Representatives Cox and Carter Introduce Bipartisan STOP METH Bill

February 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Rep. Cox will speak on this topic at the MPA’s 2012 Legislative Day, April 11th!

Legislation Bolsters Stop-Sale System & Reduces Annual Purchase Limits

JEFFERSON CITY — State Reps. Stanley Cox, R-Sedalia, and Chris Carter, D-St. Louis, today introduced bipartisan legislation designed to significantly strengthen Missouri’s anti-meth laws. The STOP METH legislation (HB 1328) enacts tougher penalties for criminals in possession of pseudoephedrine (PSE), significantly reduces the monthly and annual purchase amount of cold medications that contain PSE, requires that anyone convicted of a drug related offense obtain a prescription for pseudoephedrine medicines, and enhances the proven stop-sale system already in effect in Missouri.

“Methamphetamine is a scourge on our communities and real-time, stop-sale technology is the best solution for reducing meth labs,” said Cox, chairman of the Missouri House Judiciary Committee.  “Our bipartisan anti-meth legislation creates tougher penalties for criminals and significantly restricts the amount of cold medications with PSE that can be purchased in a month and year.  Our solution will help stop the criminals while ensuring honest, law-abiding citizens can access the cold medications they need without a prescription.”

“I’m pleased to join with Representative Cox in introducing this tough anti-meth bill,” said Carter.  “Making popular cold medications prescription-only is not the answer.  Our legislation protects legal access for law-abiding Missourians, while cutting off access for the criminals with tougher penalties and restrictions to help law enforcement track them down and keep meth off our streets.”

To read this full story, click here.

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IACP Foundation Research New Grant Award Announcements

February 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

News Release from IACP

IACP Foundation President, Shara Rudner, RPh, FIACP has announced that the organization has issued two new grants for pharmacy compounding research.  “These studies will help add valuable information to the scientific literature and the Foundation was pleased to see so many exceptional responses to our second RFP of 2011,” said Rudner.  “These projects are the direct result of contributions from IACP members to the Foundation’s agenda of advancing the science of compounding.”

A grant has been awarded to Grove Pharmacy in the amount of $15,860 for a research study to detail the process of performing beyond-use date (BUD) testing, as well as provide much needed BUD data on commonly prescribed Erectile Dysfunction (ED) sterile compounds under the guidance of Sarah Billings, Pharm.D., C.D.E., Director of Clinical Programs.  A detailed description of the process that Grove Pharmacy undertakes to obtain sterility results for six concentrations of sterile ED medications will be written up and provided to IACP members.

The Foundation also is providing a grant of $10,000 to the Pacific University School of Pharmacy for a research study of the solid-state stability of compounded levothyroxine formulations.  This project is a collaboration between the school’s pharmaceutical science faculty Deepa A. Rao, Ph.D. and clinical faculty member Jeff Fortner, Pharm.D.  A summary report, poster, and a manuscript will be completed by the end of February 2013.

Since 2005, IACP Foundation has awarded more than $125,000 in grants to academicians and practitioners.  The IACP Foundation Research division strongly believes research regarding pharmacy compounds is vital to strengthening the role of pharmacy in personalized medicine.

For more information, please click here.

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Sell Yourself

January 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By DWIGHT NYBERG | President | MPA

In the early 1970’s, my Dad’s prescription volume was one-third of today’s volume, and he made twice the profit! That’s the new math I never understood.

The President’s call for zero copay on prescriptions for our Tricare patients is a prime example of not understanding healthcare. The lower copay for prescriptions should be available at the pharmacies that provide one-on-one or face-to-face consultation, patient education, drug therapy modification and/or product selection. The remaining pharmacies are mandated to charge copays.

It’s a proven fact that medication therapy management and patient education are both proactive methods of: Improving healthcare outcomes and quality of life. What an example of managing healthcare expenses! The same pharmacists who are hurt by this are already dispensing a larger percent of generic drugs. This helps the health care system save more money.

Could you do 20 or 30 MTM’s or patient education sessions each day, at $100 to $150 per session?

Remember, you’re the expert, you’re the best, you’re selling yourself.

Take a moment, estimate the dollar savings you could create each day, week, month, and year.

An easy $200 to $300 a day, $1,000 to $1,500 a week, $20,000 to $30,000 a month … you continue and use your estimate. Are you worth more than $150 per session?

Now, think about the diabetic, the asthma patient, the potential fall patient who’s lifestyle and quality of life you helped improve.

You’re the drug expert, you’re selling yourself !!!

Afraid the future will leave you behind? Then help create the future!

Participate with the Missouri Pharmacy Association as we challenge, change, and develop the future of Pharmacy.

An opportunity for all pharmacists!

Sell yourself, SELL YOURSELF!!!

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UMKC Students Active all Semester Long

January 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By KK VOUTHY | UMKC 2013 Pharm.D. Candidate

UMKC Student pharmacists jumped into action before the fall semester started in mid-August. The year began with a collaborative effort between the medical, dental , and nursing school for an event called “Lunch on the Lawn.” Students on the Health Sciences campus came together for an opportunity to learn about respective disciplines located on the Hospital Hill. Various organizations from the three schools had an opportunity to show case and recruit new members.

In October, student pharmacists from both campuses participated in the Script Your Future Campaign to spread awareness regarding the dangers of not taking medications properly. The APhA-ASP chapter published a public service announcement in the Kansas City Star newspaper about American Pharmacist month and promoting medication adherence.

Numerous activities helped launch the event in conjunction with the American Pharmacist Month Celebration on October 3. A reception was held for pharmacy faculty, staff, and students. UMKC and Columbia campuses both held multiple health fairs at the local farmer’s market to offer patient care screenings such as blood glucose testing and blood pressure measurements. Patients were also educated on medication compliance and proper drug disposal methods for unused, unwanted medications.

In the same month, students volunteered at the Kansas City CROP walk to distributed water for walkers. UMKC students educated over 300 walkers about medication compliance.

In November, fourth year student pharmacists assisted at the annual UMKC Healthy for Life Employee Health Fair. Student gave flu shots, took blood pressures, and performed blood glucose testing for faculty and staff. The experience gave students the opportunity to apply their class room knowledge to the real world.

Most recently, the national pharmacy leadership society, Phi Lambda Sigma teamed up with UMKC APhA-ASP to offer student pharmacists the opportunity to improve upon their interviewing skills and sharpen their curriculum vitae.

As the semester comes toward an end, students get a week break for Thanksgiving to catch up on family, work, and rest. When they return, it will be time for finals and preparation for the coming new year. Until the next time, on behalf of all student pharmacists at UMKC, we appreciate all the support from the Missouri Pharmacy community.

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Working for Better Medication Adherence

January 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By CAMERON LINDSEY, Pharm.D., BC-ADM, CDE | UMKC Professor of Pharmacy Practice & Administration

Taking medication as directed may seem simple, but non-adherence among people with chronic conditions is a complex and widespread public health problem. Nearly three out of four Americans report that they do not always take their medications as directed, leading to serious health consequences and avoidable costs. That is why this October student pharmacists from the University of Missouri-Kansas City worked to raise awareness among patients across the state about the importance of taking medication as prescribed – a vital first step toward a longer, healthier life.

There are many reasons why people do not take their medication as directed, but the result is the same – they don’t receive the therapy their health care professionals have prescribed for them, leading to more serious health complications, reduced quality of life, and even early death.

Script Your Future focuses on patients affected by three serious chronic conditions – diabetes, respiratory disease and cardiovascular disease.

“Poor medication adherence is costing Americans their good health and our nation billions,” says Russell B. Melchert, Dean, UMKC School of Pharmacy. “Improved adherence is in all our best interests, contributing to lower overall health care costs and increased quality of life. By focusing national attention on this issue, Script Your Future helps us all take the first step towards a healthier future. UMKC has made it a priority to educate the next generation of pharmacists about the importance of communicating openly with patients about medication adherence, learning about the challenges they face and helping them find a solution.”

UMKC joins other schools of pharmacy across the country in participating in the Script Your Future Adherence Challenge. Script Your Future is a national coalition of more than 100 public and private stakeholder organizations, led by the National Consumers League. The campaign provides tools – available online at www.ScriptYourFuture.org – to help patients and health care professionals better communicate about ways to improve medication adherence.

To get involved in the Script Your Future Adherence Challenge, please contact Cameron Lindsey, PharmD, BC-ADM, CDE at lindseyca@umkc.edu. For more information about the campaign, please visit www.ScriptYourFuture.org or follow the campaign via Twitter (@IWillTakeMyMeds) and on Facebook.

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