacotherapy considerations. The evening was wrapped up with a panel discussion in which the high school students were able to ask GA-PCOM students questions about their fields of study. Based on our experience with these students, the future of health care looks bright! — Jiehyun Lee, assistant professor of pharmacy practice, Georgia Campus - Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Georgia Pharmacy 11
LEGAL INJECTION
PBM disputes, and the resolution thereof Greg Reybold, GPhA‘s vice president of public policy and association counsel, offers his perspective on issues specific to pharmacy. As a reminder, nothing in this column constitutes legal advice. If you have a legal issue or question, consult your own attorney. What do I do if I have a dispute with a pharmacy benefits manager? Typically, contracts between pharmacies and pharmacy benefits managers contain provisions outlining dispute procedures such as pursuGREG REYBOLD ing internal channels and arbitration. Thus, it is critical that when there is any dispute, the pharmacy review their contract. In many cases, these will need to be obtained via a pharmacy’s PSAO. It is important to remember however, that Georgia law now provides a mechanism for pharmacists and pharmacies to seek relief for certain violations of Georgia law via the Georgia Commissioner of Insurance. What are some of the issues for which a pharmacy can file a complaint to the commissioner? Pharmacies and pharmacists can file a complaint with the commissioner of insurance … • when they believe there has been a violation of the audit bill of rights; • when they feel a PBM has not complied with Georgia MAC pricing law (following a MAC appeal to the PBM); • when they believe there has been a violation of the patient protection law we passed last year including but not limited to:
– copay clawbacks; – r estricting pharmacy/patient communications regarding cheaper therapeutically equivalent alternatives; – restricting home delivery; – recouping funds outside of the audit process; or – retaliation. When should I file a MAC appeal? As a reminder, GPhA has a MAC appeal resource page (GPhA.org/mactransparency) that provides detailed information on this issue. However, if you believe you were not reimbursed based upon pricing updated within the past five business days — or that the drug should not have been subject to MAC pricing — there are likely grounds to dispute the reimbursement. While a negative reimbursement is not in and of itself grounds to appeal, if the reimbursement rate appears to be significantly lower than your acquisition cost, you should at least take a closer look at the issue the day the claim is processed. It is important to note however, that because PBM reimbursement obligations are tied to updating every five business days and not pharmacy acquisition costs, you would do well to look up the acquisition cost for the drug at issue the day the claim is processed with both your primary and secondary wholesalers and record those prices for future reference should you choose to appeal. The law requires new and renewal PBM contracts to have an appeal process for disputes arising out of multi-source generic drug pricing. Prior to appealing you will need to review the appeal process under the applicable PBM provider agreement/provider manual. Note that under the law, pharmacies
DO YOU HAVE AN ISSUE YOU’D LIKE TO SEE ADDRESSED IN THIS COLUMN? LET US KNOW — SUBMIT IT TO GREG AT GREYBOLD@GPHA.ORG.
12 Georgia Pharmacy
February/March 2018
How do I file a complaint with the commissioner of insurance? Use the Consumer Complaint Portal (you can find a link at GPhA.org/mactransparency); you’ll have an opportunity to upload relevant documentation. Be sure to redact any protected health information prior to submission. You can also fax and/or mail in your complaint form — GPhA members can find a template for that form on the same page; you can complete and upload it to help streamline the complaint process. (We’re working on a page specifically for copay clawbacks, too. Stay tuned.)
have 14 calendar days following reimbursement of initial claim to appeal so there will be time sensitive deadlines. What about copay clawbacks? Copay clawbacks are a simpler issue than MAC pricing. Violations can typically be identified at the moment the transaction is processed and often reflect a negative remittance on the screen. If a patient is being charged a copay and any of that money is going to the PBM then there are likely grounds to file a complaint with the Commissioner. Note, the law does not contemplate an internal appeals process as it does for MAC pricing and so pharmacies should be able to file a complaint immediately.
Georgia Pharmacy A S S O C I AT I O N
BLACK & WHITE
OPEN
GLOSS/GRADIENT
FLAT COLOR
1
Use of this article, or the information it contains, does not constitute any legal advice, does NOT establish any attorney-client relationship, and does NOT create any legal duty on the part of the author or the Georgia Pharmacy Association. When making a decision that may have legal consequences, readers should consult with qualified legal counsel.
We Deliver Solutions for a Healthier Bottom Line EPIC Pharmacies, Inc. provides more than 1,500 independent member pharmacies across the U.S. with the group buying power and managed care solutions essential to delivering quality patient care. Membership offers: • Group volume purchasing power • Aggressive wholesaler pricing programs • Successful rebate program - $60.8 million returned to members in 2016 • EPIC Pharmacy Network, Inc. (EPN) membership fee included at no cost – access to third-party contracts • Clinical services tools, including expert assistance from our in-house pharmacist and access to custom PrescribeWellness offerings and EQuIPP •
PUT THE POWER OF A NETWORK BEHIND YOU
800-965-EPIC | EPICRX.COM
•
TM
– free third-party claims reconciliation program and automated reimbursements below cost system – Web-based solution for pharmacy regulatory and compliance management
EPIC Half Page Ad - 7”W x 4.875”H, CMYK, 300dpi. Rev. 01.31.17 February/March 2018
Georgia Pharmacy 13
Registration and more information: GPhA.org/education
EDUCATION 2018 It’s time to get schooled. 2018 is a license-renewal year in Georgia, and GPhA has you covered with seminars, webinars, and even printable CE courses to help you meet your requirements. Need to complete your 30 hours of credits? Want to expand your résumé or your skill set? Simply like to keep up with the latest developments? Whatever your pharmacy education needs, your GPhA membership means you can meet them conveniently ... and costeffectively.
Yes, times and other details may change. Visit GPhA.org/education for the latest.
APhA CERTIFICATIONS Expand your practice. Beef up your résumé. These popular certifications from APhA can bring new patients to your pharmacies and help job seekers get noticed.
IMMUNIZATION CERTIFICATION TRAINING
MTM CERTIFICATION TRAINING
GPhA Members: $349 Non-members: $519 (includes a GPhA membership)
GPhA members: $249 Non-members: $399 (includes a GPhA membership)
All APhA certification training courses take place from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at our Sandy Springs headquarters.
APhA’s “Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery: A Certificate Program for Pharmacists” will give you the comprehensive knowledge, skills, and resources you need to provide immunization services to patients across their lifespans. It’s based on national educational standards for immunization training from the CDC. • March 11 • August 12 • December 2 CE credit: 20 hours (requires live seminar and home study)
APhA’s “Delivering Medication Therapy Management Services: A Certificate Training Program for Pharmacists” includes an overview of the marketplace for delivering MTM services, guidance for implementing MTM services in pharmacy practice, a review of the essential skills and knowledge needed for performing MTM successfully, and an organized process for identifying medication-related problems. • May 20 CE credit: 21 hours (requires live seminar, home study, and case exercise)
Info and registration at GPhA.org/2018immunization.
14 Georgia Pharmacy
Info and registration at GPhA.org/mtm.
February/March 2018
Registration and more information: GPhA.org/education
WEBINARS
JULY SERIES:
Take any of our webinars from anywhere you have an Internet connection and a computer. All the courses on this page are live via our free Go To Training software. Info and registration at GPhA.org/cpeasy. CE credit: Each gives 1.5 hours of credit.
MARCH SERIES:
APRIL SERIES:
Technicians in the Pharmacy Workflow
Women’s Health
Technicians, hone your craft and your skills. Pharmacists, learn to make the most of technicians and take your pharmacy team to the next level. Y GPhA Members: FREE Y Non-members: $40 The Technician’s Role in Supporting Chronic Care Management Medication synchronization and adherence programs are a necessity in today’s pharmacy practice. Learn about the most effective programs available today, including the latest practice improvements. March 8, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. Technicians and the HighPerforming Pharmacy Team Learn about current and future opportunities for technicians to gain and demonstrate competence, as well as advanced credentialing opportunities for technicians. March 15, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. Future Trends for Pharmacy Technicians The role(s) of pharmacy technicians is forever evolving. Examine the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of today’s — and tomorrow’s — techs. March 29, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Get the latest information on the needs of female patients. Y GPhA Members: FREE Y Non-members: $40 Is it Hot in Here? Navigating Therapy Options for Menopausal Patients As menopause approaches, the pharmacist’s role is crucial. Explore how pharmacists can identify symptoms and address treatment options to allow women patients to feel their best. April 12, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. Hormonal Contraception: A Review of Therapy Options Get an overview of hormonal contraception and important factors to consider when selecting therapy for patients, including common adverse reactions and how to identify patients who are ineligible to receive hormonal contraceptive pharmacotherapy. April 19, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. What Pharmacists Need to Know about Medication Use in Pregnancy and Lactation Learn about medication use in pregnant and nursing women, including drug transfer across the placenta and into breast milk, plus the new FDA fetal risk summary categories for medications. April 26, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Opioid Safety Help stem the tide of the opioid epidemic with these live webinars brought to you by Alliant Quality and the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. Y GPhA Members: FREE Y Non-members: $40 Naloxone: Working Together to Save a Life July 11 and 12 The SBIRT Approach: Improving Care for Patients with Substance Abuse Disorders July 18 and 19 Using PDMP to Curb Opioid Problems July 25 and 26 Trends in Prescribing and Coverage for Pain Management July 29 and 31
OCTOBER SERIES: Pharmacy Technician Training 101
Back by popular demand! Y FREE for any PTCB certified technician in Georgia — even non-members! Y Pharmacy Abbreviations and Calculations for Technicians October 4, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. Laws and Regulations in Georgia: What Pharmacy Technicians Must Know October 11, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. Basic Training: 30 Medications and Classifications Pharmacy Technicians Need to Know October 18, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Can’t make the live courses? Besides these scheduled webinars, GPhA offers members a variety of on-demand courses for CE credit. Check out GPhA.org/cpeasy and jump to “On Demand.”
February/March 2018
Georgia Pharmacy 15
Registration and more information: GPhA.org/education
2018 GEORGIA PHARMACY CONVENTION This year’s Georgia Pharmacy Convention is in Nashville (!) from June 21 to 24, and we’ve got an amazing lineup of CE courses. Keep an eye on GPhAconvention.com for details! OTC Dermatology: Rash, Burns, Blisters, Bruises, Scrapes and More Taking the sting out of skin injuries
What’s Changed: Treatment Updates for 2018 The latest in treatment guidelines
Quality Measures in Clinical Service Models The value of pharmacy teams in improving patient care quality
Immunization Roundtable Discuss with colleagues how to optimize your immunization practice
New Drug Update 2018: A Formulary Approach Our annual review of new drugs
Diabetes Adherence Counseling and Med Sync/Care Planning Helping diabetes patients follow their treatment regimens
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Treatment guidelines for patients
Effective Meetings, RACI, Problem Solving, and Team Building Leadership and management principles for building top-performing pharmacy teams Value-Based Purchasing and Quality Measurement New information on linking provider performance to payment Naloxone: Dispensing and Patient Training Preventing opioid deaths with a lifesaving medication
16 Georgia Pharmacy
2018 New Laws Update Making sense of the 2018 legislative session Women’s Health Update An overview of treatment guidelines for women patients Transforming Community Pharmacy Practice Bringing value to your practice SBIRT and Opioid Risk Assessment Screening patients for opioid abuse risk factors
2018 Federal Issues Update A look at the latest from Washington Pharmacogenomics Considering individual responses to drug therapies Technician Skills: Documenting Patient Health Information Optimizing pharmacy techs Precepting Successes for Residents, Interns, and Host Sites Making rotations work for all involved A Visit With the Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency and Board of Pharmacy Our annual visit with two of Georgia’s regulatory agencies Advocacy Update The latest in federal advocacy efforts Travel Immunizations Within Community Pharmacy Practice A new niche for your immunization practice
2018
Lean In: Quality Improvement in the Highly Efficient Pharmacy Lean Six Sigma principles, applied to pharmacy management
February/March 2018
Registration and more information: GPhA.org/education
MOVE THE NEEDLE ON CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT Learn the best practices and online resources for counseling patients, and expand your community pharmacy practice. These webinars are offered on-demand — any time, day or night! — thanks to our partnership with the Georgia Department of Public Health. Y GPhA members: FREE Y Non-members: $40 Basic Cents: Sustainable Models for Chronic Disease Management Chronic conditions continue to challenge our healthcare system, but pharmacists are finding innovative ways to manage them. We have to continue to change our mindset and our models for practicing pharmacy, to find what’s sustainable.
The Future of Hypertension Management Heart disease is still the primary cause of mortality in the U.S., and we’re one of the few developed countries to have our life expectancies decrease over time. Learn how pharmacists can help fill the gaps in care and find innovative ways to combat heart disease.
All Move the Needle webinars are taught by Jake Galdo, director for performance measurement at the Pharmacy Quality Alliance. Visit GPhA.org/ movetheneedle to access the webinars, as well as a wealth of online resources.
DSME and You Diabetes Self-Management Education is a fertile ground for pharmacists to engage in advanced patient care. Get answers to questions about accreditation and other requirements — you might be surprised how easy it is to dive into this opportunity. Our one-hour program will provide the 30,000-foot view and checklist on how you can be the next provider in your neighborhood.
BACK TO SCHOOL Don’t forget to sign up for these popular annual updates. GPhA members: $20 Non-members: $40 (includes GPhA membership)
2018 New Laws Update Hear how the bills passed in Georgia’s 2018 legislative session will affect your pharmacy practice and career. September 13; 7:30 9:00 p.m. CE credit: 1.5 hours
The Dreaded OSHA Update Stay up-to-date on OSHA requirements with this annual course — offered three times in 2018. • August 14 • August 23 • September 6 All OSHA update sessions begin at 7:30 p.m. CE credit: 1.0 hours.
GPhA also offers free printable CE lessons on current topics.
Georgia Pharmacy February/March 2018
DID YOU KNOW?
A S S O C I AT I O N
Download and print the lesson, then mail in the included quiz. Visit GPhA.org/education and jump to “Printable CE Lessons.”
Georgia Pharmacy 17
INVESTING IN PHARMPAC IS INVESTING IN YOUR PRACTICE. 2017 PHARMPAC INVESTORS The following pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, students, and others have joined GPhA’s PharmPAC for the 2017 calendar year. The contribution levels are based on investment through December 15, 2017. Diamond Investors ($4,800 or $400/month)
RALPH BALCHIN Fayetteville
CHARLES BARNES Valdosta
MAC McCORD Atlanta
SCOTT MEEKS Douglas
FRED SHARPE Albany
Titanium Investors ($2,400 or $200/month)
DAVID GRAVES Macon
LON LEWIS St. Simons Island
TOMMY LINDSEY Omega
DANIEL ROYAL Tifton
DEAN STONE Metter
BRANDALL LOVVORN Bremen
David Graves, Macon, PharmPAC chairman 18 Georgia Pharmacy
February/March 2018
Platinum Investors ($1,200 or $100/month) DENISE BENNETT BRUCE BROADRICK THOMAS BRYAN, JR. WILLIAM CAGLE HUGH CHANCY KEITH CHAPMAN WES CHAPMAN DALE COKER BILLY CONLEY BEN CRAVEY BLAKE DANIEL AL DIXON JACK DUNN ROBERT HATTON CASSIE HAYES
Silver Investors ($300 or $25/month)
Nelson Anglin Michael Azzolin Claude Bates Larry Braden Jack Cantrell Jonathan Canterbury James Carpenter David Carr Chandler Conner Michael Crooks Ernie Culpepper Ed Dozier Gregory Drake James Elrod Marshall Frost Amy Galloway Becky Hamilton Joe Holt Susan Kane Willie Latch Mack Lowrey Tracie Lunde Lynn Marshall Hillary Jack Mbadugha Eugene McDonald Bill McLeer Jignesh Patel Donald Piela, Jr Jonathan Sinyard Renee Smith Marie Tomblin Austin Tull Andy Ullrich
February/March 2018
MARSHA KAPILOFF IRA KATZ JEFF LUREY DREW MILLER LAIRD MILLER HOUSTON ROGERS JOHN SANDLIN TIM SHORT TERESA SMITH CARL STANLEY DENNIS STRICKLAND CHRIS THURMOND DANNY TOTH ALEX TUCKER TOMMY WHITWORTH
Gold Investors ($600 or $50/month) JAMES BARTLING NICHOLAS BLAND LANCE BOLES WILLIAM BREWSTER LIZA CHAPMAN BARON CURTIS MARSHALL CURTIS MAHLON DAVIDSON SHARON DEASON BENJAMIN DUPREE KEVIN FLORENCE KERRY GRIFFIN JOHNATHAN HAMRICK MICHAEL ITEOGU STEPHANIE KIRKLAND
ASHLEY KUNKLE GEORGE LAUNIUS BOBBY MOODY SHERRI MOODY WALLACE PARTRIDGE SUJAL PATEL WILLIAM PRATHER GREG REYBOLD DARYL REYNOLDS ANDY ROGERS BEN ROSS JOHN SHERRER SHARON SHERRER JEFF SIKES JAMES THOMAS
Bronze Investors
Member Investors
Michael Adeleye Fred Barber Phil Barfield Thomas Beckham Bryce Carter David Collins Jean Cox Ray Crisp Mathew Crist Josh Greeson Douglas Hall Larry Harkleroad Phillip James Jason Jones Josh Kinsey Brenton Lake Micheal Lewis Jonathan Marquess Max Mason Terry Shaw Richard Smith Amanda Stankiewicz Randall Thorton Steve Wilson
Michael Adams Stephen Adams Russell Adams Carmen Agnew Thomas Akins Bonnie Ali-Warren William Allen Karine Alleyne Lori Altman Robert Ault Brandon Bailey Joe Ballew Marla Banks Mark Barnes Crystal Bartlett Richard Bass Larry Batten Robert Bazemore William Bedingfield Stetson Bennett Samuel Bird Fred Bishop Duane Black Kenneth Bladen Lee Boyd Amber Brackett Ben Braddy Albert Branch Jeffery Bray Lawrence Bridges Lawrence Briggs Winston Brock Dan Brock Joe Brogdon Jesse Brown Max Brown Thomas Bruckner Wendy Buttrey
($150 or $12.50/month)
(up to $150)
WILLIAM TURNER CHUCK WILSON H.D. WILSON III M IKE TARRANT/ INTEGRATED FINANCIAL GROUP A CADEMY OF STUDENT PHARMACISTS, MERCER UNIVERSITY
Ron Cain Sheryl Cannington Waymon Cannon Sandra Cardell Emile Carr Earl Carter Jay Ceesay Tina Chancy Mark Click Horace Cline Henry Cobb Dawn Collier Margaret Collins-Free James Colston Paul Combs Joseph Cook Leslie Cornelison Charles Cosgrove Jean Courson Guy H Cox Merry Culberson Kim Curl Kimberly Curl Nancy Davis Suleman Daya Ken DeLay Blake Dennard Richard Dennard Stacy Dickens Ray Dixon Helen DuBiner John Dukes Sheila Dukes Bill Dunaway Annette Duncan Patrick Dunham Elizabeth Dunn Terry Dunn Freddie Dwozan Stephen Dyer Georgia Pharmacy 19
2017 PHARMPAC INVESTORS
THANK YOU WE DID IT! Thanks to hundreds of new PharmPAC investors, we exceeded our goal of raising $125,000 before the year even ended.
Total invested in 2017: $145,537. GOAL: $130,000
Alton Dykes Karla Ellington Joseph Entrekin Frank Erwin James Farr Bruce Faulk Stewart Flanagin Jimmy Flanders Dena Foley Vernon Ford Robert Forehand Tricia Francetich Matthew Frazier Elbert Fricks Raymond Fulp David Gamadanis Charles Gass Julie Gay John Gee Stacey Girardeau John Glenn Samuel Goldberg
20 Georgia Pharmacy
James Goodson Heather Gourley Melodi Graham Charlene Granberry James Graves Laura Greene Donnie Griffin Marvin Griffin Richard Griffin Charles Grogan Kimberly Grubbs Fred Gurley Erin Hale Robert Hall Maxwell Hancock John Hansford Rodney Harbin Roland Harbin Gloria Harbuck Buddy Harden James Harris Gerald Hartman
Lori Harvey Hannah Head Earl Henderson John Herndon Gerald Herndon Shawn Hodges Eric Holgate William Horton Jennifer Huggins Woody Hunt Terry Hurley Iris Ivey Tara Jackson Amy Jacobs Robert Johnston Jack Jones Jami Justus Matt Kent Kenneth Kicklighter Charles King Brenda Kirkland Donald Lane Evan Lane Georgie Langford Edwin Laws Jennifer Leavy David Ledbetter Robert Ledbetter Madison Ledford Robert Lee John Leffler Stanley Lewis Randel Logue Charles Lott Gloria Machalk Andre Mackey Eddie Madden Earl Marbut Ralph Marett Shauna Markes-Wilson Teresa Marlow Joseph Marlow Mike Martin Merri Mason Cynthia Massengill Sam Massey Hewitt Matthews Roy McClendon Janie McCook Josh McCook Len McCook Charles McDuffie Herbert McGinty Mark McGregor Kathy McLeod Alfred McNair Pat McPherson Charles McWilliams James McWilliams Edward Mills Melissa Minix Brian Mitchem Joshua Morgan Stephen Morgan
(CONTINUED)
John Moseley David Moseley Sandy Moseley Eric Mullins William Murray Hani Mussad Clementine Nanje Linton Neal Robert Newsom Albert Nichols Charles Nicholson William Nicoletti Thomas Noles Darby Norman Debbie Nowlin Robert Oliver Ricki Oliver Brenda Owens Mi-Deok Park Carl Parker Glenn Parkman Larry Parrish Jeffery Patterson Rhett Paul Donnie Payne Walter Pease William Perry Amon Peters William Phillips Whitney Pickett Cynthia Piela Alex Pinkston Faith Pinnell Lee Pinnell Irvin Pinnell Michael Pitzing Thomas Porter William Posey Ali Pouryousefi Milton Powell Jeffery Prentiss Susan Preston Robert Probst Kara Purvis Reginald Pye Ofori Quarcoo Thomas Rawls Genevieve Regal Stanley Rentz Leonard Reynolds Jennifer Richardson Brian Rickard Donna Riggins Gerald Riggins David Rink Tom Roberts Kenneth L Rogers Stacey Schuessler Edward Schutter Wade Scott Bryan Scott Edgar Sego Victor Serafy Donal Sharp
Nakia Shaw Nancy Sheppard Harry Shurley Michael Sims Johannes Smit Amanda Smith Roxanne Smith Tammy Sprayberry Steven Spruill Angela Stadler Carolyn Stephenson Don Stiles Walter Strange William Tatum Richard Taylor Leonard Templeton Patricia Templeton John Thomas Archie Thompson Sonny Thurmond Tommy Tolbert Sara Traylor Mitchell Trotter David Turner Oby Uyanwune Erica Veasley David Vest Sondi Vest Lindsay Walker Robert Ward Flynn Warren Keith Webster Mitchell Weitman Lindsey Welch Michael Wells Lewis West Benjamin Wheeler Mark White Jerry White Walter White John Whitehead Jonathon Williams Joseph Williams Paula Williams Timothy Wilson William Wolfe Rogers Wood Carla Woodall Joseph Woodson Kevin Woody Earl Wright Laura Yancey Ginny Yates Kelestan Packaging P rescription Packaging Investment
February/March 2018
The one great thing about CPA is the completely open, transparent network. You get all the financials. > David Graves - Graves Pharmacy, Georgia
Member Owned + 100% Transparent
Leveraged Buying Power
Dedicated Support Team
Data + Analytical Services
For over 20 years, member-
With 1,300+ members and
We have your back. A
CPA’s industry experts continually
owned CPA® has shown a
over $4 billion in annual
dedicated support team of
research trends, turning
commitment to transparency
wholesale purchases of
industry specialists proactively
information and insights into
by providing detailed
brands and generics, CPA
works on your behalf to resolve
business opportunities. Expect
accounting of all rebates and
offers real buying and rebate
issues, save you time, and
consistent, timely and actionable
expenses, by watching every
power. All prospective
ultimately, make your business
data reports customized for your
basis point and by pursuing
members get an opportunity
more successful. We work for
pharmacy. Receive support that
every opportunity to improve
analysis to ensure a CPA
you and we will always make
empowers you to do business
the bottom line of all members.
relationship is beneficial.
your best interest “the” priority.
more effectively and efficiently.
888.434.0308 COMPLIANTRX.COM 170 Business Park Circle Stoughton, WI 53589
See us at the Georgia Pharmacy Convention
contact OPEN
Keep in touch
REACH US AT 404.231.5074 OR GPhA.ORG
FLAT COLOR
GPhA LEADERSHIP President & Chair of the Board LIZA CHAPMAN, Dawsonville liza.chapman@kroger.com President-Elect TIM SHORT, Cumming garph9@aol.com Immediate Past President LANCE BOLES, Hartwell lanceboles@hotmail.com Directors ASHISH ADVANI, Atlanta aaadvani@gmail.com WES CHAPMAN, Bishop weschapmanpc@gmail.com SHARON DEASON, Newnan sdeason99@hotmail.com AMY MILLER, Gainesville amylulapharmacy@gmail.com FRED SHARPE, Albany fsharpe@u-save-it.com JONATHAN SINYARD, Cordele sinyardj@gmail.com KEVIN FLORENCE, Athens add.drug@gmail.com CHRIS THURMOND, Athens vildrug@bellsouth.net Chief Executive Officer BOB COLEMAN bcoleman@gpha.org
1
For membership questions Mary Ritchie Director of Membership Operations (404) 419-8115 mritchie@gpha.org For questions about our magazine, blog, websites, or social media Andrew Kantor Director of Communication akantor@gpha.org For questions about our educational offerings Phillip Ratliff Education Consultant (404) 426-1140 pratliff@gpha.org For questions about any of our insurance products Denis Mucha Manager — Member Services (404) 419-8120 dmucha@gpha.org For questions about governmental affairs Greg Reybold Vice President of Public Policy greybold@gpha.org For questions about the Board of Directors or GPhA governance policies Ruth Ann McGehee Executive Assistant and Governance Manager (404) 419-8173 rmcgehee@gpha.org
For operational or accounting questions: Dianne Jones Vice President of Finance & Administration (404) 419-8129 djones@gpha.org Patricia Aguilar Accounting Coordinator (404) 419-8124 paguilar@gpha.org
For assistance with independent-pharmacy issues Jeff Lurey, R.Ph. VP of Independent Pharmacy (404) 419-8103 jlurey@gpha.org For questions about your AIP membership Verouschka “V” Betancourt-Whigham Manager of AIP Member Services (404) 419-8102 vbwhigham@gpha.org AIP Member Service Representatives Rhonda Bonner (229) 854-2797 rbonner@gpha.org Charles Boone (478) 538-6425 cboone@gpha.org
GPhA’S MEMBER SERVICE PARTNERS InfiniTrak infinitrak.us Track and trace compliance software (844) 464-4641 Pharmacy Quality Commitment pqc.net Quality assurance compliance resources (866) 365-7472 Pharmacy Technician Certification Board ptcb.org (800) 363-8012 SoFi sofi.com/gpha Student-loan refinancing (855) 456-7634
Got a concern about a GPhA program or service? Want to compliment or complain? Drop a note to info@gpha.org.
Melissa Metheny (678) 485-6126 mmetheny@gpha.org Gene Smith (423) 667-7949 gsmith@gpha.org
Georgia Pharmacy A S S O C I AT I O N
22 Georgia Pharmacy
February/March 2018
POSTSCRIPT From the President
Front and center March 16, 2017 was a significant day for the Georgia Pharmacy Association and all practicing pharmacists in the state. On that date, HB 276 and SB 103 were voted on by both chambers of the LIZA CHAPMAN Georgia legislature. Never during my professional career have I been witness to such an impressive legislative act as the passage of the Pharmacy Patient Fair Practices Act. I had the privilege of being present in the senate gallery as Senator Jeff Mullis of Chickamauga presented the bill in preparation for a vote.
THE STORIES I CAN SHARE WITH YOU ABOUT THOMAS, CARLIE, MICHAEL, AND KIM ARE ONLY A SMALL SAMPLE. THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW. What was most impressive, and what stands out in my mind, was Senator Mullis calling out names of Georgia pharmacists who have positively impacted patient care around the state. It makes me reflect on the question: “Do my state representative or senator know my name, and do they have any idea of how I have impacted the lives of those I call my patients?” With the onset of 2018 Georgia General Assembly, I would like to challenge each of us to tell our professional story to our legislators. As noted screenwriting lecturer Robert Mckee once said, “Storytelling is the most powerful way to put ideas into the world today.” I used that quote in my presidential address at the 2017 Georgia Pharmacy Convention, and I am called back to its importance and significance now. Let’s help set the stage to put the profession of February/March 2018
pharmacy front and center by communicating how pharmacists positively impact the healthcare and lives of those who call Georgia home. If legislators know the names of the pharmacists practicing in their district, along with the stories of how constituents’ lives have been impacted, the battle for GPhA’s current legislative agenda — opioid abuse and expansion of professional scope of practice — just got a little easier to fight;. The number of impactful stories we can share are copious and too many to count. I wonder if legislators have any idea of what pharmacists do every day. Thomas Sherrer of Marietta is providing yellow fever vaccines and other travel immunizations to church groups in his community before they leave on mission trips. Carlie Traylor of Hahira is providing medication therapy and chronic disease management to Medicare patients in South Georgia. Michael Azzolin and a team of pharmacists are ensuring that patients admitted to hospitals across the state are receiving appropriate therapy and drug utilization reviews. Kim Grubbs of Athens is having conversations with her patients at risk for opioid overdose about the need to have naloxone on hand. The stories I can share with you about Thomas, Carlie, Michael, and Kim are only a small sample. The time to act is now. Simply send an e-mail, make a telephone call, invite your legislator to your practice setting, and/or make a visit to the capitol during the session while your representative and senator are in action. Greg Reybold, GPhA’s vice president of public policy, and Cindy Shepard, our contract lobbyist, are more than willing to help connect you to your legislators. Contact your legislator today. Make sure your name and narrative are known. Help GPhA fight the battle that’s ahead of us during the legislative session by telling your story. Georgia Pharmacy A S S O C I AT I O N
BLACK & WHITE
OPEN
GLOSS/GRADIENT
FLAT COLOR
1
Liza Chapman is GPhA’s 2017-2018 president and pharmacy clinical sales manager for Kroger’s Atlanta division. Georgia Pharmacy 23
back page
BY ANDREW KANTOR
Smell your partner, do-si-do…. No, seriously. A study from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver (go, Thunderbirds!) found that women “who smelled a partner’s shirt felt less stressed both during and after the stress test than those who smelled a stranger’s or unworn shirt.”
Because apparently you need to be told Health Canada (basically the equivalent of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) reminds people: Tide laundry pods should not be eaten. All this has happened before: Some of you might remember when the issue was Fabuloso floor cleaner, which was being mistaken for a fruit drink.
Bless you In case you were wondering what happens if you try too hard to hold in a sneeze, we’ll let the BBC headline say it all: “Man ruptures throat by stifling a sneeze.” (The URL is bbc.com/ news/health-42687970 if you really want to visit.)
CVS to remove virtual beer goggles from ads The pharmacy chain has said it will stop “significant touchups” of images used to market its beauty products. The company will not “materially” alter photos used in stores, websites, or on social media. Specifically, it might change the lighting, but it won’t change a model’s shape, size, skin or eye color, or wrinkles.
24 Georgia Pharmacy
February/March 2018
Coverage You Need. Service You Deserve. A Price You Can Afford.
Georgia Pharmacy A S S O C I AT I O N
GEORGIA PHARMACY FOUNDATION, INC. 6065 Barfield Road NE | Suite 100 Sandy Springs, GA 30328
SUNDAY, APRILOPEN15, 2018
BLACK & WHITE
SAVE THE DATE GLOSS/GRADIENT
•
MACON MARRIOTT & CENTREPLEX
AIP SPRING MEETING FLAT COLOR
1
Events and programs include: • Network with colleagues • Nomination of AIP officers • Meet with partners • CE opportunities • Medicaid/CMO roundtable Plus • Legislative Update • Continental breakfast and lunch provided
All non-AIP members who own independent pharmacies are welcome to attend AT NO CHARGE.
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT — ATTEND THIS YEAR’S AIP FALL MEETING Registration: Please fill out and fax back to (404) 237-8435 Member’s Name: Nickname: Pharmacy Name: Address: E-mail Address (please print): Will you be joining us for lunch (Noon – 1:00PM)? q Yes q No How many total will be attending? Names of Staff/Guests: