May/June 2015 z Volume 96 z Issue 3
The official publication of the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association
Pennsylvania Pharmacy Legislative Day
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID HARRISBURG PA PERMIT NO 533
“Pharmacists: Your Medication Experts!”
www.papharmacists.com
*Do we have your attention with this fictitious attorney’s advertisement. Good, because information below is factual, verifiable and should not be ignored. Please read on.
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Your Partner for Pharmacy Success
P R S P h a r m a cy S e r v i c e s • 8 0 0 - 3 3 8 - 3 6 8 8 • w w w. p r s p h a r m a cy s e r v i c e s . c o m papharmacistlw2015.indd 1
1/27/15 11:35 AM
PPA Board of Directors PPA Officers: President: Eric R. Esterbrook, RPh President-Elect: Donna Hazel, RPh First Vice President: Eric Pusey, RPh, CDE Second Vice President: Nicholas Leon, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP Immediate Past President: J. Scott Miskovsky, RPh
Our Vision
Pennsylvania pharmacists will be recognized, engaged, and fairly compensated as health-care providers.
PPA Office Staff: CEO: Patricia A. Epple, CAE pepple@papharmacists.com Communications Coordinator: Jenna Karge jkarge@papharmacists.com Membership Coordinator: Courtney Box cbox@papharmacists.com Program Manager: Sara Powers spowers@papharmacists.com Government Relations Manager: Donald L. Smith, III dsmith@papharmacists.com PPCN Coordinator: Brandon Antinopolous, PharmD ppcn@papharmacists.com
Ext. 3 Ext. 2 Ext. 1 Ext. 4 Ext. 6
Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association (PPA) 508 North Third Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101 (717) 234-6151 Fax: (717) 236-1618 www.papharmacists.com ppa@papharmacists.com www.facebook.com/PAPharmacy www.twitter.com/papharmacists Pennsylvania Pharmacist (ISSN 0031-4633) is the official publication of the Pennsylvania Pharmaceutical Association d/b/a Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association and is published every other month, six times per year. Annual subscription is $100 for nonmembers; for members it is included in the annual dues. Editorial information should be addressed to the PPA address listed above. Peer reviewed articles accepted according to the stated guidelines available from PPA. Editorial Board: Hershey S. Bell, M.D., M.S., FAAFP Kim C. Coley, PharmD, FCCP Stephanie Smith Cooney, PharmDPP Bernard Graham, PhD Brian S. Plager, RPh, MBA Associate Editor: Jenna Karge Editor/Manager: Pat Epple Designed and Published by: Graphtech Sarah DiCello, Publications Manager (717) 238-5751 x118, sarah@thinkgraphtech.com
The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association, as the leading voice of pharmacy, promotes the profession through advocacy, education, and communication to enhance patient care and public health.
Pennsylvania
Regional Directors: Central: Ellen Nastase, BS Pharmacy, MS Pharmacy Northeast: Thomas Franko, PharmD, BCACP Northwest: Elliott Cook, PharmD Southeast: Mark Lawson, PharmD, MBA Southwest: Lauren Simko, PharmD Academy Directors: Academy of Alternative Pharmacy Practice: Jamie McConaha, PharmD, CGP, BCACP Academy of Chain Pharmacists: Vacant Academy of Community Pharmacists: Martin J. Kendra, RPh Academy of Health System Pharmacists: Richard Demers, RPh, MS, FASHP Academy of Long Term Care and Consultant Pharmacists: Brant Gahr, RPh Academy of Pharmacy Industry Associates: Todd Eury Academy of Pharmacy Technicians: Vacant Academy of Student Pharmacists: Benjamin Andrick
Our Mission
MAGAZINE
Departments President’s Message................................................................................... 3 Calendar of Events..................................................................................... 5 Campus Checkup.................................................................................... 28 Pharmacy Time Capsules......................................................................... 30 Member News.......................................................................................... 40 New Members.......................................................................................... 44
Features Exciting Times for Pharmacy in Namibia..................................................... 6 Member Profile: Gale Edward Garmong, PharmD..................................... 15 Pharmacy Spotlight: Masonic Village’s Pharmacy..................................... 22 Profiles in Pharmacy Innovation: Mary F. McManus, Pharm.D., Ph.D........ 31 Pharmacy Technician Profile: Jack Armstrong........................................... 42 PTCB Asks CPhTs To Review and Update Their PTCB Account Profiles... 42 CE Opportunities for Pharmacy Technicians............................................. 43
Association News My Rotation with PPA............................................................................... 10 What’s New with the New Practitioners Forum?!....................................... 11 Affiliated County News.............................................................................. 13 Highlights from APhA’s Annual Meeting and Exposition............................. 18 Important Message – PPA Elections for 2015 – 2016............................... 24 Pennsylvania Pharmacy Legislative Day.................................................... 26 Mid-Year Conference Highlights................................................................ 34
Industry News Naloxone: Increasing Access to Reduce Overdose-Related Deaths.......... 21
For Advertising Information: Alexis Kierce, Account Manager (717) 238-5751 x119, alexis@thinkgraphtech.com Pharmacist State Board of Pharmacy Members: Gayle A. Cotchen, PharmD, MBA – Institutional” Janet Hart, RPh – Community Chain Robert Frankil, RPh – Community Independent Theresa M. Talbott, RPh – Community Chain Mark J. Zilner, RPh – Community Independent Board of Pharmacy Meeting Dates: May 12, 2015 June 16, 2015 July 21, 2015 August 18, 2015 September 15, 2015 October 20, 2015 On the Cover: Photographs are from our 2015 Legislative Day
Advertisers Index American Pharmacy Services Corporation 16 AmerisourceBergen 43 Buy-Sellapharmacy.com 31 Cardinal Health 12 Hayslip & Zost 33 Independent Pharmacy Buying Group 2 The Jefferson School of Pharmacy 4 The Keystone Pharmacy Purchasing Alliance 9
Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company Inside Back Cover PRS Pharmacy Services Inside Front Cover McKesson 37 R.J. Hedges & Associates 14 Rochester Drug Company Back Cover S&L Solutions LLC 35 Value Drug Company 41
Disclaimer — The opinions of the authors reflected in this publication do not necessarily reflect PPA’s official position on an issue.
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Special pricing from AmerisourceBergen exclusive to IPBG members Members averaged $12,000+ a year in “first to shelf” generics. Up to $1,200 for attending AmerisourceBergen’s Expo PPA, NCPA, PAAS, and DEALookUp 100% paid dues for compliant members. Members kept informed on all important issues from HIPAA, EQuIPP, CMS, OIG, ACO, NHIC, etc. Member of Federation of Pharmacy Networks— 100% of rebates from FPN paid to you. $100 Lifetime processing fee—no other charges. Call IPBG to sign up at no cost for the "Trading Post " where you can buy and sell unwanted inventory at discounted prices . Looking for a group who cares about your botton line? Call us! Visit our website www.IPBGRx.com Independent Pharmacy Buying Group The Lafayette Building, Suite 205 103 Chesley Dr., Media, PA 19063 Toll Free 866.910.IPBG (4724)
Departments
Eric Esterbrook, RPh PPA President 2014–2015
Message from the President
T
his is my last message as President for the Each year at Legislative Day I see hundreds of Pennsylvania Pharmacist. It doesn’t seem that students attend, meet, and promote pharmacists as long ago that I was sitting here writing my first medication experts to our legislators. I see them message. I must be honest that writing has never fighting for their future as pharmacists. “If we can’t been my strong point and it has been one of the hear you, we can’t help you.” If our legislators tasks as president I find difficult. That alone tells me don’t understand our issues they can’t help us. The something, that PPA is a solid organization with a PharmPAC is very important in this process. It gives long history of success and prosperity. Our Board us a seat at the table with our decision makers. Please of Directors is filled with the best of the best in become a monthly contributor to our PharmPAC. Pennsylvania. They have served our profession well There are a few other pharmacy PAC’s in PA. Over during the past year. As President, I never once the last several years PPA has been instrumental in had to stress over things back at our headquarters partnering with these other groups on legislative in Harrisburg. Pat Epple and the staff of PPA do a issues so that we are working together. phenomenal job keeping our organization running “One voice” is a theme I have been driving home efficiently and smoothly. during my term as President. Thank you PPA staff and the Board of Together we have made sure When a group does not that PPA is the leading voice speak with one voice it Directors! You have made my job as of pharmacy, promoting creates division, which President one in which I could focus the profession through undermines unity. It also solely on pharmacy issues. advocacy, education and creates confusion. The communication, and to enhance patient care and issues facing pharmacy are confusing enough; let us public health in Pennsylvania. not add to that confusion. May we move forward with The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network one voice so that Pennsylvania pharmacists will be (PPCN) has made significant progress this year. recognized, engaged, and fairly compensated as health Pharmacists from all over Pennsylvania have been care providers. working hard to build the network. I would also like to recognize the importance of our PPA Educational Eric Esterbrook, RPh Foundation because this is where the concept of the PPA President 2014–2015 z PPCN network first arose. Please become a monthly contributor to the Foundation.
Pennsylvania Pharmacist I May/June 2015 I 3
We’ve built something completely new. On top of a 200-year old foundation. The Jefferson School of Pharmacy is not the same old, same old. We empower students to work in real pharmacy environments from their very first weeks of school. They’ll work alongside students from other healthcare disciplines in our unique Health Mentors Program. And they’ll have the opportunity to learn from some of the most prominent clinical and administrative pharmacists in the nation – all at an institution with one of the most advanced health-system pharmacy practices in the world. Jefferson School of Pharmacy. The best of the old. And the new.
Jefferson School of Pharmacy Did you know that greater than 99 percent of JSP graduates passed their NAPLEX on the first attempt? Learn more at
Jefferson.edu/Pharmacist
Departments Thank You to Our Corporate Partners These companies support PPA activities throughout the year.
DIAMOND LEVEL
PLATINUM LEVEL
Calendar of Events May
3–6
7
PPA Educational Foundation Board of Directors Meeting
14
PPA Board of Directors Meeting
16–19
SILVER LEVEL
BRONZE LEVEL
NABP Annual Meeting — New Orleans, LA
June
GOLD LEVEL
NCPDP Annual Conference — Scottsdale, AZ
6–10
ASHP Summer Meeting and Expo — Denver, CO
July
9–10
PPA Board of Directors Meeting and Leadership Retreat
11–15
AACP Annual Meeting — National Harbor, MD
August
22–25
NACDS Store Expo — Denver, CO
October
1–4
PPA Annual Conference — Grantville, PA
1
PPA Board of Directors Meeting PPA Foundation Board of Directors Meeting
2
9–11
NASPA Fall Meeting — Washington DC
10–14
NCPA Annual Conference — Washington DC
18–21
ACCP Global Clinical Pharmacy Conference — San Francisco, CA
AMCP Educational Conference — Orlando, FL
26–29
For additional events including webinars, CE opportunities, and PPA committee meetings, be sure to see our Calendar of Events on the PPA website!
Logging into your PPA profile… 30 seconds Renewing Your PPA Annual Dues… 2 minutes Receiving Up-to-Date, Relevant Information Like the Articles in This Magazine to Provide Your Patients With the Best Care…..
Priceless PPA Membership: The Right Prescription Don’t lose your state connection. Renew Today!
Pennsylvania Pharmacist I May/June 2015 I 5
Features
Exciting Times for Pharmacy in Namibia By Lauren Jonkman, PharmD, MPH, BCPS, Assistant Professor, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy At the FIP (the International Pharmaceutical Federation) World Congress in Bangkok this fall, I had the opportunity to attend a brief session by Dr. Tim Rennie - the founding Associate Dean of the University of Namibia (UNAM) School of Pharmacy. In his talk, Dr. Rennie put a call out for volunteers to collaborate with their school. 1 My interest was immediately piqued as I was especially impressed and excited about the opportunity to build and support clinical practice elsewhere. Immediately we began planning for a month-long trip in March to Namibia where I would provide clinical teaching and begin to identify opportunities for partnership with this new school of pharmacy. A little first about myself: I have served as a faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh since I completed my residency in family medicine in 2008. My focus at the SOP has been in providing direct service to the Birmingham Free Clinic and other community-
6 I Pennsylvania Pharmacist I May/June 2015
based partners in the city through the Grace Lamsam Pharmacy Program. I have been passionate about building global health opportunities for students and in partnership with colleagues have developed a pharmacy residency training program in global health and an area of concentration in global health at the University. My
interest and passion is for primary care in limited resource settings. I envision a role for pharmacists as primary care providers across the globe. Namibia is a relatively new sovereign nation, having just celebrated its 25th year of independence this March. The
population is relatively small for the geography – 2 million people spread out over 319,000 square miles – roughly 7 times the size of Pennsylvania with only 1/6 its population size. There are approximately 300 pharmacists in the entire country, most located in the capital of Windhoek. The UNAM School of Pharmacy was launched in 2011 to become the first school of pharmacy in Namibia. Prior to the development of the SOP, all pharmacists in Namibia had to leave the country for school (to South Africa, Kenya, etc) and then choose to return to complete internship. Needless to say, one of the biggest challenges facing Namibia from a health care standpoint is personnel. The school plans to graduate 25-40 students each year to address this gap. The first class of 14 students completed their degrees in December and graduate officially in April. Over the course of my 1-month in Namibia, I had the opportunity
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to engage in teaching on many levels. First, I served as a clinical instructor for 4th year students on their clinical rotation in the TB hospital. I was truly struck by how similar all student pharmacists are around the world. Just like my own students, they were nervous at first about having a clinical experience and not 100% sure what to expect. But about 5 minutes into their experience when they’re prompted to talk to the patient, they were instantly in their zone and excited to talk to “real people.” On our first day in the TB hospital, a team of two students identified a potential drug related problem. We talked through it together and they were encouraged to find the physician resident to intervene. At the end of the morning, the students were smiling from ear to ear and said, “I love this and can’t wait to come back tomorrow!” Drug-related problems and the opportunities for pharmacist interventions are universal. Each day the students found ways to help and support the patients, 2
nurses, and medical team in order to improve patient care. They asked thoughtful and probing questions and really sought to understand the deeper issues that exist in health systems. I also loved the teamwork and collaboration. Each student spoke at least 3 languages and all spoke different languages – only English was common between them. (As an American who only really speaks English, it also made me feel somewhat ashamed) When their patient didn’t speak their language, the other students would serve as translators and assistants. This was also a great way to encourage interprofessionalism between the medical and pharmacy students, without forcing the agenda. After their first week on rotation, the 3rd year medical students began coming to the wards to see patients too. Since the students all live together and took classes together in their 1st and 2nd years, they were excited to be able to share what they had learned. I can picture one student in particular who, after looking up a clinical topic the day before, began teaching a group of 3rd year medical students about the TB drugs and monitoring. I couldn’t have been more proud of their work. It is truly a model for interprofessional learning that we can take away and apply here.
I also worked directly with the new graduates, many of whom are now pharmacy interns in the state sector training hospital, and are bright and energized and ready to change practice in Namibia. I had the opportunity to work directly with this great group as we met weekly to discuss and review patient cases together. The first week I brought some cases from my own clinic in Pittsburgh, but after that I asked the interns to go up to the wards and identify interesting cases for us to discuss together. They certainly challenged me with their cases (young, pregnant, HIV + woman with bipolar disorder and psychosis; older gentleman with rheumatic heart disease, right heart failure, and chronic renal insufficiency), but I loved how excited they were to share and to question each other about each case. On my last day, they were planning to continue to meet weekly and were assigning each other to future weeks. So motivated to learn and improve! Continued on page 8
Pennsylvania Pharmacist I May/June 2015 I 7
Features Finally I had the opportunity to work with some truly outstanding and amazing faculty members. The diverse faculty at UNAM SOP take great pride in their students and school and work harder than any other faculty I’ve met. They each mentor over 5 students on high quality, publishable research, teach an average of 12 hours per week, publish regularly, etc, etc. And each still had time to be warm and welcoming to their visitor. I couldn’t imagine a stronger group of dedicated and devoted faculty. I’m so blessed to have had this opportunity to take the time to travel to Namibia and work for the month in a different environment. These experiences help you to see the universality of the profession of pharmacy and of the process of training future leaders. You take
with you new ideas and perspectives that infuse all that you do each day and make you thankful that the world continues to grow smaller. I’m already beginning the plans to return this summer and create a thriving exchange of students and collaboration. I know without a doubt that exciting and positive things are happening at the University of Namibia School of Pharmacy and I can’t wait to be part of that. z
4
5
6
1: UNAM School of Pharmacy
4: Gratuitous wildlife photograph
2: 2nd year UNAM pharmacy students working collaboratively in an introduction to pharmacy practicum
5: 4th year UNAM pharmacy students and 3rd year UNAM medical students collaborating in the TB hospital
3: 4th year UNAM pharmacy students on their first day at the TB hospital
6: 3 rd year UNAM pharmacy students determining their closing statements in an ethics class debate
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Over $8.5 Million disbursed to participating members in 2013
Association News
My Rotation with PPA By Joel Keckler, 2015 PharmD Candidate, LECOM School of Pharmacy A rotation with PPA is unlike any other type of rotation out there. There are no drug information questions asking about mode of action, side effects, alternate therapy and indications but there are meetings with legislators where you must explain to a legislator why they should be worried about a certain issue that affects your profession. This was quite the transition going from educating patients about their medications to educating legislators about my profession and the main issues that are currently affecting pharmacies and pharmacist. There are meetings with the State Board of Pharmacy who are very friendly and happy to meet you before the meeting. The State Board Members are friendly enough to remember your name, extend the invitation
10 I Pennsylvania Pharmacist I May/June 2015
to you and walk you over to the Governor’s Inauguration a week later. I just happened to sit right near the people who stood up in the audience at the beginning of Governor Wolf’s speech who blew their whistles, waved banners and chanted against fracking. The State troopers were quick to storm in and escort them out only to have more people stand up do the same. This was all an unplanned experience that I was just sitting at my desk when the Board member invited me. I do love learning as much as I can about medications and using this knowledge to help my patients as much as possible but PPA was nice break from the “normal” rotation. On the other hand, the thing I did miss most while with PPA was the daily interaction with patients that I got used to with my last 2 rotations. This 6 week hiatus from patient interaction helped me realize how much I do really enjoy working with patients every day and developing that Pharmacistpatient
relationship. While with PPA I was able sit down with all 5 employees and learn about every aspect of their job and what they do for the association. It was nice to get to know the people that are working here to help better the pharmacy profession. I learned about all the different committees that PPA coordinates. I was responsible for listening in on all the conference calls and writing up a summary for each call. I have lived down the street from the Capitol my whole life but only knew the basics about it and never had met any legislator. I really enjoyed being given a detailed tour of the whole Capitol complex from the Government Relations Manager and then also taking the public tour. I am really glad that I got to learn so much about the place after growing up next door and seeing the Capitol while passing by since I was just a young kid. I happened to be with PPA when a new session started at the Capitol with a fair amount of legislators entering into office for their first time. I was handed the list of new legislators and appointed the task of scheduling meetings with all of them for PPA’s Government Relations Manager. Then I was required to attend any of these meetings that happened
to take place while I was here. I feel this was a unique learning experience for me and gave me the opportunity to learn about association work and the legislative process. My rotation was full of new experiences and I just highlighted a few of them here. I feel that I will definitely be involved in associations in the future and that I will make an effort to get to know my legislators for whom I am a constituent. z
What’s New with the New Practitioners Forum?! By Katrina Lynn, 2015 PharmD Candidate, Wilkes University It is a great time for young pharmacists to be involved with the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association! I spoke to Jennifer Bacci, a Community Practice Research Fellow at the University of Pittsburgh, about the New Practitioners Forum, and how the new practitioners are busy making their mark on the PPA! The current goals of the New Practitioners Forum Advisory Board are networking and encouraging student members to continue their membership as new practitioners! Let’s begin with the push for networking. The Advisory Board has been involved in putting on social events throughout the state, as an initiative to enable new pharmacists to network with each other. These efforts began in the summer of 2013 in the Pittsburgh area. A group of new practitioners attended a Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game. In the summer of 2014, efforts expanded to the Philadelphia and Harrisburg areas. Current plans for this summer’s networking events are still
underway! Eventually, the Board would like to expand networking events to reach more parts of the state! The primary goal of events are to make the location and time convenient for as many people as possible, and to encourage members to bring non-members as well, to enhance networking opportunities. This also would encourage more new practitioners to join the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association. Look for events coming up this spring and summer, and go enjoy a casual happy hour with other new practitioners! The New Practitioner Forum Advisory Board has rallied behind the Membership Committee to support membership. It has been noticed that upon graduation, many students do not remain members of the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association for various reasons. The New Practitioner Forum has joined the efforts of the Membership Committee to engage sixth year students and residents, and explain all the
benefits the PPA offers if they are members! The efforts include inviting current P4 students to all networking events with the new practitioners in order for them to speak with new pharmacists, and sending personalized letters to each resident in Pennsylvania highlighting the benefits of continuing membership with the PPA. I asked Jennifer to speak on behalf of the New Practitioners Forum, and asked her if she could talk directly to students and residents on why to stay in the PPA, what would she say? For her, the networking opportunities and continuing education credits are big selling points! The opportunities to connect with practitioners across the state and their urge to continue to push our profession forward reenergize her despite daily responsibilities of her job! Those seem like great reasons to continue your membership or join the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association!! z
Pennsylvania Pharmacist I May/June 2015 I 11
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Association News
Affiliated County News ACPA Business Meeting Save the Date - BMPA at Dave & Busters Dinner Meeting June 4 On Thursday, March 5, 2015, Allegheny County in Warminster Pharmacists Association members converged on Dave & Buster’s in Pittsburgh for dinner, the association’s Annual Business Meeting, and a continuing education presentation by PPA CEO Pat Epple. Members in attendance participated in the first of two votes to approve changes to the association’s bylaws. During the CE program, Pennsylvania Pharmacy Update 2015, attendees learned about current regulation changes and legislative and regulatory issues in Pennsylvania. After this program, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians present understood how they can be more involved and have an impact on important issues that affect pharmacy. z
The BucksMont Pharmacists Association is planning a dinner meeting for Thursday, June 4, 2015 at Mikes York Street Bar & Grill in Warminster. The evening will include dinner, a general membership meeting, and a CE presentation by Maria Foy, The Great Opioid Debate: To Use or Not to Use. That is the Question. Registration is open on the PPA website, and closes on May 26. Nonmembers are welcome! z
ACPA members network at the March 5 meeting
Treasurer Donna Hazel chats with ACPA student pharmacist members
Karen Pater and Jenny Bacci greet attendees at ACPA’s March 5 meeting
Pennsylvania Pharmacist I May/June 2015 I 13
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Features
Member Profile Gale Edward Garmong, PharmD By Joel Keckler, LECOM School of Pharmacy PharmD Candidate, 2015
Education: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Pharmacy ‘14 Residency/ Job Location: University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy / Rite Aid Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA Residency/Job description: Provide medication management services in a variety of outpatient settings, assist in instruction of student pharmacists at University of Pittsburgh, and am conducting a resident coaching project to support community pharmacists in provision of patient care (more details on each aspect below, if needed). Rite Aid Pharmacy: Provide patient care through MTM programs and an AADE-accredited diabetes self-management education program; train pharmacists for MTM programs; provide immunizations at clinics and on-site; assist in precepting student pharmacists; host family medicine medical residents for community pharmacy visit; assist with management projects, such as roll-out of medication synchronization; dispensing
responsibilities. UPMC St. Margaret BloomfieldGarfield Family Health Center: See patients on medication management schedule, those referred by physicians, or those identified from office schedule; provide drug information; assist with ensuring patient access to medications. Birmingham Free Clinic: Oversaw clinic dispensary, including precepting student pharmacists on patient counseling; collaborating with physicians to select appropriate, cost-effective treatments; and promoting patient access to medications (patient assistance programs, therapeutic substitutions, etc.) Resident Project: Developed and will implement a coaching program to support community pharmacists in providing patient care; will assess effects on MTM completion and pharmacist perceptions of the coaching. (I am extremely grateful to have received a grant from the PPA Educational Foundation to support this project, as well as support throughout the project from the TOPTIER [Training Outpatient Pharmacists Techniques in Evidence-based Research] program!) University of Pittsburgh: Teaching in various courses,
utilizing techniques such as standardized patient/colleague, simulation, and practicum facilitation Why did you choose pharmacy as a career/degree? Pharmacy originally appealed to me, and continues to excite me, because as pharmacists we can use our unique knowledge and skills to serve patients in our communities—ensuring that they receive safe and effective therapies and helping them to understand their health and medications. It is extremely rewarding to have such trusting relationships with patients. How has being a PPA member helped you professionally? Being a PPA member has greatly helped me in my career thus far. Attending meetings as a student and now as a new practitioner has enabled me to learn more about changes, challenges, and opportunities for the pharmacy profession; innovative practice models; clinical updates; and career and professional development opportunities (great opportunity for CE!). The association has also provided many opportunities to network with pharmacists and student pharmacists from throughout the state. Meeting Continued on page 16
Pennsylvania Pharmacist I May/June 2015 I 15
Features these individuals and hearing the innovative things they are doing to provide better care for their patients and to advance our profession has been very inspiring, and I have also made friends across the state through the association. As a student, I was able to participate in the “Know Pain, Know Gain Patient Counseling Competition,” to present my student research, and to learn about residency programs (including my current one!) at the PPA showcase. Aside from the opportunities afforded through attending PPA meetings, I am very appreciative that my residency project has been supported by a grant from the PPA Educational Foundation, and
I have seen the great work that the association does throughout the year to advocate to legislators on behalf of the profession, including on Pharmacy Legislative Day. I have also seen through my co-resident’s activities the commitment of the association to developing the Pennsylvania Pharmacist Care Network to connect payers with pharmacists. Whom do you consider a mentor and why? I have benefitted from the mentorship of many pharmacists. My uncle, Dennis Smith, Jr., RPh, provided my first glimpse of pharmacy and showed me the level of trust that patients place in pharmacists. I was mentored by many of the pharmacists during
my internship at Klingensmith’s Drug Store, during my education at LECOM, and now during my residency at Pitt and Rite Aid. All of these individuals have in common an interest in me as an individual and a desire to see me develop my potential and achieve my professional goals. I particularly appreciate Dr. Justin Scholl’s guidance in considering career options during my time as a student at LECOM and his efforts to arrange an academia rotation with him during my APPE rotations. Where would you like to be with your career in 10 years? In 10 years, I would like to be practicing pharmacy in a setting where I can focus on
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16 I Pennsylvania Pharmacist I May/June 2015
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helping patients to optimize their medication therapy and on educating future pharmacists (whether through a shared faculty position or through preceptorship). I also hope to contribute to leadership within my practice, as well as within professional organizations like PPA. Where do you see the role of a pharmacy and pharmacists in the future? I see pharmacy taking a more clinical role in the future—where pharmacists are responsible, and compensated, for improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs by managing medication therapy in collaboration with other healthcare providers. Certainly collaborative
practice agreements and provider status will help to move us toward this goal. I believe pharmacies will also continue promoting accessibility to healthcare through preventative care services such as immunizations and screenings. How do you feel about “provider status”? Provider status is an important step toward pharmacists being fairly recognized and compensated for our contributions to patient care, as the lack of provider status prevents us from billing for our clinical services under Medicare Part B, which in turn sets the example for other payers. However, even without currently having provider status as a means
to generate revenue from our clinical services, pharmacists have been able to justify these services by demonstrating cost savings and improved quality, especially in the context of pay-for-performance programs. Additional Remarks(hobbies outside of Pharmacy or whatever you would like to include): I have been very blessed to have been supported throughout my career by my family, friends, and especially my fiancée. In addition to preparing for our wedding this May, we enjoy being outdoors, music and musicals, and nerdy trips to museums and historical sites. z
Are you prepared to be among our next generation of leaders? LEAD is presented through the PPA Educational Foundation
No matter where your hang your pharmacy license or how you use it in practice—pharmacy needs leaders and advocates for the profession!
Be one of our first leadership program graduates! LEAD is a year-round experience starting in August 2015 through June 2016, building your leadership skills, fostering connections, and building your professional network. A small and select group of participants will participate in thought-provoking discussions, idea sharing, and learning sessions all designed to help you become a strong LEADer in your workplace, community, and for pharmacy! Applicants for LEAD must be pharmacy graduates within the last 3 and 10 years interested in building their experience, skills, and leadership abilities. Modules of learning include workplace culture, communicating as a leader, strategic planning and thinking, time management, organizational and non-profit leadership, business leadership, pharmacy advocacy, and more! Throughout the program you will interact with established leaders in Pennsylvania pharmacy and assess how you will make your mark!
Apply now at www.papharmacists.com/?page=LEAD
Pennsylvania Pharmacist I May/June 2015 I 17
Association News
Highlights from APhA’s Annual Meeting and Exposition
March 27–30, 2015 • San Diego, CA
Distinguished New Practitioner Award Previous PPA Member Gretchen Garofoli, PharmD, BCACP, was selected in recognition of her commitment to the education and mentorship of pharmacy residents. Garofoli is a Clinical Assistant Professor at West Virginia University School of Pharmacy, where she serves as the primary preceptor for the Waterfront Family Pharmacy Community Pharmacy Residency Program. Garofoli’s professional interests include diabetes management, medication therapy management, immunizations, compounding, medication adherence, pharmacistprovided screenings, and the advancement of community pharmacy practice. She is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy and completed a community pharmacy residency at the Virginia Commonwealth University. This award recognizes a new practitioner, within his/her first five years of practice, who has demonstrated distinctive achievements in mentorship, service and commitment to the profession of pharmacy. z
18 I Pennsylvania Pharmacist I May/June 2015
Gretchen Garofoli with her parents, Peter and Denise Kreckel
Deans of Schools of Pharmacy (from left to right) – Patricia Kroboth (University of Pittsburgh), Rebecca Finley (Jefferson School of Pharmacy), Douglas Bricker (Duquesne University), and Lisa Lawson (Philadelphia College of Pharmacy) Some of PPA’s delegates at the House of Delegates meeting
Continued on page 20 Pennsylvania Pharmacist I May/June 2015 I 19
Association News
APhA Immunization Champion Award Winner Mayank Amin, PharmD, received the National Winner for Community Outreach Award. The Immunization Champion Awards recognize individuals and organizations within the profession of pharmacy that have made extraordinary contributions towards improved vaccination rates within their communities. z
Paper Presenters Brandon Antinopoulous Kyle McCormick
Poster Presenters Gale Garmong Jennifer Bacci Sarah Dombrowski
Delegate at Large on APhA Student Board Terry Pak
Student Patient Counseling Competition Jamie Salvador from Jefferson School of Pharmacy placed 4th overall
Thank You to Our 2015 APhA Delegates! Brandon Antinopoulos Tiziana Fox Gale Garmong Donna Hazel Daniel Hussar Mary McManus Christine O’Leary Roshni Patel Julie Gerhart-Rothholz Eric Shalita Lauren Simko
Julie Gerhart-Rothholz, 2014 PPA Bowl of Hygeia Award Winner, at the Bowl of Hygeia reception
20 I Pennsylvania Pharmacist I May/June 2015
Industry News
Naloxone: Increasing Access to Reduce Overdose-Related Deaths By Krystalyn K. Weaver, PharmD, RPh, Director, Policy and State Relations, National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations
With deaths from prescription drug abuse reaching an all time high, doubling from 1999 to 20131, health care professionals, policy makers, and advocates are looking for solutions to address the issue. While some states have taken action to restrict access to prescription narcotics – prescription drug monitoring programs, limits on days supply that can be dispensed, encouragement of the use of abuse deterrent formulations – others are looking to increase access to life-saving opioid reversal agents. Naloxone works by antagonizing the mu receptor, has no addictive potential, and has virtually no pharmacological effects if the patient has not taken an opioid. Naloxone has traditionally been used in the hospital setting and available under the trade name Narcan®. However, there are now ways to access naloxone products that can be administered outside of the hospital through the use of an auto-injector or with a kit that adapts the injected formulation into a product that can be administered intranasally.
Evzio®, Naloxone Auto-injector New to the market in 2014, Evzio® is an autoinjector device that provides visual and auditory cues for administration by a family member or caregiver, with no medical training. Designed to be pocket sized and withstand “temperature excursions” up to 104°F, it is meant to be kept on hand by those who may need it – or their caregivers.2 To assist patients with cost, the manufacturer, Kaléo, offers a patient savings card and patient assistance program for those who qualify.3
Naloxone, Intranasal Kits Another method of using naloxone in the out patient setting is intranasal administration of the
injectable product. Of note, there have been no FDA approved products marketed using this approach, though one may be approved in the future. According to Pharmacy Times, it has been reported that the FDA has granted Fast Track designation to a product in development by Adapt Pharma.4 Despite a lack of FDA approval, there has been significant attention given to intranasal naloxone use, due to the low cost of obtaining the kits used to adapt the injectable product.
Pharmacist Involvement Pharmacists have the opportunity to play a key role in addressing America’s prescription drug overdose crisis. Pharmacists are in a key position to identify patients who are obtaining prescriptions from multiple prescribers or are at risk of overdose due to abuse, medication interactions, or comorbidities. Some states have implemented policies that allow pharmacists to dispense naloxone to not only patients at risk of overdose, but also to their caretakers. Others, starting with New Mexico and California are allowing pharmacists to directly prescribe naloxone to patients who are in need of access to the life saving drug. In lieu of prescriptive authority for the lifesaving drug, pharmacists in Rhode Island, Washington, and elsewhere have entered into collaborative practice agreements with prescribers in order to more easily provide their patients with access to naloxone. All pharmacists should be sure they are up-to-date on the products currently available on the market and fully understand the risks and benefits of naloxone use so that they can identify and counsel the patients who need it. To learn more, many resources Continued on page 40
Pennsylvania Pharmacist I May/June 2015 I 21
Features
Pharmacy Spotlight Behind the Scenes of Masonic Village’s Pharmacy, with Pharmacy Manager: Donald Brindisi, RPh By Cassandra Mislyan Philadelphia College of Pharmacy PharmD Candidate, 2015 Established over 140 years ago by Pennsylvania Masons, Masonic Villages of Pennsylvania provides continuing care retirement services at five locations across the state: Lafayette Hill, Elizabethtown, Warminster, Sewickley, and Dallas. Masonic Village at Elizabethtown is by far the largest campus, stretching 1,400 acres, with approximately 320 retirement living cottages, 665 retirement living apartments, 127 personal care accommodations and 460 nursing accommodations within its Masonic Health Care Center. In fact, the Elizabethtown campus is the only location with an operational pharmacy. The site also maintains a children’s home and a home for adults 1 with mild to moderate developmental disabilities. On campus services include: hospice, home care, short-term rehabilitation, dementia care, adult day care, clinical services, outpatient clinics, physician and rehabilitation services, child care center and outreach programs.
22 I Pennsylvania Pharmacist I May/June 2015
“There are more regulations in long-term care than there are at
manager tasks consist of scheduling employees, negotiating contracts with drug companies, fraud waste disposal, compliance issues, patient safety, HIPAA policies and ordering medications and supplies. One of Donald’s most recent manager tasks consisted of coordinating influenza vaccines to ensure patient safety. Influenza prevention is critical in the geriatric population, so much that all of the employees must also be vaccinated to prevent exposure to residents. If an exposure does occur, the pharmacy is equipped with medication to help treat the symptoms. Often times, the whole Masonic Health Care Center requires medication to prevent residents from becoming ill.
Three Mile Island,” Donald said. Long-term pharmacy regulations are so vastly changing and detailed that a majority of Donald’s time is focused on researching new regulations and implementing them properly. Other daily
Donald is always looking for new ways to improve efficiencies in order to better serve the residents. A few years ago, Masonic Village purchased a TCGRX Automated Tablet Packaging system (ATP) which
On-campus amenities include six restaurants, two worship centers, a farmer’s market, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a wellness center, a cultural center, multimedia conference center, formal gardens and a Masonic lodge.
Challenges of Managing a Pharmacy
Operational Aspects
makes packets of an individual’s medications for distribution. This was a huge time saver because the pharmacist could now electronically send the resident’s weekly list of medications to the machine to be filled. However, once the medications were done printing out, the pharmacist would spend a significant amount of time checking the packets for correctness. Fortunately, Masonic Village recently purchased a TCGRX Inspect-Rx Machine. This is a device that has the ability to check 60 bags of medication per minute by taking photographic images of the packets and indicating their correct contents. Inspect-Rx sends all of the collected data to a computer screen where the pharmacist can see each patient’s individual packet of medications. Once reviewing all of the medications, the pharmacist signs off that the medications are correct 2
3
and moves to the next group of medications. If a packet is missing a medication or is incorrect, the pharmacist flags that bag, corrects the mistake, rescans the bag into the computer, and then rechecks and signs off on the medication. With this new technology, it takes on average a single pharmacist only 20 to 30 minutes to check an entire neighborhood’s medications, instead of the hour and half it use to take two pharmacists to check. Some other daily tasks of the pharmacists include sterile IV compounding, non-sterile compounding, monitoring drug reactions, consultation on medications, review of charts and fall risk assessment reports. Additionally, Donald schedules the technicians with different daily tasks to help keep staff trained and
4
interchangeable so everyone can lend a hand to each other.
More Insight about the Pharmacy The pharmacy was built July 27, 1977, and provides services to all of the residents located on campus. The Masonic Health Care Center has ten neighborhoods including three secured dementia care neighborhoods and a transitional care unit for short term rehabilitation; and the Freemason Building houses personal care residents. On average, each week the pharmacy packages approximately 10,700 individual packets of medications for about 575 residents. Masonic Village dispenses a seven-day supply to the residents to cut down on waste. Other residents can receive 30-day supplies, and all medications are charged and billed monthly. The pharmacy also carries a large over-thecounter section of medications the residents can purchase at their convenience. Because of these large demands, there are four pharmacists on staff who rotate weekly for any on-call needs after hours and on weekends. Masonic Homes Village’s Pharmacy considers not only the residents their patients, but also the nurses, providers, social workers, training department, and Continued on page 25
Pennsylvania Pharmacist I May/June 2015 I 23
Association News
Important Message – PPA Elections for 2015 – 2016 PPA Online Voting is now open! Your vote is important and we encourage members to cast your vote for the individuals you wish to represent you and the pharmacy profession. Your vote is confidential and the system is tied to only allow a person to vote only one time!
To cast your vote, you need to: 1: G o to this website: www.associationvoting.com/ papharmacists/ 2: Login by entering your last name and member ID that were emailed to you – or contact the office if you have misplaced these. 3: Review the candidate options for the categories in which you are entitled to vote (see below), check your selected candidates, and cast your ballot! 4: Please note that ballots MUST be cast before midnight on May 10. Voting is open beginning now and will continue until Midnight on May 10, 2015. At which time, shortly thereafter the Nominating Committee will certify the results. Your ballot will be matched to your ID and Last name, so you will only be able to vote for the offices for which you are entitled. However, if you believe there is an error in the options you have – do not cast your vote, exit, and please contact us. If you have any problems in doing this or have any questions, please contact the PPA office at (717) 234-6151 and speak with either Courtney Box or Pat Epple. Or email one of these individuals at cbox@papharmacists.com or pepple@papharmacists.com. Any member who prefers to receive a paper ballot, may do so by contacting the office, prior to May 10 and we will send you one.
The following elections are scheduled for this year and the Nominating Committee announces the candidates for each: Please note that in some cases these positions have more than one candidate. Please carefully review their brief biographical information available on-line at the voting site, to aid you in selecting the best candidate to represent you, the profession, and PPA! In ALL Cases, you can also submit a write-in vote.
24 I Pennsylvania Pharmacist I May/June 2015
PPA Officers: (All of the following are for oneyear terms) (Only active pharmacist categories of membership vote for these positions) President-Elect – Eric Pusey, RPh, CDE First Vice President – Nicholas Leon, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP PPA Board of Directors: (All are for two year terms) (ONLY members of the respective Academy/practice setting may vote for the Director) Director – Academy of Community Pharmacists – Charles (Chuck) Kray, RPh Director – Health System/Institutional – Richard Demers, M.S. RPh, FASHP Director – Academia – Choose one: Judith Kristeller, PharmD, BCPS or Roshni Patel, PharmD, BCPS Director – Associates – Todd Eury (Only pharmacist members of the respective region may vote for Director) Director – Northwest Region – No named candidate; write in for candidates Director – Southeast Region – Mark Lawson, PharmD PPA Student Advisory Board SAB): (only student members cast their vote for these) PPA Director East – Hamad Juboori PPA Director West – Choose one: Madison Adams, Zach Hicks, or Maura Jeffries Foundation Director – Jennifer Smith Chair – Choose one: Madison Adams or Trina Patel Vice Chair – Choose one: Madison Adams, Zach Hicks, Rachel Oyewole, or Emily Petrak Corresponding Secretary – Choose one: Marissa Badzik or Felicia Snyder Recording Secretary – Choose one: Linda Huang or Felicia Snyder Allegheny County Pharmacists: (only ACPA members may vote for these positions) ACPA President Elect – Brandon Antinopoulos, PharmD ACPA Vice President – Stacy Costa, RPh ACPA Secretary – Jacqueline M. Klootwyk, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP ACPA Treasurer – Ann Johnson, PharmD Continued on page 25
Features families of the residents. The staff strives to do their best to help meet the needs of every single one of their patients.
5
Pharmacy Involvement in the Community While the pharmacy is unable to fill employee or nonresident prescriptions, the pharmacy staff is committed to supporting those beyond Masonic Village. The pharmacy participates in drug take back days that are open to the public. Also, the pharmacy staff provides free public educational programing on health care topics for the community. They have led educational programs on COPD, pain management, OTCs, dementia, diabetes, Why RXs Cost so Much, and The Uncontrolled Experiment which covered drug interactions.
6
Value of Professional Organizations Donald is a strong supporter of professional pharmacy organizations. He believes that everyone should join and support the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association because PPA works to keep pharmacists apprised of current issues and regulatory changes. Donald States, “They are the eyes and ears of our profession. They are there fighting the battle I do not have the time to fight.” z 1: View of Grand Lodge Hall overlooking reflecting pond
4: Prescription filling area with ATP and Inspect-RX.
2: A Pharmacist operating the Inspect-RX
5: Tech filling medication trays for ATP machine
3: Pharmacist checking pillow packets of medications for correctness
6: T ech operating ATP machine
ACPA Director – Choose two: Amy Haver, PharmD, BCPS or Amy Woods, PharmD
following topics: (all members have access to these items) 1. Pennsylvania like most states is in the midst of a debate around legalizing medical uses of certain forms of cannabis, we are curious as to where our members stand on this issue. 2. National pharmacy groups, with support from state groups like PPA, are pursuing legislation to list pharmacists as providers. What are you willing to do to assist in moving this effort forward? 3. According to PPA’s mission and goals, PPA exists for the purpose of uniting all pharmacists in all areas of practice and all persons desiring to promote and support the profession of pharmacy. However, there is often debate on who we represent and if PPA does it well. z
BucksMont Pharmacists: (only BMPA members may vote for these positions) BMPA President – D. Scott Himler, RPh BMPA Vice President – David B. Cunningham, RPh BMPA Treasurer – John Gatto, RPh BMPA Event Manager – Jan M. Kitzen, RPh, PhD BMPA Director – (Bucks County) Charles A Palilonis, RPh BMPA Director – (Montgomery County) Choose two: Robert Frankil, RPh or Melinda M. Williams, BSP
Proposition Votes In addition to the election of officers – PPA is also conducting a straw poll on members’ positions on the
Pennsylvania Pharmacist I May/June 2015 I 25
Association News
Pennsylvania Pharmacy Legislative Day “Pharmacists: Your Medication Experts!” On April 13, more than 350 pharmacists and student pharmacists from all across Pennsylvania converged in Harrisburg to advocate for their profession. The focus of the day was the promotion of pharmacists as medication experts and attendees met with over 160 lawmakers and staff on various legislative issues such as pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) registration and maximum allowable cost (MAC) list transparency, PBM transparency, fair pharmacy audits, expanding pharmacist-provided immunization opportunities and interchangeable biological products. PPA’s Legislative Day began with a continental breakfast in the East Wing of the Capitol, along with screenings, displays and information provided by Pennsylvania’s schools of pharmacy. Legislators, staff and the public learned ways to better manage their prescriptions and overall health by conversing with the students and participating in screenings on the following topics: • Duquesne University Mylan School of Pharmacy: DermaView and Carbon Monoxide Screenings • Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) School of Pharmacy: Poison Prevention and Asthma Displays • Jefferson University School of Pharmacy: Allergic Rhinitis Display and Blood Pressure Screenings • University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy: Script Your Future and Collaborative Practices Displays and Medication Review Screenings • USciences/Philadelphia College of Pharmacy: Blood Glucose Screenings • Wilkes University Nesbitt College of Pharmacy: Immunization Awareness Display Attendees then filled the grand staircase in the Main Rotunda at 10:00 a.m. for the “Pharmacists: Your Medication Experts!” rally and press conference.
26 I Pennsylvania Pharmacist I May/June 2015
PPA CEO Pat Epple started the rally by addressing the media and the public. Cameras flashed and attendees listened as the rally focused on the need for PBM registration and MAC transparency, covered by President Eric Esterbrook, RPh; the need for PBM transparency, covered by First Vice President Eric Pusey, RPh; unfair pharmacy audit practices, covered by Immediate Past President Scott Miskovsky, RPh; expanding pharmacist-provided immunization opportunities, covered by Donna Hazel, RPh; and the role of pharmacists as patient care providers covered by Nicholas Leon, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP. Additionally, several special meetings were set up for small groups of attendees at the PPA office. These informal meetings included presentations and/or discussions with: Mr. Travis Gery – Executive Director, Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee, and former Commissioner of Professional and Occupational Affairs Representative Brandon Neuman (D-Allegheny) – Co-Chair, Pennsylvania Community Pharmacy Caucus Mr. Matt Franchak – Chief of Staff, Lieutenant Governor Mike Stack Mr. Tom Snedden, Director, PACE Program, Department of Aging In less than six hours, we made a difference in the legislative and media arenas. PPA thanks everyone who took the time to travel to Harrisburg for Pennsylvania Pharmacy Legislative Day. We hope you will consider adding your voice to the more than 350 pharmacists and student pharmacists next year! More photos of the event can be viewed on PPA’s Flickr page. z
Temple University School of Pharmacy
University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy
Wilkes University Nesbitt College of Pharmacy
Lake Erie College Osteopathic Medicine School of Pharmacy Duquesne University Mylan School of Pharmacy
Jefferson School of Pharmacy Philadelphia College of Pharmacy
Pennsylvania Pharmacist I May/June 2015 I 27
Departments
Campus Checkup Jefferson School of Pharmacy Tram Dan and Michelle Link, PharmD Candidates from Jefferson School of Pharmacy’s 2015 class, represented the Philadelphia Poison Control Center by hosting a poison prevention table at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). The students educated over 50 patients, families and CHOP employees about the dangers of medicines that look like candy. z
University of Pittsburgh University of Pittsburgh PPA members participated in their Dean’s Theme event on March 22. They did a great job educating the students of the all-girls resdence hall about women’s OTC health products! z
28 I Pennsylvania Pharmacist I May/June 2015
LECOM During the past month, LECOM had a productive time keeping busy with more community events despite Script Your Future being completed in February. National Poison Prevention Week was held March 15-21 and LECOM and Safe Kids Erie teamed up to work with local elementary school and teachers about poison prevention. Preventative tips were talked about such as making sure children don’t intake harmful poisons such as prescription medications or household cleaners. Recognition was given to LECOM at the start of the week through State Senator Sean Wiley. Senator Wiley presented a proclamation to kick off the week
that thanked both Safe Kids Erie and LECOM for taking the time to educate and raise awareness to the community about preventing accidental poisonings. March 10 was an exciting day for LECOM as well because Walgreens generously donated $10,000 to LECOM School of Pharmacy. This donation is to be used for financial aid and programs that will increase enrollment of minorities and underrepresented groups. LECOM looks forward to sending students to Legislative Day on April 13 in Harrisburg, PA. Students look forward to speaking with state representatives and senators about the important issues surrounding pharmacy. z
Wilkes University Contributes to PharmPAC Thank you to Wilkes University for generously contributing $230 to PharmPAC! This was a result of Wilkes University students’ selling t-shirts to student pharmacists to raise money for PharmPAC. Over 50 t-shirts were sold – and the design of the t-shirt included the Superman logo on the front with an “Rx” in the middle of the sign. On the back of the t-shirt was the quote “Pharmacy Student, What’s your Superpower?” Thank you to all who contributed! z Continued on page 30
Pennsylvania Pharmacist I May/June 2015 I 29
Departments
Wilkes University This year, PPA’s Wilkes University chapter has been busy with Katy’s Kids and educating children about medication safety and the role of a pharmacist. Most recently four students went to the Small Wonders Daycare in Shavertown and taught 35 children about pharmacy. With the program being interactive (blood pressure cuffs, counting trays etc.), all the students that participated agreed that it was a lot of fun and a great way to educate the children. They look forward to participating in more Katy’s Kids where they can teach children things like the difference to medicine and candy. On April 1, the chapter also helped with the Drug Take Back Day at the Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) in Wilkes-Barre. Students sorted through their medication stock for expired medications and then dropped them off at the courthouse. By helping the VIM in this small way, students felt that they were allowing all the employees and health care professionals more time to focus on the patients and improving their lives.
Finally PPA’s Wilkes University has been preparing for Legislative Day. This year 44 Wilkes students and 6 faculty members will be attending! To prepare for this, Jennie Smith (Advocacy Chair for the chapter) implemented a three-part series that educated students on bills, laws, legislation, advocacy, and Legislative Day. The goal of these presentations were to encourage students to meet with their legislators as well as alleviate any fears they might have for attending Legislative Day since for a lot of Wilkes students it will be their first time. Regardless of how many times they have been to Harrisburg, all the students and faculty at Wilkes University are excited for Legislative Day and cannot wait to educate, advocate, and meet others students and pharmacists in Harrisburg! z
Pharmacy Time Capsules 2015 (Second Quarter) 1990
Human genome project launched.
74 colleges of pharmacy in US.
1965
While working on an ulcer drug, James Schlatter, a G.D. Searle chemist, accidentally discovers aspartame.
1940
RH Factor discovered and named after the rhesus monkey from where it was discovered.
1915
NCPA Partners in Pharmacy, formerly WONARD, began offering student scholarships in 1915.
y: Dennis B. Worthen, PhD, Cincinnati, OH B One of a series contributed by the American Institute of the History of Pharmacy, a unique non-profit society dedicated to assuring that the contributions of your profession endure as a part of America’s history. Membership offers the satisfaction of helping continue this work on behalf of pharmacy, and brings five or more historical publications to your door each year. To learn more, check out: www.aihp.org
30 I Pennsylvania Pharmacist I May/June 2015
Profiles in Pharmacy Innovation Mary F. McManus, Pharm.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Wilkes University Pharmacists Lending a Helping Hand with the Medically Underserved By Katrina Lynn, 2015 PharmD Candidate, Wilkes University
Graduate of: St. John’s BuySell_ads15_Layout 1 11/28/14 University Pharm.D. (1987) 4:34 andPM
Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences (1994). Currently working towards a Master’s in Public Health from George Washington University. Current Practice Site: Wilkes University with sites in the NEPA Free Clinic Consortium in the Wilkes-Barre area. There are currently eight clinics partnered within the consortium, ranging from helping those who are homeless, to the working poor, Page etc. 7 The purpose of the clinics is
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to be a safety net for those who are uninsured or underinsured. The clinics offer comprehensive services, including; primary care, social service support, dentistry, optometry, and referral services. All services within the NEPA Free Clinic Consortium are free to patients, and target urban WilkesBarre, as well as rural surrounding areas. Continued on page 33
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Pennsylvania Pharmacist I May/June 2015 I 31
Save the Date! Pharmacists: The Best Bet for Patient Care
PPA 2015 Annual Conference October 1-4, 2015 Holiday Inn Harrisburg-Hershey Grantville, PA
Features First Experiences with Pharmacy: McManus always had an interest in science and wanted to make a difference in people’s lives. She was unsure about career opportunities, and originally was interested in sociology before determining the medical field was her calling. She chose pharmacy, thinking that was the best fit for her personality. During her professional years of pharmacy school, she began to realize the vast array of career opportunities that would be available to her upon graduation. Public Health Calling: McManus’s interest in public health began initially as a staff pharmacist at Memorial Slone Kettering Cancer Center early in her career. She was engaging with people from all over the world, and in that time period really got a sense of global health. McManus was concurrently working on her Ph.D. and began teaching in Brooklyn, seeing all the extremely impoverished areas and neighborhoods. It was then that she realized how much pharmacists had to offer in terms of skill set and counseling services. She began working in free clinics in Brooklyn, and soon after took an opportunity to join the faculty at Wilkes University. Upon arrival, the lack of pharmaceutical access in the area became apparent and McManus dove into the mission to improve pharmaceutical care and access in the Wilkes-Barre area. Current Innovative Practices: McManus is continuing her projects with the NEPA Free Clinic Consortium through Service
Learning courses for pharmacy and nursing students. This allows students the opportunity to learn in an interprofessional setting while introducing public health pharmacy and caring for the medically underserved. McManus also has a planned sabbatical where she will be in Alaska to collaborate with the Alaskan Tribal Health Consortium beginning in December 2015. While in Alaska, she will be focusing on understanding the system of rural delivery that exists there, how they care for patients form a pharmaceutical aspect, and where pharmacists fit into the equation. She plans to bring a wealth of information back to Pennsylvania and continue engaging in her
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public health and patient advocacy endeavors. Advice for others: McManus advises everyone to be open to what is right in front of you in the communities in which you live. She encourages you to find a way to match the skills you already possess and make a change within the community. Don’t underestimate your ability to make a change, it will truly change your profession, the way you practice, and you will see a tremendous amount of personal growth! z
Ernie Zost, RPH 727-415-3659 Ernie@RxBrokerage.com
Pennsylvania Pharmacist I May/June 2015 I 33
Association News
Mid-Year Conference Highlights Thank you to everyone who attended Pharmacists: Providers of Patient Care at the Harrisburg Hilton! Over 325 attendees came to the conference and attended continuing education programs, student competitions, and other social events. z
Save the Date! Save the date for PPA’s 2015 Annual Conference, “Pharmacists: The Best Bet for Patient Care.” It will be held October 1 – 4 at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg – Hershey in Grantville, PA. We hope to see you there! z
34 I Pennsylvania Pharmacist I May/June 2015
Special Thank Yous Special Thank You to the 2015 Conference Committee! Ellen Nastase: chair, and members: Luke Barnes, Tanya Dougherty, Eric Esterbrook, Kimberly Ference, D Scott Himler, Jacqueline Klootwyk, Alysha Lopez, Jamie McConaha, Barbara McNeal, Katie Naper, P.J. Ortmann, and Lauren Simko.
Platinum Level: Value Drug Company
Thank You Sponsors! We would like to thank our Annual Corporate Partners and Conference Sponsors! The funding and support they provide allows PPA to provide conference attendees with a remarkable experience. We thank them for their generosity to PPA!
Conference Sponsors Diamond Level: Keystone Pharmacy Purchasing Alliance, Inc., Rite Aid
Annual Corporate Partners Diamond Level: Rochester Drug Cooperative, Inc., Pharmacists Mutual Companies, Independent Pharmacy Buying Group
Gold Level: AmerisourceBergen, Keystone Pharmacy Purchasing Alliance, Inc. Silver Level: McKesson Bronze Level: R.J. Hedges and Associates
Ruby Level: Rochester Drug Cooperative, Inc. Pearl Level: BucksMont Pharmacists Association, Giant Eagle, Lancaster County Pharmacists Association z
Continued on page 36
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Pennsylvania Pharmacist I May/June 2015 I 35
Association News
Educational Foundation Fundraisers Congratulations and thank you to all who donated, placed bids, and bought raffle tickets and mugs! We raised nearly $6,500 from the auction, raffle, mug contributions, and Sunnyside Up breakfast tickets. Mugs - $284 Breakfast tickets - $424 Raffle - $1,708 Auction - $3,823 Grand total = $ 6,247 During the Mid-Year Conference the Foundation hosted a Sunnyside Up Breakfast on Sunday which included presentations on the Foundation and reports from the grants that were awarded in 2014.
36 I Pennsylvania Pharmacist I May/June 2015
By showing up for breakfast and learning more about the Foundation and its grants, each attendee made a contribution, through their registration, to the Foundation! Special Sunnyside up coffee mugs were also provided to anyone who chose to make a separate $10 contribution. z
Know Pain, Know Gain Competition Congratulations to this year’s winner: Alysha Lopez, Wilkes University Nesbitt College of Pharmacy, 2015 PharmD candidate! The other two finalists were Stephani Strasburger, Temple University School of Pharmacy, a 2016 PharmD candidate and Matthew Forman, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, a 2016 PharmD candidate. The top winner received a cash prize of $100 plus a $50 donation in their name to the Foundation. The two runners-up received $50 each plus a $25 donation in their name. z
Finalists pictured left to right: Stephani Strasburger, Alysha Lopez, and Matthew Forman
Continued on page 38
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Pennsylvania Pharmacist I May/June 2015 I 37
Association News
OTC Competition The signature event of the PPA Mid-Year Conference for the last several years has been the student OTC Competition sponsored by the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA), Non-prescription Medicine Academy (NMA), and Proctor and Gamble. Congratulations to the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy who took home the 2015 traveling plaque! Members of the winning team included Antonella Fratarrelli, Breanna Kester, and Michael Brocco. Duquesne University was the second place winner. z
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Student Poster Presentations We had a total of 35 student posters presented on Saturday evening at the Mid-Year Conference. The theme for the posters this year was Pharmacists: Providers of Patient Care: Exploring the Emergence of Patient Care Practice. Those who attended earned CE credit by learning from each student about their work. Photos and links to the poster presentations are available on our website at http://www.papharmacists.com/?page=Poster_15. z
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Departments
Member News Kim C. Coley was appointed to the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association Editorial Board for the journal portion of the Pennsylvania Pharmacist. Coley’s two-year term began January 1, 2015. Donna Hazel, RPh recently received the Recruiter of the Year Award from Rite Aid. “This professional is always prepared to secure the best trained, best qualified, and most empathetic pharmacy candidates to care for our customers. Donna also works tirelessly for the profession of pharmacy through service with many organizations. She is currently President Elect of the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association and will be sworn in as President this summer. Nishaminy Kasbekar, PharmD, Corporate Director of Pharmacy Services at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, was named Pharmacist of the Year by the Pennsylvania Society of Health System Pharmacists. The award acknowledges sustained contributions to all aspects of the profession. According to PSHP, Kasbekar “continuously shows her creativity and dedication toward the enhancement of clinical services within hospital pharmacy,” as part of the administrative team at Penn Medicine. She has served as the organization’s president. Assistant Dean for Community Partnerships Melissa A. Somma McGivney was awarded the 2015 Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award at the University of Pittsburgh Honors Convocation held on February 28, 2015. The Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award recognizes teaching excellence by members of the University of Pittsburgh’s faculty. z
Naloxone: Increasing Access to Reduce Overdose-Related Deaths Continued from page 21
are available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s or from the Office of National Drug Control Policy’s websites.5,6 z 1: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Vital Statistics System mortality data. Accessed March 2015. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/ deaths.htm 2: Kaleo. Size and Storate of EVZIO. Accessed March 2015. Available at: http://evzio.com/hcp/about-evzio/size-and-storage-of-evzio.php 3: Kaleo. EVZIO Savings Program. Accessed March 2015. Available at: http://evzio.com/hcp/patient-savings/evzio-savings-program.php 4: Pharmacy Times. FDA Fast-Tracks Naloxone Nasal Spray. Accessed March 2015. Available at: http://www.pharmacytimes.com/product-news/FDA-FastTracks-Naloxone-Nasal-Spray 5: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Home & Recreational Safety. Prescription Drug Overdose in the United States: Fact Sheet. Accessed March 2015. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/overdose/facts.html 6: Office of National Drug Control Policy. Prescription Drug Abuse. Accessed March 2015. Available at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/prescription-drugabuse
40 I Pennsylvania Pharmacist I May/June 2015
Finally,
a full line wholesaler that works for you!
Value Drug Company, a full line wholesaler carrying pharmaceuticals, health-related products and retail shelving items, has been committed to community pharmacy for 80 years. The company was founded in 1934 by nineteen competing independent pharmacies who realized they were stronger as a group than as individuals. The cooperative was formed and the tradition continues today with over 700 member locations. As Community Pharmacy continues to change and transition, Value Drug Company offers programs and services to help our Independent Pharmacies stay competitive.
Introducing….Value Specialty Pharmacy. Value Specialty Pharmacy (VSP) is an option for filling patients’ specialty prescriptions without utilizing mail order. As an Authorized VSP Care Site, your patients’ prescription will be adjudicated and filled by VSP and shipped to your pharmacy so you can provide your patient their specialty medication. Additional programs for our partner members keep them competitive -They are as follows: • Competitive Generic Source Program • Authorized 340B Distributor Program • Immunization Program • Long Term Care eMAR Program • Suspicious Order Monitoring (SOM) And another initiative – Star Rating Program designed to provide our partner member’s new programs and consultative services to improve performance when being evaluated by payers.
Join the Value family and become a member of one of the industry’s top rated independent wholesalers and start adding profits to your bottom line.
We are confident Value Drug Company will be your “Solution for Profitability.” contact: Karla Moschella at 800-252-3786 ext. 126 for more information 195 Theater Drive, Duncansville, PA 16635 | phone: 1-800-252-3786
Features
Technician Corner Pharmacy Technician Profile: Jack Armstrong Employer: Correct Care Solutions What made you want to be a pharmacy technician? Career opportunities. With the expanding health care market and the ever-increasing number of retail pharmacy locations, ours is one field which is not only always hiring, but where job-seekers have the power to choose for whom they would like to work. It also includes the built-in next step of becoming a pharmacist in the future, and should you choose to take that step the experience and connections you make during your time as a tech becomes invaluable. What piece of advice would you give to a new pharmacy technician on their first day? Learn everything you can about how your company works
and what its needs are. I’ve had employers in the past say that their techs could be easily replaced by machines…only to immediately turn around and ask for solutions to problems that machines could never anticipate or adapt to. By coming up with creative ways to fulfill your employer’s needs, you make things better not only for yourself but also for your profession and your patients. What is your view of the future of the pharmacy technician profession? While the only constant in life is change, our society’s longstanding commitment to healthcare has only grown in importance as time goes by. Given the challenges of an aging population and the growing complexity of health care and insurance regulations, pharmacists and hospitals are going to need more resourceful, adaptable people to help shoulder their burdens every day. And that is why pharmacy technicians are here to stay. z
PTCB Asks CPhTs To Review and Update Their PTCB Account Profiles PTCB asks CPhTs to make sure their postal mailing address, email address, and other contact information in their PTCB Account Profile is correct. PTCB will be sending out important messages in the coming weeks and months, so it is important for CPhTs to login and review their information.
Student members: Did you know you have the opportunity to win $50? For every new student pharmacist that you recruit to become a PPA member (make sure your name is on the application) you will be entered for a chance to win $50. A winner will be drawn at random and announced at PPA's 2015 Annual Conference. You do not need to be present to win. The competition ends August 31, 2015!
Invite your friends to join PPA today!
42 I Pennsylvania Pharmacist I May/June 2015
CE Opportunities for Pharmacy Technicians Pharmacy technicians who are members of PPA receive free access to a variety of technicianaccredited continuing education activities. As of May 1, 2015, there are 15 total hours of technician CE available, including one hour of patient safety and 45 minutes of pharmacy law! Reminder from PTCB: Beginning in 2015, CE hours earned by CPhTs must be pharmacy technician-specific (‘T-specific’) to be acceptable for recertification. Access these free technician-specific activities on the PPA website!
Home Study Articles: • Legal and Business Aspects of the Changing Medical Marijuana Landscape (1 hour) • Legalizing Medical Cannabis in Pennsylvania (15 minutes) *Pharmacy Law Recorded Webinars: • A Primer for Understanding ACOs (15 minutes) • Improving Patient Safety in the Treatment of Diabetes: Opportunities for Pharmacy (1 hour) *Patient Safety • Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy Review and Update (30 minutes) *Pharmacy Law • Adolescent Vaccinations and the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program (2 hours) Pharmacy TEAM Series Articles – provided by the Collaborative Education Institute: (1 hour each) • Contraception: A Review for Pharmacy Technician • General Burn Care • The Technician’s Role in Pharmacy-Based Vaccination Programs • The Role of Pharmacy Technicians in Patient Care Services • Medication Adherence: Opportunities for Pharmacy Technicians • Navigating the Non-Prescription Medication Aisle • Introduction to Dietary Supplements • Helping Patient Make Medications Affordable • Pharmacy Calculations Review • Recent Changes in Controlled Substances
The Value of You. The Strength of a Network. You value your patients, your community and your independence when it comes to deciding what’s best for your business. And so does AmerisourceBergen. For more than 30 years, AmerisourceBergen and Good Neighbor Pharmacy have been committed to the future of independent community pharmacy by offering solutions that help you attract new patients, retain existing ones and operate more efficiently — all while staying true to you. For more information, contact your sales associate or email solutions@amerisourcebergen.com.
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Departments
Welcome! New Members PPA welcomes the following New Members who joined the association – January 30, 2015 – April 7, 2015. Please make these new members feel welcome and part of Pennsylvania pharmacy! ASSOCIATES Robert Glycenfer Mass Mutual Financial Group West Pittston Michael Boone Rochester Drug Co-Operative
RESIDENTS Raymond Durigan UPMC St. Margaret Pittsburgh Danfeng Ni CVS Caremark Roseville
New Practitioner 3 Rebecca Bollinger Target Pittsburgh Matthew Zrada Harleysville
Part-Time PharmacistS Joseph Fuselli Brookhaven Christine Nelson Mercy Philadelphia Hospital Havertown Patricia Stephan APhA Sellersville Catherine Zrada Target Harleysville
Andrea Carr CVS Pharmacy Perkasie Faith Fletcher Nickman’s Drug Inc. Uniontown Jennifer Simpson The Medicine Shoppe Mechanicsburg Wanda Stokes University of Pennsylvania Hospital York
Pharmacists Uche Davis Goodwill Community Pharmacy Philadelphia Brianne Dempsey Giant Eagle Pharmacy Erie Jim Kodman RxPro Pennsylvania Indiana
StudentS Duquesne University Mylan School of Pharmacy Rose Brown Shane Donnelly Charlene Kabel Heidi Pigott LECOM School of Pharmacy Kortney Wiant LECOM School of Pharmacy Joel Keckler
Pharmacy Technicians Crystal Allen CVS Health East Stroudsburg
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Temple University School of Pharmacy Kim-anh Tran
University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy Jennifer Baird Caroline Beck Rebecca Campbell Jonathan Kovac Ashley Lovas Julie Mandel Katherine McGuire Kelly Yelenic University of the Sciences/ Philadelphia College of Pharmacy Mikala Johnson Rahul Samudralwar Wilkes University Nesbitt College of Pharmacy Katrina Lynn Nicholas Stauffer
Out of State Karli Swartz Shenandoah University Collin Lafayette St. John Fischer College
Endorsed* by:
Our commitment to quality means you can rest easy. Pharmacists Mutual has been committed to the pharmacy profession for over a century. Since 1909, we’ve been insuring pharmacies and giving back to the profession through sponsorships and scholarships. Rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best, Pharmacists Mutual is a trusted, knowledgeable company that understands your insurance needs. Our coverage is designed by pharmacists for pharmacists. So you can rest assured you have the most complete protection for your business, personal and professional insurance needs.
Learn more about Pharmacists Mutual’s solutions for you – contact your local field representative or call 800.247.5930:
Ed Costello
Cliff Lange , LTCP
800.247.5930 ext. 7158 267.761.2173
800.247.5930 ext. 7131 724.316.4506
David DeFelice, AAI 800.247.5930 ext. 7159 302.985.1127
www.phmic.com
PO Box 370 • Algona Iowa 50511
* Compensated endorsement. Not licensed to sell all products in all states.
DON’T WAIT UNTIL IT’S TOO LATE!
SPECIALTY PHARMACY
IS THE FASTEST GROWING SECTOR OF PHARMA SPENDING TODAY.
PHYSICI
EU TIC
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MEDICATION SCHEDULING
SPECIALTY PHARMACY PROGRAM
PRIOR AUTHORIZATION MANAGEMENT
ORDER VERIFICATION SOURCING OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
AN
AN OCEAN OF OPPORTUNITY WHEN YOU HAVE THE RIGHT SUPPORT.
S
PATIENT INTAKE FROM PHYSICIAN’S OFFICES
ADHERENCE MANAGEMENT
A
AN
U FA C T U
RERS
•
PHARMA C
BENEFITS VERIFICATION/ REIMBURSEMENT SUPPORT
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V IDERS
PATIENT EDUCATION AND TRAINING
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PRO
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S
Introducing a new Specialty Pharmacy program formed through an exclusive partnership between RDC, Quality Care Pharmacies, and Aureus Health Services. Together, we firmly believe Independent Pharmacies are the best suited providers of Specialty services. Our new program offers complete prescription triage, patient care, and manufacturer outreach to help you maximize opportunities in this fast growing sector.
CALL RDC AT 800.333.0538 TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ENROLLING IN THIS EXCITING NEW PROGRAM. Exclusively for RDC’s Independent Quality Care Pharmacy network. Call your RDC sales representative today for more information on how to enroll in our Specialty Pharmacy Program.