Newsletter
CAPITOL PHARMACY ASSOCIATION
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE AND NEWSLETTER
March 2010
Download The March 2010 Newsletter - Word Document (24kb)
Dr. Wechsler and our Patients need Your Help
House Bill (HB 534) upgrades the Generic Substitution/DAW Rule to include notification of the Practitioner
when another generic product is substituted (i.e. Akma’s for Mylan’s).
Please read our favorite Epileptoligist’s, Dr. Rob Wechsler, attached letter.
You may support this legislation (which, personally, I think is the right thing to do for our patients.
This legislation should not be opposed by any logical thinking or pharmacy group) by:
- Going to the Capitol Building on Wednesday, April 17, 2010 to Room 54 (Lower Level of West Wing) and testifying on differences you know of between generics.
OR
- Call any or all of the members of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee (listed below) and simply say:
“I am a pharmacist and I support HB 534”…personal comments may be added if you so desire.
| Patti Anne Lodge, Chairman | 332-1319 |
Joyce Broadsword, Vice-Chairman | 332-1338 |
Denton Darrington | 332-1317 |
James Hammond | 332-1344 |
Charles Coiner | 332-1347 |
John McGee | 332-1332 |
From: Robert T. Wechsler M.D., Ph.D.
Dear Colleague,
A quick note to help you stay in the loop.
I run the Idaho Epilepsy Center, at St Luke’s Hospital, am in private practice, and have dedicated my life to treating patients with epilepsy in Idaho regardless of insurance. I see a lot of Medicaid patients without quotas or restrictions because it is the right thing to do.
HB534, The Idaho Epilepsy Bill, will improve safety and quality of life for patients with epilepsy and will likely reduce health care cost. It is a bill before the Idaho Legislature this year that has had much input by pharmacists wanting to make a difference.
FDA rules on generic drugs are fine for most diseases but not for epilepsy. The American Academy of Neurology (AAN), American Epilepsy Society (AES), and Epilepsy Foundation of America (EFA) have been pushing for tighter standards for epilepsy drugs and the FDA has recently agreed to revisit the issue – but it will take years for this to yield results.
Generic drugs save people money but frequent switching between generic manufacturers can be dangerous for people with epilepsy and can lead to emergencies and increased medical cost, as proven in a growing body of scientific literature that I would be happy to discuss in person.
HB534 does not dispute the value of generics or the fact that substitutions between manufacturers of a given product sometimes have to happen for the patient to stay on their medicine.
HB534 simply requires that when a prescriber has specified that the drug is for the treatment of epilepsy that the patient and their physician be notified when such a change is made. This allows the patient and the physician to make the transition as safely as possible. When the patient and their doctor are informed of the change, they can take steps to avoid the loss of seizure control. For example, checking blood levels, getting extra rest, or temporarily restricting driving.
HB534 respects that pharmacists are very busy and does not require that they obtain patient or physician consent. It simply encourages communication at point of sale and the physician office – only unidirectional communication is required. It fixes a tremendous problem in the medical community. We worked with IBoP on the language with lots of input from Mark Johnston. As written, HB524 does a far, far better job of this than the “dispense as written” (DAW) rule , which more commonly just addresses using brand name vs generic medications. The DAW rule does not assure the safe utilization of generic to generic switches in the control of seizures.
Loss of seizure control is serious and devastating. It is an issue that my office grapples with every day. I am personally aware of numerous cases where patients have had emergencies and run up emergency medical bills to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars simply from being subjected to medication substitutions without the knowledge or approval of their physician.
Please help me do my best in treating patients with epilepsy by supporting HB534.
Robert T. Wechsler M.D., Ph.D.
Private Practice & Medical Director, Idaho Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at St. Luke’s
February 2010 Newsletter
Download The February 2010 Newsletter - Word Document (36kb)
****DEADLINE: FEB 28, 2010 TO REMAIN ON CAPITOL RX ASSOC MAILER****
Please find attached the 2010 Membership Form for the Capitol Pharmacy Association. Still a bargain at $35.00 for pharmacists (next 12 months: through February 28, 2011). Only $15.00 for Certified pharmacy technicians (our CE programs are approved for your 20 hours of PTCB requirements)
Any student: $5.00 (we want/need your presence!).
Download 2010 Membership Form - Word Document (30kb)
If you have already paid, please pass this on to one of your compadres.
Are you planning on attending a Capitol Pharmacy Association event?
GREAT!!! WELCOME ABOARD!!!
We ask two things:
- Please plan on making arrangements to pay for your membership at the event.
- If you are asked to RSVP, RSVP early. If you cannot make it, please let us know. There is always a waiting list.
Is there any legislation affecting pharmacy in the 2010 legislature? YES.
- Pharmacy Conscience Law
- Donations to Free Clinics of Unused Medications by Skilled Nursing Homes
- Additional Requirments for Substituting Generics for Trade Name Seizure Medications
- Idaho Board of Pharmacy Re-Write of Pharmacy Law Book
Will Idaho State University College of Pharmacy survive another round of budgetary cuts by the Idaho Legislature? Stay Tuned!!
CAPITOL PHARMACY ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER
October 2009
Download The October 2009 Newsletter - Word Document (33kb)
Fall Membership Drive – Capitol Pharmacy Association – Help!
Please find attached/enclosed the October 1, 2009 – December 31, 2010 (3 free months) Membership Form.
As we do every year at this time, we are offering anyone membership for the rest of this year, as well as next,
at the annual rate. It is also an opportunity for present members to help out with end-of-the-year expenses
(yes, the coffer is near empty). AND avoid that “Haven’t I paid?” conversation with my wife, Sue, next March.
Still only $35.00.
The 300. Great movie! Also our membership goal for 2009.
How we doin’? We are at 256 and hoping this little drive will get us there. Last year – 276.
Welcome Certified Technicians. We are extending a welcome to certified pharmacy technicians –
our Idaho State Board of Pharmacy CE programs are approved by the PTCB and apply towards your
20-hours-every-two-years requirement to maintain certification. 15 Months for $15.00. Please join us.
Trivia question. When was the last time the Capitol Pharmacy Association charged for a CE Program?
Answer: 2001 “Christmas with the Mic – Rx Law” at brand new St Lukes Meridian
($5.00 donation requested…over $300 collected). Thank you.
ISU-Meridian LS Skaggs College of Pharmacy Complex opens with a “Bang”
Grand opening ceremonies and dedications were all over the place in August and September
as the ISU-Meridian Health Science and Renaissance High School Complex officially opened.
We saw many of you at these festivities. The best is yet to come –
“Glenda’s First Annual Chili Cook-off” by ISU Pharmacy students. Thursday, October 8, 2009; 6:00 – 8:00 PM.
ISU stuff, giveaways, cakewalks, tours, chili dinner…fun for the whole family. $3.00/person.
Call Glenda Carr at 318-1316 or RSVP to glenda@pharmacyi.isu.edu
for tickets. (Map to ISU-Meridian Center on our website: 1311 E. Central Drive, Meridian, Idaho)
Oh, by the way, our illustrious Robin Dodson, will service as Director of Student Services.
Idaho Institute of the History of Pharmacy “Showcased”
When you visit the LS Skaggs Pharmacy Complex during the Chili feed, check out the History of
Pharmacy in Idaho display sponsored by the Capitol Pharmacy Association.
(Also now on our website.) www.caprxassoc.org
CAPITOL PHARMACY ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER
August 2009
Download The August 2009 Newsletter - Word Document (28kb)
ISU College of Pharmacy Meridian Center opens with White Coat Ceremony
The ISU College of Pharmacy had its first official function on August 19, 2009 as it rolled out their first 20 students to utilize the Meridian facility (A total of 60 students are enrolled this year with 40 remaining in Pocatello). If you are interested in attending any of the Grand opening ceremonies on either September 17 or 24, check out the September calendar.
Board of Pharmacy to present 21 pharmacy law changes/updates for 2010 Legislature
The Board of Pharmacy staff has begun rewriting the Rx Law book. Twenty-one (21) updates were presented at the IPLC (Idaho Pharmacy Leadership Committee…I attended) and the last Idaho Board of Pharmacy meeting…I attended). Nothing seems as controversial as last year’s 6:1 technician ratio. The rule passed without the Senate re-evaluating it after the House voted it down. There seems to be opinion that pharmacists can not report problems. In fact, there is a mechanism for pharmacists to lodge complaints. To date, no one has. I’ll keep you in the loop on any problems.
NOTE: Nikki Chopski (Board member) presently works in an institutional setting and can take questions and/or concerns from institutional pharmacists. There seems to be concern that institutional pharmacists are not represented on the Board.
Omnicare (Superior Rx – Meridian) take over contract to run ISSH Pharmacy
Omnicare, the country’s largest provider of long term care pharmacy services, will be taking over as provider to the Idaho State School and Hospital. The facility will keep its clinical pharmacist on board, buy lay off 6 pharmacists and technicians. Omnicare services area facilities through Superior Pharmacy (formerly Sunscript, formerly A-Avenue) in Meridian.
Openings – Coram, Saint Als, PharMerica, RiteAid, Walgreens, Sanofi-Aventis
- Coram Home Infusion – Clinical Pharmacist
- Rite Aid – Pharmacy Manager
- Saint Als – Anticoagulation Clinic Pharmacist
- Walgreens – Clinical Pharmacist to run Immunization Clinics
- Sanofi-Aventis – Local Sales Representative
Walgreens buys MedNow Home Infusion
As Walgreens expands into the clinical areas (i.e. clinical pharmacists to run pharmacy clinics/immunization programs), they also moved into the world of Home IV Infusion. Walgreens has purchased Optioncare (yes, our own Mike Prime’s company, ISU Class of 1970).to allow for a presence in Boise, they have purchased the home infusion service previously provided by Mercy Hospital’s MedNow Pharmacy. Rumors are abound that Walgreens may purchase the remainder of the MedNow operation in Boise and Eagle (Saint Als), Nampa (Mercy and Mercy North) and Fruitland (in with St Lukes MSTI). Walgreens previously bought MedNow’s Durable Medical Supply.
Saint Lukes to buy Mercy Medical Center, Holy Rosary and Saint Elizabeth?
Saint Lukes Regional Medical Center is the odds-on favorite to win the battle to purchase the 3 local hospitals up for sale. Other bidders are Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center and Portland’s Good Samaritan…to be announced in about 3 weeks.
Pharmacy Technicians Section on Capitol Pharmacy Association Web site
As the Capitol Pharmacy Association expands to include pharmacy technician certification help and continuing education, so will the website…more later.
The Idaho Institute of the History of Pharmacy on Web site
Check out the new section…as we begin taking pharmacist histories, Boise pharmacy history and collections (Wyeth) being donated to us. The Museum is coming!
Salaries back to 2% increases
Latest Boise salaries are back down to the 2% range after 3 years of 8% increases…
Very roughly:
Closed door staff pharmacists - $49.00 - $52.00/hr
Retail Pharmacy staff pharmacists - $52.00 – 58.00/hr
Hospital staff pharmacists - $52.00 - $60.00/hr
ISHP FALL MEETING IN SUN VALLEY SEPTEMBER 25-27…
14 HOURS ACPE/RX LAW
WWW.ISHP.SHUTTLEPOD.COM
Refusing To Fill Prescriptions Based On Beliefs
KBCI CBS 2 - News, Weather and Sports - Boise, ID Boise, Idaho
Original Channel 2 News Article
Video Interview Clip
Download Proposed Changes In Pharmacy Tech Rules With Board Of Pharmacy Explanation
MS-Word Document - 58kb
PDF Document - 46kb
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