Pennsylvania Pharmacist November/December 2017

Pennsylvania November/December 2017 z Volume 98 z Issue 6

The official publication of the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association

INSIDE THE JUNGLE Grab your binoculars for a closer look at Expedition 2017: Exploring the Healthcare Jungle!

NETWORKING

COLLABORATING

LEARNING

CONTENTS ON THE COVER Expedition 2017!

Nearly 400 people attended some part of the four day conference to explore the healthcare jungle. Pictured at the Top: Thomas Jefferson University is just one of 65 Residency Programs who participated in our showcase that was attended by P4s looking to match with a potential program. Middle: LECOM students with Dean Hershey Bell, MD, MS, FAAFP before our Leadership and Awards Dinner. Bottom: Attendees sitting in on a CE credit course during our conference.

DEPARTMENTS

ASSOCIATION NEWS

INDUSTRY NEWS

5 Calendar of Events

11 Legislator Profile

7 President’s Message

18 Celebrating Our 140th Anniversary

41 Jefferson Announces Medical Marijuana Course

8 Welcome! New Members

20 2017 Annual Conference

FEATURES 10 Member Profile

31 PPCN Gains Momentum with Our First Contract!

12 Pharmacy Spotlight

33 PPA Legislative Update

13 Could You Improve Your Personal Finances Today?

34 Affiliated County News

14 Children’s Perceptions of Self-Care and Medication Adherence Mobile Applications: Implications for Pharmacist Provided Counseling 15 Insurance Coverage for New Advances

36 PPA Welcomes A New Membership and Program Coordinator!

41 Pharmacy Management System Integration Now Available for PA Prescription Drug Monitoring Program 42 Pilot Project Highlights Pharmacists’ Key Role in Identifying and Resolving Unmet Vaccination Needs

37 Member News

OUR VISION Pennsylvania pharmacists will be recognized, engaged, and fairly compensated as healthcare providers.

OUR MISSION 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.

38 PPA Campus Checkup 39 Fourth Quarter 2017: Pharmacy Time Capsule

16 Top Tier Residents 27 How To Survive A DEA Inspection Series: DEA And The New Civil Fines?

28 Student Member Profiles

PPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS PPA OFFICERS President: Nick Leon, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP President Elect: Lauren Simko, PharmD Vice President: Rick Demers, RPh, MS FASHP Immediate Past President: Eric Pusey, RPh, CDE REGIONAL DIRECTORS Central: Richard Seipp, PharmD Northeast: Thomas Franko, PharmD, BCACP Northwest: Nickolas Kernich, PharmD Southeast: David Stone, PharmD Southwest: Cory Krebs, RPh PRACTICE DIRECTORS Academia: Nicole Pezzino, PharmD, CDE Chain Pharmacists: Stephen Pfeiffer, PharmD, MBA Community Independent Pharmacists: Shawn Nairn, RPh Community Independent Pharmacists: Chuck Kray, RPh Health System Pharmacists: Darryle Tillman, RPh MCO/Industry/Government/Other: John Barrett, MBA, RPh Associates: Greg Drew, RPh

STUDENT DIRECTORS East: Amandeep (Amni) Kaur West: Tina Schuler PPA OFFICE STAFF CEO: Patricia A. Epple, CAE pepple@papharmacists.com | Ext. 3 Director of Professional Development: Sara Bowden sbowden@papharmacists.com | Ext. 2 Government Relations Manager: Jeff Stuby jstuby@papharmacists.com | Ext. 6 Membership and Marketing Coordinator: Victoria Madonna vmadonna@papharmacists.com | Ext. 5 Membership and Program Coordinator: Rachel Stall rstall@papharmacists.com | Ext. 1 Bookkeeper: Michele Dibble mdibble@papharmacists.com | Ext. 4 PPCN Executive Manager: Mindy Kozminski, PharmD, BCACP mkozminski@papharmacists.com PPCN Trainer: Brandon Antinopoulos, PharmD ppcntrainer@papharmacists.com

Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association (PPA) 508 North Third Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101 (717) 234-6151 Fax: (717) 236-1618 www.papharmacists.com | ppa@papharmacists.com 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 non-members; 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 Olufunmilola Abraham, PhD, MS, BSPharm Hershey S. Bell, M.D.,M.S.,FAAFP Kim Coley, FCCP, PharmD, RPh Michael Gionfriddo, PharmD, PhD Yardlee Kauffman, PharmD, MPH, BCACP Associate Editor: Victoria Madonna Editor/Manager: Pat Epple

Pennsylvania MAGAZINE

papharmacists.com | ppa@papharmacists.com |

PUBLISHED BY GRAPHTECH Alexis Kierce, Publications Manager (717) 238-5751 x119 alexis@thinkgraphtech.com For Advertising Information: Kristen Bergmaier, Account Manager (717) 238-5751 x129 kristen@thinkgraphtech.com DESIGNED BY GRAPHTECH PHARMACIST STATE BOARD OF PHARMACY MEMBERS Institutional: Gayle Cotchen, BSPharm., PharmD., MBA Independent Community: Rob Frankil, RPh Chain Community: Janet Hart, RPh Chain Community: Theresa M. Talbott, RPh Independent Community: Mark J. Zilner, RPh Board of Pharmacy Meeting Dates: November 28, 2017 January 10, 2018 February 27, 2018 April 10, 2018

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DEPARTMENT

CALENDAR OF EVENTS NOVEMBER 16 Online CE Webinar

Navigating the Beers Criteria: Balancing Medication Safety and Efficacy in the Geriatric Patient

6:00–7:00pm

30 PPA Board of Directors Meeting

10:00am

DECEMBER

3-7 ASHP - Mid-Year Clinical Meeting Orlando, FL

27 PPCN Board of Directors Meeting

10:00am

28 PPA Board of Directors Meeting

9:00am

MARCH 16-19 APhA - Annual Meeting

Nashville, TN

17 APhA - PA Reception

6:00pm

25-28 Mid-Year Conference 2018 Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square

Lancaster, PA 26 Educational Foundation Board of Directors Meeting

3:00pm

PRS Pharmacy Services – 2 IPBG – 4 RDC – 6 S&L Solutions, LLC – 7 R.J. Hedges – 9 Thomas Jefferson University Jefferson College of Pharmacy – 10 Good Neighbor Pharmacy – 11 Hayslip & Zost – 19 LECOM – 29 Value Drug – 30 H.D. Smith – 32 EPIC – 33 PPA Educational Foundation – 36

APRIL

JANUARY

ADVERTISERS INDEX

26 PPA Board of Directors Meeting

10:00am For additional events including webinars, CE opportunities, and PPA committee meetings, be sure to see our Calendar of Events on the PPA website! 

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DEPARTMENT

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Now that PPA’s Annual Conference is behind us, I want to take this opportunity to show you, our members, just how dynamic this conference was. Your association held a conference that, for the 3rd year in a row, hosted over 400 active attendees who took advantage of nearly 30 hours of continuing education, 23 hours of business meetings, and interacted with 50 exhibitors. Of note, we were able to balance all of this with providing our members the opportunity to spend some time with their families as everyone enjoyed the fun offered by having our conference in the same building as the country’s largest indoor water park. A special thanks to Dr. Jen Malinowksi who chaired the 2017 conference committee and brought her colleagues from Nesbitt School of Pharmacy, Wilkes University to welcome us to Northeastern PA. What a great conference!

At a meeting full of positivity, that showcased all of the wonderful work of your association, one of the most talked about initiatives (at meetings, in the hallways, and at the bars) was the launch of the first-of-its-kind type of partnership between the Pennsylvania

Pharmacists Care as a positive example to other Network (PPCN), managed care organizations and Creative Pharmacist, state pharmacy networks who and Gateway Health. are closely watching what is This novel partnership happening in Pennsylvania. is more than 8 years THIS IS BIG!!! I would like to take in the making, and this opportunity to thank Creative included leadership Pharmacist for being an excellent efforts from multiple collaborator, the University of facets of pharmacy.

Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy for Nicholas Leon, It has been directly providing leadership and support, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP molded and shaped Gateway Health for sharing our PPA President 2017–2018 by our members, and has vision of how proper medication been heavily invested in use can improve health outcomes, by the association. The success of PPCN’s and the 170+ pharmacies (and counting) who partnership with Creative Pharmacist are committed to improving people’s lives and Gateway Health will demonstrably and showing the country that partnering improve the lives of patients across the with pharmacies works. If you (or someone Commonwealth by enabling pharmacists you know) is interested in being a member of to practice closer to the top of their license PPCN, please reach out to PPCN’s Executive and take the next step towards providing a Manager, Dr. Mindy Kozminski (mkozminski@ sustainable business model for the provision papharmacists.com) to learn more. Having of pharmacist cognitive services. This more pharmacies in our network means that partnership leverages the strengths of the we can touch more patient lives and makes largest state pharmacy network in the us a more attractive partner for additional country (that’s us!!!) to potentially touch agreements.  18,000 lives in what will undoubtedly serve

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DEPARTMENT

WELCOME! NEW MEMBERS PPA Welcomes the following New Members who joined the association on July 28, 2017 – October 6, 2017. Please make these new members feel welcome and part of Pennsylvania pharmacy!

PHARMACISTS Seth Amidon, Pittsburgh, Duquesne University Emily Bobrzynski, Pittsburgh, UPMC St. Margaret Rebecca Broadt, Macungie, Walgreens Pharmacy Donna Capozzi, Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Idah Craig-Wankiiri, East Stroudsburg, Rite Aid Pharmacy Aaron DiFilippo, Murrysville, UPMC St. Margaret Brian Donahoe, Pittsburgh Mahalia Harrell, Monroeville, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Kristen Hodovanic, Pittsburgh, Rite Aid Pharmacy Katherine McGuire, Coraopolis Vince Netto, Oakdale, Delta Care Rx Brad Ocker, Carlisle, Walmart Pharmacy Jazmine Robertson, Pittsburgh, Walgreen’s Specialty Pharmacy Ashley Robold, Bensalem, ACME Pharmacy Lucas Shumaker, Canonsburg, Hometown Pharmacy Christopher Tanski, Enola, UPMC Pinnacle Tyler Young, Chambersburg, Chambers Apothecary PHARMACY TECHNICIANS Jeffery Bray, North Salt Lake, UT, MedQuest Pharmacy Kathryn Cook, Doylestown, CVS Pharmacy Michael Flaherty, Clearwater, FL, CVS Omnicare ASSOCIATES Susan Bertot, Warrington, Keystone Pharmacy Purchasing Alliance, Inc. Patrick Gallagher, Rose Valley, PerformRx, LLC David Mayper, Parkland, FL, Pharmacy Franchisees and Owners Association, Inc. 8 • Pennsylvania Pharmacist • November/December 2017

STUDENTS Creighton University Sara Fucci, Easton Duquesne University School of Pharmacy Kayla Duhoff, Coraopolis Thomas Handerhan, Evans City Irene Jankowski, York Alison Kuhn, Pittsburgh Jacquelyn Madler, Pittsburgh Christina Marinari, Gilbertsville Alexandra Marshell, New Castle Nicholas Notto, Lakeview, NY Cheyanne Novich, McKeesport, PA Rachel West, Webster, NY Jefferson College of Pharmacy Saadiya Ali, Lawrenceville, NJ Clint Borja, Wilmington, DE Taylor Carcella, Philadelphia Ryan Derstine, Doylestown Kaitlin Sassa, Harleysville LECOM School of Pharmacy Carley Church, Bethel Park Lexus Frazier, Erie Kacie Gallo, Smithmill Alaina Halter, Erie Jessica Lipp, Lyndhurst, OH Shannon Morris, Erie Milton Rodriguez, Erie Long Island College Zak Amin, Staten Island Philadelphia College of Pharmacy Sophia Abouhossein, Howell, NJ Ryan Fox, Philadelphia Ami Patel, Edison, NJ Temple University School of Pharmacy Megan Devaney, Mountain Top Brian Galson, Philadelphia Janek Shah, Philadelphia University of Charleston Jessica Ferris, Emlenton University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy Sneha Gaitonde, Cary, NC Hailey Mook, Erie

Emily Novak, Mount Prospect, IL Anu Patel, Lansdale Parker Stewart, Glenshaw Britney Stottlemyer, York Andrew Sweigart, Orefield Wilkes University Nesbitt School of Pharmacy Emily Antosh, Covington Township Danica Benson, Bethlehem Holly Bettinger, Hummelstown Teagan Bigelow, Wilkes Barre Olivia Buonanno, Coopersburg Cameron Carpenter, Old Forge Corey Cowitch, Northampton Alyssa DeKenipp, Lake Ariel Ngan Dinh, Mechanicsburg Ashley Eden, Fogelsville Kelsey Evan, Boyertown Brianna Galvin, Wilkes Barre Arianna Grusso, Wilkes Barre Nicholas Gurski, Lost Creek Lauren Hertzog, Mertztown Ashley Hoffman, Pottstown Katelin Ivey, Elysburg Courtney Keyasko, Throop Kendall Kramer, Bethlehem Erica Mabry, Gilbertsville Theodore Marines, East Berlin Kayla Masters, Scranton Courtney McCowan, Hughesville Lauren Merli, Jessup David Moll, Claridge Alexandra Panek, Sayre Nick Preston, Duryea Maverick Reed, Curwensville Christine Scavone, Sweet Valley Emily Snyder, Hunlock Creek Kelly Sones, White Haven Ernest Stiner, III, Morris Plains, NJ Thomas Stokes, Bensalem Sierra Strouse, Northumberland Stephen Trbuza, Stroudsburg Rachael Velehoski, Mountain Top Cole Walters, Mifflintown Jacob Weaver, Nazareth Lucas Whittaker, Endwell Sidney Wilson, Alburtis 

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FEATURE ARTICLE

MEMBER PROFILE

KAREN HOANG, CLINICAL PHARMACY SPECIALIST, MTM SERVICES, UPMC HEALTH PLAN WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE A NEWLY LICENSED PHARMACIST ON THEIR FIRST DAY OF WORK? Don’t panic! The first day of work is always stressful and while it’s easier said Karen Hoang, than done, trying to Clinical Pharmacy remain calm (at least Specialist, MTM on the outside) will Services, UPMC go a long way when Health Plan it comes to building a rapport with your patients and technicians.

Remember, if you don’t know something or need help, it’s okay to ask!

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE ASPECT ABOUT BEING A PPA MEMBER? All the opportunities for professional development! With PPA, I’ve been able to do everything from presenting CE’s to being involved with grants! I also enjoy being able to network with other new practitioners.

WHAT TOPIC OF PHARMACY INTERESTS YOU THE MOST? Even though it’s fairly common, diabetes has always interested me because it’s so complex. There’s always something new to learn and plenty of patient education to provide!

have differing amounts of influence on you at different stages of your life. Right now I’d have to say my preceptors from my residency program; they had a huge impact on me because they provided me with the tools and resources that I needed to succeed and continue to develop professionally beyond my residency.

IF YOU HAD 30 MINUTES TO PACK TO GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WHERE WOULD YOU GO? Paris. I’d love to spend some time soaking up the culture (and eating the food, of course) even if it’s just for a little while. 

WHO HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE IN YOUR LIFE? It’s very difficult to pinpoint one person, especially since different groups of people

CONGRATULATIONS DR. LEON The Jefferson College of Pharmacy students, faculty and staff congratulate and thank Dr. Nicholas Leon for his service as the 20172018 President of PPA. Role models like Dr. Leon cultivate leadership development in all Jefferson student pharmacists as evidenced by their engagement in local, state and national professional pharmacy organizations.

Jefferson.edu/Pharmacy

10 • Pennsylvania Pharmacist • November/December 2017

LEGISLATOR PROFILE

SEN. JAY COSTA

Sen. Jay Costa

What are the key issues you would like to see addressed this session?

Pennsylvania faces significant fiscal challenges. Unless the structural deficit is brought under control, the state will continue to face an annual budget crisis.

Even as the financial issues are addressed, we need to focus on other key issues. Job creation, supporting education, and repairing the social safety net are critical to our future. Plus, we must come to grips with the opioid epidemic and find the right mix of tough drug law enforcement, treatment protocols and managing prescription drugs so that families can be preserved and communities protected.

Tell our members a little about your background and why you are a legislator?

For most of my adult life I have been in public service. Prior to my election to the state Senate in 1996. I was Register of Wills in Allegheny County and a deputy sheriff. I graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Duquesne University Law School.

My father was county treasurer in Allegheny County. I saw how his good works impacted the lives of people and how public service can make a difference, that’s why I wanted to serve in the Senate.

How do you see pharmacy and its role in health care evolving in the future?

factors that are alternately trying to either build it up or tear it down. Sadly, many of our federal legislators seem intent on dismantling health care access while many of us – along with provider networks – are trying to fix what is wrong and make it better. All health care providers should be flexible and resourceful to better serve consumers. I am convinced that pharmacists, and the pharmaceutical industry, are poised to play an even larger role in reshaping health care so that more persons, not less, can be served.

Advice for pharmacists about the political process?

The key for pharmacists, and for any association that is interested in influencing the political process, is to stay engaged. Identify key issues and outline a strategy to ensure that lawmakers are aware of how the changes that are proposed positively impact public policy. The involvement in the process is more than an email or an occasional call. Schedule a time to visit with lawmakers individually, call meetings so that groups can engage on a regional basis and stay in touch regardless of whether an issue is slated for legislative action.

What do you do for relaxation or enjoyment?

I enjoy spending time with my wife and children and I love living in the Pittsburgh area. As an avid Steeler, Pirate and Penguin fan, I am very much engaged in backing Pittsburgh’s professional sports teams. And, as a trustee of the University of Pittsburgh, I regularly attend events sponsored by the university. In addition, in off hours I work on construction projects at my home, especially those that include a fair amount of carpentry. When the weather turns, I like to cook and have mastered recipes for several favorite dishes. 

Health care is undergoing a sea change. There are many www.papharmacists.com • 11

FEATURE ARTICLE

PHARMACY SPOTLIGHT

ACORX – CONCIERGE AT ITS FINEST “ACORx is concierge at its finest. We go to the patient and know exactly what’s going on with each individual patient.” This is the motto of the recently opened pharmacy, ACORx. Knowing that individuals who don’t properly follow directions for their medications cost more than $100 billion a year in excess hospitalizations, Shawn Nairn started offering Med-Sync and compliance packaging out of his retail stores, Hometown Pharmacy, two years ago. He then had the realization that this concept could be of extreme value to individuals other than retail customers and from there – ACORx was developed.

ACORx (Adherence and Compliance Optimized) is designed to meet the needs of patients struggling with medication compliance, who are primarily still aging at home. Working with all health insurance plans, ACORx aims to help reduce the overall patient expenses which should ultimately lead to reduced emergency room visits and

re-admissions. While ACORx does not have walk-in trade, it ultimately relies on referrals from home health nurses, doctors and other health care professionals.

“We’re (ACORx) a double image. We make it easier for patients to stay adherent to medications and also are designed to work with an ACO. I want ACORx to be the pharmacy component of ACO”, stated Shawn.

ACORx Adherence Medication PAKS clearly organize multiple medications in an easy-tofollow format, providing visual reinforcement of what medications the patient should be taking in the morning, afternoon, evening or bedtime. These PAKS are spill-proof and will not open if dropped. Free delivery to the patients’ doorstep is offered due to the automated parts of the prescriptionfilling business and the control of inventory.

Accuracy of the medication type and proper dosage is ensured due to the fact that the pharmacist has pre-filled the card.

Growing up in Ford City, Shawn’s family friend also served as the local pharmacist, it was here that he found his niche. He graduated from Duquesne University in 1992 and has been actively involved in PPA and other pharmacy organizations. These organizations keep you in the loop and current with industry developments beyond what you can do yourself; as an owner, most of what you learn comes from your peers.

Owning his own pharmacy gives Shawn the opportunity to drive his own future that is not dictated by a corporate structure. He stated, “No one can hold you back but you in this environment. Having the creative freedom that can be afforded allows your successes.”

ACORx, a four-thousand square foot pharmacy, currently employs 25 full and part-time employees, including four delivery drivers. Robotic equipment will later be acquired to streamline filling prescriptions when the business reaches 2,000 customers. 

12 • Pennsylvania Pharmacist • November/December 2017

FEATURE ARTICLE

FINANCIAL FORUM

COULD YOU IMPROVE YOUR PERSONAL FINANCES TODAY? Simple decisions & new habits might lead you toward a better financial future.

This series, Financial Forum, is presented by PRISM Wealth Advisors, LLC and your State Pharmacy Association through Pharmacy Marketing Group, Inc., a company dedicated to providing quality products and services to the pharmacy community.

In life, there are times when simple decisions can have a profound impact. The same holds true when it comes to personal finance. Here are some simple choices you could make that may leave you better off financially – in the near term, the long term, or both.

Some expenses are obligatory, others spurof-the-moment and unexamined. Pause and think before you buy something; do you really need it? If you separate your needs from your wants and say no to several of them, you may find yourself living a simpler life with less debt and more cash.

Use less credit. Every time you pay with cash instead of credit, you are saving pennies on the dollar – actually, dimes on the dollar.

At the start of December, the average “low interest” credit card in America charged users 12.45%, the average cash back card 17.15%.

If you want to see your bank balance grow, try consistently paying in cash. There is no need to pay extra money when you pay for something.1 Set up automated contributions to retirement plans & investment accounts.

By automating your per-paycheck salary deferrals to your workplace retirement plan or your IRA, you remove the chore (and the psychological hurdle) of having to make lump-sum contributions. You can bolster invested assets with regular inflows of new money, without even thinking about it.

Often, arranging these recurring account contributions takes 20 minutes or less of your time.2 Bundle your insurance. Many insurers will give you a discount if you turn to them for multiple policies (home and auto, possibly other combinations). This may help you reduce your overall insurance costs.

Live somewhere less expensive. Sure, it takes money to move, but that one-time cost might be worth absorbing, especially if you can perform your job anywhere. A look at the December United States Rent Report at ApartmentList.com reveals that the median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Los Angeles is $1,900. The median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Spokane is $630.

What is the median rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Boston? $3,200. How about in Fayetteville, North Carolina? $700.3 Look into refinancing your largest debts.

Perhaps your student loans could be consolidated. Perhaps you could qualify for a refi on your mortgage (while rates are still

Spend less than what you make, invest and save some of the difference – this is the classic path toward improving your financial situation.

Citations 1 - bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/currentinterest-rates.aspx [12/1/16] 2 - forbes.com/sites/robertberger/2016/05/14/20ways-to-improve-your-finances-in-under-20minutes/ [5/14/16]

low). Both of these moves could free up money and leave you with more financial “breathing room” each month.

Spend less money on “stuff” and more money on yourself. Many people associate possessions with well-being – the more “toys” you have, the richer your life becomes.

That kind of thinking can quickly put you deep in debt. You may find yourself living on margin as your “toys” depreciate. A wise alternative: pay yourself first and direct more of your income into retirement or savings accounts. Or if you like, use some money you would normally spend on creature comforts to attack your debt. Instead of simply entertaining yourself today, make money moves on behalf of your financial future. Too many people give their financial future little thought, and they may be in for a shock when they reach retirement age. We all want to splurge now and then, but try spending money on memorable experiences instead of flashy items – you may find the former many times more valuable than the latter.

Forgo several purchases a month and see what happens. A recent SunTrust bank survey found that roughly a third of U.S. households earning $75,000 or more live paycheck to paycheck. Earlier this year, Money noted that the average household credit card balance was nearly $16,000. In short, people are spending too much.4

3 - a partmentlist.com/rentonomics/national-rentdata/ [12/1/16] 4 - t ime.com/money/4320973/why-you-are-poor/ [6/6/16] Pat Reding and Bo Schnurr may be reached at 800-288-6669 or pbh@berthelrep.com.

Registered Representative of and securities and investment advisory services offered through Berthel Fisher & Company Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. PRISM Wealth Advisors LLC is independent of Berthel Fisher & Company Financial Services Inc. This material was prepared by MarketingLibrary.

Net Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party, nor their affiliates. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Please note - investing involves risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If assistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a competent professional.

This information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any Federal tax penalty. This is neither a solicitation nor recommendation to purchase or sell any investment or insurance product or service, and should not be relied upon as such. All indices are unmanaged and are not illustrative of any particular investment. 

www.papharmacists.com • 13

FEATURE ARTICLE

CHILDREN’S PERCEPTIONS OF SELF-CARE AND MEDICATION ADHERENCE MOBILE APPLICATIONS: IMPLICATIONS FOR PHARMACIST PROVIDED COUNSELING

By Rebecca M. Wytiaz, PharmD Candidate; Olufunmilola Abraham, PhD, MS, BPharm; Denise L. Howrie Schiff This study and report was made possible in part through a grant provided by the PPA Educational Foundation grant in 2016. This report was not submitted through the peer review process and is presented as a report only. The full report may be found under the Foundation Section – Programs – Grant Program – 2016. http://www.papharmacists.com/FBOD_Grants16 Introduction Chronic medical condition diagnoses in United States children (ages 4 to 11) and adolescents (ages 12-19) have escalated over the past 20 years, soaring from 13% to 27% [1,2]. Children and their caregivers manage complex treatment regimens, including multiple medications and routine visits to healthcare professionals. Traditionally, parents or primary caregivers assume the role of “medication manager”; consequently, these adults typically hold more knowledge about the medications [3]. Although studies show that children over the age of six possess the ability to understand and recognize various medications, the medication managers continue to primarily govern children’s medications [4]. As such, children play a virtually non-existent role in their medication regimen and remain passively engaged. The nonadherence rates in children and adolescents, ranging from 50% to 88%, reflect this lack of inclusion in medication management. These high medication nonadherence rates may lead to negative health outcomes, such as increased disease symptoms, hospital visits, morbidity and mortality rates, and healthcare costs [5].

By simply teaching children about their medications and medical conditions, healthcare professionals can begin to improve medication adherence during this critical time. Smartphone mobile applications (apps) offer an innovative approach to strengthening children’s medication education. Children integrate smartphones into their daily lives, with 73% of youth owning a smartphone and over half of them utilizing apps for educational purposes [6]. This easy accessibility to smartphones reinforces the potential benefit of utilizing mobile apps in pediatric patients to improve medication adherence.

By serving as the primary medication manager, parents are tasked with administering medications to their children.

When caregivers are absent, children often struggle to remember proper medication administration. As childhood evolves into adolescence, children will start to gain further responsibility for both self-care and medication management. Considering these developmental changes, childhood medication nonadherence discrepancies will only widen in absence of appropriate attention. Medication education must be addressed during the crucial childhood and adolescent years, as many of the ideals formed during these stages will persist into adulthood.

A number of recent studies recognize the use of medication adherence mobile apps as an innovative, non-invasive approach to assessing and improving nonadherence rates in children [7,8,9]. As a result, the number of medication adherence apps available on the market jumped from 461 to 824 over the past year [10,11]. This significant increase confirms the rising demand of medication adherence apps, which can be exploited by nearly all patient populations. Today more than 70% of the US population own smartphones, with ownership the highest among younger Americans [12,13]. Nearly three in four children identify themselves as “mobile internet users” who most often access the internet on cell phones, tablets, and other mobile devices [14].

Medication adherence apps may benefit children, offering a means to help these patients self-manage their medications and improve their individual health. Children traditionally indicate “forgetting” as a main reason for nonadherence in their medication regimens [15]. Apps may help remediate this forgetfulness by sending reminders to administer a medication to a child’s mobile

14 • Pennsylvania Pharmacist • November/December 2017

device. Since children typically utilize their smartphones regularly throughout the day, they would serve as an excellent population in which to assess this technology. Such apps could encourage children to adopt more responsibility in their medication regimen, allowing them to oversee their medication list, set alarms for individual medications, and document successful administration of each medication. These apps may also inspire children to learn more about their medical conditions and healthy lifestyle behaviors.

Every day, children download and interact with numerous apps, quickly learning how to navigate and use each one. Therefore, children would easily be able to adopt a practice of using medication adherence apps. While traditional medical devices must be separately purchased and used, a patient’s smartphone can be transformed into a personal intervention tool by simply downloading a new app. This innovative technique can be a critical benefit to this population as they mature into adulthood.

Introducing medication adherence apps to children today may be beneficial by potentially influencing better health learning and/or greater familiarity with technology as they age and providing a means to improve pediatric medication adherence and encourage children to take further responsibility in their medication regimens.

Objectives Aim 1: to characterize the engagement of pediatric patients in their medication management and self-care.

Aim 2: to explore pediatric patients’ perceptions about using medication adherence mobile applications (i.e. apps).

Aim 3: to describe parents’ preferences for children’s involvement in medication adherence & self-care. 

FEATURE ARTICLE

PHARMACY AND THE LAW

INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR NEW ADVANCES

By Don. R. McGuire Jr., R.Ph., J.D.

This series, Pharmacy and the Law, is presented by Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company and your State Pharmacy Association through Pharmacy Marketing Group, Inc., a company dedicated to providing quality products and services to the pharmacy community.

An earlier article in this series talked about preparing to enter the exciting period of change that is occurring in the pharmacy profession. Recent changes in a number of states have broadened the clinical and patient care activities that can be undertaken by pharmacists. These changes take many different forms. Ohio passed a bill that authorizes pharmacists to provide a large number of patient care activities, including ordering and analyzing the results of blood and urine tests, ordering up to a 30 day supply of life saving medication when a physician is unavailable, and modifying drug therapy (including ordering new drugs). Many other states also allow pharmacists to order and interpret laboratory tests. Most states allow pharmacists to participate in Collaborative Practice Agreements (CPA). The activities allowed under a CPA vary tremendously from state to state. These can include initiation of drug therapy, modification of drug therapy and/or discontinuation of drug therapy. Another development is the use of statewide protocols to allow pharmacists to prescribe certain medications. The leaders in this area are New Mexico, Idaho, California, and Oregon, but other states are beginning to follow their lead. Among the medications that pharmacists are allowed to prescribe are emergency contraception, smoking cessation, oral hormonal contraceptives, and preventative prescription medications recommended by the CDC for people traveling outside the US. A question that should come to mind for every pharmacist involved is whether they are covered by their insurance policy for these activities. This is a very important and challenging question because the coverage provided by each insurance company is different. You cannot just assume that new practices are covered. Each insurance company can determine what they do and do not want to cover in a policy, regardless of what constitutes your state’s scope of practice. For example, there are policies available in the marketplace that exclude damages resulting from patient counseling – whether or not the counseling is required by law. Whether the services you provide

are required or optional, you will want to be sure you are adequately protected. It is never safe to assume that you have coverage for something that you cannot find in your policy without first asking and validating it with your insurance company.

So how do you go about examining your insurance coverage? Remember that under the law, insurance is a contract. The terms of that contract or agreement are spelled out in the insurance policy. While every provision is important, three parts of the policy are key to our question. They are the definitions, the insuring agreement, and exclusions.

Make sure that the activity in question is included in the definitions and/or the insuring agreement of the policy and that it is not included in the exclusions.

In a situation like we have in these states, new activities recently authorized likely will not be found in the policy yet. There is a time lag due to the requirement that insurance policies be approved by the Department of Insurance in each state.

Because of this lag, coverage will depend on the insurance company’s interpretation of its existing policy language. Some policies carry a broad definition of what activities are covered. For example, the policy may say that you are covered for your acts as a pharmacist or for your acts within the profession of pharmacy. For cutting edge advances, you may not know how your

insurance company will interpret what acts they are intending to cover. Another insurance company includes the phrase, “and other services of a professional nature legally performed by “you””. This phrase picks up newly authorized activities until policies can be rewritten to specifically include them in the policy language. It is important to note that the phrase also includes the words “legally performed”. The pharmacist would need to complete any required training program or certifications prior to providing these services for the coverage to apply. It is also important to comply with all procedures and recordkeeping required by the law.

Pharmacists will need to verify what activities they are legally allowed to provide in their state. Once they have chosen the activities that they wish to add to their practice, pharmacists need to verify coverage with their insurance company because every insurance company is different. © Don R. McGuire Jr., R.Ph., J.D., is General Counsel, Senior Vice President, Risk Management & Compliance at Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company.

This article discusses general principles of law and risk management. It is not intended as legal advice.

Pharmacists should consult their own attorneys and insurance companies for specific advice. Pharmacists should be familiar with policies and procedures of their employers and insurance companies, and act accordingly. 

www.papharmacists.com • 15

TOP TIER

TOP TIER

2017- 2018 Residents

2017 - 2018 Residents

Bethany Abrahams, PharmD

Practice Site: ACME Sav-On Pharmacy University Affiliation: University of the Sciences Philadelphia College of Pharmacy Pharmacy Degree: Creighton University 2017 Research Question: What are Patient Perceptions of Services and Tools to Assist Caregivers of Adults Aged 50+ in the Grocery Store Pharmacy?

Taylor Buck, PharmD

Practice Site: Asti’s South Hills Pharmacy Residency Program: University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy Pharmacy Degree: University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy 2017

Megan Dunlop, PharmD, CTTS

Practice Site: Mainline Pharmacy Residency Program: Duquesne University School of Pharmacy Pharmacy Degree: University of Pittsburgh 2017 Research Question: What impact does Comprehensive Medication Review have on patient perceptions of pharmacists?

Jennifer Karabinos, PharmD, CTTS Practice Site: Residency Program: Pharmacy Degree:

Giant Eagle Pharmacy Duquesne University School of Pharmacy Duquesne University School of Pharmacy 2017

Research Topic: Evaluating patients perceived value and experience with an appointment based comprehensive medication review in an independent community pharmacy

Research Question: How will an electronically generated clinical alert impact PPSV-23 immunization rates in a community pharmacy setting?

Katherine H. Cho, PharmD

Victor Phan, PharmD

Practice Site: Rite Aid Pharmacy Residency Program: University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy Pharmacy Degree: University of Michigan College of Pharmacy 2017 Research Topic: Identifying Key Factors Associated with High-Achieving Chain Pharmacy Teams Delivering Quality Care for Patients in Medically Underserved Areas

Practice Site: ACME Sav-on Pharmacy University Affiliation: Temple University School of Pharmacy Pharmacy Degree: Temple University School of Pharmacy 2017 Research Question: What are final-year student pharmacist perceptions on the impact of their community APPE rotation(s) to their professional development?

Katie S. Doong, PharmD

Practice Site: Giant Eagle Pharmacy Residency Program: University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy Pharmacy Degree: Northeastern University 2017 Research Topic: Evaluating the Initial Implementation of the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network (PPCN) Pharmacist-Provided Patient Care Services within a Regional Grocery Chain

A Community Pharmacy Residency Research Course

Pennsylvania

United States Pharmacies Are: ACCESSIBLE

Of voters in Pennsylvania say pharmacies are easy to access

Of voters in Pennsylvania have visited a pharmacy in the past 12 months

Of voters say pharmacies are easy to access

Of voters have visited a pharmacy in the past 12 months

Pharmacies Are: TRUSTED

of voters in Pennsylvania said that pharmacists are very or somewhat credible when it comes to information on how to save money on prescription drugs. That’s higher than even doctors (74%) and hospitals (58%).

of voters said that pharmacists are very or somewhat credible when it comes to information on how to save money on prescription drugs. That’s higher than even doctors (73%) and hospitals (59%).

Pharmacies Are: INNOVATIVE Support heath tests, such as blood pressure

Support heath tests, such as blood pressure

Support tests for flu or strep throat

Support immunizations

Support helping with managing illnesses

Support tests for flu or strep throat

Support helping Support immunizations with managing illnesses

Pharmacies Are: ESSENTIAL Voters in Pennsylvania agree – pharmacy benefits should be available to everyone. That’s why they say that these benefits should be covered by:

Medicaid

TRICARE for military families and veterans

Medicare

Voters agree – pharmacy benefits should be available to everyone. That’s why they say that these benefits should be covered by:

Medicaid

TRICARE for military families and veterans

Medicare

Pharmacies Are: FAVORED of voters in Pennsylvania have a favorable opinion of their pharmacist

of voters have a favorable opinion of their pharmacist Information provided through the NACDS Public Opinion Dashboard

ASSOCIATION NEWS

IF WE COULD TURN BACK TIME….

Well that’s what PPA plans to do over the course of the next year. As we celebrate our 140th anniversary, we are taking a “trip down memory lane” and offering glimpses from the past. We invite any of our members who may have interesting tidbits, memories, pictures, or memorabilia to share them with us.

Early Beginnings 1878 – 1898 Think about the time, the world was a different place. Travel was still only by horse and buggy. It was only 13 years since the civil war ended. You can almost picture the cigar smoke filled room where a group of men gathered to form the Pennsylvania Pharmaceutical Association.

“You are hereby cordially invited to meet with us in this city on Tuesday, the 28th , at 11 a.m. in the Rooms of the Pennsylvania Agricultural Society , for the purposes of organizing a State Pharmaceutical Association. Please extend the invitation to all druggists of good standing in your locality.

PRESIDENTS DURING THIS PERIOD: Charles A. Heinitsh.... 1878-1880 George W. Kennedy... 1880-1881 George A. Kelly........... 1881-1882 Alonzo Robbins.......... 1882-1883 Jesse B. Duble............. 1883-1884 Charles H. Cressler.... 1884-1885 Charles T. George...... 1885-1886 James A. Myers........... 1886-1887 William L. Tuner......... 1887-1888 William Harris............. 1888-1889 Jacob H. Stein............. 1890-1891 John F. Patton............. 1891-1892 William H. McGarrah.1892-1893 William McIntyre....... 1893-1894 Willoughby H. Reed.. 1894-1895 Hugh N. Coxe............. 1895-1896 Joseph P. Remington.. 1896-1897 Jacob H. Redsecker.... 1897-1898 Mahlon N. Kline......... 1898-1899

Charles A. Heinitsh, Lancaster; George W. Kennedy, Pottsville,; Joseph Lemberger, Lebanon; J.A. Miller, Harrisburg; William H. Eyle, Harrisburg; Charles T. George, Harrisburg; George H. Markley, Harrisburg; and J.H. Boher, Harrisburg.”

We wonder how they identified their colleagues and then imagine in those days handwriting invitations and mailing them off.

But it worked and 22 individuals responded to this invitation, including “druggists” from Philadelphia, Reading, Carlie, and Chambersburg. These became the Association’s charter members by February 1898.

According to the early Constitution: The aim of the Association was to unite educated and reputable Pharmaceutists and Druggists of the State; to improve the science and art of Pharmacy, and so restrict the dispensing and sale of medicines to regularly educated Druggists and Apothecaries.

The initiation fee was two dollars.

Charles Augustus Heinitsh went on to become PPA’s Founding President, from 1878 to 1880. Born in 1822, Heinitsh apprenticed in his father’s pharmacy. He later also served as APhA President in 1882-1883 and held the First Annual meeting on June 11, 1878 at the American House Hall in Reading, PA. First Annual Meeting In addition to regular elections and reports, Mr. George presented a drawing of a drug press he invented and a sample of linseed oil made by cold compression with this press. It cost him $60 to make the press but he estimated it could be replicated at half of that cost with three to four pounds of linseed opil expressed at one time within an hour. He also exhibited a citrate of iron and cinchonidia.

18 • Pennsylvania Pharmacist • November/December 2017

IMPORTANT EVENTS: 1878: Louis Pasteur inoculates Chickens against cholera 1890: North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Washington, and Idaho admission in to the US Yosemite National Park created 1891: Wyoming admission to the US 1896: Utah admission to the US Gold discovered in the Yukon’s Klondike 1898: Spanish-American War A hot topic was that some counties were imposing a tax on the sale of patent medicines and others were not, ranging in costs from $5 to $30. Deemed unjust and oppressive, PPA decided to circulate petitions to repeal the law.

The second annual meeting was held in Pittsburgh in June 1879 with 22 members present. A number of members secured seats in a Parlor car traveling from Harrisburg and enjoyed a ‘delightful” ride to Altoona where they stopped for supper continuing across the Alleghenies to Pittsburgh by midnight. Conference headquarters was the Seventh Avenue Hotel. Member applicants traveled separately arriving the next morning. Business concluded early with no opposition so the Pittsburgh College of Pharmacy arranged a steamboat excursion for members and the ladies. The excursion made several stops along the river and “a collation was served at two o’clock of which all partook freely.” A banquet was held that evening with upheld silver, cut glass, and flowers in profusion. Beautiful orchestra

music provided a background to many toasts over the rich provisions.

1880 brought the meeting to Saenger Hall in Allentown with 26 members present.

Overall membership had grown to 146 with Allegheny and Philadelphia counties having the largest number of members. 12 counties only have one each. The Trade Association of Philadelphia Druggists presented a request to cooperate with PPA on the Committee on Legislation. The report submitted to Decennial of USP was read including a paper on Caster Oil in Emulsion.

Joseph Lyon Leberger was the founding treasurer from 1878 – 1911.

1886 – the Ninth Annual Meeting was held at the courthouse in Lebanon. The association had 479 members and a balance of $946. While the members conducted business, the ladies visited several churches and banks the first day via carriage rides and a special train to the Cornwall ore hills on the second. Later that day all went to Mt. Gretna for boating, croquet, dancing and a collation was served at 5 o’clock. There was also a visit to Lebanon Brewing Company which all enjoyed. There was great discussion over the oil of birch and its relationship to oil of wintergreen, Interestingly much of the 1886 proceedings is a verbatim summation of the business matters and also contains a Pennsylvania Formularium.

The first twenty years of PPA were developing ones. As the world changed, so was the art and science of pharmacy developing and as practiced changed, the need for laws and regulation emerged. Join us next issue for the next twenty years!

• Note: PPA retains the official proceedings from 1878, 1879, 1880 – Including the recommendations submitted to USP, and 1886 in its historical library. 

Predating PPA….

The Philadelphia College of Pharmacy which was founded in 1821 at historic Carpenters’ Hall by prominent apothecaries to improve the standards of pharmacy, the College was incorporated the following year. It is the oldest institution of its kind in the United States.

In 1971, a PA Historical Marker was placed at the college’s site.

COST OF GOODS 1878 - The world and life was a different place!

Barrel Flour, wheat, family.........$7.96 Pound Codfish, dry.......................$0.06 Pound Rice....................................$0.09 Quart Beans.................................$0.08 Pound Coffee, roasted.................$0.26 Pound Sugar, good brown...........$0.08 Ton Coal....................................$6.45 Cord Wood, hard.......................$6.74 Pound Butter.................................$0.25

Pound Cheese...............................$0.12 Bushel Potatoes............................$0.98 Quart Milk....................................$0.05 Dozen Eggs....................................$0.25 ound Beef, rump steak..............$0.21 Pound Mutton, leg.......................$0.17 Pound Hams, smoked..................$0.13 Month 4-room tenement.............$5.55 Month 6-room tenement.............$9.43

Too many young men not possessing the ordinary rudiments of an education…are lured from their moral homes by no other attraction than the sight of a gilt label and the glare of the show bottles’ colors. They are led by the prospect of great gains…Is there a remedy for this growing evil? Physicians …call loudly for intelligent as well as studious and careful young men to fill their prescriptions. To this we advocate for a bureau of inspection.

Joseph Price Remington served as President in 1896 -1897. Remington graduated from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in 1866 and then went on to serve as a professor in 1874 and Dean from 1893 until his passing 1918. He was also an APhA President 1892-1893.

www.papharmacists.com • 19

EXPEDITION 2017: EXPLORING THE HEALTHCARE JUNGLE Kalahari Resorts and Convention Center – Pocono Manor

ASSOCIATION 2017 ANNUAL NEWS CONFERENCE

Thank you to everyone who joined us in the Pocono Mountains on September 21st to the 24th for ‘Expedition 2017: Exploring the Healthcare Jungle”. Nearly 400 people attended some part of the four day conference to explore the healthcare Jungle! For additional photos from conference, please visit PPA’s website and Facebook page!

ACHIEVING INDEPENDENCE COMPETITION: This year, four schools of pharmacy competed in the 8th Annual Achieving Independence Competition! The teams that participated were from LECOM, Philadelphia College Philadelphia, The University of Pittsburgh, and Wilkes University. Wilkes University – Nesbitt School of Pharmacy and Penn’s Valley Pharmacy: A One of a Kind Champion for Wellness came out victorious! Team members included: Aaron Knopp, Alex Ponce and Dylan Fox; faculty advisor was Julie Olenak, PharmD., and Independent coach was Stephanie Smith Cooney, PharmD. A big thank you to the competition judges: Rob Frankil, Joseph (Scott) Miskovsky, Jim Shannon, Wayne Stephens and Billy Thompson!

RESIDENCY SHOWCASE: PPA held their Annual Residency Showcase on Saturday with an overwhelming number of residency programs looking for potential residents! This year’s showcase featured over 65 residency programs from Pennsylvania and the surrounding areas!

We would like to thank the following programs for attending this year’s showcase: • Abington Hospital-Jefferson Health • Albertsons Pharmacies • Allegheny General Hospital • Allegheny Health Network - Forbes and West Penn Hospitals • Auburn University • Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center • Duquesne University School of Pharmacy • Geisinger Medical Center • Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center • Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital • Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania • Johns Hopkins Heath System • Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States • Lancaster General Health / Penn Medicine • Lebanon VA Medical Center

• Millcreek Community Hospital/Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine • Moses Taylor Hospital • OptionCare • Penn Presbyterian Medical Center • Penn State Health - St. Joseph • PennState Hershey Medical Center • Pennsylvania Hospital • Rutgers Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship Program • Sinai Hospital of Baltimore • St. Luke’s University Health Network • Summit Health - Waynesboro Hospital • Thomas Jefferson Hospital • University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy • UPMC McKeesport • UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside

Continued on next page www.papharmacists.com • 21

ASSOCIATION 2017 ANNUAL NEWS CONFERENCE

Expedition 2017: Exploring the Healthcare Jungle continued

PPA LEADERSHIP: PPA Board of Directors

SPPA Student Advisory Board

From left to right – Front Row: Thomas Franko, Eric Pusey (Immediate Past President), Nicholas Leon (President), Eric Pusey (Immediate Past President) and Rick Demers (Vice-President)

From left to right – Front Row: Amandeep Kaur, Shannon Ye, Sophia Cothrel, Colleen D’Amico, Sarah Bova, Amanda Schwenk, and Tina Schuler

Second Row: Darryle Tillman, Amandeep Kaur, Nickolas Kernich, Shawn Nairn, David Stone, Chuck Kray, John Barrett, Tina Schuler, and Pat Epple (CEO)

Back Row: Joey Muscarella, Shannon Street, Lauren Stabler, Olivia Erickson, Braianna Kousin, Ali Shahbaz, and Philipp Kappes

PPA Foundation Board of Directors

PPCN Board of Directors

From left to right – Front Row: Kyle McCormick, Stephanie Smith Cooney, PJ Ortman, Nish Kasbekar, Ed Bechtel

From left to right – Front Row: Melissa McGivney, Stephanie Smith Cooney, Nick Leon, Mindy Kozminski (PPCN - Executive Manager)

Second Row: AJ Greco, Megan Weigand, Maria Osborne, John DeJames, Julie Gerhart- Rothholz, Sarah Dombrowski, Pat Epple (CEO)

Back Row: Billy Thompson, Rick Demers, Pat Epple (CEO), Brandon Antinopoulos (PPCN – Trainer)

EXHIBIT HALL: Thank you to the companies who exhibited with us this year!

Abbvie Allegheny County Pharmacists Association American Red Cross AmerisourceBergen Biopharma Technology LLC BucksMont Pharmacists Association Cardinal Health Coshatt Co. Inc. Creative Pharmacist EPIC Pharmacies, Inc. Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC H.D. Smith Ideal Protein of America

Independent Pharmacy Buying Group Jefferson College of Pharmacy Keystone Pharmacy Purchasing Alliance Kinray LECOM Lehigh Valley Pharmacists Association LifeScan – OneTouch LPA Wireless Mass Mutual McKesson Merck - Primary Care Micro Merchant Systems

22 • Pennsylvania Pharmacist • November/December 2017

Mitchell Otsuka PBA Health Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network (PPCN) PerformRx Pfizer Inc. Pharmacists Mutual Companies Pharmacy Franchisees and Owners Association (PFOA) PharmaDiversion LLC PharmPAC PioneerRx Pharmacy Software PPA Educational Foundation PPA Membership

PRS Pharmacy Services QS/1 R. J. Hedges & Associates Rite Aid Rochester Drug Cooperative Silvergate Pharmaceuticals Smart-Fill Management Group Tax Saving Professionals Temple University University of Pittsburgh Value Drug Walgreens Wilkes University Nesbitt School of Pharmacy

GOLF OUTING The PPA Annual Golf Outing benefiting PharmPAC and the Educational Foundation took place on Thursday, September 22nd at Pocono Manor.

Thank you to all of the golfers who participated, and to all of our Golf Tee Sponsors. A special thanks to RDC for their coordination of the golf tee sponsorships!

A smaller but enthusiastic group hit the links at Pocono Manor in conjunction with the PPA Annual Conference. It was a beautiful day feeling more like summer than fall and the course was challenging and beautiful. The winning group with a score of 61 was Jerry and Michele Musheno, Larry Stratton, and Nick Spryn additionally – long drives were won by Chris Casey and Paul Grainger and Closest to the Pin by Michele Musheno and Coleen Kayden. Several others won the door prizes and Mulligan 50/50. The Annual Golf Outing raises money for PharmPAC and The PPA Educational Foundation.

We are especially grateful to the Tee Sponsors:

A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR CONFERENCE SPONSORS!

• AmerisourceBergen • Bayer Healthcare • Becton, Dickinson and Company • BSN - Jobst • DJO Global Bellhorn/Dr. Comfort • Drive Medical • Harrisburg Pharmacy • HD Smith • Independent Pharmacy Buying Group • Johnson & Johnson Consumer • Keystone Pharmacy Purchasing Alliance • McKesson/Healthmart Pharmacy • Mill Street Pharmacy • Mueller Sports Medicine • Nature’s Truth/Sundance Vitamins • Owen Mumford • PBE-Tranquility Incontinence Products • Pharmacists Mutual Companies • Phillips Respironics • Proctor & Gamble • Quality Care Pharmacies • RDC • Roche Diagnostics • SAI Therapeutic Brands • Scott Specialties, Inc. • Sellersville Pharmacy • US Nutrition Nature’s Bounty Sundown • Value Drug Company • Zewa Medical Products

Premier Level Conference Sponsors: Otsuka, Rite Aid Keystone Level Conference Sponsors: Kinray, Pfizer Contributor Level Conference Sponsors: PerformRx, Walgreens Saturday Breakfast Sponsor: OneTouch Sunday Breakfast Sponsor: Tax Saving Professionals Thank you also to…RDC’s coordination of the golf-tee sponsorships, Rx Systems for providing the themed note pads for the conference, and S & L Solutions, LLC for sponsoring the lanyards!

RITE OF ROSES: We extend our deepest sympathy to the families, friends, and business associates of these members. Their contributions to the profession of pharmacy and the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association will be forever etched on our memory to not be forgotten

In Loving Memory Of… Joe DiMatteo, June 2017, owner Medicine Shop in Oakmont, PA Paige Lebo - pharmacist at St Christopher’s Hospital in Philadelphia and wife of Dr David Lebo William Liepack, RPh – Two-term ACPA President and long-time ACPA member Thomas Olcese, RPh – Pharmacy Owner from Shamokin Continued on next page

Wilbur Zipperlen – retired from Express Scripts www.papharmacists.com • 23

ASSOCIATION 2017 ANNUAL NEWS CONFERENCE

Expedition 2017: Exploring the Healthcare Jungle continued

LEADERSHIP AND AWARDS RECEPTION AND DINNER And the 2017 Award Winners Are… Jerome Musheno: Bowl of Hygeia Sponsored by the APhA Foundation, NASPA, and Boehringer Ingelheim Jerry Musheno, RPh, is a graduate of Temple University and is currently a self-employed Pharmacy Law Consultant. With over 30-years of community service experience he has volunteered his time to organizations such as PPA, West Side Lions and groups like the Scranton Chamber of Commerce, St Joseph’s Foundation Board and is currently serving as the President of the Lackawanna County Blind Association. Jerry has a real passion for teaching within the community to school districts and PTA groups as well as serving as a Preceptor for both PCP and Temple University pharmacy students.

Suzanne Higginbotham: Pharmacist of the Year Award Suzanne Higginbotham, BS, PharmD, BCACP, CTTS is a 2008 graduate of Duquesne University Mylan School of Pharmacy and is currently the Director for both the Duquesne University Center for Pharmacy Care and the Duquesne University Pharmacy.

She works with PY3 students to ensure their understanding of naloxone therapy, its administration and implementation.

Suzanne also oversees administration and delivery of the certificate programs offered by the School of Pharmacy for pharmacists and student pharmacists, while serving as the Coordinator for the School of Pharmacy Residents and Fellows Program.

Thomas Franko: Pharmacists Mutual Companies Distinguished Young Pharmacist Award Tom Franko, PharmD, BCACP is a graduate of Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and is currently an Assistant Professor for Pharmacy Practice at Wilkes University - Nesbitt School of Pharmacy.

Tom is currently serving as the PiR2 or the membership committee chair and has also served on the Naloxone sub-committee and helped develop the statewide accepted Dispensing Guidelines, participates on the Know Pain, No Gain contest committee.

Melissa Somma McGivney: Excellence in Innovation Award Sponsored by Upsher Smith Laboratories Melissa Somma McGivney, PharmD, FCCP, FAPhA is currently an Associate Professor & Director for Community Practice at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. She first dreamt up the idea of bringing a state pharmacists network to Pennsylvania over 10 years ago. She turned the work of her residents into tangible next steps when she helped to create The Pennsylvania Project. When that project ended, McGivney continued to envision how to leverage and morph her and her resident’s work into what we now know as the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network better known as, PPCN. What separates her from the rest is her ability to turn a vision into reality specifically by turning roadblocks into opportunity. She is able to do this while thinking big, bringing others along sometimes reluctantly and creating a path forward that no one else can see.

24 • Pennsylvania Pharmacist • November/December 2017

Kim Coley: PPA Preceptor of the Year Award Kim Coley, PharmD, RPh, FCCP is a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and is currently a Professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. As a mentor for pharmacy students, she fosters an environment where she is genuinely invested in her students’ success and it is heartwarming to see how much she cares. She translates her knowledge to pay it forward through the education of our future pharmacists. Kim is currently serving as the chair to the Editorial Review Board that brings peer reviewed articles from the hands of the writers to the hands our members to read, learn, share and enjoy.

Jessica Orloski: Pauline Montgomery Leadership Award Sponsored by Value Drug Company Jessica Orloski, PharmD, is a graduate of Wilkes University - Nesbitt School of Pharmacy and is currently a Pharmacy Owner of Crestwood Pharmacy and Adjunct Assistant Professor at Wilkes. After the completion of her residency, she joined the team at Crestwood Pharmacy. Her interest in ownership continued to grow and she developed a plan to partner with Dr. Sonya Mylet, also a Wilkes graduate, to purchase Crestwood Pharmacy. This journey of pursing her dream took perseverance, tenacity, and dedication. She advocates for our profession and advancement of revenue generating clinical programs in the community pharmacy.

Kellie Sadler: PPA Pharmacy Technician of the Year Award Kellie Sadler is the head pharmacy technician for Med-Fast Pharmacy.

While originally meant to be a only be part-time job, she fell in love with the pharmacy environment and made a career change to full-time pharmacy technician.

Sadler knows every single customer by name and takes true interest in their lives and it’s not unusual to answer the phone and hear a patient ask for her, even over the pharmacist!

Honorable Matt Baker: PPA Legislator of the Year Award Representative Baker has served as the state representative for Pennsylvania’s 68th House District, which encompasses Tioga County and parts of Bradford and Potter Counties.

Representative Baker has been instrumental to PPA’s advocacy efforts in his role as House Health Committee Chair. He stood as a strong opponent to Governor Wolf’s proposal to cut the PACE professional dispensing fee and continues to fight for fair pharmacy reimbursement in the Medicaid program through his support of House Bill 1595. Moreover, he is a co-sponsor on other PPA priority bills including House Bill 454, which would provide for pharmacy technician registration in Pennsylvania.

Daniel Ventricelli: Cardinal Health Generation Rx Champions Award Daniel Ventricelli, PharmD, MPH graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2013 and is currently a faculty member at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. He has also spent his time educating students and peers on the dangers of substance abuse. He serves

as an instructor in a pharmacy elective course, Therapeutics of Substance Abuse and Addiction, which, due to its popularity may be transformed into a required course for pharmacy students and other health professions across the University. In his role of co-advisor to the Generation Rx student organization, he oversaw the design and implementation of 19 outreach events throughout the year, including student-led visits to community pharmacies in the areas with the highest rates of drug overdose to provide pharmacists with information on the statewide naloxone standing order.

Gary Fields: George H. Searight Community Service Award Gary Fields, RPh received his B.S. degree in pharmacy from Duquesne University. He has been extremely active in both PPA and the local county Association – the Lehigh Valley Pharmacists Association. For a majority of the past 25 years – Fields has served as Treasurer for the Lehigh Valley Pharmacists Association, but has also served as President, the LVPA Newsletter Editor, chaired the Entertainment Book sale, raised money for scholarships, and was involved in the association’s golf tournament. As LVPA reorganized during the past two years, he has been an integral part in bringing new life to this group. He also served on the PPA Board of Directors, has been a regular attendee at both the Annual and MidYear Conferences, served on the Finance Committee and in the now defunct PPA House of Delegates.

Mel Brodsky: J. Allen Duffield Pharmaceutical Industry Award Mel Brodsky, RPh is a 1966 graduate of Temple University.

He was instrumental in founding and developing a multistate purchasing organization which evolved into the strong Keystone Pharmacy Purchasing Alliance, which he became the CEO of in 1997. During his time with Keystone and later as also the Executive Director

of PARD, this individual devoted timeless energy and time into legislative efforts in concert with PPA. He has tirelessly worked to ensure there is a good strong connection between the Philadelphia area pharmacists and PPA and was responsible for ensuring that all KPPA members get their PPA dues covered.

PJ Ortman: George S. Maggio Memorial Award PJ Ortman, RPh is a 1977 graduate of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and earned his Master’s in Business Administration in Health Care in 2001.

He has a diverse background in the profession, including Military and Civil Service, Hospital, Managed Care, the Pharmaceutical Industry and Community Practice. He served as the PPA Central Region Director, and currently serves on the Foundation Board of Directors and is a very active member of the Lancaster County Pharmacists Association. This diverse background and knowledge has given him a unique perspective on the challenges facing the pharmacy profession today.

Bernard Graham: PPA Mortar and Pestle Award Graham received his BS in pharmacy from Albany College of Pharmacy in 1971 and his PhD in bionucleonics in 1976 from Purdue University. In 1994, against all odds, he went on to found the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy – making it the 82nd school of pharmacy in the country. Under his leadership, the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy had continual accreditation status from the Accreditation Council on Pharmacy Education. He has led, mentored and trained more than 67 faculty members and more importantly, he was a leader, instructor, friend and mentor to over 1,200 students all within the span of 20 years.

Continued on next page

www.papharmacists.com • 25

ASSOCIATION 2017 ANNUAL NEWS CONFERENCE

Expedition 2017: Exploring the Healthcare Jungle continued Larry Doud: PPA Mortar and Pestle Award Doud is currently the CEO of Rochester Drug Cooperative, Inc. (RDC) and has been with the company since 1987. His experience before join RDC includes a 22 year stint in various sales positions with many national wholesalers.

He was instrumental in creating a financial support program and alliance with PPA providing significant and generous contributions over the years in addition to many personal contributions and hours of volunteer work. He led PPA’s efforts to create the Achieving Independent business competition which fosters student interest in becoming a pharmacy entrepreneur held at Annual Conference. Doud also serves as a Director for the Healthcare Distribution Management Association and as a member for National Community Pharmacists Association.

Ten Under Ten The Ten Under Ten Awards recognize the top ten pharmacists practicing for less than ten years that demonstrate commitment to advancing the profession, involvement in PPA and other pharmacy associations, and/or service to their community. The awards are presented every three years. Congratulations to the 2017 Recipients!

Left to Right, Back Row: Jamie McConaha, Stephanie McGrath, AJ Greco, Brandon Antinopoulos, Sarah Dombrowski Front Row: Roshni Patel, Mindy Kozminski, Nicole Pezzino, Kyle McCormick, Renee Richardson

STUDENT ORGANIZATION AWARDS Philadelphia College of Pharmacy University of the Sciences: Membership Award

yielded an $846 PharmPAC contribution.

Additionally, they had the highest number of GRASP graduates in the 2016-2017 school year and had 11 students join the 1878 Society.

Wilkes University – Nesbitt School of Pharmacy: Public Relations and Awareness Award

The Membership Award is presented to a school that has made outstanding efforts in membership, participation, and recruitment of students in order to strengthen PPA and Pharmacy in Pennsylvania. Points were awarded for overall membership numbers, conference attendance, membership activities, and also special credit was given for creative and innovative efforts. What stood out about this application was the unique events including the GRASP the Chips and Pass the Salsa live GRASP event, while focusing on growing and retaining their membership. PCP has a total of 188 student members – 97 of them being new members.

LECOM: Government Relations Award

The Government Relations Award appropriately salutes the school which has gone above and beyond in the area of advocacy work. Points were awarded for participation in legislative day, meetings with legislators, PAC awareness, and other innovative advocacy efforts. LECOM made a major impact in advocating for pharmacy by sending over 50 students to Pharmacy Legislative Day, participating in 37 legislative meetings, and mailing 82 postcards to legislators. Students pulled their resources to hold a fundraiser which

26 • Pennsylvania Pharmacist • November/December 2017

The Public Relations and Awareness Award recognizes the school that really worked at developing and participating in public awareness and community activities like promoting the role of the pharmacist and participation in generation Rx and Katy’s Kids. Credit was also provided based on communications activities with PPA through the Student Voice, articles in the journal, and media outreach and of course imagination and creativity were rewarded. Wiles University held multiple Katy’s Kids and Generation Rx events throughout the year, as well as had an active presence on their social media sites promoting PPA. This group even created their own hashtag to use on Facebook #BeastOfTheNortheast which drew attention to what the group was doing. What stood out the most was their Mannequin Challenge that was held at SkyZone. 

FEATURE ARTICLE

HOW TO SURVIVE A DEA INSPECTION SERIES: DEA AND THE NEW CIVIL FINES?

By Carlos Aquino

Recently, Jim Schiffer was mentioning to me that the civil fines imposed by the DEA have increased substantially. Apparently, he has been dealing with federal prosecutors from the Manhattan United States Attorney Office and he was advised that civil fines had double and more in some cases. The Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) through their Office of Diversion Control (“Diversion”) has targeted prescribers and pharmacies as the number one reason by there have been an increase in deaths from Heroin and other opioids. If you didn’t watch last weeks “60 Minutes” segment on this subject, you should see it.

DEA Diversion maintains a system that they can see every order that a pharmacy place for opioids such as Oxycodone, Hydromorphone, or Morphine Sulfate.

If your pharmacy is the target of a DEA inspection, you need to understand that it may be because of your dispensing of opioids. If they say that the inspection is a “Routine Inspection”, any violations of required records, security, your due diligence policy especially the front of a prescription will be their focus.

At this point, you should be asking yourself, “Are my DEA records organized?” or “What

would happen if my DEA records were not organized?”. If they were disorganized, DEA will tell you that failure to maintain complete and accurate records will cost you $14,739 per violation. If your DEA Forms 222 or your Schedules III through V invoices don’t note “quantity received” and “date received”, you are violating DEA regulations. Other records that will need to be presented and readily retrievable are your DEA biennial inventory, your DEA Forms 106 for theft or loss of controlled substances, Power of Attorney letters, destruction records, expired drugs inventory, etc.

If you still accepting hard copies of controlled substance prescriptions, you need to make sure they have all the required information on the front of the prescription. Please understand that the prescription information must be written on the prescription. The prescription label is a secondary record, and it should ONLY be placed on the back of the prescription.

Labels with the patient’s address is not acceptable by DEA, the State Board of Pharmacy and the PBMs will take your money for the failure to maintained DEA required prescription information. The civil fine for these violations is $63,523 per

violation. If they find ten prescriptions with no address, the maximum civil fine will be $635,230.

Now that I got your attention, I’m giving you this free advice. DEA has now linked the use of Heroin with the abuse of opioids such as Oxycodone or Hydromorphone and the deaths relating to such drug abuse.

It appears that their target is the prescriber but in many cases the pharmacy that dispense such controlled substances is also on their cross-hairs. If you don’t dispense these drugs, the chances of you being their target are lessened than those that do dispense those drugs may be in the crosshairs of a DEA inspection.

Remember, DEA will look at your required records, security of controlled substances, and the pharmacist corresponding responsibilities along with the pharmacy DEA due diligence policy. If you want to read the federal registrant go to your search engine and note, “federal register Vol.82, No.22 / Friday, February 3, 2017 / Rules and Regulations” and look for pages 9131 to 9136.

Be safe and be careful. DEA is ready to tag your checkbook if you are found to have any significant DEA record keeping violations. 

www.papharmacists.com • 27

FEATURE ARTICLE

STUDENT MEMBER PROFILES

“Good things come to those who believe, better things come to those who are patient, and the best things come to those who don’t give up. ” — My words to live by, Kaitlyn Burkett

“No matter what you’re faced with, you can overcome any circumstance with the right mindset.”

— The best advice, Kathryn Kerr

Kaitlyn Burkett University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, PharmD Candidate 2019

Kathryn Kerr Duquesne University School of Pharmacy, PharmD Candidate 2019

Kaitlyn Burkett

Kathryn Kerr

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO STUDY PHARMACY? Both of my parents work in the medical field, so I was immersed in it. As I grew up and began taking medications of my own, I became fascinated with how something that appeared so simple could cause so many complicated effects. Pharmacy allows me to combine my passions for medicine and communicating with others to improve the health of the community.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO STUDY PHARMACY? I’ve always been fascinated by the impact medications can have on disease states. In many cases, simply being adherent to a prescribed therapy can enable a patient to live a full, healthy life that an uncontrolled disease state would have otherwise diminished. After speaking with a family friend, who is a pharmacist, and learning more about her career, I saw a tremendous opportunity to combine my interest in medicine and health science with the ability to help others on a daily basis. Upon entering pharmacy school, I knew I would love what I would be learning, but also knew that the education I would receive would prepare me for a much greater purpose: to help patients and make a positive impact in their lives.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO BECOME INVOLVED IN PPA? I initially became involved with PPA because the students already involved at my school were so passionate and excited about the field of pharmacy. I wanted to surround myself with these students and advocate for the profession. I believe every student pharmacist and pharmacist should be involved with PPA. If we don’t advocate for ourselves, who will?

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE HAD SINCE STUDYING PHARMACY? I love seeing what we learn in class translate to practice. Last semester, we took a class on self care and this semester, I am completing an IPPE rotation at a community pharmacy. Within a few short weeks, I have been able to use information from class to confidently make self care recommendations to patients with the supervision of my pharmacist preceptor. Knowing that I was able to recommend something to help a patient improve is a great feeling.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN FIVE YEARS? In five years, I hope to work as a community pharmacist with a clinical role. I love talking to patients and hope to create a comfortable environment for patients to seek medical attention. Additionally, I would love to work in academia.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO FIRST YEAR PHARMACY STUDENTS? Take advantage of every opportunity: run for every position you want and talk to every pharmacist with a job that interests you.

Study to learn and learn to practice. Find support in friends and family. It is hard, but it is worth it!

WHEN YOU ARE NOT WORKING WHERE CAN YOU BE FOUND? I relieve of stress by working out and shopping. I can often be found eating out with my friends and family.

MY WORDS TO LIVE BY ARE ...

Good things come to those who believe, better things come to those who are patient, and the best things come to those who don’t give up.

28 • Pennsylvania Pharmacist • November/December 2017

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO BECOME INVOLVED IN PPA? PPA seemed like a great opportunity to become more involved and make a difference as a pharmacy student in Pennsylvania.

I saw it not only as a great resource for networking, but also a fantastic way to make an impact in my future profession.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE HAD SINCE STUDYING PHARMACY? Since starting pharmacy school and learning more about therapeutics, working at a pharmacy has been so much more rewarding. Now that I understand disease states and their treatment regimens, I’ve been able to counsel patients and give them advice on the best ways to manage their conditions. Being able to make a difference in someone’s life is by far the most rewarding part of studying pharmacy!

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN FIVE YEARS? In five years, I hope to have completed a clinical residency, either in ambulatory care or another specialty, and work as a clinical pharmacist back home in the Philadelphia area.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO FIRST YEAR PHARMACY STUDENTS? Make sure you try to find a good balance between studying and having fun. While it’s important to do well in pharmacy school, don’t let it consume your whole life. There’s always time for a study break to do something you love with your friends!

WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER GOTTEN? My grandpa always says, “Don’t let it beat you.” His resilient attitude towards life always reminds me that no matter what you’re faced with, you can overcome any circumstance with the right mindset. Although pharmacy school is challenging and overwhelming at times, retaining a positive attitude and not succumbing to the stress will make any situation more bearable.

IF YOU WERE NOT STUDYING PHARMACY WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING? I’ve always enjoyed writing and think I would have studied journalism if I didn’t decide on pharmacy. 

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

PPCN GAINS MOMENTUM WITH OUR FIRST CONTRACT! Report submitted by Mindy Kozminski, PharmD., BCACP, PPCN Executive Manager PPCN is excited to announce that their initial payer contract is officially underway.

PPCN pharmacists began caring for patient under this contract in early September. The pharmacists jumped right in and in the first month of the contract, 110 patients were cared for. 66 pharmacies participated in the first month, by October we were up to 89 pharmacies. This contract represents a huge opportunity not only for community pharmacists, but also for their patients.

One success story that was shared with us recently really captures the reason why there is a need for PPCN.

Mindy Kozminski provided updates and encouraged idea sharing during the CMMCPPCN Open Forum at the PPA Annual Conference. The forums are an excellent idea/ problem sharing arena

This is just one story of many. If you have not yet got involved with PPCN, we are still looking for motivated, high performing pharmacies to join our network. In order to be eligible for participation in the payer contract, you must have a pharmacist complete the PPCN patient care training program. Completion of the training program is required for billing under this contract. The next opportunity to complete the live training will be on November 10th at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. In order to attend the live training you will need to complete the on-line portion as a pre-requisite. To access the on-line you need to register for the Comprehensive Medication Management Collaborative (CMMC) which can be found on PPA’s website. Please email PPCN’s executive manager to find out more at mkozminski@papharmacists.com.

You can also visit PPCN’s website at www.papharmacistsnetwork.com

A PPCN pharmacist shared with us that one of her Gateway Medicaid patients that she reached out to for a Comprehensive Medication Review had not been taking her medications for months. Upon meeting with the pharmacist, it was discovered that she was under the impression that she no longer had insurance coverage. That was not the case. When the PPCN pharmacist was able to meet with the patient, she discovered that her blood pressure was high, her COPD was uncontrolled, and she had given up on her attempt to quit smoking. In just one visit, the PPCN pharmacist was able to check her blood pressure, refill her medication using their adherence packaging, encourage her not to give up her attempt to quit smoking, and gave her a flu shot! This patient truly benefited from this interaction and because this contract includes follow up encounters, the PPCN pharmacist will be able to continue meeting with her to make sure that she is able to be adherent to her care plan and that her blood pressure and COPD get under control. Send us your story—we might select it next!

PPCN is committed to supporting the pharmacists in the network.

During PPA’s annual meeting this past September we held a live training as well as a PPCN forum when pharmacists were able to shares ideas and learn from one another. David Pope, Chief of Innovation, Co-Founder of Creative Pharmacist was also present at the forum and in the Exhibit Hall, which was a terrific opportunity for pharmacists to learn more about the platform and ask questions and share early feedback. We also continue to hold biweekly calls every other Tuesday morning at 8:30am entitled “Coffee and Conversation” as a means to keep everyone informed and regularly hear what success and challenges the pharmacists are having. This first contract is a huge opportunity as well as a huge learning opportunity and we are working diligently to capture all of the learnings so that they can be shared out with others!

Finally, we are excited to announce that PPCN has affiliated with CPESN-USA! CPESN-USA is dedicated to communitybased pharmacies that are willing to expand their portfolio of medication optimization activities and patient care services to work collaboratively with other members of the health care team and provide higher quality patient care and achieve better patient health.

Their role is to develop and sustain local networks. CPESN-USA wants to empower local networks, not compete with them. The formation of a nationwide network of local networks establishes a national marketplace presence for our collective offering. PPCN looks forward to what opportunities this affiliation might bring! 

David Pope of Creative Pharmacist explains the benefits of his STRAND documentation platform to conference attendees.

Mindy shares updated PPCN information with Hamad Jaboori during the Exhibit Hall www.papharmacists.com • 31

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1.800.572.1216 ext. 1230 smithdrug.com 32 • Pennsylvania Pharmacist • November/December 2017

ASSOCIATION LEGISLATIVE NEWS UPDATE

PPA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE As the Pennsylvania General Assembly returned to session this fall, PPA continued to fight for the interests of pharmacists and patients throughout the commonwealth.

Learn about the issues we’re currently advocating for at www.papharmacists.com/ Issues, some of which include:

• Providing for basic pharmacy technician registration in Pennsylvania

• Fighting for fair pharmacy reimbursement in both the PACE and Medicaid programs

Additionally, PPA is working with the legislature and Insurance Department for the adequate implementation of Act 169 of 2016. This law requires PBMs to register in Pennsylvania, increases Maximum Allowable Cost (MAC) and generic pricing transparency, and establishes uniform audit standards. You can learn more about the law and its implementation at www. papharmacists.com/act169of2016.

• Monitoring Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) activities and exploring avenues for increased transparency, which you can learn more about at www.papharmacists. com/PBMIssues

• Changing Pennsylvania law to permit pharmacists to provide all immunizations to patients nine years of age and older • Ensuring pharmacists’ ability to work with their patients to provide medication synchronization (i.e. allow pharmacists to synchronize a patient’s medication refills so that all medications can be picked up on the same day each month)

While we can’t afford to be in Washington on a regular basis, PPA is working closely

with a number of national organizations on their advocacy efforts at the federal level.

You can learn more about these efforts at www.papharmacists.com/FederalIssues, some of which include: •A dvocating for pharmacist “provider status” •P romoting legislation that would ban the Direct and Indirect Remuneration (DIR) fees that PBMs use to claw back reimbursement from community pharmacies and push Medicare patients into the “coverage gap” • I ncreasing transparency and oversight of MAC pricing in federal healthcare programs Stay up-to-date on PPA’s advocacy efforts by visiting www.papharmacists.com/Issues and learn more about what you can do to help by visiting our Legislative Action Center at www.papharmacists.com/ActionCenter. 

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ASSOCIATION AFFILIATED NEWS COUNTY NEWS

ALLEGHENY COUNTY PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION ACPA kicked off the new year with our Annual Back-to-School Picnic in early September. The event is our way of welcoming students from Pitt and Duquesne back to the area. Pharmacists and student pharmacists enjoyed an evening of networking and delicious food.

We held a short business meeting where we discussed branding and budgetary updates. The meeting was followed by a match of kickball.

ACPA members also had a good showing at the PPA Annual Conference. Several of our members presented CEs, represented on Boards, and took home awards. Congratulations to all!

President Kyle McCormick speaking to picnic attendees at Schenley Park in Pittsburgh, PA.

In October, ACPA began a year of fundraising efforts with a paint night. Proceeds go towards the ACPA Scholarship fund. More fundraising events will be planned throughout the year, so if you missed this one, stay tuned! 

BUCKSMONT PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION The BucksMont Pharmacists Association (BMPA) was well represented at this year’s PPA conference with well over a dozen members and spouses in attendance. We sponsored an exhibitor booth and offered large embroidered beach towels as a unique giveaway appropriate for this meeting since it was held at a waterpark resort. Over 100 of these towels were given out to booth visitors.

Several members participated in the Local County Association Forum session and shared useful ideas and suggestions regarding tips on what to look for in identifying appropriate corporate sponsors for dinner meetings and ways to improve interactions with new meeting attendees who are nonmembers.

At the Leadership & Awards dinner several of our members were recognized for their service to PPA over the past several years. Members recognized included John Barrett for serving on the current PPA Board of Directors, while Bruce Sigman,

Various Members of BucksMont seated together at the BucksMont Members Rose Ellen Gatto Leadership and Award Dinner. and Melissa Barrett handing out the embroidered beach towels to exhibit hall attendees.

AlanVogenberg, Rob Frankil and Scott Himler were recognized for their service as past presidents of PPA. BMPA members Steve Pfeiffer and Rick Demers are also currently serving as PPA Practice director and vice president, respectively.

At the Sunday morning breakfast session BMPA board director John Gatto was proud to award two scholarships to well

PPA Gives Me ...

Business Opportunities 34 • Pennsylvania Pharmacist • November/December 2017

deserving students residing in either Bucks or Montgomery counties: This year’s recipients were Matthew McGuire from Jefferson University and Michael Milligan from Duquesne University.

Overall, BMPA members had a very pleasant, professional and enjoyable experience at this year’s PPA conference. 

THE LEHIGH VALLEY PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION

Ed Bechtel and Leslie Johnson manning the booth at this year’s exhibit hall.

Nicole Pezzino sharing her knowledge on insulin dosing and administration to dinner attendees.

As summer ended, the activities of LVPA picked up again. Many of us attended the PPA Annual Meeting at Kalahari Resort in Pocono Manor.

We hosted a booth in the exhibit hall where many pharmacists and pharmacy students enjoyed the game of Tiki Toss. At the Awards banquet on Saturday two of our members received recognition: Nicole Pezzino, PharmD, BCACP, CDE received one of the “Ten Under Ten” Awards and Gary Fields, RPh received the George H. Searight Community Service Award.

We held a joint meeting on September 26th in conjunction with the Mideastern Chapter of PSHP. The speaker was our very own Nicole Pezzino, who updated us on new insulins. The meeting was well attended by members of both organizations. Hopefully this will become an annual event. On October 10th we had a meeting at Melt with a topic of “HIV and the Body”. Details for November and December meetings are still being finalized at the time of this writing.

If you are on Facebook, keep an eye out for a LVPA page coming soon. 

Time to start holiday shopping with AmazonSmile!

Did you know that Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the PPA Educational Foundation? This contribution supports the grant program, student poster presentations, the LEAD program, pain competition, and much more!

All you need to do is: Step One: Go to Smile.Amazon.com.

Step Two: Choose PPA Educational Foundation as your charity.

Step Three: Whenever you are shopping, start at Smile.Amazon.com!

Take advantage of this easy way to do your holiday shopping and help your Foundation!

You can help PPA’s Educational Foundation just by buying the stuff you need every day, using Smile.Amazon.com. www.papharmacists.com • 35

For more information on how you can make a difference, http://www.papharmacists.com/?page=FoundationInfo

ASSOCIATION NEWS

Maria Osborne, PharmD, BCACP, Clinical Pharmacist, Family Practice, UPMC St. Margaret PPA Educational Foundation Board member and monthly contributor Through the Foundation, I am supporting grants, student programs, and fostering the future of our profession. This is MY way of making a difference—join us and support your profession and your philanthropy – the PPA Educational Foundation.”

PPA WELCOMES A NEW MEMBERSHIP AND PROGRAM COORDINATOR!

The monthly credit card deduction is a simple, convenient way to support our professional future. For the cost of a lunch out, my contribution is added to my monthly bill. At the end of the year, I get a charitable contribution statement for my total contribution for use in preparing my tax return deductions. It’s easy but it does a lot.

Rachel Stall joined PPA in the role of Membership and Program Coordinator in August. She graduated from Penn State University in May with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in English. She comes to PPA with a background in marketing, journalism, and sales. In her free time, Rachel enjoys being outdoors with her four dogs. Stall and fiancé, Josh currently reside in Newport, PA and live on an old horse farm.

PPA Gives Me ...

“As a pharmacist resident, my research--"The Network Project"--was supported in part by the PPA Educational Foundation and it's exciting to see it come to fruition in the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network. I whole-heartedly believe in the Foundation's mission and focus of Advancing Patient Care, and my contribution is a way to "pay it forward" for future generations of pharmacists."

A Variety of Resources

My Profession...My Practice...My Philanthropy Advancing Patient Care

Educational Foundation Rachel Stall

Educational Foundation Advancing Patient Care

My Profession...My Practice...My Philanthropy “As a pharmacist resident, my research--"The Network Project"--was supported in part by the PPA Educational Foundation and it's exciting to see it come to fruition in the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network. I whole-heartedly believe in the Foundation's mission and focus of Advancing Patient Care, and my contribution is a way to "pay it forward" for future generations of pharmacists."

The monthly credit card deduction is a simple, convenient way to support our professional future. For the cost of a lunch out, my contribution is added to my monthly bill. At the end of the year, I get a charitable contribution statement for my total contribution for use in preparing my tax return deductions. It’s easy but it does a lot.

Through the Foundation, I am supporting grants, student programs, and fostering the future of our profession. This is MY way of making a difference—join us and support your profession and your philanthropy – the PPA Educational Foundation.”

Maria Osborne, PharmD, BCACP, Clinical Pharmacist, Family Practice, UPMC St. Margaret PPA Educational Foundation Board member and monthly contributor For more information on how you can make a difference, http://www.papharmacists.com/?page=FoundationInfo

36 • Pennsylvania Pharmacist • November/December 2017

ASSOCIATION MEMBER NEWS NEWS

SMITH COONEY NAMED 2017 NEXT GENERATION PHARMACIST ENTREPRENEUR WINNER Sponsored by Parata and Pharmacy Times, Stephanie Smith Cooney, PharmD and owner of Gatti Pharmacy in Indiana, PA, has been awarded the 2017 Next Generation Pharmacist Award in the Entrepreneur category. The winner is chosen based off of the following: a pharmacist who owns a pharmacy in whole or in part, and who demonstrates an entrepreneurial spirit in his or her drive and ability to grow the business, or whose advocacy has helped create a better environment for future pharmacy growth. Congratulations Stephanie! 

EDUCATIONAL GRANT UPDATE Amy Haver PharmD, BCPS, recipient of the PPA Educational Foundation Grant in 2014, has been published in last month’s Annals of Long Term Care Journal for her research on Geriatrics Care Team Perceptions of Pharmacists Caring for Older Adults across Health Care Settings. 

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PPA COUPLE! ACPA President Kyle McCormick, PharmD and Pam (Lyons) McCormick, PharmD were married on May 5th, 2017. Can you spot any other PPA members in this photo? 

VENTRICELLI HELPS ORGANIZE NALOXONE OUTREACH Daniel Ventricelli, PharmD, MPH organized an outreach with students from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy involved in USciences Generation Rx. The students educated Philadelphia pharmacists about the state of Pennsylvania’s standing order to prescribe naloxone, even to those without a prescription. 

HODLE ATTENDS PRIMARY CARE PROGRESS LEADERSHIP SUMMIT Wilkes University student pharmacist Taylor Hodle of Dallas, Pa., was selected to attend the Primary Care Progress annual Gregg Stracks Leadership Summit Aug. 18-20 in Minneapolis, Minn. The summit is an invitationonly two-day training program that brings together faculty, student, and professional leaders from across Primary Care Progress’ national network. Consisting of hands-on, interactive sessions, attendees learn how to thrive in a rapidly evolving healthcare environment by building leadership competencies critical for team building, advocacy, and change management. Hodle is the first Wilkes student to attend the conference. 

www.papharmacists.com • 37

ASSOCIATION CAMPUS NEWS CHECKUP

PPA CAMPUS CHECKUP Duquesne University Contributed by: Kelly Mazzei, Communication Ambassador

Student Life and Engagement at Jefferson, and many more! Both PPA and APhA at Jefferson look forward to having a fun and eventful semester!

Philadelphia College of Pharmacy/ University of the Sciences Contributed by: Brooke Witmer, Communication Ambassador

LECOM Contributed by: Clare Dyczkowski, Communication Ambassador

The Duquesne PPA Chapter has been very busy during the past month. We have started our membership drive and hope to reach a new record for Duquesne student membership for this school year!

We are anticipate a strong interest in our organization and want to raffle off a basket each month for students who renew their membership or get a friend to become a member. Our chapter had about 20 of our students at the PPA conference in the Poconos September 23-24th. It was a great experience for all in attendance!

Jefferson College of Pharmacy Contributed by: Nicole Leshko, Communication Ambassador

With the start of the new school year and the welcoming of a new class of pharmacy students, the LECOM chapter attended the Welcome Picnic on August 6, 2017 at Scott Park in Erie. Our leadership was present to enthusiastically speak with PY1s about the numerous benefits of joining PPA and share our own stories of how PPA has impacted our professional growth. We are eagerly planning a packed year of events, preparing to attend the Annual Conference, and will be having our first membership meeting in the next couple of weeks.

Ohio Northern University Contributed by: Connor Rowan, Communication Ambassador

Students at Jefferson College of Pharmacy have been very busy during the start of our school year. On September 27th, PPA and APhA held an Open House to help recruit potential members for the many exciting events we have planned for the 2017-18 school year. JCP has an exciting list of events we have planned for the first semester including holding a community blood pressure event at Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience in October, returning to Southwark Elementary to educate 5th and 6th graders on proper medication safety, a residency night which many residency program directors attend for helpful tips and tricks when applying for residencies, a collaboration for FluFest with our Office of

ONU classes have started and our members are excited to hit the ground running this year. As the newest pharmacy organization on campus, we at the ONU chapter of PPA are still establishing its role in the college. We had a successful membership drive, gaining interest from several of the Pennsylvania residents in the Raabe College of Pharmacy. In addition, we are making plans to collaborate with other organizations at the university, including APhA-ASP, to create more opportunities for outreach, personal development, and networking for our members. We were also happy to send representatives from our chapter to the annual PPA conference. As we continue to grow as an organization, we look forward to having a stronger presence on our campus and at future conferences!

38 • Pennsylvania Pharmacist • November/December 2017

The PPA Chapter at PCP began this semester promoting membership at the student organizational fair. Current members had the opportunity to tell new students all about PPA and the raffling of prizes encouraged students to “like” the PCP Chapter of PPA Facebook page. PCP was well represented at the PPA Annual Conference and Residency Showcase by seventeen students, half of whom were first time attendees. The PCP chapter won the Membership Award and Dr. Ventricelli was honored with the Cardinal Health Generation Rx Champions Award. Swana Thomas, PharmD candidate 2018, presented her CE credit presentation, while other PCP students, Isaac Abraham, Eishdeep Cattry, and Rebecca Vayalumkal presented their business plan in the Achieving Independence Competition.

The PCP Chapter is currently planning multiple events for the month of October.

The first fundraiser will involve asking students to contribute donations to buy “Rory the Lion” stuffed animals. PPA members will personally deliver the lions to patients at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The proceeds from this sale will go towards the PPA building fundraiser as well as help support the PCP chapter and future projects. The chapter’s first general body meeting will be held on October 12th.

University of Pittsburgh Contributed by: Kelly Jenniches, Communication Ambassador This semester is off to an exciting start for the University of Pittsburgh PPA Chapter. Every year all of our pharmacy organizations work together to promote our Dean’s Theme, which is Over-the-Counter

Temple University Contributed by: Andrew Finkelston, Communication Ambassador

medications this year. Every organization is encouraged to promote this by educating the public on various aspects of this topic including safe storage of OTC medications, natural options, geriatric safety, sun safety, first aid and much more. PPA is specifically focusing on Cold and Flu medications and prevention of the common cold. We have an event planned at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh to interact and educate kids about medicine safety. We are also preparing to participate in our Undergraduate Campus Free Flu Shot Clinic by educating students about the benefit of flu shots and busting any myths associated with the vaccine. In addition to our presentations, we have a guest speaker, Theresa Talbott coming in on October 5th who is on the Pennsylvania Board of Pharmacy and is the CVS Health State Government Affairs Regional Director.

Besides events, we promote advocating for our profession at our monthly chapter meetings by discussing legislative updates.

This educates our students about relevant pharmacy issues that can impact our future as well as helping us prepare in advance for legislative day.

It was great seeing everyone and catching up at the annual conference! Fall is now upon us, and Temple’s PPA chapter is as active as ever. A few of our members were able to present posters on pharmacist provider status at Giving Back to Temple Day, where we spoke with many interested Temple University students. Also, we are currently working with Temple APhA in preparing to propose a resolution for the Policy Proposal Forum at the upcoming APhA-ASP Midyear Regional Meeting for Region 2 in Pittsburgh.

If our resolution passes, it will be forwarded to the APhA-ASP Resolution Committee where it has a chance to make a difference in the pharmacy community on a national level! Finally, our membership drive is in full swing, and we are excited to welcome all of our new members as they explore the world of policy in pharmacy.

Wilkes University Contributed by: Kara Cooper, Communication Ambassador

The Wilkes University PPA chapter is starting off the school year in full force! As of the beginning of October, our chapter will have participated in three Katy’s Kids events in which we educated local pre-school and elementary school students about various health topics. The students greatly enjoyed being able to learn about poison prevention and also had a great time learning about blood pressure cuffs! We are ecstatic with the response we continuously receive from the students at these events and are looking forward to the upcoming events.

Our chapter also had a great experience at the Annual Conference in Kalahari this September! Forty-two of our members were able to attend the annual conference and show their support to three of our members as they presented in the Achieving Independence competition.

Our chapter felt great pride when our name was called as the winning school for both the Achieving Independence competition and PPA’s 2017 Public Relations and Awareness Award.

In the upcoming month, our chapter is looking forward to working interorganizationally with APhA and NCPA in which we will be targeting the health of our local community through the provision of Blood Pressure Screenings events. Our goal for these screenings is to create a large scale event in which we are able to successfully impact the lives of many patients throughout our community. 

FOURTH QUARTER 2017: PHARMACY TIME CAPSULE By: Dennis B. Worthen, PhD, Cincinnati, OH • Posted on September 29, 2017 Pharmacy Time Capsules are written by Dennis Worthen who makes them available for state pharmacy associations to share with their members. Appropriate attribution is at the bottom. If you are publishing, please leave us a comment below.

1992

1967

1942

1917

• For fiscal 1992, the total amount Medicaid spent on drugs in 1992 approached $6.8

• For fiscal year 1967, the total amount Medicaid spent on drugs exceeded $182 million.

•M arijuana was removed from the US Pharmacopeia in 1942. It had been included since 1854.

• National health care spending was $854.1 billion or $3287/ person

• National health care spending was $51.6 billion or $253/person

•P remarin first marketed by Ayerst.

•D ean Rufus Lyman of the University of Nebraska calls for the formation of a national pharmacy honor society that is eventually realized with the founding of the Rho Chi Society.

• There were 75 accredited colleges of pharmacy (compared to 130 in 2015)

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

www.papharmacists.com • 39

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State and national government affiliations with PPA and NCPA

Contracted vendors dedicated to medication adherence

Updates on key industry events through our website and social media

Over 75 negotiated contracts with wholesalers, pharmacy ops, FOS merch

PROFITABLE Negotiating generic pricing on your behalf with wholesalers Members share in the profits with our shareback program Monthly rebates sent via EFT/Check

Included in Keystone Membership

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INDUSTRY NEWS

JEFFERSON ANNOUNCES MEDICAL MARIJUANA COURSE Thomas Jefferson University’s Lambert Center is offering an ACPEaccredited four-hour educational course in the use of medical marijuana (MMJ) as therapy.

Please note that you cannot apply more than one discount code to your purchase (for example, if you are a pharmacist who works at Jefferson, only one discount code applies.) 

This course is appropriate for ALL clinicians in Pennsylvania.

Dispensaries will be opening in PA in 2018; your patients and clients may be treated with cannabinoids by their clinicians. Pharmacists need at least a basic understanding of the endocannabinoid system and the evidence base that has been developed thus far to support safe use of medicinal cannabis therapy.

In addition, completion by pharmacists of an approved, CE-accredited, 4-hour course is required by the PA Department of Health in order to obtain the certification required to work in a PA dispensary.

Jefferson is the only approved provider of education for all clinical disciplines in PA. We want Jefferson to be recognized as a leader in the safe and informed use of MMJ therapy once PA dispensaries open in 2018, and to that end, we are pleased to partner with the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association by offering a 15% discounted tuition to all Association members.

There are 7 modules in the 4-hour series. The course is offered entirely on-line and can be completed at your own pace. To take the course, go to https://www.lambert-medicalcannabis-edu.com/ and follow the link to register. At the time of payment, you will be asked for a discount code. Your discount code is: PAppa

PHARMACY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM INTEGRATION NOW AVAILABLE FOR PA PRESCRIPTION DRUG MONITORING PROGRAM The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) is pleased to announce that it is integrating the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) system into electronic health records and pharmacy systems across the commonwealth. The goal is to minimize any workflow disruption by providing near-instant and seamless access to critical prescription history information to both prescribers and pharmacists.

DOH has secured federal grants that cover the fees associated with the integration service* for every health care entity in Pennsylvania that elects to connect its health IT system to the PDMP until August 2019.

All health care entities in Pennsylvania legally authorized to prescribe, administer or dispense controlled substances are eligible to apply for integration. This includes ambulatory care units, acute care facilities, emergency care units, physician practices, pharmacies, drug treatment facilities and others.

If your organization is interested in integrating your health IT system with the PDMP, we ask that you please fill out the PDMP Integration Request Form at your earliest convenience. Only authorized decision makers should fill out the form. Health care entities will be prioritized

DOH has secured federal grants that cover the fees associated with the integration service* for every health care entity in Pennsylvania that elects to connect its health IT system to the your financial situation. based on date submitted, organizational size and readiness to integrate.

We look forward to working with you to improve provider access to critical prescription history information and to ultimately curb prescription drug abuse in Pennsylvania. * The integration service does not include end-user analytic tools that assist with interpreting and visualizing PDMP data, and DOH neither prohibits nor endorses the use of such tools.  www.papharmacists.com • 41

INDUSTRY NEWS

PILOT PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS PHARMACISTS’ KEY ROLE IN IDENTIFYING AND RESOLVING UNMET VACCINATION NEEDS The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Foundation today announced results from the pilot phase of Project IMPACT Immunizations. The results show that adult vaccination needs are better addressed when pharmacists have bi-directional access to immunization information systems (IIS) data that enables them to conduct comprehensive vaccination history reviews at the point-ofcare.

Summary of Key Findings • For every study patient that requested an influenza vaccination from the pharmacy, an additional 1.45 vaccines were forecasted as due at the point-of-care • 33.5 percent of the identified unmet vaccination needs were resolved during the six-month study period

–9 5.3 percent were administered by the pharmacist at the point-of-care

with innovative point-of-care technologies that support a streamlined process of care.”

–4 .7 percent were resolved at a patientinitiated follow up visit

Project IMPACT Immunizations is a multiphase initiative designed to evaluate what population health improvements are possible when pharmacists implement an innovative care model in community pharmacy practice settings to address unmet adult vaccination needs. During the pilot phase pharmacists reviewed patient-specific vaccination forecasts that were generated by clinical decision support technology within the bi-directional IIS at the time the patient requested an influenza vaccine.

• There was a 41.4 percent increase in the number of vaccines administered as a result of this innovative model of care The full report of the pilot project is published in Population Health Management.

“We are encouraged by the outcomes of the pilot phase and look forward to scaling Project IMPACT Immunizations,” said Benjamin Bluml, RPh Senior Vice President, Research and Innovation of the APhA Foundation. “The results validate that pharmacists can help identify and resolve unmet vaccination needs by recommending appropriate vaccines based on a person’s individual needs, particularly when equipped

The forecasts identified the patient’s unmet vaccination needs based on the current Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Recommendations.

Having access to this information at the point-of-care provided pharmacists with opportunities to educate patients and recommend appropriate vaccines based on a patient’s individual needs. At the point-ofcare, pharmacists were able to administer vaccines within their scope of practice and document the administered vaccines in the bi-directional IIS to update the patient’s vaccine record, thus contributing to the patient’s immunization record that is available to all the members of the healthcare team that have access to the IIS. The APhA Foundation partnered with eight community pharmacies to implement the pilot phase. The implementation was made possible through generous support from Merck and the APhA Foundation. The Washington State Pharmacy Association provided state-level support in the project. The bi-directional IIS used in each participating pharmacy was supported by Scientific Technologies Corporation. 

PPA GIVES ME ...

Community Collaboration 42 • Pennsylvania Pharmacist • November/December 2017

WE’RE BETTER TOGETHER Since our first store opened in 1952, we’ve been committed to independent pharmacy. As the years passed and the industry changed, we had to learn how to operate differently. We had to buy like the national chains while retaining the highest level of patient care.

That’s why we started a buying group—Smart-Fill—and that’s why nearly 700 other independents have partnered with us. As Smart-Fill has grown, so have our own stores. A third generation of pharmacists has now joined what has grown from a single store to our 21 family-owned pharmacies. We’re proud of our history as independent pharmacists, and we’re excited to be a guiding force in the industry today.

Why buy with Smart-Fill?

We’re experienced—like you.

If I’m thinking about wanting to implement a new pharmacy program, I can turn to Smart-Fill. Most of the time, they’ve already faced it in their own pharmacies.

Their experience gives us an edge.”

— Ashley Brehme, Pharmacist

We’re committed—like you.

When you’re choosing a buying group, you have to be able to trust them. They can do the hard sell up front and really promise you the world, but the proof is in the pudding.

Smart-Fill has been there for me when I’ve needed them.”

— Mitch Deines, Pharmacist

We’re independent pharmacists—like you.

When you have questions that are specific to your store, you need people who are in tune with you and understand the industry. With Smart-Fill owning 21 stores, you have a plethora of people that you can rely on. I believe that the team Smart-Fill has assembled is the best in the business.”

— Bob Beeman, Pharmacist

Interested in ways to increase your top-line revenue and improve adherence?

Download our free eBook on implementing a Med Sync program in your pharmacy: Smart-Fill.com/MedSync

Get competitive. Stay independent. www.Smart-Fill.com

See what our tomorrow looks like at: phmic.com/tomorrow2