Missouri's Pseudoephedrine Electronic Logbook Implementation Process

As the MPA has gone through this whole process of fighting for and against certain legislation in Jefferson City that would hamper or enhance a pharmacy's practice setting in Missouri, we've been interested to hear what our pharmacists, students and techs have to say about this, so give us your thoughts when you get a chance!
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The pseudoephedrine electronic tracking system is due to go into effect by the end of 2010 in every pharmacy in Missouri, as required by law. The new system will take the old manual logbooks out of pharmacies and install a new, streamlined and more handy process to help curb the production of meth drugs around Missouri, a much needed update to a very old and ineffective system.

Over the next year, it will be interesting to see the results of this action in Missouri. The goal, obviously, is to rid our state of drug problems, of which methamphetamine drugs are among the worst. So, as we fight to help protect Missourians and as you fight to provide the best patient care to your patients, let us move forward in this endeavor with a bold perspective! Lets ensure that pharmacists are at the head of this battle, leading the way as one of the most trusted health care providers in America.

Don't forget to let us know what you think here in the comments section below, at our Facebook Fan page or you can email your opinion to our office!

Pharmacists Wanted for Blog Content Submission!

Are you a pharmacist, pharmacy student, technician, pharmacy owner or work in the pharmacy field?

Are you interested in creating pharmacy specific content for the world to see?

Would you like to be noticed in the pharmacy field throughout Missouri and the U.S. on a recognized pharmacy blog?

Then, you're where you need to be!

The Missouri Pharmacy Association is looking for guest bloggers interested in creating content to post on ThePharmacyBlog.com web blog.

Requirements:

1. That you're a pharmacist, pharmacy owner, student, or technician, or have some experience in the pharmacy field
2. You can provide valuable content that will benefit MPA's members
3. You're interested in pharmacy issues and providing a learning environment for your pharmacy colleagues

If you're interested and fulfill these requirements, we have some incentives!

To find out more information or to submit an article, email the Director of Marketing, Travis Fitzwater, with your questions or blog posts --> Click HERE to email Travis.

What Every Pharmacist Needs to Know About FSA Cards

By Tom Greenhaw

Flexible spending accounts are designed to give consumers more control over their health care spending, but many consumers and pharmacists find these cards quite confusing. When flexible spending accounts were first initiated, restrictions were put in place to limit the spending on these cards to medical and pharmaceutical items only. Confusion quickly arose because while these restrictions were in place, there was no system to enforce them. In response to this loophole the IRS has put in place guidelines that restrict where FSA cards can be accepted.

If you find that your customers are having trouble using their FSA cards in your pharmacy it is important to take the necessary steps to resolve the problem. FSA customers can be very valuable, and handling them properly is a great way to build customer loyalty and help your store stand out from the competition.

Are FSA Cards Being Declined at Your Pharmacy?
Some pharmacies may find that a large percentage of customer’s use FSA cards. The amount of FSA cards you see at your pharmacy largely depends on how many businesses in your area provide them as a benefit to employees.

In creating the guideline effecting FSA cards, the IRS has made pharmacists responsible for making sure all customer purchases made with the FSA card are legitimate health care expenses. Since July of 2009, pharmacies are required to use an IIAS capable point of sale system that is able to separate health care items from other items in the store. There is one exception to this, which is the so-called “90-percent exemption”. If 90% of your pharmacy’s gross sales are prescriptions or FSA eligible over-the-counter items, you qualify for this exemption.

Why Are FSA Cards Being Declined?
There might be a few reasons that FSA cards are being declined at your pharmacy. First, this IRS guideline went into effect last year, so if you haven’t done anything yet then every FSA card will be declined. Other pharmacies that opted for the “90-percent exemption” are seeing FSA cards decline in certain cases as well. This is because some FSA plan administrators are only authorizing transactions that have come from an approved point of sale system.

If your pharmacy does use an approved point of sale system and you still have FSA cards being declined, there may be a few reasons. In many instances, the reason for the decline is simply because the customer doesn’t have enough money in their account to cover the purchase.

How Can I Accept FSA Cards?
In order to accept FSA cards, your pharmacy needs to either use an approved point of sale system or apply for the “90-percent exemption”. The first step in this process is to become a member of the Special Interest Group for IIAS Standards (SIGIS). SIGIS is the trade organization that was specifically formed to create a standard solution the pharmacy industry could use to meet the requirements laid down by the IRS.

To help meet that goal, SIGIS publishes an eligible product list that participating retailers can use to determine which items can be purchased with an FSA card. Additionally, SIGIS also certifies point of sale systems that handle FSA cards properly. If you use a SIGIS certified point of sale system, the software uses this list to determine which items can or cannot go on the customers FSA card.

There is a lot of confusion around what a pharmacy needs to do in order to accept FSA cards. If you’d like to accept FSA cards at your pharmacy, here’s a step-by-step process to follow:

1) Become a SIGIS member. SIGIS membership is important because they will provide you with the FSA eligible product list, as well as put you on the list of certified pharmacies.
2) Determine if you will be using an approved point of sale system, or opting for the “90-percent exemption”. Remember, some FSA cards may still be declined if you opt for the exemption.
3) Complete the proper SIGIS certification form. There are two certification forms, and you’ll determine which one to fill out based on your decision at the previous step.
4) Once your pharmacy is certified, SIGIS will inform Visa, MasterCard, and the various FSA plan administrators. It may take up to two or three weeks for these companies and organizations to place you on their list of certified pharmacies.

Future projections show FSA card usage increasing as more employers offer it as a benefit to their employees. Finding the right solution should be an important business goal for your pharmacy.

Tom Greenhaw is the founder of Cashier Live, a provider of web-based point of sale software for pharmacies. Tom has worked with independent pharmacists for years, and in that time has helped guide over 100 pharmacists through the process of accepting FSA cards. If you’d like to find more information about accepting FSA cards, please visit http://www.cashierlive.com/pharmacy.

Top 5 Reasons to Get Involved With the MPA

To My Fellow Pharmacy Students (and Pharmacists) – Top 5 Reasons to Get Involved With MPA
By Scott Halvorson

I’m starting my final year of pharmacy school at UMKC which means I’m on the year long pilgrimage of professional rotations in search of the type of pharmacy I’ll practice in.

My first rotation was in Branson, MO. Conveniently, Branson was also the home of the 2010 MPA Annual Convention. This was the second time I’ve been to MPA’s annual convention, and the second time it has far exceeded my expectations. I only wish there were more of my classmates there to share the experience with!

Here are my top five reasons for pharmacy students (and pharmacists who aren’t already involved) to get involved with MPA and that includes attending the MPA Annual Convention.

Top Five Reasons:

1. It’s an Investment in Your Personal Career: Even if you already have a job lined up, chances are, at the convention you’ll meet a future employer, business partner, or fellow pharmacist who has a vision for a pharmacy practice that lines up with yours. I’ve made friends and gained mentors that I will certainly turn to for years to help me grow in the profession

2. MPA is Working Hard So You Can FULLY UTILIZE YOUR SKILL SET: Did you know MPA is rolling out a program that allows you to get paid for your cognitive services? MO-PCN is a project headed by some of the most innovative and influential pharmacists in Missouri, so you can do more than just stand behind the counter! (Click HERE to view the MOPCN website)

3. This is What You Don’t Get in School: MPA is hip and with it when it comes to current trends and the future of what’s happening within pharmacy. This year pharmacy-gadget-guru, Bill Felkey, from Auburn University gave an exciting presentation on how to utilize technology and build an online community to connect with your patients and grow your practice. You earn CE for attending dynamic sessions like this!

4. Networking, Networking, Networking: The crème of the crop of pharmacists and pharmacy owners are at the annual meeting. You’ll have all weekend to learn what they are doing to make their practice exciting and meaningful for themselves, employees and their patients. Hint: They love sharing advice with students.

5. It Really Is Fun: You may have a chance to work on your golf game at the MPA Annual Golf Tournament and you’ll certainly enjoy the sun, shops, and natural beauty of the Convention location.

I left the convention, excited, motivated and equipped with new knowledge, and best of all I left having a network of pharmacists who are working everyday to further the profession for the good of pharmacists and our patients.

Scott Halvorson – UMKC School of Pharmacy
Pharm.D. Candidate May 2011

It's Easy Being Green

April 21st, 2010
By: Jill Connelly
Gunn & Richards, Inc.
www.Vials.com

This week is the 40th annual Earth Week and whether it is a desire to do their part for the environment or simply to meet customer demands, many pharmacists are looking for ways to “go green.” It can seem like a daunting task but here are some simple ways incorporate green concepts into the pharmacy workplace.

Size Matters
There is one simple way for pharmacies to reduce their plastic consumption: use the smallest size vial needed for a prescription. It’s no surprise that smaller the vial, the less plastic needed for production but the savings is probably more than people realize. For example, an average 13 dram vial uses approximately 30% more plastic to produce than an 8 dram vial. This is not only an eco-friendly step but will save the pharmacy money as well as that same 13 dram vial is approximately 25% more expensive than the 8 dram. Multiply this by the 60,000 prescriptions the average pharmacy fills each year and both the plastic and financial savings are significant. Being green can save some green.

The Challenge of Recycling
By its nature, recycling in the pharmacy setting is challenging. Consumers who would like to recycle their used prescription vials can be directed to www.earth911.com. Using the plastic code on the bottom of the vials (usually #5 Polypropylene or #1 PET/PETE) they can locate the nearest recycling center. More and more curbside programs are offering recycling on plastic resins #1-7 and number of community recycling centers is growing daily.

Many pharmacies have asked about use of recycled plastic for the production of prescription packaging. While there are a few options, testing laboratories generally do not recommend the use of recycled plastic resign for pharmaceutical containers as they greatly decrease the likelihood the container will pass the rigorous USP testing requirements.

Proper Disposal
A growing concern is the misuse and disposal of medication. Old and unused medication is ending up in the hands of teenagers and in the country’s landfills. To help battle this growing concern and to coincide with Earth Week, the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) has launched the “Dispose My Meds” campaign and the www.disposemymeds.org website to help consumers locate pharmacies where they can take their unused and expired medication for proper disposal. Companies such as Guaranteed Returns can provide return services for pharmacies and drug companies to collect and properly dispose of this medication. These types of programs can help keep medication from being misused and out of our country’s landfills and drinking water.

These are just a few steps can that be taking to help green-up the pharmacy workplace. Although they seem rather small, with a combined effort even these small steps can have a big impact.
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Based in Lenexa, Kansas, Gunn & Richards has been providing prescription packaging supplies directly to America’s pharmacies for over 25 years.

Pharmacies and Health Care Reform

The recent approval of health care legislation by the House of Representatives wrapped a yearlong struggle by the Obama administration to make fundamental changes to the nation's health care systems. Following the legislation's approval, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) and the National Community Pharmacists Association applauded the legislation for including many changes that they'd lobbied for inclusion. These included improvements to medication therapy management, a reduction in cuts to Medicaid's pharmacy reimbursement rates, and exemption of pharmacies from durable medical equipment accreditation requirements.

These changes and more have been promoted by pharmacy advocate groups since the beginning of the reform process. The Senate measure was passed in December, with the House approving it this week for the president's signature. Both groups said that maintaining pharmacy's provisions through this process will help pharmacist-patient collaboration in the long run. They lauded the "greater transparency" fostered by the bill and said that though it will take vigilance to ensure that the rest of the process goes smoothly and continues to take pharmacists' concerns into account, the bill's approval is a good first step and will help foster an image of pharmacy's viability as a source of neighborhood health care.

Additional components include: closing a coverage gap for Medicare spenders; an extension of Medicaid that allows for home- or community-based care for disabled citizens who might otherwise need to be institutionalized; a push for reduction in preventable hospital readmissions overseen by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; and a pilot program for Medicare payment bundling designed to encourage doctors and other health care providers to better coordinate patient care. The point of all these and more is to allow pharmacies to provide better and more transparent patient care and to act as anchors for community medical treatment. Only time will tell if the new law stands by its promises, but for now, pharmacists have something to hope for.
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This guest post is contributed by Kitty Holman, who writes on the topics of Nursing Degrees. She welcomes your comments at her email: kitty.holman20@gmail.com.

Is the pharmacist shortage over?

By: David D. Trang, PharmD, MBA
Drug Topics.com (Article used with permission by Dr. Trang)

Events of the past year, as well as my recent attendance at the ASHP mid-year meeting in Las Vegas, have caused me to wonder about the state of the pharmacist shortage in the United States.

I bring to this subject a few different perspectives. In my present capacity as a faculty member at University of the Incarnate Word Feik School of Pharmacy in San Antonio, Texas, I planned the Career Fair/Interview Day for our first graduating class. When I was director of professional recruiting and college relations at Walmart, I was responsible for recruiting and staffing more than 3,600 stores, which gave me a unique opportunity to develop a national perspective on pharmacist staffing. And during my time as a pharmacy district manager, I faced the challenge of recruiting graduates who received offers from just about every company they interviewed with, typically at least five or six. In addition, at that time incentives such as sign-on bonuses and relocation assistance were more widely available.

Companies generally recruited aggressively, on a daily basis as well as at campus interview days. However, at Feik's interview day in October 2009, I did not feel that sense of urgency from employers. Company representatives stated that compared with previous years, fewer employers were attending career fairs. Job offers were much more selective, and some of our students, who had worked with their respective companies for several years, were not offered a position even with their own employers. Sign-on bonuses were available only for select positions, and the interviewing process was much more rigorous.

After hearing a few months ago about employment challenges for 2009 Rutgers graduates, I followed up with colleagues in the industry to gather more information about the job market. I learned that graduates from pharmacy schools throughout the United States were having difficulty in securing positions. An association leader stated that the pharmacist shortage in hospitals has improved significantly. The director of a national staffing company for hospital pharmacists observed that some hospitals are even laying off pharmacists. Colleagues working for national pharmacy retailers stated that pharmacist openings were at the lowest level they had been in the past decade and that pharmacist salaries had stabilized. Finally, the CEO of a leading national company that posts jobs for pharmacists declared that "the pharmacist shortage is over." It appears that increasing enrollment in pharmacy schools has eased the shortage.

In addition, the economic downturn has impelled some retired pharmacists to reenter the workforce in an effort to augment their retirement income or bolster their savings. I am working now with two pharmacists who came out of retirement this past year; both are over 80 years of age.

Although I am fully aware that there will always be certain areas of the country that face shortages, I do not know whether the national pharmacist shortage is over, since there are unknown factors such as healthcare reform that must be considered. What I do know is that in order to plan appropriately for all stakeholders, we need to quantify the numbers when we talk about a pharmacist shortage.
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David D. Trang, PharmD, MBA, is assistant professor of pharmacy practice at Feik School of Pharmacy, University of the Incarnate Word. He can be reached by e-mail at trang@uiwtx.edu