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"To Preserve, Protect and Promote

the Interests of Pharmacy Owners."


February 2020
In This Issue
   Save the Dates!
Calendar

PDS Superconference
February 27-29
Orlando, FL

AAP 2020 Annual Conference
April 23-25
New Orleans, LA

IPC
Independent Pharmacy Conference
April 23-26
Huntington Beach, CA
 
Welcome New Members!
 
Highland Pharmacy and Wellness
Bruceton Mills, WV

 
Tri-Med Medical Pharmacy
St Petersburg, FL

 
AVS Pharmacy
Glendale, CA
 FDA Approves Three Drugs for Nonprescription Use Through Rx-to-OTC Switch Process

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved three drugs for nonprescription, or over-the-counter (OTC), use through a process called a prescription (Rx)-to-OTC switch. The FDA approved
Voltaren Arthritis Pain (diclofenac sodium topical gel, 1%) for the temporary relief of arthritis pain;  Pataday Twice Daily Relief (olopatadine HCl ophthalmic solution/drops, 0.1%) for the temporary relief of itchy and red eyes due to pollen, ragweed, grass, animal hair or dander; and Pataday Once Daily Relief (olopatadine HCl ophthalmic solution/drops, 0.2%) for the temporary relief of itchy eyes due to pollen, ragweed, grass, animal hair or dander, for nonprescription use.
 
Voltaren Arthritis Pain is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation. This product, previously referred to as Voltaren Gel 1%, was first approved by the FDA in 2007 as a prescription drug and was indicated for the relief of the pain of osteoarthritis of joints responsive to topical treatment, in particular, the joints of the hands, knees and feet. It has not been shown to work for strains, sprains, bruises or sports injuries.
Why You Should Complete 
Part I and Part II of Your NCPDP Profile  

  • All Providers with NCPDP numbers are required to complete and maintain Part I and Part II of their NCPDP Profile 
  • Many PBMs rely on the information and documentation within the NCPDP Profile for verification and credentialing purposes. Failure to complete and maintain Part I & II of the NCPDP profile may result in member disruption.
  • You will save your pharmacy staff time by eliminating the need for them to respond to requests for information that can be found within the NCPDP Profile
How to Complete Part I & II of Your NCPDP Profile
  • Visit the  NCPDP Profile Portal.
  • Login with your previously assigned username and password. Note: If this is your first time visiting the NCPDP website, or you do not have a username/password, send an email to pharmacyhelp@ncpdp.org (be sure to include your pharmacy's NCPDP number)
  • Select "My Pharmacies" within the "Manage Pharmacies" tab (left side of the page)
  • Select the Pharmacy DBA Name (highlighted in blue)
  • Select "Edit Profile" within the "Actions" tab (left side of the page)
  • Update Part I as needed
  • Complete all sections in Part II
  • Select the "Verify and Submit" tab
    • Review the "Profile Summary"
    • Check the Acknowledgement box
  • Select "Submit"
  • Allow 3-5 business days for NCPDP to approve the updates.
NABP Launches Accreditation Program for Compounding Pharmacies
 
The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) is pleased to announce that it will begin offering accreditations for compounding pharmacies in January 2020 through the NABP Compounding Pharmacy Accreditation program. The addition of this program complements the inspection services offered by the Association and provides a full-service option for compounding pharmacies.
 
NABP has been able to expedite the development of its new compounding accreditation with the purchase of certain assets of FocusScript, LLC's United Credentialing and Accreditation Program (UCAP). Customers that are currently accredited through UCAP have been notified that NABP will grant them immediate accreditation through NABP's new program for the remainder of their current accreditation cycle once they agree to NABP's standards and terms and conditions. To further assist existing UCAP customers, NABP has confirmed that certain pharmacy networks currently recognizing UCAP will accept the NABP Compounding Pharmacy Accreditation.
 
Information about NABP's new compounding accreditation is posted on the NABP website. In addition to program information, a list of accredited sites will be posted soon. Compounding pharmacies that are interested in becoming accredited can complete an interest form to receive more information as it becomes available.
 
For additional information about Compounding Pharmacy Accreditation, please visit nabp.pharmacy/programs/compounding.
NCPA to CMS: 
Recognize Pharmacist Services Beyond Dispensing  

The National Community Pharmacists Association is highlighting pharmacists' expanding role in health care to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. In comments submitted to the agency, NCPA is urging CMS to enhance coverage of pharmacist-provided care services and reevaluate strict supervision requirements, as well as coverage policies for incident-to services.
 
In response to President Trump's Executive Order #13890 on Protecting and Improving Medicare for Our Nation's Seniors, CMS sought input from stakeholders on eliminating specific Medicare regulations that require more stringent supervision than existing state laws, or that limit health professionals from practicing at the top of their licenses. In addition to emphasizing that pharmacists improve patient care and outcomes when collaborating with health care professionals, NCPA argues in its comments that restrictive regulations currently hinder pharmacists' ability to continue providing this care at the federal level, especially when state laws are already expanding to allow health care practitioners to contribute fully to patient care.
 
"Community pharmacists are among America's most accessible health care providers, seeing complex patients an average of 35 times each year," said Ronna Hauser, NCPA's vice president of policy and government affairs operations. "We encourage policymakers to work toward eliminating barriers that limit additional patient access to pharmacist-provided care services such as prescribing to treat strep or flu, smoking cessation and counseling services when distributing naloxone, and to facilitate pharmacists' inclusion on patient care teams and in value-based delivery models."
By Sandra Levy Published in Drug Store News
Have You Signed In to Our New Website?  

The new PFOA website includes vendor information and industry news. The Members Only section provides rebate information specific to your store(s). Currently, PFOA sends out email notifications of rebate information from our major vendor partners. At some point, PFOA may eliminate these notifications and provide the information to you on our website. Please sign into the Members Only section of www.pfoai.org
to get access to information for PFOA members. If you encounter any difficulties with your sign in, please email rhubbard@pfoai.org
PFOA Staff
Contact Information 
 
   
David Mayper
Executive Director
305-773-5822
   
April Adkin
Administrative Assistant
954-340-5944 x138
AAdkin @pfoai.org

Mailing Address
2900 N. University Drive
Suite 70
Coral Springs, FL 33065 

Wesley Behar
West Region Sales
661-904-4939

Ronda Hubbard  
Generics Specialist/Sales
407-492-8845
Fax: 270-632-4206

Patrick Kittoe
Southeast Sales
321-506-2769
   
Al Schuster
Northeast Sales
216-409-6597
 
Bob Sutton
Vendor Programs/Mid-West Sales
636-577-7107
 
Nancy Tataronis
Vendor Relations/Marketing
786-556-0007
 
  Jamie Wilbanks
Inside Sales/Service
Toll Free: 888-406-7467


 
The PFOA Board of Directors recently voted to approve a contribution of $10,000 for the support of the National Community Pharmacists Association's (NCPA's) efforts to demand PBM accountability.

After more than a decade of legal work by the NCPA and its state partners at the district and appellate levels, the United States Supreme Court has agreed to hear Rutledge v. Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) in April with a decision expected this summer. The Supreme Court, in this first case regarding PBMs, can reshape the marketplace for community pharmacy not just in Arkansas but in all 50 states. The Court will either open the door for appropriate state regulation of PBMs OR inhibit states' ability to regulate these greedy corporate middlemen.

On behalf of all community pharmacy, NCPA has demanded PBM accountability for several decades. This is a rare golden moment for the Court to clear the path for policymakers, patient groups, and other key stakeholders to reign in PBMs through state-based PBM regulation. The PBMs will vigorously fight us every step of the way and we need to counter with all the resources the profession can muster!

Thank you for your ongoing work on behalf of the patients you serve every day. As you know, your ability to serve your patients is perpetually threatened by the pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).

PFOA is urging you to participate in this effort by making an individual donation $20 per member store. Your investment in NCPA's Legislative/Legal Defense Fund will be dedicated to the legal fees and other costs associated with this and other cases with national implications. Please consider giving online at www.ncpanet.org/ldf to invest whatever you can give so that NCPA can maximize this unique opportunity for the community profession. Please note, you do not have to be an NCPA member to contribute to NCPA's LDF.

Also, NCPA has set up a public webpage ( www.ncpanet.org/scotus) for all community pharmacy professionals to stay up to date on the case.

 
Yours Truly,
David Mayper
Supreme Court Sets the Date

It's official. The Supreme Court will hear arguments in the Rutledge v. PCMA case on Monday, April 27. NCPA will join the Arkansas Pharmacists Association, the American Pharmacists Association, and the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations in filing an amicus curiae brief with the Supreme Court in support of the case.
 
Rutledge v. PCMA originates from Arkansas, which passed a law in 2015 barring PBMs from reimbursing local pharmacies at a lower rate than what the pharmacies pay to fill the prescriptions. PCMA, which lobbies for PBMs, challenged the law in court, which is when the APA and NCPA joined the effort to ensure the 2015 precedent stands. At issue is whether states like Arkansas can enact regulations that affect the PBMs, who argue that they are exempt by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. For information and updates on the case, visit NCPA's Battleground: SCOTUS page. 
5 Things Your Patients Should Know About the Wuhan Coronavirus

The 2019-nCoV virus - better known as the Wuhan coronavirus, was first detected in the city of Wuhan in China. As of this writing, globally there have been over 73,000 people infected and almost 2,000 people killed by the virus. The Wuhan coronavirus is spreading quickly and has left many people extremely concerned about contracting the virus themselves. 
 
In the likelihood of a patient visiting your pharmacy and asking you or your staff questions about the coronavirus, we have compiled a list of 5 things that your patients should know about the virus.
 

1. The chances of contracting the virus is very low

The epicenter of the virus is in Wuhan, China, making it very unlikely that the average person living in the U.S. will even come in contact with the coronavirus. The 19 viral cases found in the United States have been identified in people who have either traveled from China in the last few weeks or have had direct contact with someone who has.

The 19 cases are being heavily quarantined and contained, with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services taking preventative measures to ensure that further spread of the virus does not continue. Anyone entering the U.S. from China is being placed in quarantine for 14 days, regardless of having symptoms or not. Anyone who does show symptoms of the 2019-nCoV are also being isolated and quarantined. The chances of coming in contact with anyone that is infected with the Wuhan coronavirus at this point is extremely low, making the possibility of contracting the virus even lower.

2. The fatality rate is also very low
The global death toll is confirmed at almost 2,000 people with a majority of those deaths primarily being reported from China. The number of known viral cases is hovering around 73,000 currently, which puts the fatality rate at roughly 3%. This is lower than the annual flu virus, which has killed 10,000 people and hospitalized over 180,000 in just the United States this season alone.

3. Symptoms typically show up after 14 days
The 2019-nCoV virus has a long incubation period, with symptoms sometimes taking as long as 14 days to appear; but this can vary largely from patient to patient.
These symptoms can include fever, coughing, and extreme shortness of breath.
You should let your patients know that if they or someone they're close to has recently traveled from China and starts to exhibit these symptoms, they should seek appropriate medical attention immediately. 


 

4. Take the proper precautions

Just like any virus or other illness, it is necessary to take the proper precautions. Your patients should understand that frequently washing their hands and using hand sanitizer after using the restroom and before eating is always a good way to help prevent getting sick. It's also important for your patients to avoid touching their faces as much as possible, as that is the easiest way for any potential germs to enter their system.
They should also try to avoid contact with anyone that appears to be sick and if possible, and try to limit the amount of time spent around those who have visited China within the last few weeks, as the Wuhan coronavirus is easily spread from person-to-person.

5. They should go to the hospital if they truly think they have the Wuhan Coronavirus

If your patients have recently traveled from China and start to show symptoms similar to the symptoms previously listed in this article, it's important for them to take the proper precautions by visiting their doctor. In the off-chance that they do have the Wuhan coronavirus, they should avoid extended human contact if possible and be sure to let their doctor know about the people they have been in contact with. This can help avoid any potential spread of the virus and keep it contained.


Even with the global spread of the virus, the U.S Department of Health has been successful in keeping the virus contained and those living in the United States have a significantly lower chance of contracting the 2019-nCoV virus because of it. However, it's always important for your patients to understand to take the proper precautions and to be aware of the situation at large.
Information provided by Digital Pharmacist
PFOA logo
PFOA
Board of Directors

President:
Todd Pendergraft
todd@bafamilydrug.com

Vice President:
 Doug Coyle

 Treasurer:
 
    Larry McIntosh 
Larry@PharmaxPharmacy.com

Secretary:
Phil Rigsby
256-536-1910
phillip@huntsvillecompounding.com

Gabriel Guijarro
936-634-3006
grgrph@gmail.com

 Eric Pusey
rprp3@aol.com

David Spence
979-665-6395
wdspence1@gmail.com

Ty Stout
661-717-1814
tystout@eltejonpharmacy.com
  
John Zuzack
jdzuzack@gmail.com

Non-Voting Board Members:

Dirk Andrepont
337-948-7703

Gaye Moseman
910-617-8549

   
PFOA-MS
Board of Directors

President:
 Doug Coyle

Vice President:
Gabriel Guijarro
936-634-3006
grgrph@gmail.com
 
Secretary: 
David Cole
610-539-7282
 
Treasurer:
Phil Rigsby
256-536-1910
 
 
PFOA-MC
Board of Directors
 
President:
Eric Pusey
  
Treasurer:
Bobbie Barbrey
919-345-8736

Secretary:
Gene Windom
407-773-1102
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Pharmacy Franchisees and Owners Assn
   
(FPN) Federation of Pharmacy Networks
 
       (NCPDP) National Council for Prescription Drug Programs
   www.ncpdp.org  
 
        (NCPA)  National Community Pharmacists Association
    www.ncpanet.org 

(NABP) National Association of
Boards of Pharmacy

(NASPA) National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations

  Pharmacist E-Link