Pennsylvania Pharmacist July/August 2019

pennsylvania

PHARMACIST July/August 2019 • Volume 100 • Issue 4

Keeping Community Pharmacy Viable THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE

INDEPENDENT PHARMACY IS OUR BUSINESS

A FULL-LINE, FULL SERVICE

WHOLESALER FOR

INDEPENDENTS INDEPENDENTLY OWNED BY PHARMACISTS

SERVICING: NY, PA, NJ, OH, CT, MA, VT, NH, RI, ME » » » » » » »

Brands, Generics, and Specialty Rx HBC’s and Home Healthcare Next Day Delivery and Online Ordering w/CSOS Award Winning Customer Service Robust Specialty Support Hub Home of the Quality Care Buying Group VAWD Accredited, Track & Trace Complaint (TraceLink)

Call or visit us online today! (800) 333-0538 | www.RDCdrug.com

CONTENTS ON THE COVER: PPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS PPA OFFICERS President: Richard Demers, MS, RPh, FASHP President Elect: Chuck Kray, RPh Vice President: Thomas Franko, PharmD, BCACP Immediate Past President: Lauren Simko, PharmD REGIONAL DIRECTORS Central Region: Deron Shultz, RPh Northeast Region: Vick Shah, PharmD, BCPS Northwest Region: Brandon Antinopoulos, PharmD Southeast Region: Karleen Melody, PharmD Southwest Region: Brian Sidone, PharmD PRACTICE DIRECTORS Academia: Nicole Pezzino, PharmD, BCACP, CDE Chain Pharmacists: Renee Richardson, PharmD Community Independent: Shawn Nairn, RPh Community Independent: Christopher Antypas, PharmD Health System Pharmacists: Darryle Tillman Jr., RPh MCO/Industry/Government/Other: John Barrett, MBA, RPh Associates: Pat Lavella, RPh STUDENT DIRECTORS Student Director East: Dylan Fox Student Director West: Elizabeth Leonard PPA OFFICE STAFF CEO: Patricia A. Epple, CAE pepple@papharmacists.com | Ext. 3 Conference and CE Manager: Linsley Gentile lgentile@papharmacists.com | Ext. 2 Government Relations Manager: Angela Zaydon azaydon@papharmacists.com | Ext. 6 Membership and Marketing Coordinator: Victoria Madonna vmadonna@papharmacists.com | Ext. 5 Membership and Program Coordinator: Vacant Bookkeeper: Michele Dibble mdibble@papharmacists.com | Ext. 4 PPCN Executive Manager: Stephanie McGrath, PharmD smcgrath@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 Hershey S. Bell, M.D.,M.S.,FAAFP Kim Coley, FCCP, PharmD, RPh, Chair Michael Gionfriddo, PharmD, PhD Yardlee Kauffman, PharmD, MPH, BCACP Jinsun Paek, PharmD, BCPS Associate Editor: Victoria Madonna Editor/Manager: Pat Epple PUBLISHED BY GRAPHTECH Alexis Kierce, Publications Manager (717) 238-5751 x119 alexis@thinkgraphtech.com For Advertising Information: Jen Smith, Account Manager (717) 238-5751 x124 jen@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 Board of Pharmacy Meeting Dates: August 27, 2019 October 22, 2019 December 10, 2019 January 28, 2020

KEEPING COMMUNITY PHARMACY VIABLE

Community pharmacies continue to be under considerable threat and challenges from PBMs. Yet they remain the best healthcare investment, offering ACCESS, TRUST, and SERVICE! PPA is working every day to keep our Pennsylvania pharmacies thriving.

DEPARTMENTS 5

President’s Message

7

Calendar of Events

8

Member News

8

Welcome! New Members

9

Affiliated Member News

FEATURES 11 Student Member Profile 12 Legislative Profiles 13 Member Profile 14 Pharmacy Spotlight 15 Mr. Kreckel Goes to Harrisburg

ASSOCIATION NEWS 18 PPCN Update

of Directors 24 Meet the 2019–2020 Student Advisory Board!

24 Meet the 2019 Student Ambassadors 25 2018 Recipients of the PPA Outstanding Student Award: Where Are They Now? 26 Congratulations to the 2019 Recipients of the PPA Outstanding Student Award!

28 PPA Continues a Strong Stand Against PBM Shenanigans in Medicaid 29 Continuing Education Home Study Article: Essential Statistics for Pharmacists: Guidance on Cofounders and Regression

20 Meet the 2019–2020 PPA Board of RESEARCH Directors 16 Professional Development for the Practicing Pharmacist: Searching 22 Introducing the 2019 Committee the Literature Chair Volunteers 22 PPA’s Affiliated Counties Announce Their 2019–2020 Board

OUR VISION Pennsylvania pharmacists will be recognized, engaged, and fairly compensated as health-care 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. www.papharmacists.com 3

Programs for you… and your customers.

“

We started offering clinical services to position our pharmacy as a healthcare destination, as well as provide additional revenue streams. I believe that clinical services are, and will continue to be, an important part of our business and profession.

William Faust, R. Ph. | Owner Community Pharmacy Tyrone, PA

“

Value Health Center • Immunization Program • Lab Services • Point-of-Care Testing • Telemedicine

Value Drug is 100% dedicated to independent pharmacy.

That’s why each Value Health Center program we create is designed to help establish your pharmacy as a healthcare destination and bring you increased awareness, foot traffic and profitability.

Through forward-thinking programs such as point-of-care testing and telemedicine, Value Drug can help you capitalize on the emerging markets that are increasingly considered to be the future of pharmacy.

Learn more about the many benefits of Value Drug membership.

Visit us online at: https://pardot.valuedrugco.com/meetvalue.

Romi Madia | Director of Sales Visit us online at

https://pardot.valuedrugco.com/meetvalue

rmadia@valuedrugco.com

412-596-7256

Champion for Independents. Valued Partner. Trusted Expertise.

195 Theater Drive, Duncansville, PA 16635 | 1-800-252-3786 | www.valuedrugco.com

President’s Message I would like to thank the membership of PPA for giving me the opportunity to serve the organization in this role. I feel very fortunate to be allowed to help the organization and profession through this position. Organizations are most effective when people actively combine their efforts for a given purpose. I believe PPA is in a great position to continue to voice itself and have an important impact in ongoing changes and challenges within healthcare.

PPA continues to focus on a number of areas of opportunity; ongoing Professional Practice development, networking and communications and advocacy and government affairs. In each of these areas we will need support from the membership to further develop forums, discussion groups and help to develop recommendations toward important changes. I would challenge all who are members of PPA to take an active role in our organization.

Many ask about what they get from PPA, I believe we only get out at least twice what we put in once we start to get involved.

The future of Pharmacy is to become much more patient centered and care focused. Pharmacists are now being recognized as an important resource to help patients succeed with their medication therapies. PPA will continue to play a crucial role in the effort to advance Pharmacists’ practice through efforts such as the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network, a program that leads the nation in patient support. We will all need to continue to support this important program through the next year. We will also need to provide a balance of education, professional networking and advocacy that is important to our continued success in the upcoming years The provision of healthcare is poised to undergo substantial change in the future. These changes will provide both risks and opportunities for the practice of pharmacy. If we can all work together as a unified profession, we stand well positioned to create opportunities for us to best serve our patients. Again, I thank everyone for their support and look forward to working with you all over the next year.

Richard Demers, RPh, MS, FASHP PPA President 2019–2020

“I encourage all of you to take a few minutes to reflect on your goals and patients, our families, and should all congratulate ourselves for these accomplishments.”

— Richard Demers

Meet Your President What is the most important thing you would like to see accomplished in your term?

I would like to see the continued growth of PPCN to engage more patients across the state. I would also like to see growth in our professional practice through continued advocacy work in areas to directly support patients.

Why did you decide to study pharmacy?

I have always been interested in supporting those that are in need of care.

What do you like most about being a pharmacist?

When you are not working, what can you be found doing?

Pharmacy provides the ability to support patients with a crucial component of healthcare. Medications are the single product that touches over 95% of all patients and is the most critical to their success or failure.

During this time of year, I will attempt to get out on a golf course as often as I can.

When did you join PPA & why?

I joined PPA in 2010 after my first meeting as the president of PSHP. I found the leadership and membership of PPA to be extremely friendly and welcoming to all. www.papharmacists.com 5

Calendar of Events

Advertisers Index RDC 2

July

Value Drug Company 4

8&9

PPA, PPAEF, and affiliated counties Leadership Retreat — State College, PA

PRS 6

11

Keystone 10

CE Webinar: The Art of War: Strategies to Control Pain in the Older Adult — 12PM

R.J. Hedges 17

13–17

EPIC 19

American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy — Chicago, IL

Smith Drug Company 21

August

Jefferson 23

12

CE Webinar: The (Hopefully) Bloodless Battle for Safe Use of DOACs — 9:30AM

McKesson 27 IPBG 31

September 19–22

2019 Annual Conference — Seven Springs, PA

20

Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association Educational Foundation Board of Directors Meeting

20

Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network Board of Directors Meeting

22

Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association Board of Directors Meeting

October

An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.

— Benjamin Franklin

15

CE Webinar: Medication Synchronization with a (Helical) Twist: Incorporating Medication Management in to a Medication Synchronization Program – 12PM For additional events including webinars, CE opportunities, and PPA committee meetings, be sure to see our Calendar of Events on the PPA website!

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA @PAPHARMACISTS

Thank you to our readers, authors, and reviewers, who continue to invest in the future of pharmacy.

We are all excited for our 100th Volume.”

— Jinsun Paek, PharmD Pharmacy Manager, Geisinger St. Lukes’s Hospital Editorial Review Board Member

www.papharmacists.com 7

Member News Congratulations to Elizabeth Harris!

Congratulations to Susan Skledar!

Congratulations to the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy faculty member Dr. Elizabeth Harris for her election to the position of Secretary of Knowledge Management for American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy - AACP’s Self-Care Therapy and Nonprescription Medication special interest group!

Professor Sue Skledar, RPh, MPH, FASHP, Director of Experiential Learning and Continuing Professional Development, has been appointed to serve as co-chair for the national Pharmacy Quality Alliance Academic Affairs Committee (PQA AAC), for a two-year term spanning 2019-21.

Share Your News With Us! Share your news with us — send all snippets of achievements and honor to PPA’s Membership and Marketing Coordinator — Victoria Madonna at vmadonna@papharmacists.com.

Welcome! New Members PPA Welcomes the following New Members who joined the association on February 1, 2019– March 29, 2019. Please make these new members feel welcome and part of Pennsylvania pharmacy!

PHARMACISTS

ASSOCIATES

Kathryn Ching, Philadelphia, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Linda Steele, Honey Brook, Ashfield Healthcare

Jenna Ciervo, Philadelphia

TECHNICIANS

Amanda Johns, Slippery Rock Tara Kesh, Hazleton, Rite Aid

Ashley Geleskie, Shamokin, Danville Pharmacy

Yannis Koukounas, Mechanicsburg

STUDENTS

Erin Kozlow, Geneva, IL, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Duquesne University School of Pharmacy

Jeanne Kuchta, Macungie, Weis Market Pharmcy Anita Lambert, Lancaster Kathleen Lau, Basking Ridge, NJ, Diplomat Pharmacy Anastasia Lawrence, Blandon, Phoebe Pharmacy at Landis Homes Brittany LeCadre, Harrisburg Song Lee, Grand Blanc, MI, Diplomat Pharmacy Alexandra Lunardi, West Grove, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Jennifer Paliani, Pittsburgh, UPMC Health Plan, Rx Ante, MTM Services Hardikkumar Patel, Macungie Maame Wireku, Mechanicsburg

8 Pennsylvania Pharmacist — Jul/Aug 2019

Madeline Davidson, Aliquippa Callie Drennen, Mars Jordan Pestok, McKees Rocks Jefferson College of Pharmacy Caitlin Komm, Philadelphia Matty Zimmerman, Philadelphia LECOM School of Pharmacy Rym Abdouny-Smidi, Erie Samantha Adams, West Springfield Albert Addai, Erie Ahmad Al Rubaie, Erie Nasser Algabri, Erie Mohamed Alhashidi, Erie Alyssa Bernard, Erie Ali Chammout, Erie Ruaa Edani, Erie

Nathalie El Hadi, Erie Sanaa Elghlami, Erie Adedoyin Idowu, Erie Prem Khatiwoda, Erie Thanh Nguyen, Erie Kimberly Parada, Erie Paul Popitan, Erie MCPHS University — Boston Xiang Ding, Waltha, MA MCPHS University — Worcester Gianna Santangelo, Clifton Heights Shenandoah University Sarah Nestler, Sewickley Temple University School of Pharmacy Phat Nguyen, Philadelphia University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy Amanda Cremeans, Beaver Falls Justin Musco, Pittsburgh Shannon Rogers, Media Washington State University Sharon Na, University Place, WA

Affiliated Member News Lancaster County Pharmacists Association (LCPA) Update April’s presentation occurred at Lancaster General Health where LCPA and PPA provided a 1 hour CE program with Angela Zaydon, JD. The CE focused on current and upcoming legislative issues that impact pharmacy and how pharmacists can get involved to advance the profession.

In May, LCPA met at the Cork Factory Hotel for a presentation on the FreeStyle Libre 14 Day Continuous Glucose Monitoring System from Abbott Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Rena Cunard DeArment, MD, FACE of DeArment Endocrinology in Camp Hill explained the system and answered questions from the association.

In addition to the educational meeting, our members were able to meet with the two LCPA Science Fair Award winners from the North Museum Science and Engineering Fair. The students, one representing Warwick High School and the other Centerville Middle School, brought their project boards to present to our members who appreciated them coming out to the meeting.

Save the date of Sunday, October 20th! LCPA will hold a scholarship fundraiser at Issac’s at Granite Run in Manheim. The scholarship fund will gain 25% from in house sales and 15% from gift card sales. Keep an eye out for the flyer!

LCPA will be taking a break for the summer and will resume meetings in the fall. Please check www. lancasterpharmacists.com for information on upcoming events.

Allegheny County Pharmacists Association (ACPA) Update As summer approaches, ACPA members have enjoyed learning from several excellent speakers. These events included a program on May 15th where ACPA member Dr. Bethany Henderson, PharmD, spoke on the topic of diabetes management at a program hosted by Sanofi liaison Bethany Helms. On June 6th, ACPA members heard from Dr. Karen Berger, PharmD, from New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, on the topic of Kcentra®, Prothrombin Complex Concentrate (Human), at a program hosted by CSL Behring representative Steve Radanovich. These programs keep ACPA members updated on new treatment advances.

ACPA members including Chiara Gessler, John DeJames, AJ Greco, Nick Wytiaz, and event organizer Amy Haver, volunteered at Global Links. ACPA is proud to also welcome a new slate of leaders as officers and directors of the Association.

ACPA pharmacists and student pharmacists take part in Poison Prevention efforts. These encounters provide a helpful service to the community and meaningful experiences for the student pharmacists. Hear what some of our student pharmacists had to say about their Poison Prevention encounters: “My best encounter was with a woman who has been taking opioids after a surgery she got done recently, and who has small children. She was worried about her children reaching the medication bottles somehow, and I was able to show her the information in the packet and the stickers that she can put on things that her children should not be taking. Showing her how she can teach her kids about Mr. Yuk and what his stickers would mean made her feel safer about taking her medication for her pain.”

“Oddly enough, my best encounter came with a lady about acetaminophen. She managed to take 4500mg the previous day. I was able to explain to her the risk of hepatotoxicity with taking doses that high. She was very grateful in me sharing that information and decided to set up an appointment with her Primary Care Physician about her chronic pain instead.”

www.papharmacists.com 9

RELEVANT

COMPLIANT

Dedicated sales and office team to assist with your unique needs

Advanced analytics to ensure maximization of your wholesaler deal

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

Connect With Us! facebook.com/kpparx

Phone: 215-464-9892

linkedin.com/company-beta/11085570/

Fax: 215-464-9895

twitter.com/pardkeystone

Website: www.KPPARX.com

instagram.com/kpparx/

Text: KPPARX to 267-482-0227

General Questions: Info@kpparx.com Questions on Generics or to send Pricing: Generics@kpparx.com

Operating for over 25 years with Honesty, Integrity, and Transparency

Student Member Profiles Why did you choose to become involved in PPA? I chose to become involved in PPA because I want to see pharmacists attain provider status in Pennsylvania as well as help other pharmacy team members, like interns and technicians, have expanded roles and more specialized training.

Alexis Nicholson Allentown, PA 2020 PharmD Candidate, Wilkes University Nesbitt School of Pharmacy How did you hear about PPA? During my P1 year, some of my colleagues and professors that had similar interests as me recommended joining PPA as a way to get involved and advocate for pharmacy in Pennsylvania. They seemed to have a lot of fun networking at events, and I wanted to be a part of this group since I am very passionate about the future of our profession.

Favorite drug name to pronounce Levetiracetam Flashback to your first year of pharmacy school; what advice would you give yourself knowing what you know now?

The advice I would most give myself is to not be as nervous about signing up for activities without knowing much about them because there are always other students, professors, or leaders that want to help you succeed. Asking for help can give you guidance on future career interests.

Have any professors influenced you since you have started down this career path?

Dr. Nicole Pezzino has been an extremely influential and inspiring role model in my pharmacy career. She has taught me that pharmacy in the community setting can go above and beyond to help patients. By working with her in class and on rotations, I have been able to see how clinical programs and collaboration with providers can be initiated to increase access to services and provide quality patient care.

Where do you think you’ll be in five years?

Whether I pursue a residency or not, I believe in five years I will have some pharmacy leadership role in an outpatient setting. I hope to have established a lot of patient connections and either help create or participate in clinical programs that improve patient outcomes.

Favorite food you have eaten on campus?

Breakfast sandwiches!

Briana Schreckengost Creighton, PA 2020 PharmD Candidate, Duquesne University School of Pharmacy How did you hear about PPA? I heard about PPA through a fellow classmate who asked me to attend Legislative Day with her in our first professional year. I then attended a meeting at Duquesne to prepare for Legislative Day and was involved from then on.

Favorite drug name to pronounce Aripiprazole (Abilify) Flashback to your first year of pharmacy school; what advice would you give yourself knowing what you know now?

I would tell myself that everyone will have a setback at some point in their life. It is important to remember that and focus on how you handle the setback rather than stressing about what you could’ve done differently.

Why did you choose to become involved in PPA? After attending legislative day as a non-member, I realized how passionate I am about talking about the profession of pharmacy to people who may not know a lot about it or have misconceptions. I liked the idea of having the ability to impact the decisions that will influence the future of pharmacy.

Have any professors influenced you since you have starting down this career path?

Duquesne has a lot of wonderful professors but the one who influenced me the most is Dr. Jordan Covvey. She always encouraged me to pursue my dreams and showed me its okay to be upset about difficulties in school and in life but to not dwell on them and to keep looking forward.

Where do you think you’ll be in five years?

In five years, I plan to practice in pediatric pharmacy in some capacity.

I intend to do a residency and hope that I am board certified in pediatrics and practicing in a clinical setting.

Favorite food you have eaten on campus?

I always love the waffle fries available at Options.

If you, someone you know or a pharmacy would like to be featured in a future issue of the magazine, please contact Victoria Madonna, Membership and Marketing Coordinator at vmadonna@papharmacists.com www.papharmacists.com 11

Legislative Profiles Rep. Donna Oberlander R-63 What are the key issues you would like to see addressed this session (2019–2020)?

This session, our caucus is prioritizing legislation to support good jobs, strengthen our families and communities, and put Pennsylvanians first.

Within those overall issues, I’m sponsoring legislation to help medically fragile newborns, help reduce regulatory burdens for job creators, improve safety and security within our schools, and help improve the overall quality of health care. I also support measures that increase efficiency within state government and keep the tax burden low for residents.

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

Simply, I like to help people. Although I have a background in private industry, I found my true calling as a public servant. I first worked for my predecessor in his district office, assisting constituents, and then I served as a county commissioner for five years before running for the House.

I want to make my area – and Pennsylvania – be the very best place it can be. All of this knowledge and experience has helped me be a more effective legislator.

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

Health care is a driving factor not only within our state budget but within the budgets of private industry. The role of pharmacy is a key component in helping people better manage chronic conditions, such as diabetes, or achieve a positive health outcome, and I foresee pharmaceuticals being an option for so many other health conditions as research evolves. I have a piece of legislation that would make it easier for people to have their anti-obesity medication reimbursed so they can better manage or prevent future chronic health conditions.

Advice for pharmacists about the political process?

Communication. We don’t know what we don’t know.

We want to hear from our local people who are on the front lines of every issue we tackle. We want to know your obstacles, your successes and your stories. You have a vital role to play in helping to develop good public policy, and we want you to be involved.

12 Pennsylvania Pharmacist — Jul/Aug 2019

What do you do for relaxation or enjoyment?

I’m an avid reader, although the busy session and community schedules often leave little room. When I can, I spend as much time as I can in my community and with my family.

Sen. Kim Ward R-39 What are the key issues you would like to see addressed this session (2019-2020)?

I would like to see the legislature take up measures to deter human trafficking, instill more integrity within our election process in the Commonwealth, and require more transparency of pharmaceutical benefit managers (PBMs) and curtail their overbearing tactics against community pharmacies.

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

Working as a respiratory therapist, I saw firsthand how government policies affected healthcare. This motivated me get involved in advocacy on issues related to healthcare. This grew into more involvement in my local government when I became a township supervisor. From there, I ran and won a seat as a county commissioner and then got elected to the Pennsylvania State Senate in 2008.

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

From what I have heard from local pharmacists in my district, it seems as if they are losing their ability to provide services in our communities due to the tactics and practices of PBMs. Patients are being left more and more without choices and access to local pharmacy services because of decisions being made by PBMs without little oversight and transparency into these pharmaceutical middlemen who benefit from manufacturer rebates, steer patients into PBM-owned mail order pharmacies, and clawback fees from pharmacists that make payments for a drug below its actual cost for the pharmacists. Unless something is done about PBMs and soon, I am really concerned local pharmacies will no longer exists as they do today.

Continued on next page

Member Profile How has becoming a member of PPA made you grow professionally?

Brittany Whiteman, PharmD Pharmacist in charge (PIC) for CVS Pharmacy, PharmacistBased Resources subcommittee chair for the Pharmacists Against Substance Use Disorders (PASUD) committee for Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association CVS Pharmacy in Harrisburg, PA

What is the most important piece of advice you would give a newly licensed pharmacist on their first day of work?

Before my first day of work, I had a pharmacist give a piece of advice which I will pass along, “You’re going to make mistakes. It’s how you choose to recover from them that will allow you learn and grow professionally.”

This advice can be very useful for new pharmacists, especially those entering into a community practice setting.

Although I have only been an active member of PPA for a short period of time, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with other pharmacists with similar professional goals as well as those who possess a shared drive to affect change in our nation’s current situation involving opioid abuse. I can already envision how my involvement will impact my future career decisions, which will in turn enhance my ability to positively impact the lives of my patients and the patients of other professional leaders who embrace the opportunity to change.

Name the number one reason why you became a pharmacist?

I initially wanted to practice pharmacy for the simple reason of helping people. I worked as a pharmacy technician before applying to pharmacy school and observed first-hand the amazing impact that pharmacists were able to have on so many others. The core of my reason has remained the same over the years while the methods by which I help others have evolved tremendously, especially during my time in school where I developed my patient counseling and interviewing skills. I realized at some point throughout my journey in becoming a pharmacist that patients respond best to advice when it is conveyed in a way that is relatable to them. This can only be achieved by getting to know your patients. I use every opportunity I

can to talk to my patients and their family members in order to help them succeed in their health-related goals.

Is there anyone in your professional career that helped shape you into the Pharmacist you are today?

I have been fortunate enough to have many pharmacists strongly influence my professional approach and clinical knowledge during my path to becoming a pharmacist.

To name a few, Scott Drab, Sue Schropp, Nick Zaksek, and David Zora. I will never forget the invaluable lessons I received from these four professionals. They are among the most passionate and caring pharmacists I have ever encountered in my life.

Out of anywhere in the world, if you had to choose a different place to live and practice pharmacy where would it be and why?

Westmoreland County, PA. I love my current practice site, however I am striving towards returning to my hometown to be closer to family and friends. I also have a desire to help members of my home community achieve their health-related goals while improving the lives of individuals who are struggling to maintain a sober lifestyle in the face of today’s current social and economic challenges.

Best thing you ever ate?

Crab-stuffed shrimp from Gilligan’s Bar and Grill, Mechanicsburg, PA.

Legislative Profiles continued Advice for pharmacists about the political process?

What do you do for relaxation or enjoyment?

Whether it is a local state rep or state senator or U.S. congressman, elected officials care most about what their constituents think. Engage with YOUR local elected representatives by calling and meeting directly with them. If they don’t hear from you, they won’t know what is affecting you. Open a line of communication with them through annual visits to their district offices so that they get to know who you are if they don’t already.

From what I have heard from local pharmacists in my district, it seems as I love going to concerts, exercising, and most of all spending every minute I can with my sweet 1 year-old granddaughter. I also like to Karaoke.

www.papharmacists.com 13

Pharmacy Spotlight Broad Street Apothecary By: Heather Winter, Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2019, Duquesne University School of Pharmacy.

This article was contributed while Heather was on rotation with PPA. Broad Street Apothecary is a tale of two friends, local to south Philadelphia, joining forces to provide exceptional pharmacy services for the people of their community.

Owners, Greg Colelli and Paul Tirotto, grew up in South Philadelphia and attended Temple University, School of Pharmacy. They eventually met in 1982 as pharmacy interns at Saint Agnes Medical Center, unknowingly just four blocks away from the future Broad Street Apothecary, where they would continue working together for many years to come. Following pharmacy school, they continued to work at Saint Agnes as pharmacists for awhile before they both took pharmacy positions at the Pennsylvania Hospital. During their time at the Pennsylvania Hospital they became familiar with staff and doctors, which ultimately lead to the launch of Broad Street Apothecary. A doctor who was building a medical center on Broad Street offered Paul a spot in the building to open a pharmacy, completing the medical center. After sticking together for so long it is no surprise that when Paul was given the opportunity to open a pharmacy, he wanted Greg by his side. Together they opened Broad Street Apothecary on January 15, 1990.

Broad Street Apothecary has been serving the community for almost 30 years. The small, 1,000 square foot independent pharmacy prides itself on individualized services that they provide their customers depending on their needs. Due to the pharmacy being so personal, the owners are very familiar with their patients, treating them with respect and appreciation. They are proud to say they know almost everyone that walks in the store after the customer’s initial visit. Broad Street Apothecary has always offered their patients free same-day pickup and delivery of prescriptions, and continues to offer additional personalized patient services. Some patients have benefited from home visits by student interns to educate them about their blood glucose monitoring machines and medication organization.

Greg and Paul continued to expand their services by opening two more pharmacies in their community.

In May of 1993 they acquired Avallone’s Pharmacy, a location where Greg worked as a student pharmacy intern during his days in pharmacy school. When it came time for his former boss to retire, he offered his business to Greg, which he and Paul graciously received and retitled McKean Street Pharmacy. Then in September 2010, Paul and Greg opened Packer Apothecary with a previous pupil and colleague, Chris Pauzano. Chris has been working with Greg and Paul since he was a junior in high school and continued to work with them as a student intern while attending Temple University, School of Pharmacy. Chris 14 Pennsylvania Pharmacist — Jul/Aug 2019

BROAD STREET APOTHECARY

TIMELINE

1982

1990

Greg Colelli and Paul Tirotto met in 1982 as pharmacy interns at Saint Agnes Medical Center

Broad Street Apothecary was opened on January 15, 1990

1993

2010

Avallone’s Pharmacy was acquired, and retitled McKean Street Pharmacy

In September 2010, Paul and Greg opened Packer Apothecary with a previous pupil and colleague, Chris Pauzano

has helped revolutionize Packer Apothecary to provide medication packaging for patients that benefit from those services.

Greg and Paul have spent many years going the extra mile for their patients and have been rewarded with gracious and appreciative customers who continue to invite family and friends to help grow their pharmacy family and business. Although owning pharmacies has provided fulfilling experiences to Greg and Paul, it also has posed challenges. Healthcare continues to evolve and shift toward the electronic age, which is designed for patient safety, but can take away from the pharmacist-patient experience. They have worked to maintain that personal connection for their patients, and avoid interference of the necessary implementation of electronic aids.

Additionally, today’s pharmacy business environment poses a challenge to independent pharmacies due to Pharmacy Benefit Manager contracts. Paul and Greg understand those challenges first hand, and are longtime members of PPA to join the fight to protect their pharmacies against Pharmacy Benefit Managers.

Broad Street Apothecary continues to provide exceptional service to the community of South Philadelphia with an inspirational history, beginning with two local people becoming friends, pharmacists, and eventually, pharmacy co-owners.

“Mr. Kreckel Goes to Harrisburg” Peter Kreckel of Thompson Pharmacy shares his experiences of serving on the P & T Committee for Pennsylvania’s Medicaid Program. PPA thanks both he and Chris Antypas for advocating in this way!

On Wednesday May 15th, I travelled to Mechanicsburg to attend my first Department of Human Services (DHS) Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee Meeting for Pennsylvania Medicaid. I left Tyrone at 6am and arrived at the Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center — University of Pittsburgh around 8:20. At 9am the meeting began in a private room, because details of pricing would be discussed. There were about 20 members in the room, and seven people from DHS mostly pharmacists, and a couple of physicians. To my knowledge, only Chris Antypas and myself represented community independent pharmacists; however, I understand there was one other community retail pharmacist voting member.

We were given a folder with lots of spread sheets, lots of numbers including confidential pricing and rebates.

I was indeed amazed with the randomness of rebates, some large some not so large, and no pattern could be recognized. It really made me appreciate how convoluted this system is, how everyone tries to make the best of it, and most importantly how to potentially fix it.

Chris Antypas, of Asti’s Pharmacy, was stellar with his experience in specialty pharmacy, where I have minimal exposure. Chris was also a strong advocate for not recommending specific generic labeler products be preferred on the Statewide Preferred Drug List (PDL) .

For example — for tobramycin inhalation solution the best option was a Sandoz labeler. I just referenced Value Drug’s website and found they only carry Lupin brand as well as Amneal’s brand. So, if a cystic fibrosis patient is discharged from UPMC Altoona on a Friday, although our delivery staff can go to Value Drug for an emergency pick up, we would be unable to service that patient because Value Drug doesn’t stock the Sandoz brand. Based on input from the community pharmacists, the P&T Committee recommended against preferring a single labeler for inhaled tobramycin.

We moved into the public room at 10:30am. And that’s where the review occurred for each of the 68 therapeutic categories. Drug companies had representatives in the public area, and they were allowed 2 minutes per drug to discuss why their products should be preferred. A few were successful, most were not. There was lots of discussion with each of us given opportunities to provide input on the final decision. Dr Terri Cathers did an excellent job keeping the meeting productive and moving along.

We had major discussions on brand name oral contraceptives, finally coming to the conclusion that brands, although convenient for physicians because name recognition, were overpriced and not necessary to have preferred status. We also had the same discussion with respect to branded levothyroxine products. I spent time discussing the AB1, AB2, AB3 and AB4 ratings for the generic products, and the fact the patient is the variable not necessarily the pill. The Committee was convinced.

We will be having our second meeting on June 21,2019 to wrap up our work on the Statewide PDL. I do believe that Chris and I were able to show the value of the independent community pharmacist. We had a strong voice at the table, and after the meeting we were consulted about the Tobramycin issue, as well as Lidocaine patches. It was a good day for us as well as community pharmacy.

What is new is that the DHS P & T committee is developing a statewide PDL for all MCOs and Fee-For-Service Medicaid to follow, effective January 2020. If a patient switches from UPMC to Geisinger to Gateway they will have no disruption in their medications. So far 20 states have a “uniform Preferred Drug List,” and none have returned to the former individual formulary system. It is estimated to save over 100 million dollars in the second year. It is giving back formulary control to the Department of Human Services (DHS). This is the reason we reviewed 68 different categories of drugs in this session, with more to cover in our next meeting.

www.papharmacists.com 15

Professional Development for the Practicing Pharmacist:

Searching the Literature

Laney K. Jones, PharmD, MPH; Geisinger Genomic Medicine Institute Michael R. Gionfriddo, PharmD, PhD; Geisinger Center for Pharmacy Innovation and Outcomes Searching the literature is an important component of the research process. It is often conducted throughout to help develop and refine your question and study design, understand how your research fills a gap, and how your findings fit within the larger body of evidence. While most of us use search engines daily, we rarely do so in a systematic way. This column will introduce a 3-step process for systematically searching the literature.

Step 1: Choose a Database(s) Search engines we use daily (e.g. Google) while useful, are non-specific. Several databases exist some of which are specific to the biomedical field (Box). Many of these databases require a subscription, however PubMed, a database maintained by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, is free to search. While not all articles in PubMed are free to access, there is a subset of PubMed called PubMed Central where all articles are available free of charge. When doing a formal search for a research project you will often want to search several databases (check with your local university or hospital for which databases they subscribe to). Each database contains a slightly different subset of the literature and each database is indexed slightly differently. This means that if you run identical searches in different databases (even if they cover the same journals) you may get different results.

Step 2: Design Your Search When designing a search, it is often helpful to have in hand articles that would fit your search. These articles can be used to help identify keywords and explore how a particular article is indexed in your given database. Additionally, if you identify a systematic review in your area, most publish their search strategies (usually in an appendix or supplement).

The specifics of designing a search are unique to each database there are however several tools which are implemented in most databases.: Keywords In addition to seeing how an example article is indexed, articles may list keywords in the article itself. Your research question should also be a source of keywords.

This is often implemented in databases by adding * to the end of root/word of interest (e.g. pharma* would search for all the terms above and many more).

Wildcards Another technique for widening your search, similar to truncation but can be used anywhere in the word.

This is useful for common words with different spellings (e.g. color, colour). It is implemented using a variety of symbols specific to a database (e.g. colo$r). Note that, this technique is not available in PubMed. Phrase searching Many databases search for phrases (e.g. medication therapy management) automatically, but some search for all of the words in a phrase individually. This can clutter up your search with many irrelevant results.

To ensure that your specific phrase in search you may need to enclose it in quotation marks for example (i.e. “medication therapy management”).

Proximity searching A special technique allowed by some databases where you can look for words that occur close to one another where you can specify the maximum distance between words. Includes both near operators (words can appear in any order) and with operators (occur in the order you specify).

Field tags/codes This technique allows you to search only specific fields of information such as title, abstract, author, text word, or index terms.

Filters/search limits Most databases allow you to limit or filter your search.

Common filters include: year of publication, study design, and language.

Boolean logic The phrases (AND, OR, and NOT) can be used to combine keywords (e.g. warfarin AND dosing).

Step 3: Conduct Your Search

Truncation A technique for widening a search, truncation is used when a root wood can have many possible endings (e.g. pharmacist, pharmacists, pharmacy, pharmacies).

Once you have spent some time modifying and revising your search, you are finally ready to conduct your search.

Be sure to document what specific strategy you use so you will be able to find the article(s) again if necessary.

16 Pennsylvania Pharmacist — Jul/Aug 2019

Becoming an expert in literature searching takes time and patience. While it is not always necessary to conduct a rigorous search, this article provides some guidance on the tools available to design a search strategy. If you plan on conducting exhaustive searches, for example for a systematic review, it is best to enlist the help of your local reference librarian.

Web of Science International Pharmaceutical Abstracts

Further Reading Bramer WM, de Jonge GB, Rethlefsen ML, Mast F, Kleijnen. A systematic approach to searching: an efficient and complete method to develop literature searches. J Med Libr Assoc. 2018 Oct;106(4):531-541.

Commonly Used Databases in Medicine

Freely Available:

PubMed/PubMed Central

PubMed Tutorial: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/bsd/disted/ pubmedtutorial/cover.html

MEDLINE (subset of PubMed)

http://utas.libguides.com/SystematicReviews/ SearchStrategies

EMBASE CINAHL

https://libguides.mit.edu/database-search

PsycInfo

http://ncu.libguides.com/researchprocess/ preparingtosearch

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Scopus

Implemen�ng USP <800> doesn't need be complicated It’s �me to get a Hazardous Drugs Compliance program if...

You are unsure how to implement USP <800> in your Retail Pharmacy

Order Your Customized USP <800> Hazardous Drugs Program Today!

$999

for the first year and just $199 each year a�er.

You don't have �me to create your own policies and procedures You don’t know how to create and prepare an Assessment of Risk for each hazardous drug You don’t know when a hazardous drug becomes a hazardous waste

What's the advantage: Protect your pharmacy and your pharmacist license Create a safety net for compliance

This program includes: Assessment of Risk Hazard Communica�on Plan Hazardous Drug Inventory Hazardous Drug Designee Hazardous Drug Training

Best Prac�ces Dispensing Final Dosage Forms Updates when Regula�ons Change

Be prepared for inspec�ons from state Board of Pharmacy, FDA, EPA, and State Department of Environmental Protec�on Prepare for the December 1, 2019, federal implementa�on date with a fully-customized program

We’re here to keep you stress-free and in compliance!

724-357-8380

SALES@RJHEDGES.COM

WWW.RJHEDGES.COM

www.papharmacists.com 17

PPCN Update PPCN Launches Day of Service On April 7, 2019 PPCN launched its inaugural Day of Service. During this event, 12 student pharmacists from Wilkes University and Duquesne University attended 5 PPCN pharmacies and engaged over 75 patients in communities across PA! Student pharmacists provided over 40 blood pressure screenings, educated on safe and effective use of prescription and OTC medication and worked with pharmacists on site to identify and resolve drug therapy problems. One student reported: “The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network (PPCN) Day of Service was one of the most impactful experiences I have had throughout my time in Pharmacy School. I was able to speak to a patient who was the wife and primary caregiver for her husband who is suffering from Parkinson’s Disease. While her husband was getting his blood pressure checked, I was talking to her about their medication regimens, home life, his disease progression, and the physical therapy he has multiple times per week. It was so meaningful to take time and talk to her about how she was managing being a caregiver for her husband while helping to provide ways to improve their quality of life. We educated the couple on the importance of doing at home exercises to help his mobility and function, and ways to reduce fall risk at home by removing rugs and other

objects that pose a risk. It was such a pleasant interaction and one that will stick with me for years to come. The power of quality patient interaction and education is so great, and I look forward to more interactions in the future through the Pennsylvania

Pharmacists Care Network!” A big thank you to these students, your faculty preceptors, and the PPCN pharmacies for hosting this event!

PPCN looks to continue this event in the fall- stay tuned for details!

PPCN Presentations The PPCN leadership team had an active spring traveling across the county to share the work of our network. PPCN was recognized in 3 poster presentations at the APhA Annual Meeting in Seattle, WA in March. Our leadership team also traveled to Harrisburg in March to present to key leaders in PA Medicaid on the impact our pharmacies have on patients in the community. Nick Leon, PPCN Director of Business Development, presented on PPCN’s collaboration with Gateway Health during the Rural Health conference in Lancaster, PA this April. Also during 18 Pennsylvania Pharmacist — Jul/Aug 2019

April, Chris Antypas, PPCN Luminary and owner of Asti’s South Hills Pharmacy, and Stephanie McGrath, Executive Director of Network Operations were invited to present during the CPESN USA Midyear meeting in Charlotte, NC. Stephanie Smith Cooney, PPCN Director of Pharmacy Engagement, was invited to present on PPCN during a Patient Centered Medical Home panel in Scranton, PA to close out April. Our leadership team and luminaries are working diligently to share the value of PPCN, statewide and nationally!

Welcome to new PPCN Members

into the pharmacy asking for refills of her insulin for her insulin pump. The patient had been out of medication due to a lack of transportation to physician office visits to have her diabetes assessed, and was therefore denied refills. To survive, the patient had been borrowing insulin from a neighbor — until she saw Kinley. Kinley worked with the prescriber to obtain needed medication for the patient, including a glucagon kit. Kinley also reached out to a care manager at Gateway Health to assist the patient in obtaining transportation to her physician appointments. This highlights a terrific example of the value of community pharmacists as local, accessible, care providers who can address drug related problems and social determinants of health. This has enabled a meaningful discussion with other health plans about community pharmacy care management. Thank you Kinley for your diligence in caring for patients, and for sharing this story with PPCN!

PPCN would like to welcome Bayside Pharmacy in Erie, PA and the Medicine Shoppe in Latrobe, PA. We appreciate your partnership! Want to find a PPCN Pharmacy? Check out our Pharmacy Finder here: www.papharmacists.com/ locate Bayside Pharmacy and the Medicine Shoppe are two new members that are already taking advantage of payer contract opportunities, increased visibility on our pharmacy locator and access to clinical practice development experts and tools. We are stronger together, and are actively recruiting high quality pharmacy partners. Contact Stephanie McGrath, PharmD, PPCN Executive Director of Network Operations at smcgrath@ papharmacists.com or visit http://papharmacistsnetwork. com/ for more info on how to join!

PPCN Spotlight on: Hunter Pharmacy Hunter Pharmacy in Connellsville, PA is participating in the PPCN-Gateway Health Medicaid contract. PPCN Pharmacist Kinley Gannon, PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist, at Hunter Pharmacy reported a meaningful impact that she had on a patient through this contract. The patient came

If you would like to learn more about PPCN, visit http://papharmacistsnetwork.com/ or email PPCN Executive Director of Network Operations Stephanie McGrath, PharmD at smcgrath@papharmacists.com.

Follow us on Twitter @PPCN_CPESN and Instagram papharmacistsnetwork

We Deliver Solutions for a Healthier Bottom Line EPIC Pharmacies, Inc. provides more than 1,500 independent member pharmacies across the U.S. with the group buying power and managed care solutions essential to delivering quality patient care.

Membership offers: • Group volume purchasing power • Aggressive wholesaler pricing programs • Successful rebate program - $30.8 million returned to members in 2018 • EPIC Pharmacy Network, Inc. (EPN) membership fee included at no cost – access to third-party contracts • Clinical services tools, including expert assistance from our in-house pharmacist and access to custom PrescribeWellness offerings and EQuIPP •

PUT THE POWER OF A NETWORK BEHIND YOU

800-965-EPIC | EPICRX.COM

•

– free third-party claims reconciliation program and automated reimbursements below cost system – Web-based solution for pharmacy regulatory and compliance management

TM

Meet the 2019-2020 PPA Board of Directors Elections for the 2019-2020 Board of Directors were held in the spring of 2019, and new Officers and Directors will assume their position on July 1, 2019. Officers and Directors will be formally installed during the Annual Business Meeting on Saturday, September 21st at the 2019 Annual Conference. PPA would also like to thank the 2018 – 2019 Officers and Directors for their hard work and dedication over the past year! Specifically the following individuals who are leaving Board service: Nickolas Kernich, Nick Leon, David Stone, and Shannon Ye.

Officers:

Directors:

Central Region: Deron Shultz, RPh

President: Richard Demers, MS, RPh, FASHP

Academia: Nicole Pezzino, PharmD, CDE

Northeast Region: Vick Shah, PharmD, BCPS

President Elect: Chuck Kray, RPh

Chain Pharmacists: Renee Richardson, PharmD

Northwest Region: Brandon Antinopoulos, PharmD

Community Independent: Shawn Nairn, RPh

Southeast Region: Karleen Melody, PharmD

Community Independent: Christopher Antypas, PharmD

Southwest Region: Brian Sidone, PharmD

Vice President: Thomas Franko, PharmD, BCACP Immediate Past President: Lauren Simko, PharmD

Health System Pharmacists: Darryle Tillman Jr., RPh MCO/Industry/Government/Other: John Barrett, MBA, RPh Associates: Pat Lavella, RPh Student Director East: Dylan Fox Student Director West: Elizabeth Leonard

Richard Demers, MS, RPh, FASHP

Chuck Kray, RPh

Thomas Franko, PharmD, BCACP

Lauren Simko, PharmD

Nicole Pezzino, PharmD, CDE

Renee Richardson, PharmD

Shawn Nairn, RPh

Christopher Antypas, PharmD

Darryle Tillman Jr., RPh

John Barrett, MBA, RPh

Pat Lavella, RPh

Dylan Fox

Elizabeth Leonard

Deron Shultz, RPh

Vick Shah, PharmD, BCPS

Brandon Antinopoulos, PharmD

Karleen Melody, PharmD

Brian Sidone, PharmD

20 Pennsylvania Pharmacist — Jul/Aug 2019

Rich Pinckney, R.Ph., Owner

“We were looking for a wholesaler whose passion matched ours: being service oriented and down to earth.

Unlike other wholesalers, Smith Drug is a very transparent family operation; they make it extremely transparent by giving us the actual cost up front, so you know exactly what you are paying. With other wholesalers you don’t know what their rebate is, what it’s associated with.

Burlington gives you the ability to keep an eye on your costs.”

Rx City Pharmacy, NY

You deserve WOW: We have dozens of programs and services to deliver healthier business and patient outcomes.

Our pricing transparency tools let you know where your business stands with real-time pricing.

HealthWise Pharmacy® Solutions maximize your productivity.

We believe in community pharmacy; we have customer relationships that have lasted generations.

Do you get WOW from your supplier? If not, you need to talk to us.

But don’t take our word for it - see what other pharmacists have to say about us at SmithDrug.com/wow.

SmithDrug.com

Ready for some WOW right now?

Call us at 800.572.1216.

Introducing the 2019 Committee Chair Volunteers PPA would like to thank the following individuals for volunteering to serve as committee chairs for 2019–2020. These committees are vital to the success of our organization! If you are interested in serving on a PPA committee, please contact ppa@papharmacists.com to express interest.

Awards Committee

Health Policy

Nominations

2019 Conference Committee

Independent - Legislative Committee

New Practitioners Forum

John Barrett

Nicole Pezzino

Constitution and Bylaws

Jim Ree

Eric Esterbrook

Education Committee

Pharmacy Advocacy Committee

Finance Committee

Membership Committee

Michele Musheno Danielle Mayer Chuck Kray

Rick Seipp

Nick Leon

Bethany Abrahams

Independent Forum Pat Lavella

Health System Forum Ben Andrick

Darryle Tillman

PPA’s Affiliated Counties Announce Their 2019–2020 Board of Directors PPA would like to thank the following individuals for volunteering to serve as committee chairs for 2019–2020. These committees are vital to the success of our organization! If you are interested in serving on a PPA committee, please contact ppa@papharmacists.com to express interest.

Allegheny County Pharmacists Association

Treasurer: David Cunningham, RPh

Treasurer: Jay Rhodes, RPh

Secretary: Stephen Pfeiffer, PharmD, MBA

Secretary: Kelly White, PharmD

President: Amy Woods, PharmD President- Elect: Nicholas Wytiaz, PharmD

Event Manager: Ashley Robold, PharmD

Vice President: Ardis Copenhaver, PharmD, MS, BCPS

Montgomery County Directors: John Gatto, RPh Jan Kitzen, RPh, PhD Melinda Williams

Secretary: Ashley Firm, PharmD Treasurer: Karen Hoang, PharmD Directors: Elizabeth Bunk, PharmD John DeJames, RPh Amy Haver, PharmD Lindsey Meston, PharmD Renee Richardson, PharmD Katie Sulkowski, PharmD

BucksMont Pharmacists Association President: Robert Frankil, RPh Vice- President: Frank Konzelman, PharmD 22 Pennsylvania Pharmacist — Jul/Aug 2019

Bucks County Directors: Michael Brown, RPh Charles Palilonis, RPh One vacant position to fill

Lancaster County Pharmacists Association President: Denise Alexander, PharmD President-Elect: Todd Grove, PharmD Immediate Past President: PJ Ortman, MBA, RPh

Directors: Emalee Hribick, PharmD, BCPS Vasili Ioannidis, PharmD Bob Kayden, RPh Shaina Kulp, PharmD Two vacant positions to fill

Lehigh Valley Pharmacists Association President: Howard Cook, RPh, BCNSP, FASHP President- Elect: Jim Reed, RPh Treasurer: Gary Fields, RPh Secretary: Nicole Pezzino, PharmD, CDE Directors: Leslie Johnson, PharmD Katherine Medei, PharmD, BCPS Pauline Vargo, RPh One vacant position to fill

JEFFERSON COLLEGE OF PHARMACY

Master of Science in Population Health Pharmacy Preparing pharmacists to design, implement and assess initiatives to improve health across all practice settings This 100% online program focuses on how the determinants of health impact the costs and clinical outcomes associated with medication use. Designed for working pharmacists as a Master of Science or Graduate Certificate.

The innovative program is a collaborative effort between the Jefferson College of Pharmacy and the Jefferson College of Population Health.

Learn more at Jefferson.edu/PopHealthPharmacy

Meet the 2019–2020 Student Advisory Board!

The SAB is comprised of seven officers and one student representative and one student alternate from each school.

Cody Morcom Chair

Sa’ed Al-Olimat Vice Chair

Dylan Fox Director East

Jacquelyn Madler Corresponding Secretary

Elizabeth Leonard Director West

Erica Jackson Recording Secretary

Nicholas Paulson Foundation Director

School

Director

Alternate

Duquesne

Sydney Keremes

Mailan (Lanny) Dang

Jefferson

Ashling Cook

Vacant

LECOM

Samantha Adams

Vacant

Ohio Northern

Ryan Waldschmidt

Chelsea Travis

PCP

Brooke Witmer

Khoa (Dean) Pham

Pitt

Hailey Mook

Amanda Cremeans

Temple

Kevin Nguyen

Christopher Mina

Wilkes

Nicole Hughes

Brianna Price

Meet the 2019 Student Ambassadors Additionally, each school has a Communications Ambassador, Government Relations Ambassador, and Membership Ambassador, which support the PPA projects and work to promote and plan events specific to their area.

School

Communications

Government Relations

Membership

Duquesne

Dakota Miller

Sydney Keremes

Sean Eberly

Jefferson

Ashling Cook

Ashling Cook

Ashling Cook

LECOM

Lauren Howell

Alyssa Bernard

Darrin Weinzierl

Ohio Northern

Kayla Baxendell

Scott Alexander

Hunter Roach

PCP

Julia James

Wiktor Pac

Jenna Januska

Pitt

Emily Dell

Michael McDermott

Dafonso Davage

Temple

Jibin Johnykutty

Christopher Mina

Brandon Pham

Wilkes

Stephanie Ostir

Landon Bordner

Megan Sokol

24 Pennsylvania Pharmacist — Jul/Aug 2019

2018 Recipients of the PPA Outstanding Student Award: Where Are They Now? Please note: These four schools submitted their update by the publication deadline. As PPA receives updates from the three remaining schools we will print them in a later publication.

Duquesne University School of Pharmacy: Brittany Carney Since graduating Duquesne University School of Pharmacy, I started my career as a resident pharmacist through the Independent Pharmacy Ownership Residency at Mainline Pharmacy. I have had multiple opportunities to provide patients with extended pharmacy services and continued participation in the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network. After completion of my residency, I will stay on as a pharmacist at Mainline Pharmacy and serve as site-coordinator for the Independent Pharmacy Ownership Residency.

LECOM School of Pharmacy: Sally Habusta I am entering my second year as the Clinical Documentation Fellow at Sanofi with the Rutgers Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship Program. As a Medical Writing Postdoctoral Fellow I provide a clinical aspect in medical writing and project management across multiple therapeutic areas (Oncology, Rare Diseases, Pulmonology, Urology, Dermatology, and OTC) and across all stages of clinical development for regulatory document submissions globally and coordinating and authoring clinical study reports (CSRs), clinical trial protocols, and amended clinical trial protocols for global submissions to health authorities.

I prepare and write documents for the Clinical Trial Application (CTA) package (e.g. 2.5 Clinical Overview, 2.7.3 Clinical Summaries) sent to global health authorities and am the project manager for anonymization and redaction for documents required by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) Policy 0070. Additionally, I provide medical writing support for consumer healthcare product submissions, including Rx to OTC switch. After completing my second year of this fellowship, I would like to continue to work as a medical writer in the pharmaceutical industry.

Philadelphia College of Pharmacy: Colleen Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Amico Since graduating from Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, I moved to Washington State to pursue a career with the Indian Health Service. I have almost completed my PGY1 Pharmacy Residency at Yakama Indian Health Center in Toppenish, Washington! This ambulatory care-focused residency has provided me with invaluable clinical and cultural experiences providing direct patient care, which have built a strong foundation for the position that I have accepted for next year: Clinical Pharmacist and Diabetes Clinical Champion at Seattle Indian Health Board in Seattle, Washington. I am ecstatic to continue serving this deserving and underserved population and still so grateful for the support and relationships that I have maintained with PCP and PPA, even thousands of miles away!

Wilkes University Nesbitt School of Pharmacy: Anthony Fanucci It is hard to believe that one year has passed since my graduation from Wilkes University but I am beyond grateful for the opportunities and changes that have occurred. On August 8, 2018, I had the privilege of marrying my most favorite person, Allie, at Omni Bedford Springs! It was the greatest day of my life thus far and I was so thankful to spend it with our closest family members and friends. At the end of August, I began my first year at Penn State Dickinson Law School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Law school has been one of the most challenging, yet rewarding, experiences of my life and I am very excited for my second year. During this time I have also worked as a per diem community pharmacist for Giant. Currently, I am serving as a legal intern at the DEA in Arlington, Virginia.

It is a true honor to contribute under such a reputable roof and to work with such incredible attorneys. I hope everyone has an excellent summer and continues to shape the pharmacy profession in a positive manner. www.papharmacists.com 25

Congratulations to the 2019 Recipients of the PPA Outstanding Student Award!

Please note: These three schools submitted their update by the publication deadline. As PPA receives updates from the four remaining schools we will print them in a later publication.

This award honors and recognizes one graduated student at each school of pharmacy in Pennsylvania who has been most active in PPA during his/her academic years!

Temple University School of Pharmacy: Ali Shahbaz Temple School of Pharmacy has been a ride, to say the least. It had its ups and its downs like everything else in life, yet, both were equally necessary for me to become who I am today. I can say without a doubt that the cornerstone of my experience had to have been PPA. While all the craziness was going on, my duty to PPA kept me in check and guided me along my path. I appreciate the part it played and the award shout out on the day of graduation.

University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy: Ashley Blazewick I feel incredibly honored and humbled to be recognized as the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association Outstanding Student of the Year for the University of Pittsburgh. PPA is an organization that I will always hold close to my heart, as it provided me with the opportunity to discover my passion for advancing the profession of pharmacy. During my time as a student member, I am especially proud of the work I was able to contribute towards the implementation of the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network. The practice 26 Pennsylvania Pharmacist — Jul/Aug 2019

development skills I obtained through this work will be of tremendous value as I begin my career as a pharmacist with Walgreens in the Greater Pittsburgh Area. I would like to thank my mentors at the Pitt Pharmacy, Dr. Melissa McGivney and Dr. Joni Carroll, for shaping me in to the pharmacist I am today. I am looking forward to the staying involved with PPA throughout my career, and continuing to be inspired by the talented pharmacists and student pharmacists within the organization!

Philadelphia College of Pharmacy: Lauren Stabler I would like to express my gratitude for being nominated for the Outstanding Pharmacy Student Award for Philadelphia College of Pharmacy; I am truly honored.

I attribute some of my greatest accomplishments and the development of my leadership skills to being involved with my school’s chapter of the Student Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association as well as serving on the Student Advisory Board. After graduation, I am thrilled to tell PPA that I have accepted the managed care pharmacy residency position at Health Partners Plans in Philadelphia.

Learning about the importance of indirect patient care, policy and advocating for pharmacy through PPA exposed me to career paths of pharmacy that I was unfamiliar with.

I look forward to changing patients’ lives with a macroperspective in the coming year through the residency program and the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association. I am grateful for receiving my school’s Outstanding Student of the Year Award and for the positive impact PPA has had on me and my pharmacy career!

Who cares if your pharmacy technicians are certified?

Your patients.

Listen to your patients. Choose PTCB Certification.

A 2016 survey* of the public found:

94% 85% 76%

say trust in their pharmacy would increase with standardized certification for technicians. believe it’s very important for pharmacy technicians to be certified. say they would change pharmacies if technicians were not certified.

SETTING THE STANDARD. ADVANCING PATIENT CARE. PHARMACY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION BOARD

Your pharmacy, your way.

What makes PTCB Certification stand out? Excellence.

• • • •

Portable and accepted in all 50 states, DC, Guam, and Puerto Rico Pharmacy profession-endorsed Only non-profit certification program More that 585,000 certifications granted

Learn more at www.ptcb.org. *KRC Research, 2016 ptcb.org/resources/research

Health Mart® celebrates your independence. We’re committed to providing the solutions and support that enable you to grow your business, your way. Learn how you can benefit from our best-inclass pharmacy services, together with the strength of McKesson’s distribution network.

Ready to hear more?

866.329.0113 | join.healthmart.com

Health Mart is proud to be a member of the McKesson family, sharing in the collective industry knowledge and experience residing within all of the McKesson corporate affiliates. Learn more at mckesson.com. ©2019 Health Mart Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. HM-459147-06-19

WHY HEALTH MART, WHY NOW? Health Mart is committed to your power to perform. Join 5,000+ Health Marts in the largest nationwide network of independent pharmacies.

We make it easy We provide real value We offer extra savings

LET’S TALK.

PPA Continues a Strong Stand Against PBM Shenanigans in Medicaid The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association has been on top of this issue from the very start. We were instrumental in assisting with the Auditor General’s investigation into the issue with the Pharmacy Benefit Managers questionable business practices with taxpayer money in the Medicaid arena and the unfair payment practices to pharmacists across the state. We have also worked tirelessly with the Department of Human Services, who administers the Medicaid program, to make changes that would prohibit the current PBM practices and are continuing to do so.

PPA has worked with legislators to introduce a bill package of five pieces of legislation that would prevent many of the questionable business practices that have gone unnoticed for too long as well as provide fair reimbursement to Pennsylvania’s community pharmacies whose pharmacists serve the most vulnerable patients; Medicaid recipients.

We have partnered with Value Drug Company and Keystone Pharmacy Purchasing Alliance’s lobbyist Ron Raymond to focus on these critical issues.

We are happy to tell you that the following bills from our package all passed unanimously out of the House Health Committee in June, 2019. This is a huge accomplishment and win for pharmacy!

• HB 941, Fair Reimbursement by Rep. Heffley and Rep. Matzie • HB 942, Adding community pharmacists to the P&T Committee by Rep. Grove • HB 943, removing gag clauses by Rep. Gaydos, • HB 944, giving the Auditor General audit authority by Rep. Fritz

28 Pennsylvania Pharmacist — Jul/Aug 2019

HB 945, the conflict of interest legislation sponsored by Rep. Stephen Barrar, which would prevent the Department from contracting with a PBM who also owns its own retail pharmacy, was just introduced to complete the package.

Senate versions of these bills are being introduced now. We still have a way to go and PPA will continue to lobby these bills and fight for pharmacy in Pennsylvania! PPA will be meeting with legislators and continuing to work with the Department on possible amendments to these bills which will still accomplish our goals as well as be something that the administration will support and the Governor sign.

Negotiations will continue as the PBMs and some MCOs fight certain provisions in these bills. And we will continue to need your support!

What can you do?

There are many ways you can get involved in this movement. Take action when PPA sends a call-toaction notice. We will call on you to contact your legislator when the time is right.

Support PharmPAC. Your contribution helps PPA support legislators that support pharmacy. And most importantly, form a good relationship with your legislator and be the point person for any pharmacy questions they may have.

Please also know through specific support of Value Drug, KPPA, and IPC, we have launched a Community Independent website to support our efforts on this fight. Please see — https://www.ypacp.org/

Continuing Education Home Study Article: Essential Statistics for Pharmacists: Guidance on Confounders and Regression Authors

Activity Details:

Kaleen N. Hayes, PharmD , Melissa L. Bastacky, PharmD 1

2

1 Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada 2 UPMC Presbyterian-Shadyside Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Corresponding Author Kaleen N. Hayes, PharmD PhD Student Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto 155 College St., 6th Floor Toronto, ON, Canada M5T 3M7 k.hayes@mail.utoronto.ca Conflict of Interest: The authors have no conflict of interest with regards to this work.

Activity Type: Knowledge-based Continuing Education Home Study Article Target Audience: Pharmacists 0.03 CEUs (30 Contact Minutes) UAN: 0159-0000-19-012-H04-P Release Date: 5/13/2019 Expiration Date: 5/13/2022 Learning Objectives: At the completion of this activity the participant will be able to: 1. Define statistical regression.

2. Identify an appropriate regression model for a given outcome.

3. Define confounding and identify confounding variables.

Keywords: critical appraisal, clinical research, statistical methods 2

The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. To receive CE credit for this activity, participants must read the article in its entirety, complete an evaluation survey on the activity, and earn a grade of 70% or higher on a short exam.

Introduction Given the rapid publication of drug studies today, evidence-based pharmacy practice requires pharmacists to have advanced critical appraisal skills.1 An important aspect of critical appraisal is the assessment of statistical techniques. Increasing numbers of drug studies compare patient groups with imbalances in prognostic factors, requiring the use of advanced statistical methods to adjust for confounding variables. Regression is a commonly applied method to adjust for confounding variables2 which will be discussed in detail in this article. In this activity, we provide an overview of regression and confounding, describe the most common regression models, and provide applied examples of regression methods.

To read the full version of this article and complete the short exam please visit: https://www.papharmacists.com/page/CEHomeStudies.

www.papharmacists.com 29

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN Visit https://bit.ly/2YhklnB to Register!

Don't Miss Out on the Biggest Pennsylvania Pharmacy Event of the Year!

We can't keep track of all the reasons to come to the 2019 Annual Conference in September.

The Networking

That's what attendees from the last 10 years tell us they love.

There's no better chance to connect and reconnect with some of the brightest pharmacy professionals in PA.

The Education

It's hard to compete with the gorgeous outdoors, but it's smart to get some work in. We've got more than 34 hours of CE credits available for pharmacists and techs, and it's on the latest and most interesting topics.Then there are the student competitions, the prestigious Leadership & Awards Dinner, dozens of vendors (and lots of food) in the Exhibit Hall, a Substance Abuse Certificate Program, PPCN Training and much more.Â

The Resort

At Seven Springs Mountain Resort, the experience is everything. From fun family vacations that inspire stories to share for decades, to thrilling outdoor adventures that will break your comfort zone, to relaxation that will take you to the height of tranquility, you can find it all at Seven Springs.

Independent Pharmacy Buying Group 21 years of giving Independent Pharmacists the ability to grow their business and bottom lines while making their professional lives easier Now in eight states!!

Founded by pharmacists who still work in their own stores.

Special pricing from AmerisourceBergen exclusive to IPBG. Fantastic “first to shelf” generics program.

Up to $1,200 rebate for attending AmerisourceBergen’s ThoughtSpot

PPA, NCPA, PAAS, and DEALookUp 100% paid dues for compliant members. No deduction from your account.

Members kept informed on all important issues.

Member of Federation of Pharmacy Networks— 100% of rebates paid to you. $100 Lifetime processing fee—NO other charges or deductions.

The only way to really know what we’re about is to talk with us.

There is so much more we have to offer ….

Visit our website www.IPBGRx.com Independent Pharmacy Buying Group The Lafayette Building - 103 Chesley Dr. Media, PA 19063 Toll Free 866.910.IPBG (4724)

CONGRATULATIONS! - TO OUR -

2019 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS Pharmacists Mutual is proud to support students who are interested in serving in an independent or small chain community pharmacy or an underserved geographic or cultural community. Each student listed received a $2,500 scholarship.

ABIGAIL SCOTT - University of Oklahoma ALEXIS DAYTON - Ohio Northern University ALLIE TAYLOR - Samford University BRYAN QUINN - University at Buffalo The State University of New York CARLY HUFFMAN - University of Montana CYNTHIA SMITH - Auburn University DAVID LU - Northeastern University ELIZABETH CRONAN - Mercer University HEATHER HEMBREE - University of South Carolina JACOB LOMAX - Ohio Northern University JONATHAN LITTLE - University of Oklahoma JORDYN NORDE - St. Louis College of Pharmacy LACY EPPERSON - University of Missouriâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Kansas City MATTHEW JOLLEY - University of Utah MEGAN BAKER - Washington State University SAMANTHA HOPPE - South Dakota State University SEAN VINH - East Tennessee State University SHELLEY MUELLER - Southwestern Oklahoma State University TIFFANY CHAN - University of the Pacific TIFFANY SMITH - South University

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2020 SCHOLARSHIP October 1, 2019 - December 1, 2019 https://www.phmic.com/scholarship/

Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company 808 Highway 18 W | PO Box 370 | Algona, Iowa 50511 P. 800.247.5930 | F. 515.295.9306 | E. info@phmic.com

phmic.com