North Carolina Association of Pharmacists 2021, Issue 3 of 12 ncpharmacists.org
E-News ENews
Advancing Pharmacy. Improving Health.
General News North Carolina COVID-19 Update On March 23rd, due to our state’s improved COVID-19 key metrics and growing numbers of North Carolinians vaccinated, Governor Cooper issued Executive Order 204, further easing restrictions. As of last week, our state had seen a steady decline in the number of hospitalizations, reported daily, since mid-February; and as of March 13, the vast majority of counties had deescalated from red (critical) or orange (substantial) alert status to yellow (significant community spread). At the time of writing this summary, approximately 15% of our state’s population had been fully vaccinated. This most recent EO continues to mandate masks and maintain social distancing; but enables retail businesses and other lower risk settings to open at full capacity, 75% capacity for medium risk settings such as restaurants and gyms, and 50% capacity for high-risk settings such as stadiums, theaters and convention centers. Payor-Mandated ‘White Bagging’: Another Escalating ‘Steerage’ & Patient-Safety Problem
In recent years the consolidation of affiliated health plans, pharmacy benefit managers, and specialty pharmacies has led to an ever-increasing practice of forcing health-system infusion clinics and outpatient physician practices to accept ‘white-bagged’ or ‘brown-bagged’ medications, filled by a PBM-owned or preferred specialty clinic. The practice essentially steers the process and choice away from the patient and the
health-system pharmacy. Last week, ASHP and multiple health systems across the nation, including several from North Carolina, sent a letter strongly encouraging the FDA to consider the patient safety and supply chain security risks of white bagging, and take appropriate enforcement action to protect patients. ASHP also recently produced a podcast on the negative implications of ‘white bagging’. New CDC Public Health Guidance for COVID Fully Vaccinated
In response to the growing number of individuals acquiring full vaccination status for COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC issued interim public health recommendations for individuals, in non-healthcare settings, who are fully vaccinated. The CDC also updated guidance for healthcare personnel, patients and residents in healthcare settings. NCPA 2020 Reports
The National Community Pharmacy Association published two reports in March. The 2020 COVID-19 REPORT, which addresses that association’s work to help independent pharmacists and pharmacies during last year; and their 2020 NCPA Advocacy Annual Report, which provides a review of the efforts and outcomes of their greater advocacy agenda. Long-Hauler Specialty Clinics: Potential Future Role for Innovative Pharmacists
On March 23rd, the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy covered a review article published in Nature Medicine about COVID-19 ‘long haulers’ need for dedicated clinics. Significant
numbers of those hospitalized due to COVID-19 infection have debilitating symptoms for greater than three months. COVID-19 infections have led to inflammatory immune response, fatigue, inability to think clearly, shortness of breath, joint pain, arrhythmias, chest pain, blood clots, stroke and posttraumatic stress disorder. It is becoming more evident that for patients with COVID-19, the diagnosis and need for interdisciplinary care may extend far beyond their discharge from the hospital. Furthermore, many of the symptoms and consequences, associated with chronic post-COVID-syndrome, require pharmacotherapeutic interventions. Experts are calling for the establishment of outpatient, specialty clinics to address the diverse and complex needs of ‘long-hauler’ patients, which could present new embedded or collaborative patient care opportunities for pharmacists. A Call for Stronger E-Cigarette Controls
There’s movement afoot on Capitol Hill to ban all flavored e-cigarettes. Last week Democrats sent a letter to the FDA asking for a review and removal of the exemption for menthol and disposable e-cigarettes. The FDA had previously issued a ban, on fruit-flavored e-cigarettes, in July 2020. Legislators have now called on the FDA to remove from the market all flavored e-cigarettes that are currently under FDA review, to deny applications for any flavored e-cigarettes and other flavored tobacco products, and to deny issuing a marketing order for any e-cigarette that poses an increased risk of youth initiation or addiction.
NCAP E-News Issue 3 of 12 Page 1
Technician News NCAP To Host Pharmacy Technician Conference This fall, date still to be determined, NCAP will host a one-day, virtual conference for pharmacy technicians. In the past, NCAP technician members, have indicated that they would like to have a conference that has affordable, technician-specific programming and opportunities to network with other technicians from across the state. If you are a technician and would like to be involved in the planning of this event, please contact Angie Broughton, NCAP Event Coordinator, at angie@ncpharmacists.org. Technicians Could Be An Answer To Healthy People 2030 Health Literacy Metric
People who do not understand health information are more likely to have health problems. Health literacy is now included as one of the overarching goals of Healthy People, a national science-based initiative that sets goals and objectives to improve the health and well-being of Americans. The directive is to increase the proportion of adults who report their health care providers always ask them to describe how they will follow instructions, which according to US DHHS was < 27% of adults in 2017. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion is calling for health care providers to adopt a teachback method to assess whether patients understand instructions for care. This is a perfect opportunity for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, to adopt this technique, and work together to assess patients with complex regimens and newly prescribed medications.
FDA News The following are excerpts compiled from the daily FDA news regarding new
approvals, posted during the month of March 2021.
Rilonacept FDA approved Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals’ Arcalyst, a once-weekly subcutaneous injection for treating recurrent pericarditis and reducing the risk of recurrence in adults and children age 12 years and older. Serdexmethylphenidate FDA approved KemPharm’s Azstarys, a once-daily pro-drug, to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in patients age six years and older.
Practice Advancement News New and Updated COVID Resources
The public health team from Campbell School of Pharmacy completed:
• The development of NCAP’s COVID-19 Vaccination Toolkit which contains COVID vaccination guidance, procurement, storage, reporting, workflow, supplies, and safety protocol information. The toolkit also provides billing and payment information, as well as patient education and other resources; and • The update of NCAP’s COVID-19 Testing Toolkit which contains detailed information about diagnostic and serology testing, as well as lab interpretation, testing safety protocols, billing, and patient education resources.
NCAP is incredibly grateful to the following students for their dedication and leadership demonstrated in the creation of both pharmacy practice resources; Kayla Tunehag, Abby Cowan, Tayler Clark, Emily Steinbock, Aubrey LaVoie, Jules Hickey, Katlyn Bradford, and Anthony Siggia.
In addition, we recognize Dr. William ‘Bill’ Taylor for his expertise and role as team advisor for these amazing group of students.
NCAP Proposes Outreach Campaign for Students Enrolled in the Student-Pharmacist Opioid Stewardship Certificate Trainging NCAP is reaching out to all students enrolled in the Student Pharmacist Opioid Stewardship Certificate Training Program who have completed their didactic work and are looking for an outreach campaign to consider providing Harm Reduction education to independent community pharmacies across the state. With this proposal, we ask students to reach out to independent pharmacies in targeted counties and provide education supporting both naloxone distribution and the non-discriminatory sale of syringes. To ensure consistent messaging, NCAP will provide students with the content and materials necessary for training. If you are interested in “adopting” counties and using this campaign for your certification, please email cheryl@ ncpharmacists.org.
Partner News
A Gateway to Patient Engagement More than one-third of adults in the U.S. struggle with following directions on prescription drug labels and other common health tasks. As a result, many patients don’t take their medications as prescribed. Contributing to this medication misuse is low health literacy, which is linked to a higher risk of emergency room visits, hospitalizations and even death.
VUCA Health has created the largest and most robust medication video library in the world to address low health literacy. Despite the growing complexity of medications and the advancement of technology, most medication information is delivered today the way it was decades ago. VUCA Health is changing this paradigm by delivering a medication experience like none other; a digital experience to support patients and their
NCAP E-News Issue 3 of 12 Page 2
families, when they need it and in the media format of their choice.
VUCA Health knows patients have questions, and they are committed to enabling pharmacists with digital patient education tools. Visit vucahealth. com to learn more.
Event News Registration is Now Open for NCAP’s 2021 Convention I can’t believe how quickly this year is progressing. It is exciting to have Spring and warmer weather upon us and I don’t know about all of you, but I love that it stays light outside much longer. Something else upon us? NCAP’s 2021 Convention! During this year’s convention, June 6 – 9, we will, for the first time unite all practice academies in one event. Convention will be presented in an all-virtual format. Our theme this year is “Stronger Together – Many Paths – One Mission.” Each day of Convention will highlight one or more tracks that are academy specific; however, with your registration, you will be able to attend any session on any day you choose. The Convention Planning Committee has been working diligently to create an event you are sure to benefit from and enjoy. We are updating session details regularly, but for a sneak peek at what to expect, click here. Registration is open; reserve your spot today. Time to Register! Upcoming CE Dates
Your NCAP staff is excited to bring you lots of opportunities to learn, expand your scope of practice and rack up those very important continuing education hours. We have lots of amazing programming planned for you this year. In addition to our monthly webinar series, we have our virtual Convention, student programming, Residency Conference and so much more. Keep checking the Events section on our website, www. ncpharmacists.org, for details and to register for events. See below the dates for upcoming events.
April 8
April - August
NC Medicaid Managed Care Pharmacy Summit (No CE Information Only)
“Do No Harm” Diminishing the Negative Effects of Substance Misuse (Same Time - Multiple Dates)
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM EDT
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM EDT
Click here to join.
April 18
Resiliency in Challenging and Turbulent Times
Speaker: Robert Granko, PharmD 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM EDT
Details and Registration
May 2
Thursday, April 8 Thursday, April 25 Thursday, April 22 Thursday, May 13 Thursday, May 20
Wednesday, June 23 Thursday, July 22
A Care Transition Model
Thursday, August 12 Thursday, August 19
June 6 – 9
Click here for Details and to Register!
Speaker: Mary-Haston Vest, PharmD NCAP’s 2021 Virtual Convention Registration is now Open!
July 18
Diabetes Care Initiative
Speaker: Tara Baran, PharmD
August 15
Pharmacy Law Topic
Speaker: Geoffrey Mospan, PharmD
September 19
New Drug Updates Part I
Speaker: Lakeshea Love, PharmD
October 17
New Drug Updates Part II
Speaker: Lakeshea Love, PharmD
Stay tuned for more Events!
Repeat News NCAP Annual Meeting to Hold its 6th Annual Poster Session! The NCAP 2021 Annual Convention will be presented in a virtual format June 6 – 9 and will host its 6th annual poster session. Presenting a poster at NCAP is an excellent opportunity to share your research with pharmacy practitioners all around the state! Selected abstracts will be published in the North Carolina Pharmacist: The Official Journal of the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists. Submissions by practitioners, students, and residents are welcome!
Details of when and how the poster session will be presented will be advised to all authors of the posters chosen for presentation when they are notified their work has been selected.
NCAP E-News Issue 3 of 12 Page 3
Categories:
• Original Research: Clinical or educational research appealing to an audience of pharmacy professionals in North Carolina. May include health services, pharmacotherapy, medication safety, or patient outcomes. Abstract Headings: Objective, methods, results, conclusions • Quality Improvement Evaluations: Assessments of quality improvement measures such as medication use evaluations or process improvements. May include ideas and practices new to system, or practice setting. Abstract Headings: Objective, methods, results, conclusions
• Case Report or Series: Description of a unique patient case or series. May include novel indication, dose or administration of a medication. Abstract Headings: Introduction, case (s), discussion Word Count: 300 words (excluding author names and title)
Abstracts describing ongoing research will be considered with partially completed data. Descriptions of planned research without any data will not be accepted. Abstracts will be evaluated based on readability and organization, relevance, and potential impact to pharmacy practice. Please submit your name, your credentials, and your abstract to Mindy Par-
man mgparman@gmail.com. Deadline: April 12, 2021. Status of submissions will be communicated to authors by April 30, 2021.
Abstracts will be printed as submitted in the North Carolina Pharmacist: The Official Journal of the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists. Edits to abstracts cannot be made after submission.
NOTE: Poster presenters MUST register for the Convention for the day of presentations. There will be no discounted registration, honorarium or speaker fee. CLICK HERE FOR ABSTRACT EXAMPLE
Congratulations 2021 Pharmacy Graduates! We wish you the best in this final semester of your pharmacy education. NCAP has an online course available to help prepare you to sit for the NC Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam. Click here to register for the course. Be sure to enter on the form the address you want us to mail your study guide.
Call for Articles North Carolina Pharmacist (NCP) is currently accepting articles for publication consideration. We accept a diverse scope of articles, including but not limited to: original research, quality improvement, medication safety, case reports/case series, reviews, clinical pearls, unique business models, technology, and opinions. NCP is a peer-reviewed publication intended to inform, educate, and motivate pharmacists, from students to seasoned practitioners, and pharmacy technicians in all areas of pharmacy. Articles written by students, residents, and new practitioners are welcome. Mentors and preceptors – please consider advising your mentees and students to submit their appropriate written work to NCP for publication. Don’t miss this opportunity to share your knowledge and experience with the North Carolina pharmacy community by publishing an article in NCP. Click on Guidelines for Authors for information on formatting and article types accepted for review. For questions, please contact Tina Thornhill, PharmD, FASCP, BCGP, Editor, at tina.h.thornhill@gmail.com.
Publication Corrections Contact Rhonda at rhonda@ncpharmacists.org
NCAP is looking for Speakers If you’re “in the know” when it comes to the latest updates, have ex-
pert advice or exciting research to share, NCAP is looking for YOU! Your presentation skills are needed for Convention, Webinars, Certificate Programs, etc. We want your name on our list! Interested? Contact Angie Broughton at angie@ncpharmacists.org.
NCAP E-News Issue 3 of 12 Page 4