pennsylvania pharmacist

July/August 2012 The official publication of the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association

www.papharmacists.com

Holly Pharmacy: How Perseverance and Quality

Service Builds Success Accepting Articles for

the Peer-Review ProcessState of the PharmPac

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Pennsylvania Pharmacist I July/August 2012 I 3

MAGAZINE

Pennsylvania

DepartmentsMessage from the President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Member News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Continuing Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9New Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Technician Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

FeaturesTop-Tier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Independent Pharmacy Spotlight Holly Pharmacy –

How Perseverance and Quality Service Builds Success . . . . . . . . 16Update on Industry Progress

in Implementing Electronic Prescribing for Controlled Substances . . 18

Association NewsPPA Member Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Profiles in Pharmacy Innovation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22PPA Member Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23Congratulations 2012 PPA Graduates! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25Student SIG Grants Available . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26PPA Educational Foundation Announces Grant Opportunities . . . . . . 26State of the PAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Look at the Changes to The Pennsylvania Pharmacist! And more to come! 29PPA Intern Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31PPA Welcomes Two New Staff Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Industry NewsPTCB New Employer Partnership Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35Twitter Provides New Way

to Fight Pharmacy Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36DEA Collects Record Amount of Unneeded Medications

During Fourth National Take-Back Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37UPMC Hamot Names Pharmacist as President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37Pharmacy Law Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38Rear Admiral Scott Giberson Commencement Speaker at LECOM . . . 40

PPA Board of Directors

PPA Officers:President: Robert B. Frankil, R.Ph.President Elect: J. Scott Miskovsky, R.Ph.First Vice President: Eric R. Esterbrook, R.Ph.Second Vice President: Donna Hazel, R.Ph. Immediate Past President: Adam C. Welch,

PharmD., MBA, BCACPRegional Directors:Central: Janet Getzey Hart, R.Ph.Northeast: Jonathan D. Ference, PharmD., BCPSNorthwest: Mary E. Grisnik, PharmD.Southeast: David B. Cunningham, R.Ph.Southwest: Lauren Simko, PharmD.

Academy Directors:Academy of Alternative Pharmacy Practice: Jamie

McConaha, PharmD.Academy of Pharmacy Technicians: Jennifer L.

Simpson, CPhTAcademy of Chain Pharmacists: Stephanie Harriman

McGrath, PharmDAcademy of Community Pharmacists: Martin J. Kendra,

R.Ph.Academy of Health System Pharmacists: Paul T. Kocis,

PharmD., FASCPAcademy of Long Term Care and Consultant

Pharmacists: Donald R. Brindisi, R.Ph.Academy of Pharmacy Industry Association: Al

EmmansAcademy of Student Pharmacists: Tamiko Yamatani

PPA Office Staff:CEO: Patricia A. Epple, CAE

[email protected] Ext. 3Communications Coordinator: Erika Butts

[email protected] Ext. 2Membership Coordinator: Angela R. Burkett

[email protected] Ext. 1Program Coordinator: Sara Powers

[email protected] Ext. 4Government Relations Manager: TBA

Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association (PPA)508 North Third Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101(717) 234-6151 Fax: (717) 236-1618www.papharmacists.com [email protected]/PAPharmacywww.twitter.com/papharmacists

Pennsylvania Pharmacist (ISSN 0031-4633) is the official publication of the Pennsylvania Pharmaceutical Association d/b/a Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association and is published every other month, six times per year. Annual subscription is $100 for 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.,FAAFPStephanie Smith Cooney, PharmD.Bernard Graham, PhD.Brian S. Plager, RPh., MBATara L. Pummer, PharmD.Associate Editor: Erika ButtsEditor/Manager: Pat Epple

Published by:Graphtech PublishingSarah DiCello, Publications Manager(717) [email protected]

For Advertising Information:Alexis Kierce, Account Manager(717) [email protected]

Creative Design:No Chipped Paint

State Board of Pharmacy Members:Edward J. Bechtel, R.Ph. – Independent CommunityGayle A. Cotchen, PharmD., MBA – InstitutionalPhilip McCarthy – AG/Consumer Pauline Montgomery, R.Ph. – Independent CommunityTheresa M. Talbott, R.Ph. – Chain CommunityMark J. Zilner, R.Ph. – Chain Community

2012 Board of Pharmacy Meeting Dates:July 17, August 21, September 18, October 23,

November 20, December 13

Our VisionPennsylvania pharmacists will be recognized, engaged, and fairly compensated as health-care providers.

Our MissionThe Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association, as the leading voice of pharmacy, promotes the profession through advocacy, education, and communication to enhance patient care and public health.

Departments

Article Head Goes Here


Message from the President

Over the last few years, PPA has gained good momentum on

several fronts for pharmacy in PA. Thanks to Adam Welch and Pat Epple’s leadership, PPA is poised to take it to the next level.

Legislatively, as we enter the homestretch of the current session, we have a trio of bills that are alive and well -- all with a chance to pass! HB511/SB201, Access to Community Pharmacy Services, proposes to level the playing field so all community pharmacies can fill prescriptions at the pharmacy of the patient’s choice. If passed, insurance companies will no longer be allowed to mandate mail order or create preferred networks. HB727/SB882, Pharmacy Audit Integrity, proposes to end the abusive audits from PBMs and insurance companies. No longer would they be allowed to audit for clerical errors; and standardized

procedures will be put in place. HB817/SB254, Expanded Pharmacist Immunization Abilities, proposes to lower the age that pharmacists can immunize. If passed, we will be able to administer needed vaccines to people under 18.

Thanks to the efforts of passionate lobbyists in pharmacy, an engaged legislative committee, and strong grass roots help from PPA members, we are in position to pass some favorable legislation. Keep in touch with your legislators

until we do!Last year PPA laid the

groundwork for some important projects. We supported the Pharmacy Quality Alliance (PQA) initiative. The EQuiPP (Electronic Quality Improvement Platform for Plans and Pharmacies) program is off the ground. Pennsylvania is

one of only three states to have this, and we must participate. The EQUIPP program will give pharmacies access to platforms to assess our quality of care to payers.

PPA published a white paper on the pharmacist’s value in the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH). This is a tool for communicating with other clinicians about pharmacists’ value to the system.

PPA is also developing a network of pharmacies in Pennsylvania to deliver MTM and other services to payers. This has the potential to offer an additional revenue stream for pharmacies in PA. Stay tuned as we continue to explore and develop this network.

I am really looking forward to a great year serving as your president for 2012-2013. As we move ahead, please do not hesitate to contact me directly with any concern you may have for PPA and pharmacy in Pennsylvania.

I can be reached on my cell phone (267-304-4449), email ([email protected]), on Facebook, and on Twitter @bobbygolf.z

Robert Frankil, RPhPPA president 2012-2013

“I am really looking forward to a great year serving as your president for 2012-2013. As we move ahead, please do not hesitate to contact me directly with any concern you may have for PPA and pharmacy in Pennsylvania.”

6 I Pennsylvania Pharmacist I July/August 2012

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Thank You to Our Corporate PartnersThese companies support PPA activities throughout the year.

Calendar of Events JULY

13 ACPA Annual President’s Dinner, Pittsburgh, PA

14-18 AACP Annual Meeting, Kissimmee, FL

26 PPA Board of Directors Meeting New Board Member Orientation, Harrisburg, PA

AUGUST 16-18 ASHP Residency Preceptors Conference, Washington, DC

25-28 NACDS Pharmacy & Technology Conference, Denver, CO

SEPTEMBER 20-23 PPA Annual Conference, Scranton, PA

OCTOBER Pharmacists Month 3-5 AMCP Educational Conference, Cincinnati, OH

21-24 ACCP Annual Meeting, Hollywood, FL

12-14 NASPA Fall Meeting, San Diego, CA

13-17 NCPA Annual Convention, San Diego, CA

NOVEMBER 7-10 ASCP – Senior Care, National Harbor, MD

DECEMBER 2-6 ASHP Clinical Meeting, Las Vegas, NV

For additional events and PPA committee meetings, be sure to see our Calendar of Events on the PPA website!

PLATINUM LEVEL

GOLD LEVEL

SILVER LEVEL

BRONZE LEVEL


DepartmentsDepartment

Member News

DCPA Chairwoman of Board Rosemarie O’Malley Halt RPh., 50 year graduate Dr. Daniel Hussar, and Philadelphia College of Pharmacy Assistant Dean Dr. John Gans.

Delaware County Pharmacists Association Board Members Rosemarie O’Malley Halt RPh., Barry Jacobs RPh., with Rep. William F. Adolph Jr., and Philadelphia College of Pharmacy Remington Professor of Pharmacy Dr. Daniel Hussar

Philadelphia College of Pharmacy graduate Peter Grant, 50 year graduate Martin Brian, 50 Year Graduate Doris Hale, Duquesne graduate Danielle Perfetti, 50 year graduate Jack Zweier, 50 year graduate Dr. Merril Jay Mirman, USP graduate Brittany Johnson, 50 year graduate Dr. Daniel Hussar, Representing Philadelphia College of Pharmacy Dr. John Gans, Representing the Delaware County Pharmacists Association, Chairwoman Rosemarie O’Malley Halt.


Departments

SBDC recognizing Bedford pharmacist

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a positive attitude, a great staff and family support.”

Whysong is a worthy recipient of the award, development center Director Ed Huttenhower said.

“Dave exemplifies the true spirit of entrepreneurship that exists not only here locally, but across the nation. Building on his knowledge and expertise, he started his pharmacy from scratch to meet the needs of his community. From this success, he has expanded his operations to better serve Bedford County. He has shown that locally owned businesses can and do compete successfully against larger national chains,” Huttenhower said.z

the business in October 2003 with the first location in New Paris.

During the first full year in business, gross sales reached $1 million. Sales continued to increase and this allowed for the expansion of the business by purchasing Fisher’s Pharmacy in Bedford.

Today, the business employs 13 people and by the end of 2012, gross sales are expected to reach $5 million.

Whysong said he is grateful and honored to receive the award.

“It was something I was not expecting. It is nice to know that the business community recognizes the contribution we make to the community. It means we are doing a good job,” Whysong said. “The key to success has been hard work,

Reprinted with permission from the Altoona MirrorBy Walt Frank, Altoona Mirror

LORETTO – A Bedford County pharmacist will be honored

next month as the Small Business Person of the Year by the St. Francis University Small Business Development Center.

David Whysong, CEO and president of Weissang Inc., the parent company of Whysong’s Pharmacy in New Paris and Fisher’s Pharmacy in Bedford, will receive the award at the SBDC’s annual awards luncheon June 13 at the university.

After working for someone else in the pharmacy industry for about 10 years, Whysong took a small loan from his parents and started

Continuing Education Please remember that Continuing

Education (CE) homestudy programs are available on the PPA website. These CE homestudy programs appeared in the 2010/2011 editions of the PA Pharmacist Magazine and are free for PPA Members! You may not receive duplicate credit if you already completed these programs. The programs are available under the CE/Other Programs tab on the website.

Erika Gould, PharmD,

recent LECOM graduate

and soon to be junior

partner with Means Lauf

Super Drug in Brookville,

PA, recently wrote a short

article about NCPA’s

Simplify My Meds program

for America’s Pharmacist.

Tim Davis, of Beaver

Health Mart Pharmacy

in Beaver, PA, was the

focus of an article about a

pharmacy using the Simply

My Meds program in the

publication.z


DepartmentsDepartments

Steve ShyrockValue Drug CompanyAltoona, PAPeter J. Stahl, R.Ph.Berry Plastics CorporationLanghorne, PA

Paula D TurnerWilliam Beaumont HospitalSterling Heights, MI

Pharmacy Tech Student

Laurel Technical InstituteKathreine J BabosDean L BurnsEmily M GillilandShandra D HandoShalea A HudsonMelissa SlaughenhouptMatthew R Womer

YTI Career InstituteBarbara A HousemanSamantha A Swackard

Lincoln Technical InstituteSandia S Myrie

Pharmacy Technician

Carmel L. Correa, CPhTWayne Memorial Hospital PharmacyShohola, PA

Deborah Jean FishHazleton CompoundingHazleton, PA

Heidi MyersEtters, PA

Nora Pugnetti, CPhTPerkasie, PA

Elizabeth Griffith WeaverBridgewater, NJ

PPA welcomes the following new members who joined us

from April 10 – May 28, 2012.

Active Pharmacist

Mark Roman Bazar, B.S.Harrisburg HospitalMechanicsburg, PA

Michael A Bimler, R.Ph.PharmericaHarrisburg, PA

Ana Margarita Garcia-GoodNorthwest Pharmacy SolutionsGreenville, PA

Thomas A Pratt, R.Ph.Rite Aid PharmacyCamp Hill, PA

Keith RobinsonReddon PharmacyHallstead, PA

Stephen F SingerKatz PharmacyHavertown, PA

David SmithSmith’s PharmacyPhiladelphia, PA

Peter Joseph Stahl, B.S.Newhard PharmacyNorthampton, PA

Associate

Nancy JonesR.J. Hedges and Associates

Kathy MackR.J. Hedges and Associates

James RockefellerAmerisourceBergen Drug CompanyWaverly, PA

New Members Student

Duquesne UniversityVictoria Rose ClimoRachel Victoria MariniJordan Robert MooreKallyn Westfall

LECOM Joseph Agostino ConteMaegan Lorraine KochasicKayla McClellanCarrie NolanJudith OnyangoDaniel Santo PascuzziSarah B PiefferSantina Nicole ScottiLECOM School of PharmacyGobezie Tuquabo TarefeKarrisa Lynn Tocyloski

Long Island UniversityRong Zheng

Philadelphia College of Pharmacy at USPPriyanka Patel

Temple University John BeresSarah Picozzi

Thomas Jefferson UniversityEna BesicYasmine El Manjra

University of Pittsburgh Cari ClineMelanie Rose DarrigoTrey K DraudeCristina ElginReina FinkWilliam L GinsbergCory Matthew HaleDeanna Marie RoweChelsea Zavilla

Wilkes University Lacey Burns


Departments

your special rate.

Become InvolvedEach quarter, PPA hosts a

conference call with a set group of technicians and pharmacists who discuss ways PPA can engage and assist pharmacy technicians. This is a great way to remain connected by being notified of upcoming events and opportunities to advance your career.

As a technician member, you are able to participate and any additional questions can be forwarded to [email protected]

FREE Home Study CE Courses Designed Just for Certified Pharmacy Technicians!

PPA now has continuing education home studies available on a wide range of topics specifically for our pharmacy technician members for free! These CE home-studies are available to non-member pharmacy technicians at $20/exam. Visit http://www.papharmacists.com and click “CE/Other Programming” and “Continuing Education Programs” to view the topics and print articles.

Discounted Subscriptions to the Technician Letter

PPA Members receive a 39% discount on subscriptions to this resource publication that will make your job quicker, easier, and more rewarding. With this subscription you’ll know the latest on new drugs, how to handle tough calculations, compounding, billing, and your other important job functions, PLUS get all the CE you need! Visit http://www.pharmacytechniciansletter.com/PATech to access publication content, read sample articles, and learn more about the service and

Technician Corner

Features



A Community Pharmacy Residency Research

Course

Training Outpatient Pharmacists Techniques In Evidence Based Research

Resident Research Overview

• Whatisdifferentaboutresearchinthecommunity?

• Learningthefundamentalofresearch

• Howtoidentifyaresearchquestion

• Basicresearchdesignanddeterminingmeasureable

outcomes

• Howtodevelopstudyaims

• Datacollectionstrategies

• Institutionalreviewboardoverview

• Howtowriteagrant

• Basicstatistics

• Preparinganabstract/manuscript

Resident Research Mentors

• JanicePringle,PhD,ResearchAssociateProfessor

• RandallSmith,PhD,SeniorAssociateDean

To Learn More, Contact:MelissaSommaMcGivney,PharmD,FCCPCommunityResidencyDirectorUniversityofPittsburghSchoolofPharmacy

Email:[email protected]:412-624-8142

University of Pittsburgh

TOP TIER


Features

Great Partners for Community

Resident Research

Purpose:• Tofamiliarizetheresidentwiththekey

componentsinvolvedwithcarryingoutasuccessfulresearchproject,fromconceptualizationtofinalmanuscriptpreparation.

• Toenhanceverbalandwrittencommunicationskillsthroughformalandinformalpresentationsandscientificwriting.

• Todevelopresearchproblemsolvingskillsthroughworkinggroupdiscussionsandbyworkingcloselywithaprojectmentor.

• Tocontributetothediversityofresidencytrainingthatwillultimatelyresultinawell-roundedpharmacisteligibleforawiderangeofcareeropportunities.

2011 - 2012 TOP TIER Residents

TOPTIERSarah Abrams, PharmD Hartzell’s Pharmacy/Wilkes University Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, 2011Research Question: What implications can an appointment based model have on business aspectcommunity pharmacy?

Samantha Decker, PharmD ACME Sav-on Pharmacy/Temple University University of the Sciences/Philadelphia College of Pharmacy 2011Research Question: How has a community pharmacist-provided blood glucose monitor-ing training (BGMT) impacted self-monitoring behaviors in adults with diabetes six to twelve months post consult?

Jennifer McMicken, PharmD Wilkes University/Medicine ShoppeWilkes University, 2011Research Question: Will a pharmacist-led educational intervention improve the Tdap vaccination rate in a study population consist-ing of adult patients aged 18 and older?

Jennifer Bacci, PharmD University of Pittsburgh, Rite-Aid PharmacyUniversity of Pittsburgh, 2011Research Question: What are pharmacists’ perceptions of the implementation process when executing pharmacist-led brief medica-tion adherence interventions within a com-munity chain pharmacy practice?

Michelle Maguire, PharmD University of Pittsburgh/Forbes PharmacyOhio State University 2011 Research Question: What are patient and healthcare practitioner perceived benefits and challenges to enhancing pharmacist-provided patient care services at an ambu-latory psychiatric clinic pharmacy?

Josh Packey, PharmD DuquesneUniversity/GiantEaglePhar-macy/PfizerIncDuquesne University 2011Research Question: What is the impact of a pharmacist-driven comprehensive medication therapy review, incorporating PQA measures, on the identification and intervention of drug therapy problems in an employer-based cohort of patients with diabetes?


FeaturesFeatures

But Richard couldn’t stay away from community pharmacy and the people he served there, so he worked his way back in by helping the local area hospitals open outpatient pharmacies.

On December 15, 1987 Richard purchased the Holly Pharmacy and was able to become an independent pharmacy owner once again. With this new opportunity and all of the experience that he had acquired previously, he was determined to turn this pharmacy into something special. He moved the pharmacy to a fresh location a few blocks down the main street of Mt. Holly Springs, in order to have the store layout that he wanted. With half of the store dedicated to selling small gifts,

pursue something different. He entered into the pharmacy world as a clerk and worked hard to eventually go into business with a partner and purchase his first pharmacy. After finalizing the purchase he attended pharmacy school, graduating in 1971.

After some years of success and growth with his pharmacy and others, Richard was eventually forced to change practice areas. He moved on to hospital pharmacy and became the Pharmacy Director of Carlisle Hospital in 1980. With this new position he was able to learn a great deal more about pharmacy and how one has to “swallow their pride” in order to build good relationships with other healthcare professionals.

Independent Pharmacy Spotlight Holly Pharmacy – How Perseverance and Quality Service Builds SuccessBy: Keith Miller, PharmD Candidate at Duquesne University

Quality pharmaceutical care and unyielding advocacy has

been the standard seen by the patients who fill their prescriptions at the neighborhood pharmacy of Mt. Holly Springs. Upon entering the Holly Pharmacy you feel immediately welcome. The friendly staff members are always happy to help you with whatever medication issues that you may have. In fact, you may sometimes see the owner of the Holly Pharmacy, Richard Gobin, counseling patients and assisting them with their medications and devices. In that interaction he is focused solely on helping that one person and puts all of his efforts into resolving the issue at hand. His intentions are not to make a sale but are based on empathy and an honest effort to help them in the best way that he can.

Richard didn’t start his career as a pharmacist though. After graduating college with multiple degrees at age 19, he decided to utilize his diverse knowledge in the education of high school students, where he remained for eight years. However, with a growing family to support, Richard felt that his teacher’s salary was not going to be enough and that he had to


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care to their patients through immunizations, monthly diabetic and blood pressure screenings, and compassionate service, has greatly helped patients understand their medications. Richard runs his business with his customers being his first priority and said, “I expect our customers to be treated the same way I would treat a member of my family: with compassion, dignity and respect unwavering.” It is the hope of independent pharmacy owners like Richard that HB 511 will be passed into state law so that community gems such as the Holly Pharmacy can continue to offer the personal service their customers desire.z

pharmacy counter closer towards the front of the store to deter theft without sacrificing his customers’ convenience.

Throughout the years, Richard has also developed another operation called Alert Pharmacy Services which contracts with various long term care and assisted living facilities. This side of the business is now operated by his son, Bryan. They employ pharmacists that review all of the medical charts of the residents, which is a monthly requirement by law. They also have pharmacies actually established within select living facilities so as to provide convenient and helpful service to the patients residing there.

The Holly Pharmacy has mostly remained unchanged for the past 25 years. Offering complete pharmaceutical

candles and decorations and the other half being the pharmacy, it offers its customers a convenient and friendly atmosphere. The store is also equipped with an old-fashioned soda fountain which was originally built in 1928, and gives the pharmacy a historic touch.

Unfortunately, the pharmacy has been victim to multiple robberies at gunpoint in the past, with two of them occurring in January and February of this year. Escapes were made easier by the location of the pharmacy counter, which was next to an alternate side entrance for customers. The police suggested that Richard just lock the side door, but he did not want to make it harder for his older and less mobile customers to walk to the pharmacy if they had to park in the back. Instead he decided to renovate the building and move the entire


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AThe first step is that the vendor must study the

extensive technical requirements made by the DEA in its EPCS interim final rule and then work through the software development process necessary to meet said requirements. It is Surescripts’ experience that this effort typically takes vendors several months to finish.

Once the development process is concluded, the vendor must:(1) Successfully complete the

Surescripts EPCS certification process, which is in addition to the basic Surescripts certification process that is required in order for a vendor to connect to the network for general e-prescribing purposes,

(2) Submit to Surescripts documentation satisfactory to Surescripts in form and substance confirming the successful completion of the vendor’s third-party audit or certification as required by the DEA in § CFR 1311.300 Application Provider Requirements–Third-party Audits or Certifications, and

(3) Fill out, sign, and submit to Surescripts a form attesting to the vendor’s compliance with all EPCS aspects of 21 CFR § 1300, 1304, 1306, and 1311 in addition to a copy of the

vendor’s third-party audit or certification.

Upon complying with all of these requirements, a physician or pharmacy application vendor is permitted to connect its end users to the Surescripts network for EPCS purposes.

QWhat companies are available in the industry to

conduct the Part 1311 third-party audits required by the DEA’s EPCS IFR?

ASurescripts does not recommend any companies

to its network participants as being able to conduct Part 1311 EPCS audits. This said, Surescripts has been informed by some if its network participants that they are using the following companies for their EPCS audits:

• Assurance Concepts• BDO• Brightline• Chief Security• Deloitte• KPMG• NetSPI• Price Waterhouse CoopersThese companies are understood

to belong in one or more of the categories of entities recognized by the DEA in its EPCS IFR as being able to perform Part 1311 EPCS audits: SysTrust, WebTrust, SAS 70 and/or Certified Information

Update on Industry Progress in Implementing Electronic Prescribing for Controlled Substances

It has now been two years since the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) published its interim final rule (IFR) on electronic prescribing for controlled substances (EPCS). Surescripts, as the primary e-prescribing network in the U.S., has worked with the physician and pharmacy application vendors that connect to its network to ensure that EPCS is implemented in the ambulatory healthcare setting in a way that is fully compliant with the DEA’s EPCS rules. The time is now approaching when EPCS will begin to be utilized by prescribers and pharmacies connected to the Surescripts network, so it seems like an appropriate occasion to provide an update on the network’s EPCS progress to interested stakeholders. Given that Surescripts has started to receive questions from the field with respect to its EPCS plans and progress, a question and answer format has been chosen as a vehicle to share this information.

Q What must be done in order for a physician electronic

health record application vendor or pharmacy practice management application vendor to be able to connect its users to the Surescripts network for EPCS communications?


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AAs states align their rules with those of the DEA, Surescripts

will allow prescriber vendors, prescribers, pharmacy vendors, and pharmacies to transmit and receive EPCSs in those locales. As of this date, prescribers registered in eight states have issued DEA-compliant EPCSs: California, District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. Surescripts prescriber and pharmacy network participants provide services in all fifty states and DC, so Surescripts eventually will be deploying EPCS nationwide once permitted in all locales.

QIs Surescripts doing anything to facilitate the

EPCS process that is not required of it by the DEA in its EPCS IFR?

AYes, Surescripts is offering the following value-added services

and/or making the following additional requirements that are not required of intermediaries by the DEA’s EPCS IFR:

• Surescripts requires all application vendors to prove that they have completed their Part 1311 EPCS audits as required by the DEA prior to being activated for EPCS transactions on the Surescripts network.

• Pharmacy directories in prescriber applications are required to indicate which pharmacies are enabled to receive EPCSs, and prescribers

There are a number of additional vendors in the offing to be added to these lists in the near future.

QDoes Surescripts plan to publish the names of

vendors that have completed the necessary processes and have been allowed to connect to the Surescripts network for EPCS purposes?

AYes, it is Surescripts’ intent to post the names of

application vendors that have been approved for EPCS purposes on its web site in the future. In addition, if individual prescribers or pharmacists want to know if their own applications have been audited and found to be in compliance with the DEA’s EPCS IFR, all they need do is ask their vendor for documentation of its audit. The DEA’s EPCS IFR requires application vendors to give documentation of their Part 1311 EPCS audits to their current and potential customers upon request.

QHave any DEA-compliant electronic prescriptions

for controlled substances been transmitted across the Surescripts network?

AYes, a modest number of EPCSs have been transmitted

across the Surescripts network in states in which it is permitted.

Q In which states is Surescripts allowing EPCS

transactions to flow at this time?

System Auditors. In addition, it should be noted that in October 2011, the DEA specifically approved InfoGard Laboratories as another company capable of conducting Part 1311 EPCS audits.

Again, Surescripts has chosen to not recommend or endorse any of these specific companies over another, and this list should not be considered to be comprehensive. It is simply meant to share examples of the types of firms that are offering Part 1311 EPCS audit services in the industry.

QHave any physician or pharmacy application

vendors completed the process of becoming certified and audited to connect to the Surescripts network for EPCS purposes?

AYes, as of the date of this memo, the following

application vendors have completed the necessary development, certification, and audit processes and have been allowed to connect to the Surescripts network for EPCS purposes:

• Physician application vendorso DrFirsto NewCropo NextGeno RxNT

• Pharmacy application vendors (or chains that have developed their own

applications)o Cerner Etrebyo Rite Aido SUPERVALUo Walgreens Continued on page 20


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Surescripts does not allow a prescriber in a state in which EPCS is legal to transmit an EPCS to a pharmacy in a state in which EPCS is not yet permitted.

Q If one has additional questions about the

implementation of EPCS processes on the Surescripts network, to whom should they pose their questions?

AIndividuals who have additional questions about

EPCS processes not answered in this memo can send an email to [email protected] and said questions will be triaged and replied to in a timely fashion.z

e.g., reminding network participants that EPCS procedures must be followed for state controlled drugs such as tramadol and that schedule II drugs should not be electronically prescribed in states in which it is not yet permitted.

• In instances in which an EPCS crosses a state line, Surescripts requires that both the transmitting prescriber and the receiving pharmacy be in compliance with both the DEA’s EPCS IFR and the controlled substance rules of the state in which the prescriber or pharmacy is located. For example,

are only able to send EPCSs to those pharmacies.

• Physician directories in pharmacy applications are required to indicate which prescribers are using applications that have been certified and audited for EPCS purposes.

• Surescripts is digitally signing all EPCSs that have the “Signature Indicator” flag so as to augment transaction traceability, and it has encouraged all other intermediaries to do the same.

• Surescripts is monitoring compliance with EPCS rules,

Update on Industry ProgressContinued from page 19



Association News

not take their medication. At the health plan, we want to be able to understand these factors, but often we are removed from the situation so much that the program we implement may only impact a certain percentage of patients. Good health care is a team effort. The more communication between all parties the better. I have learned that often we are all working toward a common goal, but for some reason instead of working as teammates, we function as opponents.

What made you decide to join PPA? I joined PPA when I was a resident in order to begin to get involved in a more local organization. They were involved in trying to provide new ways for pharmacists to get more involved in direct patient care. Over the past three years of being a member, I have had multiple opportunities to get involved in different committees and projects to promote pharmacists providing patient care within our commonwealth.

How has being a member of PPA helped you as a

medication therapy management (MTM) appointments and researching new guidelines and treatment options for other clinical programs and the formulary decision process.

What drew you to your current area of pharmacy practice? I was drawn to the managed care field by the opportunity to be intimately involved in MTM. One of my favorite parts of my job is still the patient interaction I have and feeling like I am able to help our members manage their medications better. Another benefit of the managed care setting is all of the data that we have access to. It makes the opportunities for targeting patients or implanting programs to improve outcomes almost endless.

How has working for Gateway Health Plan helped you grow as a pharmacist? I have a new appreciation for the challenges that come with a world with limited resources. It is a constant challenge to try and balance the ideal program with what is possible. For example, there are so many factors that go into why a patient may or may

Melinda Kozminski, PharmD, BCACP

Practice Site: Gateway Health Plan®

Education: PharmD from the University of Pittsburgh, 2009

Community Practice Residency- University of Pittsburgh/Rite Aid 2009-2010

What made you choose the profession of pharmacy?

I knew that I wanted to help people and so I was drawn to the healthcare industry. I explored some other options as a freshman in college, but after really enjoying my general chemistry class I decided to volunteer in a pharmacy to see if being a pharmacist was something I wanted to pursue. I really enjoyed my experience and decided then to pursue a career as a pharmacist.

What do you like most about being a clinical pharmacist? I enjoy the combination of patient interaction I get when discussing medications with patients during

PPA Member Profile

Continued on page 31


Association News

eventually demonstrate a realistic payment model for it to sustain itself and exist for generations.

Why Dr. Maher chose to Advance his practice: “As pharmacists we have always been the drug experts. With the rising cost of healthcare and the failure of our current managed care system in the last 20 years to reach its full potential to control those costs; pharmacists are being looked at to become more active in the community/ambulatory sector and play a role in cost management. To control those costs, I believe that innovative pharmacy clinical models have a great opportunity to affect the outcomes for patients, physicians, other healthcare providers, employers and insurance plan payers. For us to achieve this full potential of clinical pharmacy practice in the community, we all as pharmacists and future pharmacists must embrace the concept that pharmacists are responsible and accountable for optimal drug therapy for all of their patients; whether it is obtained through adherence programs, wellness programs, or MTM services.”

Advice for others: “My biggest advice is to get involved

Innovative and other services provided: Patton Pharmacy and Dr. Robert Maher Jr. currently serve as an active learning rotation site for 6th year Duquesne University pharmacy students. The practice site involves students in an everyday evolving pharmacy where they provide patients with clinical services at both the Patton Pharmacy and at a family physician’s medical office. At these unique sites, students have the opportunity to experience MTM services, diabetes self management education programs, geriatric pharmacotherapy services, as well as wellness and disease management services. The students are also exposed to an inter-professional model that is designed to improve suboptimal prescribing, medication monitoring, medication adherence and an overall reduction of adverse drug reactions for all age groups of patients. Students get to see how a current community pharmacy business model is trying to expand its services in order to improve outcomes for its patients and develop a new innovative business model for community pharmacy in the future. With the recent expansion of the pharmacy act to allow physician-pharmacist collaboration in the community, this practice site looks forward to helping advance the practice of pharmacy in a rural setting. Furthermore, with this collaboration they hope to

Name of Pharmacist: Robert L. Maher Jr. PharmD, CGP

Education: University of Pittsburgh, BS 1993, PharmD 1997

Geriatric Specialized Residency at Duke University’s Center for the Study of Aging and the Durham VA Geriatric Research Education Center

Certified in Geriatric Pharmacy, MTM and Immunizations

Awards: 2010 Pennsylvania Pharmacist Association Preceptor of the Year Award

2002 Pennsylvania Pharmacist Association Distinguished Young Pharmacist of the Year Award

Site Description: Patton Pharmacy, which is located in Cambria County, was started in 1974 by Robert L Maher Sr. During the past 38 years, Patton Pharmacy has been active in advancing the practice of community pharmacy. It has played a large role in helping to advance and maintain the health of the patients that it serves in Patton. Patton Pharmacy is the neighborhood pharmacy that is committed to a philosophy of practice that identifies the patient as the primary beneficiary for pharmacy care.

Profiles in Pharmacy Innovation


Association News

in your profession. There are so many current trends of great opportunities in advancing your practice that is going on right now both at our state and national level. Some examples of these great trends include offering immunizations, MTM services through Mirixa and Outcomes, the recent RxAlly performance network, and the new EQuiPP initiative with Pharmacy Quality Alliance. The best way to learn about all of these opportunities is to get more involved in your state and national pharmacy associations. These associations provide great educational resources and networking to get you started. Finally, my advice is to become a preceptor for a school of pharmacy. It is one of the most rewarding ways in which you can give back to your profession. I have had many great people who have taught me in my life and there are so many who have had an impact on me both professionally and personally. I want to thank five of those people who have and will always be my greatest preceptors for this wonderful profession of pharmacy: Joseph Hanlon, Beverly Kroner, Rowena Schwartz, Stan Cohen and my father. By being a preceptor you can impact a student for life and make them realize what a great profession pharmacy has been to us and can continue to be as we explore new frontiers in pharmacy practice.”z

Contact Information:Email: [email protected]: (814) 674-3693

• Receive email alerts when a job is posted that meets your selected criteria

PPA’s Career Center is an easy-to-use resource and for additional information regarding the Career Center, please click “Contact Us” at the bottom of the Career Center website.

Are you protected?Pharmacists Mutual Companies

is a nationally recognized leader in providing insurance and investment products to the pharmacy community- including coverage for administering immunizations, nuclear pharmacy practice, and all other areas covered by our pharmacy practice act.

As a PPA member, you have the opportunity to take advantage of the quality insurance and investment products offered by Pharmacists Mutual and its subsidiaries including business, personal, life and health insurance as well as investment products. PPA members are eligible for a wide variety of discounts. To find out what discounts you qualify for, contact the Pharmacists Mutual home office at 800-247-5930 or www.phmic.com.

For more information on this service, please contact [email protected]

As a member, you are able to access the following member

benefits.

Lexi-Comp discountsPPA members continue to be

eligible for a 15% discount on all Lexi-Comp products, excluding hardware devices. Whether you need PDA software, Internet-based solutions, reference handbooks, or hardware, Lexi-Comp has it all and more. Lexi-Comp tailors these products to the pharmacy profession, aiming to help you improve patient care, reduce medication errors, and maximize productivity. Visit http://www.lexi.com/specialoffers/ppa/ for more information.

Career CenterAre you looking for a new job,

or trying to fill a job opening? If you are, you should visit PPA’s Career Center today at http://ppa.associationcareernetwork.com/Common/HomePage.aspx. • Employers

• Search database and directly contact job seekers

• Save résumés from qualified individuals

• Post jobs online and/or have your posting featured in a blast email

• Job Seekers• Post your résumé• Create an anonymous profile

enabling employers to contact you directly with job opportunities

PPA Member Services


Association News


Association News

Brian Yuhas

Thomas Jefferson School of PharmacyJason AradanasKenny AristideGene BernieriElizabeth BlairNicholas Joseph

CantielloMeghan Leigh ColelloVictoria EkanemDawn FlemingDensley FrancoisJayme GansterHassan A HammoudAshley HartmanEllen KimMichael LarosaThach LeThuy LeRandeep MalhiAmy McLaughlinSejal MistryFrederick NguyenLynn NguyenBabatunde OgunSaranyu RaviEvelyn RowlandChristopher SilagBrandon SnyderMeryn SweetHoang-Ai TangAyalew Tassew

LECOMRebecca BollingerZachary Bouchat-

FriedmanAshley FitchErika Gould

Duquesne UniversityAlaina AugustineShaina BernardCraig BieltzJessica Marie BrunoBrandon CarsonAmy DipietroDanielle EndersKimberly FirtzKristin FranksJenna FryeAmanda GeorgeZane GrayKyle HampsonDavid HeckmanAnn E JohnsonYeun Joo LeeMelissa McClureMallory McCormickTyler Lee MicskyKatherine Chelsey

MoldovanJennifer Lee MyersChristopher M OczypokLauren OleskyNicole Marie ParonishRachel PattersonPhillip R. PauvlinchNicole PizarroErin PonzurickLauren PusateriKimberly RoncaseAlexa SevinMelinda Blair SnyderMarshall StewartSylvia StoffellaJanel Kara SudiakPeter SullivanChristina SuttonGary TedescoAmanda M Teets

Wherever your path may lead you, PPA wishes you the very best in your profession! Be sure to remain a committed

member of our state pharmacy association; no matter were you reside. PPA membership is considered an investment in your future livelihood, professional happiness, and your patient’s well-being. Best of wishes!

Congratulations 2012 PPA Graduates!

Christina HorsmanArpit MehtaKim Tuc PhamTracy RhodesMelissa RifeStephanie SholtasLori SokiraBrooke SpinoEdward SulimaRiley J. Williams

Temple UniversityMichael O. AdubofourMatthew Charles

BaiocchiVineeta M. BhojaniBernard BrownTrang BuiJolita BurbulyteJeffrey BurmeisterKristen CampbellSusan ChanYu-ting ChienDeborah ChunJuliya CressNicole GogluizzaOwen HaneyAllyson HessGloria KimNikola KounevIryna KovalKathleen LynchNichol Marrero NievesLoredana MarzulloVictoria McDonaldSamuel MengeshaNima MunirLac NguyenTereza OpreaFotini PanagopoulosJisung Park

Jiyae Juliahana ParkKeithlyn RichardsDiana RihawiFrancis RubinoTiffany SoLauren N StaleyBlair ThornleyKimberly TromblyTimothy TrumbowerKelly VakienerJay WongSowon YoonEkaterina Yuvasheva

University of PittsburghNicholas P WytiazAmanda S. JohnsonJacquilyn BassMelissa BertoshRobert Charles BlannerAndrew ClarkDaniel DaileySarah Krahe

DombrowskiAmanda EckenrodeJaime Nicole GenoveseTaira GeorginoSvetlana GoldmanLisa HarrLindy HilpertChas HoffmannKristy A. KlimaKristen MacioceKimberly Reath MillerTimothy MizakLaura MucheskoChristina OravecTheresa PenatzerMelissa RuminskiKristi Dianne SadowskiJulia SasankoKatelyn SchultzShailly ShahMarina ShkayevaHannah E. SidelingerAnastasia SidorKatie SimmsKaren Soong

Summer StairsLauren A. StanchakBrad StevensKatie StewardStephanie WingfieldStaci Ziobert

University of the Sciences/PCPTran DiepAndrew Thomas GencoJessica GeorgeDan HoffmanThao K. HuynhJoseph MartinoMackenzie McGoffBryan E NussKrishna ParbadiaChristopher RuizCynthia Sarah SagerAmanda SchartelLaura SchuppertAditi ShahAllison B. ShankAnita SharmaLuke TaddeoAllen G. WhislerGregory Yugov

Wilkes UniversityKristin AndresJustin BalintNicole Ashley BeaversJonathan P BradyMichelle DavisElefteria GaliatsatosTiera HickmanKelly HummelCaitlin KelleySteven KheloussiNicholas KochJessica LopattoJacob ReichertTravis Scott ReinakerTheresa RomaldiniSara RuppMike ScaleseTrisha Sikora


Association News

Special Interest group tab on the fly-out bar), and must be submitted by the August 1 deadline. Please also contact Pat Epple at PPA for more information.

Applications may be mailed to the PPA office, 508 North Third Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101, faxed to PPA at 717-236-1618, or emailed to [email protected]. A committee of SIG members will determine this year’s four recipients. Students will be required to write a short article about their experience for the Pennsylvania Pharmacist and/or the Student Voice following the convention in order to receive final payment. z

must be a 5th or 6th year pharmacy student enrolled at a Pennsylvania School of Pharmacy or equivalent of last two professional years, a Pennsylvania resident, a PPA Student Member, have a sincere interest in community pharmacy particularly independent pharmacy ownership, and may not have been a previous SIG grant recipient.

Applications are now available for the fall NCPA conference in San Diego directly from PPA or on the website, at http://www.papharmacists.com/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=80 (or go to the PPA website, www.papharmacists.com and click on About PPA and then go to the

PPA’s SIG (Special Interest Group for Independent

Pharmacy) members annually present up to four grants to deserving and interested students which cover the expenses to attend the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) Annual Convention. Related Expenses Include:

1 roundtrip coach airfare*, up to 4 nights hotel accommodations (room and tax), the student registration fee, and up to $200 in meals and incidentals such as parking at the airport, and transfers from airport to hotel, (receipts must be submitted). In order to be eligible for consideration, students

Student SIG Grants Available

PPA Educational Foundation Announces Grant OpportunitiesPharmacists…Advancing patient care

The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Educational Foundation is

excited to once again announce the annual opportunity for up to four mini grants of up to $1,000 each for the exploration of innovative and best pharmacy practices, especially focusing on patient centered outcomes. Grants may be used for projects which are targeted towards patient care by pharmacists and innovative activity around pharmacy practice. Grants will not support capital expenditures, regular administrative expenses, and travel expenses. Monies may be used for many

other related expenses including reasonable printing costs relative to materials used for the project.

Applicants must be current PPA members and can be practicing pharmacists, faculty, residents, new practitioners, and/or students. The Grant Announcement and Application contain additional details and potential applicants are encouraged to review these documents carefully. Additionally, a pre- pre-submission, optional webinar for interested applicants will be held on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. The webinar will be a short presentation (about 20 minutes) on the Foundation, the grant program, its goals and

objectives, and the application and decision process. There will also be an opportunity for questions. The Foundation also offers the scoring criteria form used by our Evaluation and Review Committee for our grants. This may assist individuals in developing their applications and interested applicants can review previous successful applications and their related reports.

For more information on the grant program, please contact Sara Powers at the PPA office, or go to the PPA website, www.papharmacists.com and then the Foundation tab in the upper right and select Grants. z


Association News

and we thank them for their generosity. They are:

Justin Balint, Anthony Bertola, Mel Brodsky, Richard Brown, David Cippel, Desiree Croteau, David Cunningham, Pat Epple, Michael Fapore, Jon & Kim Ference, Rob Frankil, Gary Fried, Mary Grisnik, Randy Heiser, Scott Himler, John F. Hinkle Jr., Robert & Coleen Kayden, Nickolas Kernich, Bob Killoran, Melissa Krause, Patrick Lavella, Sherri Lee, Carl Marrara, George & Dorthy McAlanis, John McCullough, Bethany Miller, Scott Miskovsky, Shawn Nairn, John Pavis, Eric Pusey, Robert Schreiber, Darrin Silbaugh, Matt Slakoper, David Smith, Stephanie Smith Cooney, Greg Teitel, Adam & Kim Welch, Daniel Wright, Thomas Bradley, Robert Steele, Brockway Drug, and Charles Kohlerman III.

PPA also felt that student involvement in PAC giving was an important lesson to learn; even when on a budget. Thus, a new program entitled the “1878 Society” was established. Students are encouraged to make a donation in the amount of $18.78 to enter into the “society”. The amount is, of course, significant because of the 1878 founding year of PPA. We thank those students that have embraced this program and we invite even more students to become 1878 Society members!

votes. But PAC’s are significant because they can help to influence the landscape of the legislature to make sure there are advocates of the pharmacy industry on the floor of the chamber. PharmPAC does this by identifying and supporting those candidates that are supportive of us. Then, when it comes time for us to get a seat at the table and introduce legislation, attempt to block a detrimental piece of legislation, or fight for an amendment, PharmPAC has allies it can call on.

Your PAC contributions bring PharmPAC’s advocacy efforts full circle. We need to be sure that legislators on the other end of the phone during your “Call to Action” efforts know who we are and know how influential we can be. They need to know that we support them so they will support us. By establishing the foundation of a strong PAC presence we can make sure that those legislators care, listen, and advocate for your best interest.

PPA is making PharmPAC giving more accessible than ever before. You can go to www.papharmacists.com/pharmpac and donate today. You can also download a form that allows you to have a designated amount transferred from your credit card monthly or quarterly. Members that are giving in this manner are truly the heart and soul of PharmPAC’s recent growth. To date, we have 42 members that are contributing monthly or quarterly

In just the past few years, PharmPAC has grown by leaps

and bounds. Last year, the PAC raised more than $40,000 for the first time in recorded history – this is truly monumental. Breaking that record has made everyone at PPA hungry for more and the Board established a goal of $45,000 for 2012. PPA now has more ways to become involved with PharmPAC than ever before. We are accepting online credit-card contributions, monthly donation opportunities, quarterly donation options, and a new student donation program.

First, we must understand the role that PACs play in our political system. PACs play an important role in our political system and they exist for a good reason. It is important that we realize that PharmPAC donations are not only legitimate and lawful; but that they are essential to any successful advocacy effort. That is why almost every major health care profession participates in political giving. Contributing to a member of our state legislature, especially through a Political Action Committee, is a powerful, efficient, and effective part of our political process. But, why is it so important to give to the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association Political Action Committee, “PharmPAC”? After all, shouldn’t good ideas stand on their own – without monetary encouragement? First it is important to note, in no way does PharmPAC, or any legitimate PAC for that matter, ever “buy”

State of the PAC



Association News

Benjamin Beidel – Wilkes University, Parth Bhatt – Temple University, Jolita Burbulyte – Temple University, Eliza Daubert – Duquesne University, Courtney Graham – Wilkes University, Nicole Kovacic – University of Pittsburgh, Sheena Patel – Wilkes University, Tonisha Thompson – Temple University, Kelsey Thompson – Duquesne University, Trey Tietz – Wilkes University, Katherine Trexler – LECOM, and Tamiko Yamatani – University of Pittsburgh.

Most of you probably contribute to your college, most of you probably donate your money and time to a non-profit or charity of some kind, so why not contribute to the livelihood of your profession? Look to PAC giving as an investment – an investment for your profession, your co-workers, and your well-being. You might not see the benefits immediately, but as the PAC grows and our influence become inevitably greater, amazing accomplishments will be made. We are almost half-way through the year and we are already half-way past our goal. We have raised just over $25,000 in 2012! But, we aren’t done yet and now is a better time to get involved than ever before.

If you already contribute to PharmPAC, THANK YOU, we truly appreciate your support. If you would like to donate to PharmPAC, you can now do so online. Please go to www.papharmacists.com/pharmpac today! z

State of the PACContinued from page 27


Association News

with links to peer-reviewed articles on-line.

Meet the Editorial Board! PPA has appointed a five-member Editorial Board to oversee this content in the Journal and selected a group that includes academia, community, and health-system interests.

Chair, Tara Pummer PharmD is a Drug Information Specialist and an Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. Dr. Pummer oversees the operations of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Drug Information Center as well as the Center’s hospital discharge medication management program.

with others on ideas of mutual interest. Ideally, the information shared from the publication will influence and elevate the standard of pharmaceutical care in the Commonwealth.

The current communications plan for the Pennsylvania Pharmacist states that the objective of the journal is for it to be considered a member benefit, whose purpose is to keep members informed and updated by providing legislative, policy, and advocacy updates, feature articles on pharmacy practice, association news, and industry information. The goals of adding the peer-reviewed articles will only enhance that objective. The objective of adding the peer-reviewed feature to the current publication will be to promote the profession of pharmacy and pharmaceutical care in the Commonwealth through the dissemination of knowledge to improve patient health outcomes.

It is proposed that the Journal would include abstracts of accepted peer-reviewed articles in the print version. The abstracts would contain a link to access the full reference article on-line. This method would be cost efficient by adding only a few extra pages to the cost of publication. In addition, an email announcing the publication of a new issue of the journal will be sent to all members

Look at the Changes to The Pennsylvania Pharmacist! And more to come!

With this issue we have moved to a full color edition, a new

look, and will include an online version as well. Next, we will be incorporating peer-reviewed articles in its future content. The objectives of the new Pennsylvania Pharmacist will align even more with the mission statement: PPA, as the leading voice of pharmacy, promotes the profession through advocacy, education, and communication to enhance patient care and public health.

The idea for developing a peer-reviewed journal came from a variety of members and groups within the association. The Coalitions of Schools, the strategic planning committee, residency program directors, academics and others voiced the opinion that there should be an opportunity for pharmacists, faculty, students, and residents in Pennsylvania to have a venue through the Association to publish practice experience and research. Transitioning to a peer-reviewed publication will only further elevate the quality of the Association’s current publication, publishing a new section of the journal as a vehicle for presenting clear, concise, contemporary, and validated material to others within and outside the profession. Innovative ideas and practices in Pennsylvania will be shared. This will provide an opportunity for sharing and networking



Association News

Coordinator. We currently already have a bank of 20 or more reviewers but we can always use more and in a variety of areas of expertise.

Call for Authors – The Editorial Board will be accepting submissions for consideration starting July 1, 2012 and all submissions will go through a peer review process. More information on the guidelines will be available

on the PPA website or contact Erika Butts, PPA Communications Coordinator. Manuscripts related to the following topic areas will be considered for peer-review and publication: pharmacy practice innovations, community engaged scholarship, education, policy, and

practice-based research. In order to provide a medium for discussion throughout Pennsylvania it is proposed that the journal include various types of articles to encompass: practice experience (research or quality improvement), case studies, original research, commentaries or letters, review articles, and student/resident projects. z

teaching is Nuclear Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science.

Brian Plajer, RPh., MBA is the Director of Pharmacy Services at Grand View Hospital in Sellersville PA. He received his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Temple University School of Pharmacy in ‘94 and completed an MBA, Healthcare Administration from DeSales University in June 2009. In addition to his Pharmacy responsibilities, he is the administrative Director of the Stoneridge Sleep Center and provides administrative oversight to the Clinical Research Department and Institutional Review Board. Stephanie Smith Cooney, PharmD. is President of Gatti Pharmacy, in Indiana, PA. She is a graduate of Wilkes University and has been involved in many PPA endeavors. As a community pharmacist, Stephanie enjoys the challenges of innovating in a dynamic business environment.

Call for Peer Reviewers – PPA is also accepting names of those interested in serving as Peer Reviewers. Please see our website for the application form or contact Erika Butts, Communications

She has conducted research on the topics of formulary management, documentation systems, literature retrieval, and drug information resources.

Hershey Bell, MD, MS (Medical Education) is a board certified family physician who serves as Dean of the School of Pharmacy at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, PA and Bradenton, FL. Dr. Bell has been involved in academic medicine and pharmacy for over 25 years. He has published on the topics of competency-based education, doctor-patient relationship issues, and general considerations in medical education. Dr. Bell is a charter member of the National Academy of Osteopathic Medical Educators and is a recipient of the William D. Miller award for outstanding contributions to osteopathic medical education. He also serves as a senior consultant for the Academy of Academic Leadership.

Bernard Graham Ph.D. – is a graduate of the Albany College of Pharmacy (B.S.) and Purdue University (M.S. and Ph.D.). He is the founding Dean of the School of Pharmacy at Wilkes University and currently serves as Dean of Nesbitt College of Pharmacy and Nursing. Having held faculty appointments at the University of South Carolina and Idaho State University, Dr. Graham has been a pharmacy educator for 38 years and a dean for 27. His area of scholarship and

Look at the ChangesContinued from page 29

Are you a faculty member looking to get published?

Are you an expert on a specific disease state?

Are you a student pharmacist, resident, or new practitioner looking to make a name for yourself?

If so – we want you to write for us!


Association News

will keep you engaged and will provide you valuable practice for the Boards.

3. Networking is extremely important! The people you meet along the way may provide you with employment opportunities or valuable recommendations when competing for a residency/job.

Allen WhistlerUniversity of

the Sciences Philadelphia College of Pharmacy Doctorate of Pharmacy Candidate 2012

Future Plans: Floating around Harrisburg, York, and Lancaster for CVS/Pharmacy.

Current City: Grantville, PAOther Plans: Become more

active in pharmacy groups since I will hopefully have a little free time on my hands.

Reflections/Advice for Students: Pharmacy school was challenging but I think it prepared me well for what I will have to do throughout my career regardless of the type of pharmacy I practice. My only regret is that I would have paid attention a little more in Pharmacotherapeutics, but I think that’s everyone’s regret. I am very excited to see what the next few years bring for me and all of the 2012 graduates. z

PPA Intern Update

The PPA staff was fortunate to have the assistance of three

student interns during the 2011-2012 academic year. Thanks to Rebecca Bollinger, Lauren A. Stanchak, and Allen Whistler for their assistance. Please read below for updates on what the future holds for these former interns. At the time of print, an update for Rebecca Bollinger was not available.

Lauren A. Stanchak University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy Class of 2012

Future Plans: PGY-1 Resident, Medication Therapy Management/Geriatrics University of Florida College of Pharmacy MTM Communication and Care Center Department of Pharmacotherapy and Translational Research Gainesville, FL

Current City: Ocala, FLOther Plans: Getting married

in September at Heinz Chapel in Pittsburgh.

Reflections/Advice for Students:

1. Pharmacy school poses challenges but you will surprise yourself with your resilience and ability to rise to the occasion.

2. Choose rotations based on what interests you most. This

professional? It has been invaluable to have the opportunities I have had by becoming involved in PPA. I have been able to meet many people within the profession that are making a difference and inspire me to continue to work toward a future where pharmacists are able to care for the medication related needs of their patients and be recognized for it.

How do you spend your free time? I enjoy living in Pittsburgh with my husband Craig and puppy Sadie. We are very involved in our church and also love going to our neighborhood pool in the summer. Other hobbies of mine are yoga, reading, and traveling.

Who would you consider your mentor, and how did they help shape you into who you are today? Melissa Somma McGivney, my previous residency director has had a profound impact on me as a pharmacist. She taught me so much, but most importantly that caring for patient’s medication related needs is our goal. If we keep our focus on the patients and meeting their needs, we can’t go wrong.

Do you have any advice for PPA student members or new practitioners? Get involved. Once you start to get involved in one thing, other opportunities continue to present themselves. We need young pharmacists to be passionate about pharmacy and to be passionate about patient care. If you aren’t sure where to start, just ask! z

PPA Member ProfileContinued from page 21


Association News

PPA welcomes two new staff membersThe Association welcomed two

new staff members recently. To read their entire bios, please visit the PPA website.

Sara Powers is the new program coordinator, having started in May. Sara graduated in 2010 from Penn State Harrisburg and has a bachelor’s degree in marketing. During her time at Penn State she served as vice president and president of the marketing honor

society, Mu Kappa Tau, and was an active member of the school’s theater program. Before coming to PPA, Sara gained experience with associations working as a receptionist at the Harrisburg Home Builders Association.

Erika Butts is the new communications coordinator as of June 4. Erika is a graduate of Millersville University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in speech

communication, with a minor in print media studies. She is currently working on her master’s degree in communication studies at Shippensburg University. Prior to working at the PPA, Erika served as the communications & marketing coordinator for Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority, where she managed all sorority communications and led the organization through a rebranding initiative. She also served as the editor for the sorority’s quarterly magazine, the Phoenix.z

Industry News



Industry News

Pharmacy staff, law enforcement officials and loss prevention

personnel can now follow updates about pharmacy robberies, burglaries and potential threats in their area and nationwide at Twitter.com/rxpatrol. The tweets provide safety and security tips for pharmacy staff that may help them better protect customers and their businesses.

Tweets contain specific information on robberies and burglaries, including the exact location of the incident, description of the suspect and any pertinent information that could lead to the capture of a suspect. All information is verified with local law enforcement before it is released. All tweets direct followers to the RxPATROL database for additional information, including pictures and video of suspects.

Purdue Pharma L.P. developed RxPATROL (Rx Pattern Analysis Tracking Robberies &

Other Losses) in 2003 as a collaborative effort between industry, pharmacists and law enforcement to collect, collate, analyze and disseminate information on pharmacy theft in the United States and posts important crime-related information at RxPATROL.org. The program also issues alerts and updates via email to registered users in the

pharmacy and law enforcement communities. However, since many pharmacy staff members do not have Internet access during work hours, but do have access to cell phones, RxPATROL® is now using Twitter to instantly deliver pharmacy crime updates to followers via their cell phones.

Twitter can provide followers with timely pharmacy crime information, giving them access to information that is often not reported by the media. Twitter followers also receive notices for reward offers that are funded through Purdue’s partnership with CrimeStoppers and other local anti-crime organizations.

“Pharmacy crime is a problem in many communities,” said RxPATROL Program Analyst, Captain Richard Conklin. “RxPATROL is using new communication vehicles to help pharmacy staff and law enforcement fight pharmacy crime.”

Conklin monitors daily pharmacy crime reports from police departments across the United States and posts important crime related information on the RxPATROL website. Please visit www.rxpatrol.org for more information and start following RxPATROL by visiting Twitter.com/rxpatrol. z

Twitter Provides New Way to Fight Pharmacy CrimeRxPATROL® Tweets Crimes, Rewards and Valuable Tips


Industry News

A record-breaking 552,161 pounds (276 tons) of

unwanted or expired medications were turned in for safe disposal at collection sites across the country, as part of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. DEA coordinated with law enforcement, local government, and community partners to provide 5,659 take-back sites on April 28, 2012, and sites were available in all 50 states and United States territories. This was the fourth take-back day coordinated by DEA in the past two years, and to date over 1.5 million pounds (774 tons) of unneeded medication have been collected for safe disposal.

Removing unused, unneeded medications from the home and disposing of them properly helps prevent misuse and abuse of the drugs. DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart stated, «We are pleased at the response of the American people once again, and we thank them for participating and contributing to the battle against prescription drug abuse.»z

DEA Collects Record Amount of Unneeded Medications During Fourth National Take-Back Day

UPMC Hamot Names Pharmacist as PresidentJim Fiorenzo, the Erie hospital’s

chief operating officer, was unanimously voted the new president effective July 1 by the Hamot board of directors. One of the reasons a selection committee recommended Fiorenzo ahead of other internal and external candidates was his long history at Hamot.

Fiorenzo worked as a Hamot pharmacist starting in 1975, then was promoted to assistant director of pharmacy and drug information. He eventually became president of Great Lakes Home Healthcare Services and Bayside Pharmacy, both Hamot subsidiaries. Hamot named him chief operating officer in 2007.


Industry News

to pharmacist and pharmacies because he ruled that pharmacists are not health care providers. Judge Wettick went on to explain that pharmacist are more akin to yoga instructors than medical providers and that pharmacists do not have concrete doctor-patient relationships and that the customer of a pharmacy was not a patient. Under the Trial Judge’s reasoning and erroneous view of the pharmacy profession and the role of a licensed pharmacist, the Pa. Medical Records Act did not apply to Pennsylvania pharmacies.

Records Act. In fact, the attorneys in the case were quick to point out that pharmacies often charge a $50 fee to reproduce a “single page” of records. They went on to contend that a flat fee had no relationship to the cost of searching for, retrieving, reproducing and transmitting pharmacy records.

The Trial Court ruling: The Allegheny County Court of Pleas in Pittsburgh dismissed the case. Allegheny Court senior Judge R. Stanton Wettick Jr. found that the maximum fees imposed by the Medical Record Act did not apply

By: Basil L. Merenda Esq.***

The Pa. Superior Court, which is one step below the Pa.

Supreme Court, has good news and not so good news for pharmacists and pharmacies across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in its recent decision, Landay v. Rite Aid. (2012 PA. Super73; 2012 WL 982790). On the one hand, the court’s decision in Landay brings pharmacists on-par with physicians in the way they are viewed under the Pa. Medical Records Act and on the other hand, the Superior Court ruling in Landay now requires pharmacies in Pennsylvania to process pharmacy records in the same way patient records are reproduced by a doctor’s office

The Background: The Landay v. Rite Aid matter was brought as a class action case by attorneys who alleged they were overcharged by Rite Aid when the pharmacy charged a flat fee of $50 each time a person’s pharmacy records were requested. In their complaint, the attorneys cited the Pa. Medical Records Act which specifies that the fee a health care provider can charge to reproduce records had to be based on actual cost and expenses incurred to reproduce those records. The attorneys argued that pharmacists are actually health care providers covered by the

PHARMACY LAW ALERT: Pa. Superior Court Decision with Implications for Pharmacists and Pharmacies


Industry News

and considered health care providers who dispense prescription medication to patients not “customers” and the pharmacy records that pharmacists maintain for their patients are now considered medical records. This is, of course, a long overdue recognition of the role pharmacists play in Pennsylvania’s health care delivery system. It final takes into account that pharmacists are authorized to administer injectable medications and immunizations and can participate in drug therapy management planning with patients just like any other health care provider.

The NOT SO GOOD NEWS: Also Landay found that pharmacies can no longer charge a flat fee of $50.00 for reproducing pharmacy records and are only permitted to charge law firms or patients who request pharmacy records the “estimated actual and reasonable expense” it incurs to reproduce those pharmacy records since pharmacists are health care providers and patient pharmacy records are medical records. This means that pharmacies must comply with the record reproduction cost formula found in the Pa. Medical Records Act. You are not alone. Pennsylvania doctor’s offices have been following this formula since its enactment in 1998.

Bottom Line: Pharmacies throughout Pennsylvania can still charge a fee for reproducing pharmacy records whenever an

Consequently, Pa. pharmacies could charge record reproduction fees at whatever the market would bare.

The Appeal Court Decision: The Superior court in an opinion written by Judge Jacqueline O. Shogan overturned the Trial Court decision and found that pharmacists are indeed considered to be health care providers and that the Pa. Medical Records Act and its provision limiting what could be charged to reproduce records applies to pharmacists and pharmacies throughout Pennsylvania. Judge Shogan arrived at her opinion by doing a thorough review of the Pharmacy Practice Act and pointed out that “a pharmacist is not merely an intermediary between a vendor and a consumer” but rather a pharmacist is required to utilize his or her professional education, training and judgment to provide health care to patients. She went on to find that the Pharmacy Practice Act always refers to the individual recipient of prescription medication from a pharmacy as a “patient” not a customer. In the end, Judge Shogan explained that pharmacists maintain and review patient profiles, provide counseling and maintain confidentiality which all support the Court’s conclusion that pharmacy records are medical records as defined under the Pa. Medical Records act.

The GOOD NEWS: As a result of Landay, Pennsylvania pharmacists are now recognized

attorney or anyone else makes a records request. However, pharmacies can no longer charge a flat fee to reproduce those pharmacy records. The fee that a pharmacy can charge must be based on the actual expense and cost to reproduce those pharmacy records. You should look on the positive side of the court’s decision. This now means that the legal system and society in general has finally recognized the professionalism of the pharmacist and the pharmacy profession. Indeed, the Superior Courts decision in Landay may be viewed as the price that had to be paid so that everyone can now appreciate the important and significant role pharmacists play in the delivery of quality health care in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

**** Basil L. Merenda is Of Counsel to the Lavin, O’Neil, Ricci, Cedrone & DiSipio Law Firm and served as Secretary of the Commonwealth and Commissioner of the Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs in Gov. Edward G. Rendell’s Administration from 2004 to 2011.

This article discusses general principles of law and risk management. It is not intended as legal advice. Pharmacists should be familiar with policies and procedures of their employers and insurance companies, and act accordingly. z


Industry News

expanding role of pharmacists as health care providers. His report, Improving Patient and Health System Outcomes through Advanced Pharmacy Practice, presents evidence and compelling discussion to support health reform through pharmacists delivering expanded patient care services. z

Rear Admiral Scott Giberson, the United States Assistant

Surgeon General and Chief Professional Officer for Pharmacy for the Public Health Service, recently gave the commencement address at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine graduation on June 3, 2012. Following the commencement address, LECOM President John M. Ferretti, DO,

Rear Admiral Scott Giberson Commencement Speaker at LECOM

conferred the LECOM Honorary Doctor of Science degree to Admiral Giberson for his achievements in the fields of public health and pharmacy.

On Saturday June 2, 2012, Admiral Giberson also met with LECOM faculty, students and local pharmacists to discuss his landmark report to the U.S. Surgeon General on the

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