The Advocate

State Regulations Regarding Sterile Compounding

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Roath, Pharm.D.) — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 12:46:00 +0000

State Regulations Regarding Sterile Compounding

Michael Pavlik, Pharm. D. Candidate 2017, Ferris State University

Background

USP <797> is a chapter of the United States Pharmacopeia that outlines proper sterile compounding and regulations for any pharmacy that produces sterile compounding products. Before USP <797>, the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found that nearly one out of every three sterile compounded products contained some degree of deficiency. The chapter USP <797> was first published in 2004 to regulate sterile compounding pharmacies and laboratories to guide safer practices nationally. Since the initial publication, there have been many revisions to this chapter with the most recent in January of 2016.

As of April 2012

At the time this article was published, 8 years have passed since USP chapter <797> became the national standard for sterile compounding. Despite a national standard, state laws and regulations vary widely in regard to referencing USP <797>, whether it be full compliance requirements or no mention at all. In 2011, five states (including Michigan) had no laws or regulations that reference sterile compounding or parenteral nutrition practices in any way. The majority of the remaining states at this time had laws that did not specifically site USP <797>, but had regulations in place regarding sterile compounding and parenteral nutrition. Whether or not states had laws and regulations that were in compliance with, or referenced USP <797>, the average actual compliance rate was only 73.3 percent With such a large margin of non-compliance regarding USP <797>, it is not difficult to understand why new laws and regulations are becoming more popular within states.

Newer Regulations – June 2014

Governor Rick Snyder signed a new law that regulates compounding pharmacists and pharmacies for both sterile and non-sterile pharmaceutical products. This law also included penalties and sanctions for certain violations. A larger influence for this comprehensive law was the fungal meningitis outbreak in fall of 2012 in which Michigan suffered the most infections and highest number of fatalities. This outbreak was tracked by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and was attributed to contaminated epidural steroid injections from a compounding facility in Massachusetts.

The new comprehensive law amends parts 161 and 177 of the public health code and includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Any applicant for a pharmacy license that involves compounding must submit verification of accreditation through a national organization.
Pharmacies cannot compound commercially available products unless the product is significantly different from an already available product.
. Any pharmacy charged with a violation out of state or with federal law must notify the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) within 30 days.
There are criminal penalties imposed for violations of certain provisions and requirements and a license may be suspended if an imminent risk to public health or safety is reported from the FDA or CDC.

Current Regulations in Michigan compared to other states

Since legislature regarding sterile compounding has become more popular since the meningitis outbreak in 2012, the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) began holding records of state laws on this topic. The NCSL holds records on whether or not the state compounds sterile preparations, if they comply with the USP, how many pharmacies are accredited in that state to compound sterile products (voluntary) and recent additions to sterile compounding laws within each state. According to the NCSL’s website, 21 states currently do not practice sterile compounding (16 of which have compounding pharmacies that are accredited by the Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board) or are pending approval, three states use state regulations instead of USP regulations and 26 states have pharmacies that compound sterile products and follow USP regulations. According to the NCSL’s current website, Michigan is one of the states that does not yet follow USP regulations but has pharmacies that are accredited by the Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board.

Michigan’s newest laws regarding sterile compounding were released in 2014 and signed by Governor Snyder including those outlined above. These new laws distinguish Michigan from other states in a number of ways. In Florida, for example, a sterile compounding facility must apply for a permit from the state instead of a national accreditation program. The sterile compounding permit requires a background and history check, and has statues that outline punishment for failure to comply. In Texas, it is also illegal to compound sterile products that are commercially available and the pharmacy must also receive national accreditation status. Since the early 2010s, regulations requiring national or state accreditation have become ubiquitous to ensure safer compounding measures for sterile compounds. More stringent guidelines for accreditation and sterile compounding practice have been implemented, and pharmacies across the nation have been increasingly compliant with new standards. As time goes on, there will likely be a continuous reevaluation and adaptation to sterile compounding standards across the nation.

References

http://www.pharmacy.texas.gov/files_pdf/comparison%20final.pdf

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/lara/Compounding_Pharmacy_New_Law_Memo_09-2014_468552_7.pdf

http://floridaspharmacy.gov/licensing/sterile-compounding-permit/

http://www.pppmag.com/article/1113/april_2012_state_of_pharmacy_compounding/state_regulations_impact_usp_797_compliance/

I’m Just a Bill: Current Pharmacy Legislation in Michigan

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda A. Lick) — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 17:40:00 +0000

by Benjamin Daunais, 2016 Pharm.D. Candidate, Ferris State University College of Pharmacy

As a student pharmacist, it has become apparent to me how important it is to stay current in the profession. The world of pharmacy rapidly changes and evolves and we must do everything in our power to adapt lest we become obsolete. One of the things that pharmacists should stay current with is legislation in their state. For your convenience, I have provided summaries of some bills that are currently in our legislature that will affect the practice of pharmacy in Michigan.

Summary of Current Bills

Senate Bill No. 778 – Statewide Protocol for Naloxone. This bill would allow for the Chief Medical Executive of Michigan to issue a statewide standing order, which does not identify a specific patient, for the purpose of dispensing an opioid antagonist. This would allow pharmacists to dispense Naloxone to any individual, without the need for a prescription. This bill also dissolves the pharmacist of any liability for Naloxone that was properly stored and dispensed but was the proximate cause of harm due to the administration or failure to administer Naloxone. This bill was introduced to the Senate on February 10, 2016, and was then referred to the Health Policy Committee where it currently is today. With this issue being a top priority, we expect this bill to gain traction before the end of the legislative session.

House Bill No. 4812 - Biologic Product Substitution. Interchangeable biologic products are defined in this proposed amendment to the public health code. HB 4812 would allow pharmacists upon the receipt of a prescription for a brand name biologic product to substitute it for an interchangeable biologic product (if one is available – without the intervention of a physician). Essentially, it would treat interchangeable biologics the same in the Michigan Public Health Code as current substitution practices exist for other drugs. There would also be a requirement for pharmacists to keep an electronic record of interchangeable products dispensed for a period of two years. HB 4812 was introduced in the House on August 8, 2015, was revised by the Health Policy Committee and is currently still in committee.

Senate Bill No. 769 – Requirements for Prescribers to Check MAPS. SB 769 would require prescribers who hold controlled substance licenses to obtain a MAPS report before dispensing controlled substances to a new patient, starting in January 2019. This requirement would not apply, however, if the prescriber was dispensing a controlled substance in the emergency department, hospice or oncology department. SB 769 was introduced in the Senate on February 9, 2016, and was referred to the Health Policy Committee where it currently stands today.

Newly Enacted Legislation

Senate Bill No. 150 – Medication Synchronization. SB 150 was recently passed and will require health plans that provide prescription drug coverage to provide a program for synchronizing multiple maintenance medications for patients. Patients should benefit from the convenience of only having to stop by the pharmacy once to receive all of their medications. Additionally, this will help to ensure adherence for the patient as he/she will receive all of their long-term medications at once, and it is more likely he/she will be taking their medications if said medications are available to him/her. In order to qualify for the medication synchronization program the following must occur:

The patient’s pharmacist and physician must agree that medication synchronization is in the best interest for the management of the patient’s chronic long-term conditions.
Medications have to be covered by the insurance.
Medications must have refills.
Medications must be used to treat chronic conditions.
Medications cannot be controlled substances.
Medications must meet prior authorization requirements at the time of initiation.
Medications must be in a formulation that may be split to achieve synchronization.
Insurers or health management organizations will also be required to offer prorated daily cost-sharing rates for medications for the purpose of synchronization

I hope that you found the above summaries informative. There are some exciting possibilities that will come to light if the above bills pass. If you feel strongly about any of the above bills, by all means please contact your legislator to advocate for pharmacists.

Online Resources:

· To view the bills, visit https://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(pfdmgn0w22dnjutgqfqrsu4h))/mileg.aspx?page=Bills

For more information on advocacy, visit the MPA website at MichiganPharmacists.org/Advocacy/WhoAreMyLegislators

For further questions contact:

Amanda Lick, M.A., MPA manager of advocacy, governmental and regulatory affairs, at (517) 377-0254 orAmanda@MichiganPharmacists.org

Eric Roath, Pharm.D., MPA director of professional practice, at (517) 377-0224 or Eric@MichiganPharmacists.org

Hello? Public Office? Is that You Calling?

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda A. Lick) — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 15:02:00 +0000

by Sarah Barden, Pharm.D., M.B.A.

On Oct. 6, 2015, I woke up in the wee hours of the day and drove through the foggy morning haze to a stately brick building in downtown Lansing, the venue for MPA’s Campaign School. If anyone had told me a year ago that I would be attending a seminar to learn about running for office and managing a political campaign, I would have scoffed.

“Me? Run for public office?” The question I asked myself was followed quickly by the answer “No.” A campaign would be too much work, cost too much money, destroy any semblance of privacy and take me away from pharmacy. In my mind, running for office was simply not an option.

By the end of the seminar, however, I had a much different perspective, and I began to ask myself other questions such as “Would being a public official really take me away from pharmacy or might it provide new opportunities to serve my community as an elected official and as a pharmacist?” My thoughts continued. “What if I could run? What if I could win? Could I run in Michigan? Is there really any higher calling than serving your fellow people by representing them in state government so they have a voice?” As Joe Palamara, former seven-term State Representative, said, “It was not always the best job, but it was the best public service I have ever done.” Serving the public, while challenging and frustrating at times, can be one of best ways to give back to society. With my education and background, I wouldn’t just be serving the public; I would be serving pharmacy as well. The Michigan Legislature has not had a pharmacist serve for some time now. I could be that voice.

So what exactly is MPA’s Campaign School and how did it get me thinking about the unimaginable?

It is a full-day seminar filled with expert advice from politically-savvy and experienced public officials designed to encourage and prepare health care professionals to run for public office. Current and former Senators and Representatives from both parties drop by to share words of advice and encouragement. Campaign consultants provide insight into planning, strategizing, budgeting and fundraising. It is a great way for committed and registered candidates to take the next steps in getting their campaigns off the ground, and it is a great place for questioning, and maybe considering, hopefuls (aka me) to learn more about the process and what it would really take not just to run, but to win.

Some Tips (I Gathered) for Success

Deciding to Run. Deciding to run for public office at any level, whether a local commissioner or State Senator, is potentially one of the most life-changing decisions someone can make. It is not something decided on a whim. Campaign School guest speaker Julie Calley, wife of Michigan Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, gave sage advice related to families on the campaign trail and beyond. The entire family, not just the candidate, is affected by the choice to run for office. Everyone needs to be committed to the campaign and the work that comes afterward if you win. The job actually begins once the race is won. The negotiations, time commitments, conflicts and sacrifices are only just beginning during the campaign, but good communication and setting aside time to be with family separate from the campaign are keys to success.

Setting the Campaign Strategy. Once you decide to run for office and have your family’s support, you then have a myriad of other decisions. Where do you currently live? Is it a red or blue district? Do your political views align with how your district votes? If not, do you need to move to where you have a chance at winning? One important thing I learned is that 90 percent of Michigan’s elected officials are decided during the primary elections. Most districts are so solidly Republican or Democrat that the “real campaign” is against the other people within your own party during the primary to get onto the general election ballot. Once there, the district will vote party lines. One more thing: do not run as an independent if you actually want to win. It does not work, and you will waste a lot of money. You can be a moderate, but you have to decide whether to be a moderate Republican or moderate Democrat. These questions and decisions form part of your campaign strategy.

Financing the Campaign. Another important thing to consider is that campaigns cost money. A run for state Senate in a highly-contested election could cost half a million dollars. Do you have enough capital to finance it yourself or do you need to raise money for the campaign? If you have to raise the money, who will you ask to donate? How will you ask them? How much will you ask them for (keeping the legal donation limits in mind, of course)? You definitely need to hire an accountant to keep track of the money and open a separate bank account to keep campaign money separate from personal money.

Executing the Campaign. Next, you have to decide how to manage the campaign effectively. Will you run the campaign yourself or hire a campaign manager? How are you going to research your constituents and your opponents so you can best complete your campaign plan? You must be thoughtful about each and every decision, create a plan and execute that plan. But, as MPA Pharmacy PAC Chairman Hank Fuhs says, you have to be able to “turn on a dime” and adjust your plan as your campaign evolves in order to be successful. Find resources with experience to help you and be nimble and quick to adjust.

Is public office calling my name? Maybe, just maybe, I hear a tiny whisper. Do you?

P.S. If public office is calling your name, be sure to join MPA’s next Campaign School in 2017! Please contact MPA Manager of Advocacy, Governmental and Regulatory Affairs Amanda Lick at (517) 377-0254 or Amanda@MichiganPharmacists.org with any questions or to get more information.

MPA-UP Division Fall Seminar: Why YOU Should Attend Next Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda A. Lick) — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 16:28:00 +0000

by Emma Holmi, 2016 Pharm.D. candidate, Ferris State University College of Pharmacy

Each year, the Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA)-Upper Peninsula Division hosts a Fall Seminar. This year, the seminar was held in Marquette and since I was on my Advanced Practice Pharmacy Experience rotation with MPA, I literally jumped at the opportunity to head to the Upper Peninsula. Now, I may be biased since both of my parents are originally from the better upper-half of Michigan, but I think everyone should make time to attend this annual seminar. Not only was this year’s event informative and a great opportunity to earn continuing education, but more importantly, it is a great way to network with fellow pharmacists.

Some of the highlights of the seminar in Marquette included a presentation from Nicholas Torney, Pharm.D., a Postgraduate Year 2 infectious disease resident from Munson Medical Center, on penicillin skin testing, along with addiction psychiatrist, Dr. Michael Notorangelo’s much anticipated speech on handling the treatment of pain in an environment of diversion.

The seminar also included an update on pharmacy law and the lessons learned from the board disciplinary subcommittee from Rosalie Baran, Pharm.D., and her husband Gregory Baran, R.Ph. Not only was the presentation informative, but it was a great forum to ask questions on a variety of pharmacy law-related topics. The excellent agenda also included updates on pharmacy advocacy presented by Amanda Lick, MPA manager of advocacy, governmental and regulatory affairs; the 2014-2015 new Food and Drug Administration drug approvals presented by Dr. Timothy Jones; a 2015 Beer’s criteria update presented by Dr. Alicia Thatcher and Dr. Timothy Jones; and a presentation on the Upper Peninsula Health Plan by Sheryl Waudby, R.Ph.

The Ferris State University Alumni Board graciously hosted a happy hour for the seminar attendees at the Ore Dock Brewing Company in downtown Marquette. Marquette is located on the shores of Lake Superior and has a charm you won’t forget, especially after you stroll downtown, eat at delectable restaurants, explore the numerous bike trails, climb to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain and take advantage of all the other outdoor activities the area has to offer.

MPA strives to provide its members, pharmacists, technicians and students alike, with considerable opportunities for professional growth and networking. I would urge everyone to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to visit the Upper Peninsula for the annual Fall Seminar; if you are lucky, you might even be able to see the peak of amazing fall colors. Mark your calendars for a soon-to-be-announced weekend next October and I hope to see you up in Houghton for the seminar in 2016!

What if Pharmacy Day at the Capitol was Every Day?

noreply@blogger.com (MPA) — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 15:44:00 +0000

by Eric Szydlowski, Pharm.D., MPA/PSI executive fellow

In case you haven’t noticed, there is an event that’s been going on for the past 15 years. It’s called Pharmacy Day at the Capitol, or PDAC for short. For those who have attended, THANK YOU! It is your contribution of time and advocacy that makes this event so successful. Others in the pharmacy profession benefit from your hard work. If you haven’t attended or heard about it, PDAC is a single-day event where pharmacists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and other pharmacy professionals from all over Michigan join together at the State Capitol to advocate on behalf of the profession of pharmacy and their patients. This year it was held on Sept. 22 and was our biggest turnout yet, with almost 400 student pharmacists and pharmacy professionals registered as volunteers.

The activities at the event include pharmacy services in a tent on the State Capitol lawn, where pharmacists and student pharmacists provided immunizations and health screenings to legislators and their staff. Pharmacy technicians also discussed the important roles they serve in to support pharmacists as well as the recent technician licensure and certification requirements.

Additionally, each year we hold a community drug take-back event, the Medication Disposal Event @ the Captiol. In the medication take-back tent, volunteers, in conjunction with the Michigan State Police and the City of Wyoming, collected and properly disposed of 581 pounds of unused, unwanted and expired medications from the public. Over the past six years, the event has brought in 1.6 tons of medications, removing them from households where they could potentially be diverted, therefore keeping our communities and environment safe.

Students also participated in a legislative debate workshop in which teams of students read, evaluated and debated current bills relative to pharmacy practice. Volunteer participants, including Deans of pharmacy from Ferris State University, Wayne State University and the University of Michigan, visited legislator offices to speak to them about important pharmacy issues. Some students had the chance to view a live Michigan House of Representatives session and a press conference organized by MPA. The press conference featured Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, MPA President Jennifer Hagerman, Michigan State Police Captain Chris Stolicker, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Chief Deputy Director Jim Sygo and MPA Chief Executive Officer Larry Wagenknecht. Each year, the Association also takes a large group photo of all the volunteers on the Capitol steps!

If you are a new student pharmacist who is just beginning pharmacy school or you are new to advocating for the profession of pharmacy, PDAC is a really great opportunity to join your colleagues and peers who have already developed advocacy as a good habit. You can see firsthand the legislative process and how pharmacists can positively contribute to it. You can also establish a working relationship with your elected officials or strengthen existing ones. As citizens of America and Michigan, we all have the right to bring our concerns and suggestions to our elected representatives, but as pharmacists (or future pharmacists) we have the responsibility of ensuring the growth of our profession for the benefit of our patients.

There are many important legislative issues at hand right now. If you enjoyed your experience during PDAC or you feel you want to make a positive political impact, you still can! Recently, MPA rolled out the new Advocacy Action Center and an introductory video to help you get oriented. Please check out this new tool that includes e-mail and letter templates for you to customize. As a MPA member, you can use it to write to your elected legislators and urge them to support pharmacists as providers.

A very important bill at the federal level is House Resolution 592, which would establish provider status for pharmacists in medically underserved areas/populations (MUA/P). Michigan cities such as Detroit, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Lansing and others, along with large swaths of the state are classified as MUA/Ps (click here to see a map of select shortage areas). If we can gain more support for this bill, pharmacists, one of the most trusted and accessible health care professionals, could better serve patients in these areas and improve the health of our communities.

As of now, only four of the 14 U.S. Representatives from Michigan have signed on to support the bill (Reps. Candice Miller, Mike Bishop, Tim Walberg and Dan Kildee). As Michigan pharmacists, I know we can do better! The Advocacy Action Center is a great place to start, where MPA members can make a difference. The Association has challenged its members to send 500 letters to Congress in support of provider status. Thus far, we have approximately 100 sent. Will you join the effort and help us make a difference?

If you have any questions about pharmacy issues, please contact MPA Manager of Advocacy, Governmental and Regulatory Affairs Amanda Lick at (517) 377-0254 or Amanda@MichiganPharmacists.org.

Volunteer for Pharmacy Day at the Capitol

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda A. Lick) — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 15:30:00 +0000

Volunteer registration is available online for Pharmacy Day at the Capitol, which will be held Sept. 22, 2015, on the south lawn of the Michigan State Capitol building in Lansing. Pharmacy professionals and student pharmacists are encouraged to register to take advantage of valuable one-on-one time with Michigan legislators and their staff. This is a great opportunity to educate policymakers on key pharmacy practice areas! Discuss important pharmacy issues and provide expertise in the following areas:

Blood pressure monitoring
Cholesterol screenings
Compounding
Emergency preparedness
Healthy lifestyle practices
Immunizations
Pharmacist education and training
Point-of-care testing

Please visit the event page to sign up as a volunteer or donate supplies to support Pharmacy Day at the Capitol. Please be sure that you read through the registration carefully, providing as much information as possible. Volunteer registrations must be submitted online and received by 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 14, 2015. We hope to see you at the Capitol on Sept. 22! Don’t miss out on this key opportunity to show passion for your profession.

Contact Amanda Lick, Amanda@MichiganPharmacists.org to learn how to sign up today!

Are You or Someone You Know Interested in Running for Public Office?

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda A. Lick) — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 15:28:00 +0000

Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA) is hosting a comprehensive Campaign School to educate individuals interested in running for public office. This biennial event will take place on Oct. 6, 2015, at Karoub Associates in downtown Lansing. Several speakers and special guests will provide expert advice on the following topics:

Finance law and how to finance your campaign
How to utilize social networking and new media in your campaign
What is required by the Secretary of State
Campaign strategies
What your family can expect
Time and commitment required

Campaign School is free to MPA members and other health care professionals. To learn more about this opportunity or to RSVP for the event, please contact MPA Manager of Advocacy, Governmental and Regulatory Affairs Amanda Lick at (517) 377-0254 or Amanda@MichiganPharmacists.org.

Expedited Partner Therapy in Michigan

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda A. Lick) — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 19:12:00 +0000

by Brian Palmer, 2016 Pharm.D. candidate, Ferris State University College of Pharmacy

As of Jan. 14, 2015, Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) is legal in Michigan. For readers who are unaware, EPT is the indirect treatment of a patient’s partner who has been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) through dispensing or prescribing of an antibiotic or other treatment that is the standard of care for STIs according to the guidelines. If you knew about this, you may have many questions just like I did. If you didn’t know about this, you may have even more questions. In this post, I will summarize for you the answers that I uncovered for the many questions I had such as:

Who qualifies for EPT?
How do I know which STIs this applies to?
What if the patient does not know their partner’s name?
What does this mean for pharmacists?
What is the pharmacist’s liability?

Know the Facts

Who qualifies for EPT and which STIs are of concern?

Many patients qualify for EPT. For instance, any patient who has an existing relationship with a provider may inquire about EPT for their sexual partner(s). In order for the partner to be covered, the patient has to have a laboratory confirmed or suspected case of a STI. Specifically covered under this law are gonorrhea and chlamydia. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is to distribute information about which STIs are covered, treatments and warnings and precautions. To access more information, you may visit their Web site online. The patient must indicate that he or she has a partner who they have engaged in sexual activity with 60 days prior to the diagnosis. There is no limit to the amount of partners who are covered under the EPT law. The patient must also indicate that his or her partner is unable or unwilling to get treatment within a reasonable amount of time. The health professional does not have to have a relationship with the partner to prescribe or dispense the medication. It should be stressed to the patient that they should inform their partner of their diagnosis and for them to seek medical examination and further treatment. Men who have sex with men are not covered under EPT due to lack of demonstrated efficacy and risk of missing STI/HIV co-infections. If abuse or assault is suspected, EPT should not be used. In addition, pregnancy and EPT is of concern, and should be considered last resort.

How could EPT prescriptions impact pharmacy?

Receiving EPT prescriptions may be a little confusing at first. However, MPA has worked with MDHHS to create best practices for pharmacists who receive EPT prescriptions. Below you will find tips and resources. This guidance has not been finalized, but we want you to be aware of upcoming changes.

What if the name of the partner is unknown?

If the partner’s name is unknown, the provider may dispense or prescribe to “Expedited Partner Therapy.” If this is the case, the date of birth should be Jan. 1 of the current year.

What does EPT mean for pharmacists?

Pharmacists should counsel patients to inform their partner of a need for a complete STI evaluation and to read the medication handout thoroughly. Pharmacists should be aware that the partner may have an allergy to the medication and should address this with the patient. EPT should be used as a last line in pregnancy, and so pharmacists should check to make sure that pregnancy is not of concern. If pregnancy is possible, the patient or partner should seek care from their provider. Counseling on abstaining from sex for at least seven days after treatment is essential to prevent reinfection. Pharmacists should advise patients to be reevaluated at three months after treatment to rule out reinfection. It is important to note that a pharmacist can change everything on the prescription for EPT except the patient’s name, with consent from the doctor.

What liability does the pharmacist have?

There is little to no liability, unless gross negligence is suspected. The health professional who provides EPT as authorized by law is not liable for damages in a civil court or subject to administrative action for personal injury, death or other consequence arising from or related in any way.

Online resources:

· If you would like to read the law yourself, click here.

· To find out more information about pharmacy and pharmacy law, visit the Michigan Pharmacists Association Web site.

For further questions contact: Amanda Lick, M.A., MPA manager of advocacy, governmental and regulatory affairs, at (517) 377-0254 or Amanda@MichiganPharmacists.org. Eric Roath, Pharm.D., MPA director of professional practice, at (517) 377-0224 or Eric@MichiganPharmacists.org

Input Needed: Challenges with Background Check Requirements

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda A. Lick) — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 17:07:00 +0000

Last year, Michigan Public Act 280 of 2014 imposed more stringent requirements for background checks for applicants seeking to obtain a pharmacy license. The new regulations require the inclusion of background checks and fingerprints for all members of the Board of Directors for applying entities. This has proven to be particularly challenging for health systems whose bylaws require public members to sit on their Boards.

Since that time, Senate Bill (SB) 195 has been introduced, seeking to revise the regulations around which individuals actually require background checks as part of the application process. The current version of SB 195 reflects a complete deletion of the background check requirement for owners., MPA, the Michigan Association of Health Plans (MAHP) and others are advocating for an amendment that corrects the problem but still applies the appropriate level of scrutiny to applicants for pharmacy licenses to ensure that individuals who have physical access to medications are appropriately screened.

MPA staff welcomes your input on this issue. Please send comments identifying the issues that the new regulations have caused your institution as well any suggestions you may have for altering the language of the regulation to Eric Roath, Pharm.D., MPA director of professional practice, at Eric@MichiganPharmacists.org.

Important Notification for Pharmacy Technician License Applicants from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda A. Lick) — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 19:23:00 +0000

This notification was sent to MPA members late last week. Just in case you missed the information we wanted to make sure that you received this update as well. The following statement was issued by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA):

Due to the high volume of pharmacy technician applications already received by the Bureau of Health Care Services within the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) and with the June 30, 2015, deadline fast approaching for individuals to be licensed, the Department has taken administrative action to help applicants continue their ability to work so long as the applicant meets the following:

Individuals applying for a pharmacy technician license must have their application submitted with a U.S. postmark date stamp on or before June 30, 2015, to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. If an application is received with a postmark date on or before the June 30, 2015, deadline, the applicant can continue to practice as a pharmacy technician until the Department can complete the issuance of the license.

However, if the Department finds problems or issues with the applicant's criminal background check, the Department will inform the individual that they must discontinue working as a pharmacy technician until the concerns can be resolved.

Applicants with a U.S. postmark date stamp after June 30, 2015, on their application cannot continue working as a pharmacy technician until their license is fully issued.

The Bureau and Department are committed to processing these applications as quickly as possible and are also coordinating with MPA and other stakeholders to communicate this information and help applicants through this process.

Please note that applications submitted to the Department could take up to eight weeks to be processed. Please provide the Department with adequate time to process your application.

If you have any outstanding questions related to the application process, please contact Eric Roath, MPA director of professional practice, at Eric@MichiganPharmacists.org.

Advancing the Profession: How I Became an Advocate for Pharmacy

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda A. Lick) — Thu, 14 May 2015 14:30:00 +0000

by Kara Brockhaus, Pharm.D.

As the field of pharmacy continues to expand, pharmacists are encouraged to advocate for our profession. You frequently hear the word “advocate,” but what does that mean? Where do you start? What should you advocate for? If you don’t know the answers to these questions, don’t worry, you are not alone. I, myself, did not know the answers to these questions until my rotation with Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA). At MPA, I was introduced to various forms of advocacy. I was even presented with an opportunity to meet a few lobbyists! I have learned that advocating gives you a voice for the future of your profession and this is important. For me, one of the easiest ways to advocate is by writing a letter to your legislator. Writing a letter does not require a significant amount of time and avoids the issue of planning ahead to schedule meetings. These characteristics make advocating feasible for busy people like you and me. In today’s post, I will describe how I became an advocate for my profession by writing a letter to my senator.

Tips I Followed to Write My Letter

Tip 1: EDUCATE YOURSELF.

Educate, educate, educate! I cannot emphasize this enough! It’s important to understand what problems your profession is facing and how proposed solutions will correct the issue. Prior to writing my letter, I sat down and began to read about bills that were recently introduced into Michigan Legislature. After learning what these bills represented, I was able to select a topic for my letter that I felt passionate about. The topic I selected was Senate Bill (SB) 150, medication synchronization. This bill would allow patients to fill a portion of their prescription early so that it may align with their other prescriptions. Currently, third-party payers may prevent synchronization by denying coverage on early or partial medication refills. This bill aims to dissolve this issue and decrease a potential barrier to medication adherence.

Tip 2: TAKE A STANCE and TELL A STORY.

After you understand the issue and how the proposed solution will correct the issue, you can take a stance in favor or against the proposal. Once you take a stance, it is important that you support your viewpoint throughout the entire letter. Being indecisive about a topic can jeopardize the argument you are advocating for. When taking a stance, make sure you are able to explain why you are passionate about the topic and how it could impact the community you live in. Many times, people are drawn to an issue from personal experience. Share those experiences! Using a personal story to support your argument can help legislators understand the severity of the issue.

In the case of SB 150, I was strongly in favor of allowing patients to synchronize their medications. Allowing patients to synchronize medications would increase adherence rates and encourage patients to take an active role in managing their health. By increasing adherence to medications, we could prevent adverse health effects, decrease hospitalizations and decrease health care expenditures. Having practiced in a hospital, I have also witnessed the effects of medication nonadherence. This experience allowed me to add a personal touch to the letter by including the following story:

“This past year, I witnessed a patient who was admitted to the critical care unit where he received treatment for a heart failure exacerbation. Heart failure patients are required to take multiple medications in order to maintain adequate cardiac function. This can be challenging for patients to manage especially when medication refills do not align. After questioning the patient, this was found to be the case and he had forgotten to refill an essential medication. This error resulted in a 23-day hospitalization and cost the system more than $92,000. By allowing patients to synchronize their medications, costly admissions, such as the one described above, could be prevented.”

Tip 3: PUT IT INTO WORDS.

Writing a letter to your legislator should be conducted in a formal manner. Included below is a sample template I used when creating my letter (click here to view a larger file).

Paragraph one is your opportunity for introduction. Introduce yourself, the reason you are writing, and the bill you are advocating for. Just because you are writing to a member of the Legislature it does not mean they are familiar with the bill you want to promote. It is hard for legislators to know every bill that has been introduced. Can you imagine if a pharmacist had to know the details about every drug currently in development throughout the U.S? Yikes! When explaining the issue, be sure to use terminology that everyone can understand. Remember, a legislator is not health care provider just as you are not a legislator. After providing a brief summary of the bill, you need to take a stance. State whether you support or oppose the issue and list three solid reasons that strengthen your argument. You must support this opinion throughout the entire letter!
Paragraph two is where you can provide examples that support the argument you are trying to make. As previously stated, using personal experiences can enhance the message of a letter. When providing examples, mention how the bill would impact you, your family or your community. Your story will make the letter memorable.
Paragraph three is the closing paragraph. Inform the reader what stance you would like them to take on this bill and reiterate the importance this will have on the community. Remember to thank the reader for their time and offer follow-up in the event he or she may have any questions.

What I Learned from Writing a Letter

Writing a letter to my senator made me feel empowered. It gave me a voice in the future of my profession and for my patients. Combine my voice with the voices of many other pharmacists and together we can implement changes to advance our practice. Pharmacy plays an integral role in health care, but few people outside of pharmacy understand this role. Advocating for our profession, getting our voices heard and making professional advancements can help us to show the world what we can do! Whether it’s writing a letter or making a phone call, advocating can help us achieve these goals!

My First Day with MPA

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda A. Lick) — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 20:48:00 +0000

by Erica Boroughs, CPhT

I would like to thank Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA) for reaching out to the Genesee County Pharmacists Association (GCPA), and offering the opportunity for one of its members to join in the presentation of the Good Public Health Policy Award to Sen. Jim Ananich. Secondly, I would like to thank my fellow GCPA members for once again supporting me in my journey on becoming a pharmacist and always offering me the best opportunities to help me grow professionally.

When I pulled into the parking lot of the MPA office in Lansing, that’s when everything started to set in. Not only would this be my first time at MPA, but also my first time at the Capitol. The first thing I did before I got out of my car was say a prayer to thank God for all the wonderful things that have occurred in my the last two years, since I have started this new adventure in pharmacy. While walking toward the building, I saw the sign outside with a little history about how MPA was established, and I immediately took a picture. I wanted to capture every moment of this day. After walking in, I was greeted by some of the friendliest staff I have ever met; they all seemed just as excited for me to be there as I was myself.

Meeting the manager of advocacy, governmental and regulatory affairs Amanda Lick for the first time was intriguing to say the least. Within the first five minutes of meeting her, I saw this powerhouse personality that shines through in everything that she talked with me about. Amanda started with introducing me to all of the staff as we walked by and went on to explain how the day’s events would occur. This was the first of many moments of the day that I found myself to be speechless.

Our last stop before leaving was chief executive officer (CEO) Larry Wagenknecht’s office. Amanda had asked for me to sit with Larry while the others were getting ready to join us to head over to the Capitol. As a pharmacy technician, I am assuming it is normal to feel like a little fish in a big pond while sitting across from the CEO of MPA. I never once felt like the little fish while I was with the members of the MPA staff. Larry finished an e-mail and was eager to hear my story about my involvement with GCPA and my goals of attending pharmacy school. We talked about my recent recognition as Local Member of the Year and the Board position that I now hold with GCPA.

One of the highlights of my day, aside from meeting Sen. Ananich, was our trip over to the Capitol. I found myself smiling, as I watched Larry, Amanda, director of professional practice Eric Roath and director of communications Leah Ball interacting with one another. They seemed so comfortable, almost like a family. Each one would take a turn talking about upcoming events, while occasionally throwing out a lighthearted joke. It made the experience all that more enjoyable and I felt included in their conversations. As we were walking up to the Capitol, I expressed that this was my first time ever being in Lansing and that I have never seen the Capitol in person. They all decided that after we met with Sen. Ananich, they would show me around.

Meeting with Sen. Ananich to present the Good Public Health Policy Award made me nervous. Before that day, I had never been to the Capitol, let alone met with a Senator in their office. Although Sen. Ananich has been active with GCPA, this happened to be my first time meeting him. The Senator warmly welcomed us into his office and took the time to speak about his appreciation for the award. After the video and pictures, I personally spoke with him about the upcoming GCPA legislative breakfast and how I looked forward to his future work with MPA and my local association. Sen. Ananich notably received the Good Public Health Policy Award for his work with MPA, GCPA and his efforts on health policy, supporting pharmacy issues such as Maximum Allowable Cost pricing and the new technician licensure law.

Once we arrived back at MPA, Amanda brought me into her office and went over a new initiative called the Pharmacy Advocacy Response Team (PART) that MPA and the Michigan Pharmacy Political Action Council began in 2014. Out of all of the events that day, this might be my favorite one. Pharmacy law is something that I am passionate about. Amanda explained how PART gives a sense of accomplishment and why being an advocate for pharmacy is so important. There are many misconceptions about the pharmacy profession and it is our job to make sure that we educate our legislators.

Sen. Ananich, thank you for all of your efforts in working with MPA and GCPA. In my opinion, pharmacy technician licensure is a positive change for pharmacy; this will open many new possibilities for fellow technicians and myself. To the staff at MPA, thank you for allowing me to join in this wonderful experience. Advocating will now be a big part of my future in pharmacy. I may only be one person, but when we all come together I believe that we truly can make a difference.

Pharmaco-Political Economics: About the Michigan Pharmacy Political Action Council, Why it’s Important and Why it’s Important to Donate

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda A. Lick) — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 19:44:00 +0000

By Malak Abbas, 2017 Pharm.D. candidate, Wayne State University Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Are you caught up in the demanding profession of pharmacy? I sure am! Between juggling a complex pharmacy school course load, being involved with professional organizations and maintaining an internship, I rarely find extra time to actively advocate for my profession. Since we are amid a fight for provider status at the federal level, this is a crucial time to be continuously involved in advocacy, especially among our national decision makers. However, as a student, I have been struggling with finding balance. Luckily, there is an organization I have found to help me become involved with pharmacy political advocacy!

As a member of Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA), I recently discovered the organization that is involved with advocating for a pharmacy-friendly legislative agenda: the Michigan Pharmacy Political Action Council (PAC). Michigan Pharmacy PAC is a collective group of MPA member pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and student pharmacists with a common interest and goal: the promotion and protection of the pharmacy profession.

Pharmacy PAC is a “voluntary, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization of pharmacy professionals who actively seek to promote positive good government and public health.” The focus of Pharmacy PAC is to defend the relevant professional interests of pharmacy, advocate for public policy that improves patient health and wellness, increase pharmacy’s awareness and heighten pharmacy’s influence in the Michigan Legislature. They are involved with legislators in numerous ways, including reaching out to elected officials to discuss pharmacy issues and contributions to candidates who have or who make pharmacy and patients their top priorities.

Legislators tend to be impacted by those who contribute to their campaign process. However, supporting a political candidate’s campaign on your own comes with a hefty cost. I can relate to the difficulty of offering monetary contributions, especially since I have student loans that keep racking up, bills to pay and minimal income. Nevertheless, if each individual can contribute a small amount to Pharmacy PAC, then our joint monetary resources will have a much larger impact in creating awareness by legislators and candidates. Let us not forget that the Michigan Legislature does not have a pharmacy professional serving in office and, as a result, we need to work hard to ensure our voice is heard. Therefore, it is necessary that we support Pharmacy PAC and, through our contributions, the organization will provide financial support to the candidates who support our mission. This support will lead to the development of long-lasting relationships with key decision makers. Working together, we will have a stronger, more collective voice.

Many people wonder where their money goes when they donate to a PAC. To help contributors gain a better understanding of what Michigan Pharmacy PAC funds are used for, an annual report was developed to share with you. Starting this year, the annual report of PAC functions, titled The Advocate, was released. The report contains a complete review of 2014 PAC activities and fundraisers as well as additional facts about Michigan Pharmacy PAC. The Advocate 2014 report can be found online.

Of course, as with any organization and advocacy group, MPA’s efforts can only be made possible with our support. It is rather important for many reasons to contribute to Pharmacy PAC and become part of the united voice protecting pharmacy. Not only will your donations allow the organization to support legislators, but it will also allow them to participate in events and speak on behalf of pharmacy’s interests. Pharmacy is at risk of being overshadowed, as jobs continue to decline due to technology and mail-order pharmacy. Pharmacy PAC makes a promise to work hard to preserve the importance of face-to-face health care. As we all know, personalized patient-pharmacist relationships are vital to improving health outcomes. Legislators need to be educated on the importance of patient care and pharmacy involvement.

Contributions from pharmacy professionals will provide Pharmacy PAC with the tools to attend important events to educate legislators and speak on behalf of pharmacy’s interests. We need unceasing activity and action promoting our concerns, especially as new legislators take office, as they have this year. If we do not unite and have a voice defending our profession, then other health care professionals, third party payers, health plans and other organizations will advocate on our behalf. They have large amounts of funds available to them and that will push for agendas that may not be in our best interest or in best interest of our patients. If there is a larger group of people involved with a collective interest, then they will have a greater influence with legislators. With this in mind, legislators would eventually have to listen to what we have to say and will undoubtedly work to make sure our constituent needs are met.

I found that by contributing monetarily and becoming a member of Pharmacy PAC, I can make my voice heard without having to be present at all the events that take place. Through this small contribution, I am moving one step closer with making a difference in advancing the profession.

It is rather simple for YOU to be an active member in defending our profession. By donating to Michigan Pharmacy PAC, you will promote pharmacy priorities and take part in educating legislators on essential health care issues so we can continue to move forward in our profession. Through your contribution and by becoming a member, not only will you be recognized, but you will also have access to key legislators and continue to be informed and educated about public policy issues of importance to the profession. For more information and to donate, please visit http://www.michiganpharmacists.org/pharmacypac.

You can take your efforts one step further by joining the Pharmacy Advocacy Response Team (PART)! If you are interested in becoming a PART of our advocacy efforts, please call Amanda Lick, MPA manager of advocacy, governmental and regulatory affairs at (517) 377-0254 or Amanda@MichiganPharmacists.org.

Pharmaco-Politics: An Advocacy Regimen - Interlude

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda A. Lick) — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 20:56:00 +0000

Hi Pharmaco-Politics enthusiasts!

Thank you for tuning in to the Pharmaco-Poitics: An Advocacy Regimen blog series. We hope you have been able to find some time to read our thought-provoking advocacy posts. As a reminder, we have four posts left in the series (detailed below). The schedule has been altered, so we would like to provide you with an updated list of what to expect next!

Now that you’ve read through several posts, we wanted to get your thoughts on the series. What do you think? Have you found it useful or entertaining (hopefully both)? Is it what you expected? Have you learned anything? Tell us about it in the comment section below!

In the coming weeks, we’ll have posts on the following topics:

Pharmaco-Political Economics: About the Michigan Pharmacy Political Action Council and Why it’s Important
Pharmaco-Political Synergy: MPA Working with Your Legislators for Support (Lobbying and Conducting Legislative Visits)
The Kinetics of Pharmaco-Politics: Metabolism – How Legislation Can Move the Profession Forward (or Backward!)
Pharmaco-Political Dynamics: What Happens when You’re Silent and How Pharmacy Legislation Impacts You and Your Practice

Miss any of the first posts? Rediscover them here:

Thank you for joining us for this blog journey! We hope you continue to enjoy the posts. Please tell us about a topic you are interested in learning more about! We would be happy to write about your interests!

The Kinetics of Pharmaco-Politics: Distribution - Doing Your PART to Get the Message Out!

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda A. Lick) — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 22:02:00 +0000

by Pang Hang, 2017 Pharm.D. candidate, Wayne State University Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Importance of Pharmacy in Patient Care

As a student pharmacist, one of the questions I am asked the most from friends, family and others who I meet is, “Do you want to work in a hospital or a pharmacy?” My answer to this question has evolved over time. I remember the pharmacist from the clinic I went to as a child, the pharmacists I worked with while volunteering in a hospital and the pharmacists I saw in the many stores with pharmacies. Those pharmacists were pretty much my only exposure to the profession of pharmacy. I would guess that this is probably the only exposure most people have to pharmacists as well. So, when I started pharmacy school, I thought pharmacists only practiced in hospital, clinic or community pharmacies.

Before I entered pharmacy school, I thought pharmacists played a valuable role in society. However, it’s only now that I’m in pharmacy school that I’m finding out how all the complexities of patient care interact. Student pharmacists, like me, are being taught the patient care model where communication with the patient is crucial to getting the best health outcomes from medication therapy. Yet, in my opinion, when I observe pharmacies in action where most of society sees us, in the community, so many prescriptions are filled without this patient-pharmacist interaction. This is a concern to me because it seems that many times patients don’t see what pharmacists are capable of and what they do (beyond communication) to make sure their medications are safe and effective such as checking for drug interactions. There are some situations where laws create barriers to getting some of the information needed to make sure a medication is safe for a patient to use. For example, one crucial component to check for drug interactions is a complete medication history, which could be obtained if the pharmacist had access to pertinent medical information necessary to prevent interactions.

If you’re passionate about issues like this, like me, you can try to do something about it by talking with your legislator. Talking with your community leader is critical to the distribution of knowledge.

Taking the Leap and Talking with your Legislator

Your knowledge and experience are what legislators need when they are making decisions about health care laws, especially those effecting pharmacy practice and medications. Health care and the practice of pharmacy are highly regulated by laws that tell us what we can and cannot do. Some laws regulate how we are paid and what we are to be paid for; others can either limit us or permit us to do what we have been trained to do. This is a crucial time to get involved. Health care reform is happening with or without us. I’ve already seen many law changes that affect the profession of pharmacy and many are still being talked about.

None of the newly-elected Michigan legislators are pharmacists and likely have a limited knowledge about how pharmacists can help patients, but every pharmacist can give their legislator some insight. There are various ways to contact your legislators. It starts with identifying whom you should contact: either the State Senator or Representative or Congressional leader. If you don’t know who your legislators are, you can visit the MPA Web site at www.MichiganPharmacists.org/advocacy/legislators to find out! I made contact with my legislators through e-mail and they replied that I’m welcome to call them. That sounds pretty inviting to me!

Advocacy as Medicine

What may stop some people from starting communication with their legislators is thinking that their one voice is not enough. I’ll admit, I used to think that too.

However, what if your voice could be one of many with the same purpose?

Think of Michigan as the body, each district as parts of the body and your voice as the medicine. If you speak with your legislator on one issue, your “medicine” may only treat that one part of the body and your medicine may not distribute very far, unless you’re really convincing. But, the more pharmacists we have speaking up in other districts on that same issue, the more “medicine” could reach those other parts of the body and really make a change in the whole body. The MPA Pharmacy Advocacy Response Team (PART) was created to reach out to as many legislators as we can; to help distribute the medicine and affect the whole body by bringing many voices of pharmacy together. PART is composed of pharmacists and others who want to advocate for pharmacy. You, your friends, your family or your patients can advocate for pharmacy. I think the more people, the better.

Advocacy starts with building relationships. Whether or not you have an issue you really want to discuss, you should still contact your legislator so when you do have a health care-related issue, they’ll know who you are.

How to Get Involved in Advocacy

If you are looking for examples of what to write, and how to address them when writing, calling or meeting face to face, the MPA Web site http://www.michiganpharmacists.org/ is easy to use and provides a variety of resources. Under the “Advocate For Pharmacy” tab, there is a link to discover current legislation that could impact pharmacy, including printable summaries you can take with you to leave with your legislator. There is also a resource that shares how to contact and set up a meeting with your legislator, including ideas to make the most of your time. Tips on how to conduct a successful visit are found on the Web site too.

After your visit, share your experience with MPA by completing a Legislative Visit report, found here. If you had a successful visit, you should share your story so that others can be successful too. You could:

write an article
put up pictures or posters
post on your Web site or Facebook page

Let people know that an issue is important to you. It might be important to them too, but they just didn’t know it.

Consider making a difference by distributing your message with the MPA PART. Advocacy is more effective when we reach out to legislators. Pharmacists have the knowledge and experience that legislators need to make better laws that protect patients when it comes to pharmacy. If your legislator thinks that pharmacists only practice in hospitals and pharmacies, and doesn’t understand the complexities of what it takes to do your job, they will make decisions based off of their understanding. Make your voice count with others, especially by letting others know the outcome of your contact. Whether you had a good or bad experience, others can help if they know how to follow up. That’s what a pharmacy advocacy team is for!

The Kinetics of Pharmaco-Politics: Absorption – Effectively Communicating Your Message to Your Legislator

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda A. Lick) — Tue, 23 Dec 2014 21:21:00 +0000

by Susanna Joy, MA candidate, Health and Risk Communication, Michigan State University, and advocacy intern, Michigan Pharmacists Association

Our members are active, concerned citizens. We know you care about the role that politics plays in your practice settings; but we also know that sometimes it feels like there’s little you can do personally to affect that process. Additionally, we know that some members are interested in advocacy but are unsure of what to say or how to say it. With this in mind, let’s discuss the first and most foundational consideration: the basics of crafting messages to influence your legislator.

We will examine three primary considerations when communicating with your legislator for maximum impact: the source, the message and the intended audience. Since the last is arguably the most important, we will begin there.

Audience: Considering the legislative audience when crafting messages should be the first thing we do. It may be somewhat counterintuitive because what is likely in the forefront of our minds is the issue, bill or political action we want to address. Don’t worry, we’ll get to that! If we want to craft a message that our legislator responds to, however, we should consider his or her position before getting started. While each legislator is obviously unique, there are aspects of their position that can tell us a lot about their needs and hopes for our message.

Your legislator wants to hear from you. Politicians gauge their success, in part, by how they are representing and engaging their constituency. This is why they have in-district days and hours, even when the Legislature is in session. Your visit, call or letter is not an inconvenience to your legislator. Quite the opposite: legislators have open doors for that very reason. So don’t be shy about communicating what you think is best for pharmacy.
Your legislator is an expert in policy. This may seem unnecessary to mention, but it is important to keep in mind. If you come to talk about a bill the legislator has introduced, rest assured that he or she is aware of what is in it. However, this may not be true for other legislators who did not introduce the bill. Include a summary of the bill or have it ready when you contact them as well as your talking points. Respect your legislator’s knowledge and expertise, and do not waste your time by going over the content of the bill in detail, which leads us to our next point.
Your legislator is busy. If you meet with him or her face to face, there is no need to fill up a half-hour time slot talking about the issue you care about. Simply informing the legislator or legislative staff of the basics — who you are, your opinion and your reasoning — is not simply adequate. They appreciate this kind of succinct approach.

Sender: When considering the sender — yourself— we want to ensure that a few things come across in your message. In fact, if they do not come across, your message may very well fall on deaf ears.

Credibility: Establish that you are a credible source of information—an expert. This can be as simple as sharing your job or title. Please realize that calling yourself by your earned credential is not bragging; and this may be one of the quickest ways to establish that you are a trustworthy source.
Constituency: Establish from the outset that the legislator represents you. If you call over the phone or visit in person, a staff member may ask you your address to ensure that you are in the correct office. If you are writing an e-mail or letter, however, make it clear at the outset, and make sure that your return address is easily found.
Investment: There are several ways to make clear to your legislator that you are concerned and invested in the outcome of a particular political action. You have contacted him or her, so that is a start! Still, the more you personalize a message to him or her, the more he or she will perceive that you are acting out of concern. In a letter, for instance, if you type and print it, make sure it has a real, pen-and-ink signature and post script. Little things like this show that you care.

Message: When it’s all said and done, this can be the trickiest part. We want to be thorough, without being wordy.

Who: Introduce yourself, and establish your credibility and constituency in one sentence. Maintain your credibility by being respectful and polite, even if you disagree with the legislator.
What: State briefly the issue you are communicating about, and your position on the issue.
Why/How: Think of a two-sentence explanation or reasoning for the position you have taken.
Be assertive: Speak clearly that you are for or against something. Leave nothing up to interpretation.
Provide a personal example. If possible, think of an individual case where the current issue is/was/could have been relevant. You do not need to share this over the phone with a staff member, but in a face-to-face setting or through written communication, it would be appropriate. It is valuable for legislators to know that the issues they discuss in an abstract way have real ramifications for individuals.

These guiding principles apply to whatever form of contact you choose to use when reaching out to your legislator. If you decide to call or visit the office in person, consider having a one-page summary of the concerns you have to either guide your conversation should the legislator or staff member ask for more information, or to leave behind for the legislator to review at his or her convenience.

Legislative Communication Methods and Benefits

Channel	Benefit
Phone Call	Quick Easy way to inform staff of your position
E-mail	Quick Opportunity for a well-crafted message Provides quickest way to get a response if one is requested
Letter	Formal Provides opportunity for a well-crafted message Can provide a personal touch and reflect investment
Drop-in Visit	Personal way to share your position with legislative staff A one-page position paper can be left for the legislator
Appointment	Most personal Opportunity to establish a personal relationship A one-page position paper can be left for the legislator

Below is a sample letter or e-mail communication that includes all of the audience, source and message considerations we discussed.

Another short paragraph could highlight additional benefits/concerns, but it is important to keep the communication tight and concise. If you add a second full paragraph, try keeping it to three sentences. Your legislators and their staff will be grateful that you respected their limited resource of time.

Next week, we will continue to build on this with “The Kinetics of Pharmaco-Politics: Distribution – Doing Your PART to Get the Message Out!” In the meantime, know that MPA is here to help you adjust to the realm of advocacy. If you have any questions about legislative outreach, policies or you are interested in MPA’s position on a particular bill, please don’t hesitate to call us. If you decide that advocacy communication interests you, we would be thrilled for your to join the Pharmacy Advocacy Response Team (PART)! If you are interested in becoming a PART of our advocacy efforts, please call Amanda Lick, manager of advocacy, governmental and regulatory affairs at (517) 377-0254 or Amanda@MichiganPharmacists.org.

Pharmacy Technician Licensure - Application Available Now

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda A. Lick) — Tue, 23 Dec 2014 00:53:00 +0000

Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA) met with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) today regarding pharmacy technician licensure and other pharmacy issues. The Department has confirmed that enforcement of technician licensure will not occur until June 30, 2015.

MPA encourages all pharmacy technicians to begin the licensure process as soon as possible to allow adequate time for LARA to process applications. As of late last Friday, pharmacy technicians may now begin applying for licensure. To download the application and specific instruction for each type of license, visit the LARA Web site.

Important Information About the Licensure Process

Once you complete an application, send it to:

Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Health Care Services, Board of Pharmacy, PO Box 30670, Lansing, MI 48909

If applicable, submit the Verification of Employment as a Pharmacy Technician form to your employer to complete and send directly to LARA’s address listed above.
Schedule your fingerprints to be taken 7-10 business days after you have mailed your application.
To obtain a limited license, pharmacy technicians practicing at multiple locations are required to complete page 9 for each pharmacy location at which they are employed.
If pharmacy technicians have been certified through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, the Department will access those scores and you do not need to provide that information. Pharmacy technicians who completed certification through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) will need to contact NHA to ask for their scores to be transmitted to LARA (instructions for this process are included in the application).
Allow time to process your application before you call or e-mail the LARA office to check on the status. Applications may take up to two weeks to begin processing.

For the most up-to-date information, please use the following MPA resources online:

Pharmacy Technician Licensure (MPA members-only page)

For more information from LARA, please use the following resources online:

In addition to the resources above, MPA is pleased to offer Pharmacy Tech Prep Online, your best resource to study all of the information you need to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board exam required for licensure as a pharmacy technician in the state of Michigan. Learn utilizing on-demand educational videos covering important topics, including pharmacology, pharmacy law and regulations, medication safety, inventory management, billing and reimbursement, and pharmacy calculations. Pre-order now to receive a 10 percent discount! Pricing and order information is included online at www.MichiganPharmacists.org/techprep.

Technician Licensure Forms Available

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Roath, Pharm.D.) — Mon, 22 Dec 2014 12:54:00 +0000

As of Dec. 19, 2014, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) has made the application forms for pharmacy technicians available online.

The full application for can be downloaded here: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/lara/Pharmacy_Technician_Application_121914_477271_7.pdf

The following are pertinent excerpts from the application:

TO APPLY FOR FULL LICENSURE BY EXAMINATION:

The Board must also receive passing Certified Pharmacy Technician examination scores directly from either the:

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), 2200 C Street, NW, Suite 101, Washington, D.C. 20037-2985, 1-800-363-8012, e-mail at contact@ptcb.org (PTCB scores will be obtained from their Web site.) OR
National Healthcareer Association (NHA), 11161 Overbrook Road, Leawood, KS 66211, 1-800-499-9092, e-mail at info@nhanow.com.

TO APPLY FOR A LIMITED LICENSE:

You must also have your employer complete the Verification of Employment as a Pharmacy Technician form that is part of the application packet. The completed form must be sent to the Board of Pharmacy directly from your employer.
The limited pharmacy technician license is only valid if you remain employed by the same pharmacy. If you are no longer employed, the limited license is not valid. If you begin employment at a different pharmacy, the limited license is not valid.

TO APPLY FOR A TEMPORARY LICENSE:

The temporary pharmacy technician license will be issued upon receipt of the application, fee, proof of high school graduation or GED, and the fingerprint/criminal background check report.
The temporary pharmacy technician license is issued so that the applicant may continue working while preparing to take the examination required for full licensure. The temporary license is only valid for 210 days and cannot be renewed.

TOP THINGS APPLICANTS SHOULD KNOW:

NOTE: If you have ever been licensed in another state and you have a current disciplinary sanction on that license (even if the license is inactive), you are not eligible for licensure in Michigan according to the Public Health Code, PA 368, as amended, Section 333.16174 (2). Sanctions include probation, limitation, suspension, revocation or fine. Upon resolution of the sanction and verification that the license is active with no disciplinary action in effect, you can proceed with the filing of an application for a Michigan license or registration.
Read the entire application before submitting it and DO NOT send the checklist to the Board of Pharmacy office.
Applications and mail are processed as quickly as possible in date-received order.
Please allow time to process your application before you call or e-mail the LARA office to check on the status. Applications may take up to two weeks to reach the office. Applications with fees are first processed through the central mailroom then through our payment processing office.
Mail, including mail sent overnight, is first received by the central mailroom prior to reaching the Board.
Supporting documentation will not be accepted if faxed into the office.
Refund Policy: If you wish to withdraw your application, you must notify the Board of Pharmacy in writing to request a refund.
If your name and/or address changes, please notify the Board of Pharmacy in writing. To change a name or address, you can download the Data Change/Duplicate License Request Form online at http://www.michigan.gov/healthlicense and fax it ATTN: Applications Section to (517) 373-7179 or mail the form to: Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Health Care Services, Board of Pharmacy, PO Box 30670, Lansing, MI 48909. Telephone calls are NOT accepted for these changes. After your license is issued, you can change your address online at http://www.michigan.gov/elicense.

Michigan Legislature Passes Pharmacy Technician Licensure Amendment

noreply@blogger.com (MPA) — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 13:25:00 +0000

On Dec. 18, the Michigan Legislature passed an amendment that will push back the enforcement date of pharmacy technician licensure. According to the amendment, a pharmacy technician will not be able to practice as a pharmacy technician after June 30, 2015, unless they have been granted licensure by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). This change, once approved, delays the date that all pharmacy technicians must be licensed by until June 30.

This amendment to Public Act 285 of 2014 was sought to give LARA additional time to make the application available, process applications received and begin enforcing the new law.

Please note that the amendment does not go in to effect until it is signed by Gov. Rick Snyder, which may not occur for several weeks. MPA recommends that you prepare to access the application on Dec. 22 when it is scheduled to be made available by LARA and begin the application process at that time until further notice.

For more information on technician licensure and pharmacy technician preparation, please visit www.MichiganPharmacists.org/techlicensure. Please note that this page is accessible to MPA members only.

MPA is also pleased to offer Pharmacy Tech Prep Online, your best resource to study all of the information you need to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board exam required for licensure as a pharmacy technician in the state of Michigan. Learn utilizing on-demand educational videos covering important topics, including pharmacology, pharmacy law and regulations, medication safety, inventory management, billing and reimbursement, and pharmacy calculations. Pharmacy Tech Prep Online will officially be launched on Jan. 6, 2015, with the first round of content and will receive regular updates and content additions throughout the year. Those who pre-order before Jan. 6 will receive a 10 percent discount! Pricing and order information is included online.

If you have any questions, please contact either Amanda Lick, MPA manager of advocacy, governmental and regulatory affairs, at Amanda@MichiganPharmacists.org or Eric Roath, MPA director of professional practice, at Eric@MichiganPharmacists.org.

MPA Launches Pharmacy Technician Licensure Page Dedicated to Updating YOU!

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda A. Lick) — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 21:13:00 +0000

The recent passage of Public Act 285 (pharmacy technician licensure) has raised many questions here in Michigan. The effective date of the legislation is quickly approaching. While we wait to see if the proposed amendment to postpone the enforcement date passes out of the Michigan Legislature, Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA) has created a one-stop Web site page to assist with answering our members questions! Since this new legislation affects almost all of our members, we are responding by providing a central location where they can access resources to address their needs. We built the page based on the questions that our members have been asking. The page includes links and resources focused on the following:

Certification exams
Frequently asked questions
Application link (application will be available Dec. 22, 2014)
Information from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Duties of a technician
Latest news
Membership information

To access the page, please visit www.MichiganPharmacists.org/techlicensure and login as a member!

If you have any questions about this bill, please contact either Amanda Lick, MPA manager of advocacy, governmental and regulatory affairs at Amanda@MichiganPharmacists.org or Eric Roath, MPA director of professional practice, at Eric@MichiganPharmacists.org.

Pharmacy Technician Licensure Update

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda A. Lick) — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 18:02:00 +0000

Last week, Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA) was notified of an amendment that would change the effective date of the licensure requirement for pharmacy technicians in Michigan. The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) and Sen. Mike Green will be putting forth an amendment to Public Act 285 of 2014 (pharmacy technician licensure statute) to postpone the licensure enforcement date to June 30, 2015. This would allow the Department time to process applications, promulgate rules and effectively implement the overall process for pharmacy technician licensure. MPA supports this amendment, as it would provide everyone with additional time to clarify member questions and concerns, thus ensuring that the licensure process is handled effectively across the state.

MPA will know by the end of the legislative session on Dec. 18, 2014, whether or not this amendment has passed. We suspect that because this issue was driven by the Department that it is likely to be passed and signed by Gov. Rick Snyder. Whether this amendment passes or not, pharmacy professionals need to be prepared to begin the application process as soon as the application is made available on Dec. 22, 2014.

If you have any questions about the amendment or pharmacy technician licensure, please contact either Amanda Lick, MPA manager of advocacy, governmental and regulatory affairs, at Amanda@MichiganPharmacists.org or Eric Roath, MPA director of professional practice, at Eric@MichiganPharmacists.org.

Pharmaco-Political Kinetics: Why and How Your Involvement Makes the Profession Move

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda A. Lick) — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 20:06:00 +0000

by Ashley Builta, Pharm.D.,MPA fellow of association management and business development

The idea for this series came to me within my first few weeks on rotation here at MPA. I was trying to figure out how to convey what the term “advocacy” means, how easy it is to practice advocacy and all the things that go on here at MPA that revolve around advocacy. Having recently graduated and passed my pharmacy boards, the term pharmacokinetics was still fresh in my mind. After a creative think-tank session and play on words, I decided to move forward with calling the series “Pharmaco-Politics: An Advocacy Regimen” and here’s why:

When you look at the definition of pharmacokinetics, it has to do with what the body does to the drug. An analogy along this line would then say that the “drug” is like a bill and the “body” is the Legislature and the legislative process.

Let’s walk through an example:

Absorption: the drug is swallowed = the bill is introduced into the House/Senate.
Distribution: the drug is absorbed in the stomach and released into the blood stream = the bill is assigned to Committee(s).
Metabolism: the drug goes to the liver, where it is either changed into something useful or prepared to be eliminated from the body = the Committee(s) review the bill and make recommendations. Based on Committee recommendations, wording may be changed. This bill is then voted on in the House/Senate, and, if passed, goes to the opposite chamber to be voted on.
Elimination: the drug is taken up in the tissues as something useful or eliminated from the body = the House and Senate pass the bill, and the bill makes its way to the governor’s desk, where it is signed. At this point, the bill is now “eliminated” from the legislative process by becoming a Public Act and is part of the Public Health Code. Or, if the bill doesn’t make it out of Committee to be voted on by the House/Senate, the bill dies in Committee and is scrapped at the end of the legislative session.

So, in my example above, the bill is the drug, the different Committees are the various organs of the body that metabolize drugs (in this case, the liver), and the elimination happens either when the bill dies in Committee or is signed by the governor into a Public Act.

The term kinetics really spoke to me because it moves. Advocacy isn’t typically a term that resonates with most people, but movement does. Advocacy is keeping a watchful eye on the legislative process and intervening at key points in the process. We keep a watchful eye on how a bill moves through the Michigan legislative process and try to help it along if it’s pharmacy-friendly or fix it if it’s not so friendly. We follow a bill (the drug in my analogy) through the various chambers of the House or Senate and the different Committees it ends up in (the body), the changes in wording that happen along the way (metabolism) and finally to its fate (elimination from the body). We report this information to MPA members, but that reporting is passive from most members’ perspectives. What really moves the profession is when pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, student pharmacists and other pharmacy professionals get involved in this advocacy process by intervening at critical times.

A lot of what we do with advocacy efforts (for example, in helping educate legislators on the affects of the bill or working with groups to help fix the wording contained in the bill) are akin to changing the delivery systems of drugs for better effect. We try to help speed up absorption through strategic meetings, while at the same time anticipating the harmful byproducts of metabolism of the bill in Committees. If a bill is introduced that is not friendly to pharmacy, but we can’t stop it from passing (think of a highly-toxic chemotherapy agent), we try to reduce the harmful side effects of the bill with our advocacy efforts (giving an anti-nausea medication).

The kinetics of pharmaco-politics is really all about using our pharmacy experts (you!) at critical times when an intervention is needed. But, then again, pharmaco-politics is also taking ideas that pharmacy professionals have (your ideas) and putting them into motion. This, to me, is the magic of MPA. There’s a whole team of people here who are able to listen to what members are saying and activate the advocacy efforts of staff and other members to make things move.

But MPA can only do so much; there are three people here working to represent the more than 15,000 pharmacists and student pharmacists, not to mention the many more pharmacy technicians, who practice here in Michigan. To really get things moving and capitalize on the kinetics, we need MANY members to be involved in the process, working together with a united purpose and message. That is the point of this series. If I could ask you one thing, it is to read this series so that you have a better understanding of the legislative process and advocacy efforts. Hopefully one day, you’ll remember a few of the lessons from this series and get the profession moving by participating in advocacy yourself!

Our next post entitled “The Kinetics of Pharmaco-Politics: Absorption – Effectively Communicating Your Message to Your Legislator”will be on how to effectively deliver your message to legislators. We hope to see you next time and look forward to any comments you have for us!

Welcome to Pharmaco-Politics: An Advocacy Regimen!

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda A. Lick) — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 21:35:00 +0000

This seven-part, informational blog series is designed for all pharmacy practitioners, new and experienced, to learn a bit more about advocacy; not only how important it is, but how easy it is too! We hope to convey, through the stories of the unique authors, information that you will find useful for your own advocacy efforts. As you read the blog series, we encourage you to share your stories, questions and concerns related to the topic.

Our seven-part series includes:

Pharmaco-Political Kinetics: How and Why Your Involvement Makes the Profession Move
The Kinetics of Pharmaco-Politics: Absorption – Effectively Communicating Your Message to Your Legislator
The Kinetics of Pharmaco-Politics: Distribution – Doing Your PART to Get the Message Out!
The Kinetics of Pharmaco-Politics: Metabolism – How Legislation Can Move the Profession Forward (or Backward!)
Pharmaco-Political Economics: About the Michigan Pharmacy Political Action Council and Why it’s Important
Pharmaco-Political Synergy: MPA Working with Your Legislators for Support (Lobbying and Conducting Legislative Visits)
Pharmaco-Political Dynamics: What Happens when You’re Silent and How Pharmacy Legislation Impacts You and Your Practice

At the end of this blog series, you should be able to:

Summarize why advocating for pharmacy is one of the most important things you can do for your future as a pharmacy professional
Understand the importance of constructing a concise message to use when talking with your legislator
Support MPA advocacy efforts by effectively participating in PART
Recognize the importance of Pharmacy PAC, how you can contribute and what the organization is doing for you
Feel confident enough to conduct legislative outreach yourself!

We hope you enjoy the series!

Vote Tomorrow - Preview Your Ballot Here

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda A. Lick) — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 13:40:00 +0000

A quick reminder to vote tomorrow! To look up your ballot and research proposals, click below.

You can best advocate for pharmacy this month by going to the polls! You may cast your ballot this Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. To locate your precinct, click here.

In an effort to save time and provide you with an opportunity to research your ballot, you may view a sample ballot here.

Election Day is a great chance to exercise your rights as a citizen of Michigan and this beautiful country.

If you have any questions about pharmacy issues, please contact me Amanda@MichiganPharmacists.org or 517-377-0254

Pharmacist Input Needed by Oct. 20: MDCH Survey

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda A. Lick) — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 12:34:00 +0000

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) is currently working on improving the Michigan Medicaid Health Plan through a rebid process.

This is your chance to provide feedback on what changes you would like to see with Medicaid plans and to provide suggestions on how to increase the quality of care your patients receive. This is a great opportunity to give your input, so please consider taking a few minutes of your time to advocate for your patients and your services.

Please consider completing the four-question MDCH survey online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MDCH_Rebid. The survey closes at 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 20, 2014.