As many still find themselves in the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, IACP  wanted to highlight members who are working around the clock to help patients, provide you with invaluable pharmacy and legal resources that are available, and introduce you to an IACP team member who has been devastatingly impacted by Hurricane Harvey.

Pharmacists Assist Patients Impacted by Hurricane Harvey

Texas and especially the Houston metropolitan area was hit hard this past week with unprecedented flooding as Hurricane Harvey moved up along the South Texas coast, and into Louisiana.True to form, pharmacists quickly sprang into action, helping their communities during what threatens to be an extensive recovery process.

Read more as  Drug Topics describes some of the amazing rescue and support efforts taking place. 
IACP  Members Take Immediate Action to Help Patients!

IACP Member Nicholas Davis, PharmD, and his staff at Cypress Compounding Pharmacy, Houston, Texas, leapt into action to help patients and their community that were impacted by Hurricane Harvey. The pharmacy is partnering with the Berry Center and collecting items that are direly needed by those displaced because of the storm. Donations can be dropped off at Cypress Compounding Pharmacy and they will take them to the Berry Center.

IACP Member Richie Ray, RPh and staff at Richie's Specialty Pharmacy in Conroe, Texas, immediately notified all prescribers and patients letting them know the pharmacy was here to help and to stand alongside of them in this tragic event. Richie's Specialty Pharmacy continues to drive to accessible shipping centers in order to get medications to their patients and is working to preserve patient access to vital medications. The pharmacy is offering patients Band-Aids, triple antibiotic ointment, gauze, alcohol wipes, rubbing alcohol, hydrocortisone cream, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and diphenhydramine and working to handle the first-aid needs of local shelters. Learn more at this communication. 

IACP Member Rich Moon, PharmD, FIACP, and his Pharmacy Innovations staff in Houston are providing supplies to their patients, and are accepting donations at the pharmacy. Additional Pharmacy Innovations pharmacies located in other parts of the country are accepting financial donations on behalf of the Houston community. Even after sustaining damage in their own homes, pharmacy staff also are volunteering their time to make emergency repairs to flooded homes.
 
IACP Members -  please let us know how you're doing, and please share any of your activities on  IACP's Facebook  page. Thank you for making a real difference in your communities!
One of IACP's Own Deeply Affected by Flooding

Long-time IACP staff member Michelle Broughton and her family were evacuated from their flooded home in Houston.

Fortunately all of Michelle's family, including her grandchildren, are safe; but, they are dealing with being displaced from their home and belongings indefinitely, as well as facing extensive cleanup.

Please consider helping Michelle by donating via PayPal.
Michelle's PayPal account is [email protected]. Thank you for your consideration, and Michelle thanks everyone for all the prayers and concern that everyone has expressed.
Resources for Hurricane Harvey Assistance

Access and re-entry to flooded areas will be controlled by emergency managers for some time. For information on requesting access, visit www.healthcareready.org/harvey.

Healthcare Ready's Rx Open is an interactive map that helps patients and providers find nearby open pharmacies in areas impacted by disaster. The map will be updated daily throughout the federally declared disaster. If your status is not accurate or you want to enroll your pharmacy, please send an email with your name, the name of the pharmacy, and the NCPDP or NPI number for the pharmacy to Healthcare Ready at [email protected]. 

The American Bar Association is Offering Legal Services


Members of the American Bar Association (ABA) are providing legal services to those affected by Harvey. Please visit ABA's Hurricane Harvey Relief webpage for a variety of support services including housing assistance, National Disaster Legal Aid, and Disaster Legal Services!

Waiver Program and Emergency Refills

The Department of Health and Human Services has declared a public health emergency, and the CMS 1135 waiver program is now available. Certain requirements for Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP are modified to ensure needs are met and providers and suppliers acting in good faith are reimbursed. Find out more details on the CMS website. Texas health officials have issued guidance for Texas pharmacies that need to dispense emergency refills. Click here for information from the Texas Board of Pharmacy.

IACP Foundation Partners with NCPA Foundation to Raise Funds through NCPA Disaster Relief Fund

The IACP Foundation is working with the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) Foundation to raise funds for the disaster in Houston and surrounding areas. Read more and access the donation form here. You can help community pharmacy owners restore their businesses in the wake of disasters like Hurricane Harvey. Make a donation to the NCPA Foundation's Disaster Relief Fund. Your help is urgently needed to help maintain the fund so timely aid can be provided to affected independent pharmacies. Corporate and individual donations are welcome. Support is tax-deductible. And don't forget to enroll your pharmacy in the Pharmacy Disaster Support Center to be prepared for future disasters. In addition, to apply for a NCPA Foundation Disaster Relief Fund grant, please access form here.
Healthcare Ready is helping route and coordinate supply donations. If your pharmacy has a health care supply need OR your pharmacy is able to donate supplies, please email [email protected]. Requests so far include oxygen concentrators, insulin, syringes, and other medical supplies. Healthcare Ready is also coordinating directly with some organizations to supply trained health care professional volunteers. Email [email protected] if you are a trained health care professional and interested in volunteering, so your information can be shared with organizations that need a pharmacist.

How to Send an Emergency Recording to your Patients: PrescribeWellness is donating a recording service, at no cost, to pharmacies impacted by Hurricane Harvey. All you have to do is reach out to PrescribeWellness through phone (800-960-8147) or email ([email protected]), and their support team will work with your pharmacy to set up a voice recording that can go right out to your patients. Help your patients by letting them know if there are pharmacy-specific special hours, emergency medications, and/or vaccinations, and if they need anything, to give you a call.

IACP Extends Concern for those Affected by Hurricane Harvey
 
The International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists (IACP) extends its deepest concern for our IACP Members, Corporate Members, and everyone in Texas and Louisiana affected by Hurricane Harvey. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your family, staff and patients as you deal with this tragic situation.
 
The IACP office located in Missouri City, Texas, remains closed as the area has been evacuated. Please rest assured - IACP operations are continuing, and while the main phone lines are not working properly, we can always be reached at  [email protected] . 


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