NCPA Foundation Receives $100,000

From Purdue Pharma for First Ever Catalyst

Grant Award for Innovative Practice

The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) Foundation has been awarded a $100,000 grant by Purdue Pharma to advance the foundation's efforts to stimulate community-pharmacy based research that helps improve patient care and education. Purdue's donation will support the foundation's Catalyst Grant Award Program for Innovative Practice, with a focus on pain management.  

Like a venture capital award program, the NCPA Foundation's Catalyst Grant Award Program is designed to provide seed money to stimulate and help pharmacists in independent practice settings design and implement innovative patient care services, explains the foundation. The goal is to encourage the development of patient care services that incorporate aspects of medication adherence enhancement as well as improved patient outcomes via pharmacy-based patient care services.  

The Catalyst Grant Award Program is designed to be conducted over a four-year period, with the selected best practices widely communicated to the pharmacy profession, other health care providers, policy makers and payers, as well as patient and disease advocacy organizations. After four years, the program should generate a significant body of knowledge and evidence to showcase the effectiveness of pharmacy-provided services and the efficacy of pharmaceuticals when properly used. 

Interested applicants must be NCPA members and currently licensed and engaged in independent pharmacy practice. Each grant will provide $3,000 or $5,000 to support up to an eight-month project. The application deadline is August 6. Grant recipients will be announced at the NCPA 112th Annual Convention and Trade Exposition in Philadelphia, October 23-27, 2010. For more information, visit www.ncpafoundation.org/purdue.shtml.   

The NCPA Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization established in 1953 to honor former NARD executive secretary John W. Dargavel. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted under federal tax law. The foundation supports the advancement of independent community pharmacy through scholarships and low-interest educational loans to pharmacy students, critical research and programs to improve the success of independent pharmacy, community service and health awareness programs, and financial assistance to community pharmacy owners for their recovery in the event of disaster. 

07/17/10

NCPA 42nd Annual Legislative Conference Concludes

With Renewed Focus to Ensure Patients Have

Access to Community Pharmacy Services

Nearly 500 pharmacist attendees from across America completed the three-day National Community Pharmacists Association’s (NCPA) 42nd Annual Conference on Legislation and Government Affairs in mid-May. Community pharmacists thanked lawmakers for including pro-patient, pro-pharmacy provisions in the recently enacted health care reform law, discussed implementation of that law, and made the case for new, bipartisan legislation.  

Participants lobbied for two recently introduced bills addressing many of the concerns about the business practices of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs)-H.R. 5234, the PBM Audit Reform and Transparency Act of 2010-and the competitive bidding requirements for Medicare Part B Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS)-H.R. 5235, the Medicare Access to Diabetes Supplies Act. 

“Each year, the federal government’s influence over independent community pharmacies grows as does our members’ commitment to educating decision-makers in our nation’s capital about their concerns, while providing constructive solutions,” said Bruce T. Roberts, RPh, NCPA executive vice president and CEO. “The attendees at this year’s legislative conference came here to help ensure that congressional and federal officials are creating a level playing field that allows independent community pharmacies to continue working to improve health outcomes and reduce costs.”     

During the conference, approximately 200 congressional visits were made to press senators and representatives for co-sponsorship and passage of the two aforementioned bills, among other issues. These efforts were amplified with the assistance of NCPA members who were not in attendance, but who contacted their federal elected officials’ offices for “Independent Community Pharmacy Congressional Action Day.” The message was further driven home through an advertisement in Capitol Hill publications.  

“This week independent community pharmacy voices were heard throughout Washington, either by meeting with their member of Congress or calling into their offices,” said Joseph H. Harmison, PD, NCPA president and pharmacy owner in Arlington, Texas. “Whether it is passing legislation to curtail PBMs’ ability to operate in secret or audit pharmacies in a predatory fashion, or protecting patients’ access to essential medical supplies like diabetes testing strips, we are sticking up for our pharmacies and our patients.”  

A final but important aspect of the attendees focus was a follow-up to what transpired at last year’s legislative conference. It was there that over 80 independent community pharmacists met with FTC Chair Jon Leibowitz to provide first-hand accounts of CVS Caremark’s seemingly anti-competitive and anti-consumer practices and requested an investigation. The FTC subsequently opened up a non-public investigation and 24 states and two municipalities are also currently scrutinizing these practices. This week attendees heard from an FTC official (who did not comment on any specifics of the ongoing investigation). And separately, a few pharmacy professionals and NCPA staff presented detailed information to the FTC about how PBMs mask their true costs and use overly aggressive audit practices to financially punish independent pharmacies.  

Harmison concluded, “Governmental intervention into the actions of CVS Caremark is central to the need to rein in the PBM industry, because the marriage of this giant PBM and giant retail chain has opened up new potential avenues for abuses for an entity with a staggering market share. NCPA will continue to press its case in hopes that corrective action will be taken.”  

The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) represents America's community pharmacists, including the owners of more than 22,700 independent community pharmacies, pharmacy franchises, and chains. Together they represent an $88 billion health-care marketplace, employ over 65,000 pharmacists, and dispense over 40 percent of all retail prescriptions.

07/05/10

NABP Delegates Approve 10

Resolutions at Annual Meeting

Delegates from the member boards of pharmacy adopted 10 resolutions during the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy’s (NABP) 106th Annual Meeting, held May 22-25, 2010, in Anaheim, Calif. The resolutions addressed the following: 

u  Studying the concept of multistate licensure; 

u  Standardizing definitions, requirements, and the registration of pharmacy interns; 

u  Communicating the importance of the expanded role of pharmacist immunization services; 

u  Researching and developing national pharmacy practice standards; 

u  Encouraging uniform disciplinary guidelines; 

u  Establishing a task force to review and recommend revisions to the federal Controlled Substances Act of 1970; 

u  Encouraging the adoption of uniform standards for pharmacy technician education and training programs; 

u  Encouraging the development and use of technology to ensure complete patient profile data for the provision of pharmacist care; 

u  Labeling of medications for patient assistance programs; and 

u  A recognition resolution. 

The complete text of the resolutions is available in the Members’ section of the NABP Web site, www.nabp.net/members, and will also be published in the forthcoming special annual Meeting issue of the NABP Newsletter.  

NABP is an independent, international, and impartial association that assists its member boards and jurisdictions in developing, implementing, and enforcing uniform standards for the purpose of protecting the public health.

07/05/10

BPS Releases Updated Content Outline

for Pharmacotherapy Specialty Examination

The Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) has released the April 2010 update of the Content Outline for its pharmacotherapy specialty examination. That document will be used to construct the pharmacotherapy examination to be administered by BPS on October 2, 2010. The new Content Outline is posted on the BPS Web site, www.bpsweb.org at http://www.bpsweb.org/pdfs/content_outline_pharmacotherapy.pdf    

Every specialty certification program needs to periodically survey its constituency to ensure that its examination content remains current and credible, says BPS, who went on to say that BPS does this for each of its specialty examinations approximately every five years. In mid-2008, BPS contracted with the Professional Examination Service (PES) to conduct a role delineation study (RDS) of pharmacotherapy practice. The purposes of this study were to:  

u  update the role delineation of the Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS) to reflect current professional practice, and 

u  derive empirical guidance to inform decision-making regarding updated test specifications for the BCPS examination.   

The conduct of an RDS is a widely recognized and legally defensible strategy for establishing the content validity of a credentialing program. The BCPS RDS is consistent with current testing and measurement requirements for the validation of certification examinations. The project was undertaken in two phases: (1) review and refinement of the role delineation by subject-matter experts, and (2) conduct of a survey to validate the revised delineation and update the BCPS test content outline. 

Phase 1 – Review and Refinement of the Role Delineation  

In August 2009, the current description of the work of pharmacotherapy practitioners (i.e., the current BCPS test content outline) was reviewed and refined by a task force of subject-matter experts (SMEs). The task force was comprised of the majority of the members of the 2009 Pharmacotherapy Specialty Council, augmented by local SMEs who provided additional perspectives (e.g., managed care, pediatrics) to complement those of the Specialty Council members. In November 2008, the Pharmacotherapy Specialty Council created a preliminary list of changes in specialty practice since the previous RDS was completed in 2003. The task force explored the impact of those changes on tasks performed and knowledge required by pharmacotherapy practitioners.             

The task force maintained the domain structure of the previous RDS. They retained the names of Domain 1 (patient-specific pharmacotherapy) and Domain 2 (retrieval, generation, interpretation and dissemination of knowledge in pharmacotherapy), and renamed Domain 3 from health system-related pharmacotherapy to systems and population-based pharmacotherapy. Within each domain, they simplified and streamlined the task statements to eliminate redundancy and enhance the precision of item classification. They added knowledge statements to capture evolving knowledge requirements with respect to topics including health promotion, health literacy, patient rights and protections, cultural competence, performance improvement, continuity of care, and change management.  The task force also reviewed and revised the list of systems and patient–care problems encountered in pharmacotherapy practice.   

Phase 2 – Conduct of Survey to Validate the Delineation of Practice 

To determine whether the role delineation accurately described the job-related activities and knowledge base of a BCPS, a validation survey was constructed and administered. The survey of practice included six sections:  

· Section 1: Tasks Performed in Pharmacotherapy Practice 

· Section 2: Domains of Pharmacotherapy Practice 

· Section 3: Knowledge Used in Pharmacotherapy Practice  

· Section 4: Patient-Care Problems 

· Section 5: Demographic and Professional Characteristics 

· Section 6: Comments  

The sample for the survey consisted of 3000 BPS-certified pharmacotherapy specialists drawn randomly from the population of certificants with valid email addresses on file. Ultimately, 38 percent of those surveyed completed the on-line survey instrument. This was considered an excellent response rate for such a survey.  Results were tabulated and extensively analyzed by PES psychometricians and reviewed and endorsed by the task force. The final step in the process was formatting the results into the revised Content Outline document, which is expected to remain in effect for approximately five years, unless practice changes warrant earlier revision.   

The Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) is an autonomous division of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), founded in January 1976 to recognize specialties and certify pharmacists in specialized areas of pharmacy practice. Six specialties are currently recognized by BPS: 1) nuclear pharmacy, since 1978; 2) nutrition support pharmacy, since 1988; 3) pharmacotherapy, since 1988; 4) psychiatric pharmacy, since 1992; and 5) oncology pharmacy, since 1996. The latest BPS specialty, focused on ambulatory care pharmacy, was approved in June 2009, and is scheduled for its first examination in 2011. More than 9000 pharmacist specialists are currently certified by BPS.

07/05/10

J M Smith Among World's Most Ethical Companies

The J M Smith Corporation, parent company of Smith Drug Company, Smith Premiere Services, QS/1, and Integral Solutions, has been listed as among the 2010 World's Most Ethical Companies. The survey is researched and compiled by the Ethisphere Institute, an organization that started compiling the list four years ago.   

The J M Smith Corporation joins more than two dozen first time recipients, including Ford Motor Company, Adobe Systems, and Campbell Soup Company. J M Smith made the ranking under the Healthcare category.  

"We have always taken pride in doing the right thing," said Bill Cobb, CEO of the J M Smith Corporation. "It is certainly an honor to be recognized for a philosophy that has driven our company for decades."  

The Ethisphere Institute looked at companies in more than 100 countries and 36 industries. The methodology for the World's Most Ethical Companies includes reviewing codes of ethics, litigation and regulatory infraction histories; evaluating the investment in innovation and sustainable business practices; looking at activities designed to improve corporate citizenship; and studying nominations from senior executives, industry peers, suppliers and customers.

07/05/10

HealthWarehouse.com Receives

VIPPS Accreditation From NABP

HealthWarehouse.com Inc., a leading retail mail-order pharmacy, announced  it has received Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites VIPPS accreditation from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). The company becomes one of only 20 pharmacies to be VIPPS accredited in the United States.   

According to NABP, which has reviewed nearly 6,000 Web sites, "less than four percent of online pharmacies appear to be in compliance with pharmacy law and practice standards. Rogue pharmacies put patients at risk of receiving counterfeit or adulterated medications. VIPPS accreditation ensures that an Internet pharmacy is a bona fide pharmacy, and it is the best way for patients to determine that they are getting the quality care they deserve."  

"As a leading retail mail-order pharmacy, VIPPS accreditation is another major validation and milestone for us," said Lalit Dhadphale, president and CEO.  "We applaud the NABP for maintaining strict guidelines to protect the U.S. consumer and are delighted to be one of only twenty VIPPS accredited pharmacies in the United States." 

HealthWarehouse.com Inc. is based in Cincinnati, Ohio. It offers 300 prescription drugs for $3.50 with 100 percent free shipping and is a 2009 winner of the BizRate Circle Of Excellence Award for outstanding customer satisfaction and service. HealthWarehouse.com is licensed in 48 states and only sells drugs which are FDA-approved and legal for sale in the United States.  Visit HealthWarehouse online at www.HealthWarehouse.com.

07/05/10

Roberts to Conclude Tenure as NCPA CEO June 25

Bruce T. Roberts, RPh, has decided to conclude his eight-year tenure as executive vice president and CEO of the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA)  June 25, 2010.  

"After nearly nine years at the helm of NCPA, the time seems right to turn over the reins of the association," Roberts said. "I'm proud to have led a team that has done so much to position community pharmacy in a more favorable light in our health care system. The stronger voice we've developed for NCPA in the political arena is producing policies that help local pharmacists continue to care for their patients. With NCPA on solid footing and well positioned to do great things in the coming years, I have decided it's time for me to move on to the next chapter."  

"Bruce Roberts' vision and passion for independent community pharmacy have greatly benefited NCPA members and his service has been deeply appreciated," said NCPA president and Arlington, Texas pharmacy owner Joseph H. Harmison, PD. "Bruce helped NCPA develop into both an extremely effective advocate for community pharmacists as well as a source of market-oriented solutions to support our members. On behalf of NCPA's executive committee, I and many others wish him all the best and know that he will continue to be an energetic supporter of community pharmacists and their patients."  

"At the same time, the opportunities and challenges before independent community pharmacists wait for no one," Harmison added. "So the association's leaders have already started the search for the right leader to guide NCPA to new heights in advocacy for and support of our members. NCPA's next CEO will inherit a strong organization with vibrant members who are true pillars in their communities and in the health care system. We're also taking steps to ensure that NCPA doesn't miss a beat in the interim."

NCPA senior vice president and chief operating officer B. Douglas Hoey, MBA, RPh, has been designated to serve as acting executive vice president and CEO after Roberts' departure in June and until a replacement is named.

Roberts will join BeneCard PBF as president and CEO. The company was founded by Richard Ullman, RPh, who has deep roots in pharmacy and pharmacy benefits management. As a prescription benefit facilitator (PBF), BeneCard is a transparent alternative to the traditional pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) model.  

"In joining BeneCard, I hope to bring about meaningful change in the world of the pharmacy benefit management," Roberts said. "BeneCard's success in the marketplace demonstrates that there is a better way, built on core principles such as absolute transparency and an aligned interest between the beneficiary, plan and the pharmacy. I see this next chapter as a logical extension of the work we've done at NCPA over the last eight years. That is, to bring about positive change to advance pharmacy's role in our health care system and reversing the commoditization of what we do as pharmacists."

07/05/10

AMCP Elects President-Elect, Three Directors

David L. Clark, president of RegenceRx and vice president of Regence, has been elected 2010-2011 president-elect of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP). 

Babette Edgar, Bill Francis and Raulo Frear were elected to fill three slots on the AMCP board of directors. 

Edgar is senior vice president, operations and quality assurance, at the Gorman Health Group; Francis is director of pharmacy, University Physicians Health Plans; and Frear is director of Pharmacy Services, the Regence Group.

07/05/10

NABP Honors Leaders in Forefront

of Public Health Protection

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) honored leaders in the protection of public health at the association’s 106th Annual Meeting, held May 22-25, 2010, in Anaheim, Calif. Each year, the association presents awards to individuals who have worked with unwavering dedication to ensure NABP’s continued service to the regulation of pharmacy practice and its efforts to assist the state boards of pharmacy in protecting the public health. 

Those honored leaders include 2010 honorary president Howard C. Anderson, Jr, RPh; 2009-2010 NABP president Gary A. Schnabel, RN, RPh; the Iowa Board of Pharmacy and the Nevada State Board of Pharmacy, recipients of the 2010 Fred T. Mahaffey Award; the 2010 John F. Atkinson Service Award recipient Joann D. Predina, MBA, RPh; the 2010 Henry Cade Memorial Award winner Kristi R. Dover, PharmD; and the 2010 Lester E. Hosto Distinguished Service Award recipient Lawrence W. Klein, PhD.   

Anderson’s active career began at Turtle Lake Rexall Drug, a pharmacy he co-owned and operated with his father in Turtle Lake, N.D. Anderson continued to own and operate the pharmacy for 35 years, and also practiced at Turtle Lake Community Memorial Hospital for 20 years, where he was pharmacist-in-charge. Currently serving as executive director of the North Dakota State Board of Pharmacy,  Anderson accomplished pioneering work in the area of telepharmacy, developing rules and regulations that brought pharmacy services to over 40,000 patients in rural North Dakota communities. An active member of NABP, Anderson served as member of the NABP executive committee from 2001-2004. He also served on numerous committees and task forces and was chair of the task force to examine the quality and standards of internship requirements. He earned his bachelor of science in pharmacy from North Dakota State University.  

Through Schnabel’s leadership and support, NABP has accomplished significant work that will progress the future vision of pharmacists as the primary providers of medication therapy. Schnabel offered crucial guidance during the development of the community pharmacist accreditation pilot program and established task forces that will help to bring about the future vision of pharmacists. Specifically, the work of both the task force that examined pharmacy technician education and practice standards, and the task force that addressed electronic prescribing software standards, will contribute to patient safety and help to create an environment in which patients trust and rely upon pharmacists to provide medication therapy and counsel. It was under Schnabel’s leadership that NABP addressed the important issue of standardizing prescription monitoring programs (PMPs). The work of the task force charged to review PMP standards will assist these programs in reaching the goal of preventing prescription drug abuse and diversion. Schnabel earned his bachelor of science degree in pharmacy from Oregon State University.  

In September 2003, the Iowa board took disciplinary action against a pharmacy for providing prescription drugs outside the usual course of professional practice and the subsequent investigation of two Internet companies uncovered the loss of over 30 million pills and resulted in multiple convictions. The Iowa board is also being recognized for its continuous efforts to regulate medical marijuana. After a number of public hearings, many hours spent listening to patients, doctors, pharmacists, and legislators, as well as reviewing hundreds of medical articles and other state laws, the board moved forward in its decision to recommend that the Iowa state legislature reclassify marijuana as a Schedule II controlled substance, which would allow medical uses of marijuana.

The Nevada State Board recently launched an “inspecting for safety” initiative that focuses on continuous quality improvement and patient safety. The board’s initiative includes a retooling of its inspection forms to emphasize the safety of the patient as the primary inspection goal. The Nevada board now inspects for everything from patient and drug information, to communication, workflow, staffing, drug storage, and workplace environment. The goal of the board’s initiative is ensuring that all pharmacies are in compliance with the law and to emphasize patient safety. The initiative achieved success through the support of all board members and the teamwork of investigators, staff, and inspectors.  

Predina is a compliance specialist for the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy. For 18 years, she has been responsible for inspecting locations where dangerous drugs are stored, conducting audits, and educating licensees on methods to obtain or maintain compliance. She was active in establishing accreditation standards and processes for the Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board (PCAB) from 2005-2006, and currently serves on the PCAB task force to update those standards and processes.  Predina was named to the NABP task force on electronic prescribing software standards and data storage and is currently the president of the Ohio chapter of the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators. Predina received her bachelor of science degree in pharmacy from Ohio State University and her master of business administration in health care administration from Lake Erie College.  

Dover currently serves as the senior area director of medical liaisons at Purdue Pharma LP. She has been a long-time supporter of NABP through her efforts to obtain sponsorships for valuable NABP services. Notably, Dover has facilitated Purdue Pharma’s sponsorship of the NABP Survey of Pharmacy Law, which has allowed NABP to provide the publication free of charge to all final-year pharmacy students. In addition, she has made efforts to obtain sponsorships for the NABP annual meetings, fall conferences, and the NABP symposium. Her pharmacy practice experience includes a post-doctoral oncology residency, and a faculty committee appointment, as well as inpatient oncology, ambulatory pain clinic, and clinical research. Dover earned her bachelor of science in pharmacy from the University of Texas at Austin and her doctor of pharmacy degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and the University of Texas at Austin, Clinical Pharmacy Programs. 

Klein has been a testing and measurement consultant since 1985, and most recently assisted NABP as a technical consultant for the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination. From 1988-1989, Klein served as the technical director of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy licensure examination, now known as the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination, when its management was transitioned from an outside testing company to NABP. In addition, he held a position as the technical coordinator of research and measurement at CTB/McGraw-Hill, and was the associate director of health programs for the organization, ACT. While at ACT, he assisted NABP as project director for the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination when it was first implemented in 1984. He received his master’s degree in education from the University of Calgary and his doctorate degree from the University of Oregon specializing in educational measurement and experimental design.

07/05/10

HDMA Recognizes Congressman Whitfield with

Rx Safety and Healthcare Leadership Award

The Healthcare Distribution Management Association recently honored Congressman Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.) with its first Rx Safety and Healthcare Leadership Award. The award recognizes public officials for their leadership and commitment to public policies that support and promote the safe and efficient delivery of lifesaving medicines to patients nationwide. 

Congressman Whitfield has a long history of working with Congressional leaders from both parties to promote policies that enhance health care supply chain security and efficiency, HDMA points out. Most recently, his introduction of legislation (H.R. 1392) to clarify the treatment of prompt pay discounts in Medicare Part B program garnered the support of more than 70 co-sponsors in this session of Congress. This legislation corrects the current treatment of prompt pay discounts paid by manufacturers to distributors for products that are reimbursed by the Medicare Part B program. The legislation would enhance patient access to these medications and increase supply chain efficiencies that distributors provide to the healthcare system when servicing physicians who participate in the Part B program.    

“Congressman Whitfield deserves to receive the association’s first Rx Safety and Healthcare Leadership Award. He understands our industry and the essential role distributors play in saving the nation’s health care system $32 billion annually,” said HDMA president and CEO John M. Gray. “His work to ensure the proper treatment of prompt pay discounts in pharmaceutical reimbursement calculations used in Medicare and Medicaid will, if enacted, lead to more accessible, more affordable healthcare for countless Americans.”  

“Distributors are a critical linchpin in our nation’s health care system,” said Congressman Whitfield. “Not only do they ensure the safe and efficient delivery of drugs to patients, but they provide tremendous savings to our health care system. As health care policy continues to be at the forefront of public debate, we must ensure our distributors can continue to provide important medications to patients across the country.”

HDMA presents the Rx Safety and Healthcare Leadership Award to federal and state public officials who:  

u  Introduce, support or author legislation, regulations or policies and champion technologies that further enhance supply chain security, patient safety, business efficiencies and defend the industry against policies that could compromise these or are otherwise harmful to the supply chain. 

u  Support fair and accurate reimbursement policies that ensure continuous patient access to life saving medicines at their pharmacy, physician’s office, hospital or other health care provider. 

u  Continually promote constructive discussion and ongoing collaboration between supply chain partners and government and endeavor to learn about the distribution industry through meetings, appearances, tours and other events.    

Rep. Ed Whitfield, left, accepts the first HDMA Rx Safety and Healthcare Leadership Award from HDMA’s John M. Gray.

07/05/10

NACDS Names Worthington Vice

President of Human Resources

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) reports that Dawn Worthington, PHR, has joined NACDS as vice president of human resources. 

"From working with Dawn previously, I know she is the ideal professional to continue one of the highest priorities at NACDS," said NACDS president and CEO Steven C. Anderson. And that is to align the values and practices of all NACDS staff to promote a culture of transparency, accountability, collective responsibility, focus, communications, member-centricity, cross-functional teamwork, trust, adaptability, energy, excellence of execution, and measured results." 

Anderson further added, "Though human resources too often is perceived as an internal function, Dawn’s role includes a decidedly external focus: equipping and engaging the NACDS staff team to deliver value to the membership. It is exciting to welcome Dawn Worthington to the highly talented and amazing NACDS staff team." 

Prior to joining NACDS, Worthington had served since 1997 in human resources positions of increasing responsibility at the National Restaurant Association. She had served as vice president of human resources and benefits since February 2005.

07/05/10

NACDS Recognizes Congressman Marion Berry

With NACDS Congressional Leadership Award

During the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) 2nd Annual RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill, held in March, NACDS bestowed on Rep. Marion Berry (D-AR) the NACDS Congressional Leadership Award. The award recognized Berry for his strong commitment and lifetime support of pharmacy. 

As the only licensed pharmacist in the United States Congress, Rep. Berry has been a champion for pharmacy’s health care priorities, from Medicaid average manufacturer price (AMP) reform to preserving seniors’ access to durable medical equipment (DME) such as diabetes testing supplies from neighborhood pharmacies, pointed out NACDS. 

"As over 250 pharmacy advocates descend on Washington, D.C. for RxIMPACT Day to meet with their respective members of Congress to advance pharmacy’s priorities, it is only fitting we recognize one of our most vocal advocates in Congress — Representative Marion Berry," said NACDS president and CEO Steven C. Anderson. "It is an honor to spotlight one of pharmacy’s true allies on Capitol Hill. Rep. Berry’s commitment, leadership and voice will be missed by pharmacy and by all who are concerned about health care delivery."  

Rep. Berry, who plans on retiring at the end of the current term, is an influential member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a senior member of the House appropriations committee and founder and co-chairman of the House prescription drug task Force. First elected in 1996, Rep. Berry represents the First Congressional District of Arkansas. 

Rep. Marion Berry, left, receives the NACDS Congressional Leadership Award from NACDS’ Steven A. Anderson.

07/05/10

Suydam to Retire as President of

CHPA; Board and Officers Elected

Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) president Linda A. Suydam announced her retirement at the over-the-counter (OTC) medicine and dietary supplement trade association’s annual executive conference recently. Having served the association and its members for eight years, Suydam informed the conference attendees of her decision to retire at the end of 2010 when her term ends.  

Suydam started at CHPA after serving 21 years at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and an additional three years promoting public health initiatives at the University of New Mexico. 

“Her expertise in the field and experience with FDA proved invaluable to advancing the mission of CHPA. Her leadership within the association led us to countless successes,” remarked CHPA chair of the board Christopher D. DeWolf, president and CEO, Lil’ Drug Store Products Inc. “Under Linda’s direction, CHPA has supported the safety and efficacy of many key over-the-counter ingredients, established the CHPA Educational Foundation as a growing resource aimed at educating consumers on the safe and effective use of OTCs, and created the comprehensive StopMedicineAbuse.org effort integrating a host of partnering organizations into the fight against teen medicine abuse, particularly OTC cough medicines.” 

“It has been an honor and a privilege to be part of CHPA for the past eight years,” Suydam remarked. “I firmly believe that consumer access to safe and effective over-the-counter medicines and nutritional supplements is vitally important, both to the nation’s health care system in general and to individual families’ healthcare in particular. I am personally and professionally gratified to have had a role in helping to advance this segment of consumer healthcare.”

CHPA Elects Board and Officers 

In addition, members of the board of directors of CHPA were elected at the association’s annual executive conference.

u  Christopher D. DeWolf, president and CEO, Lil’ Drug Store Products Inc., was re-elected as the association’s chair.  

u  Timothy G. Hayes, senior vice president and region head, North America, Bayer HealthCare LLC, will serve as immediate past chair.  

CHPA vice chairs include:   

u  Charles F. Hough, OTC region head, North America, Novartis Consumer Health Inc.; 

u  Patrick M. Lonergan, partner, president, NUMARK Laboratories; 

u  Peter B. Luther, president, North America OTC, McNeil Consumer Healthcare;

u  James J. Mackey, senior vice president, Sales and Operations, Schering-Plough  Consumer Healthcare, a Division of Merck and Co.; 

u  Jeffrey R. Needham, executive vice president, Perrigo Company; and

Roger L. Scarlett-Smith, president, North America, Consumer Healthcare, GlaxoSmithKline.    

07/05/10

NABP 2010-2011 Executive Committee Inaugurated

Delegates to the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) 106th Annual Meeting, held May 22-25, 2010, in Anaheim, Calif., elected individuals to fill the president-elect, treasurer, and open member positions on the association’s 2010-2011 executive committee.  

Gary Schnabel, RN, RPh, immediate past president of NABP, assumed the office of chairperson of the association’s 2010-2011 executive committee. He served one-year terms as the association’s president, president-elect, and treasurer, and four years as an executive committee member representing District 7. 

William T. Winsley, MS, RPh, began his term as president of NABP during the final business session of the association’s meeting. During his presidency, Winsley is committed to empowering the boards through NABP outreach efforts that will help identify unique board needs and offer appropriate assistance, as well as offer assistance with relevant state legislative issues, according to a recent news release which went on to say that, under Winsley’s leadership, NABP will also create new opportunities for networking among boards to help members address common issues as they work to regulate the practice with the goal of protecting the public health.   

Malcolm J. Broussard, RPh, was elected to serve as 2010-2011 president-elect. Prior to the election, Broussard served a one-year term as the NABP treasurer and a three-year term as an executive committee member representing District 6.  

Michael A. Burleson, RPh, was elected to serve as the 2010-2011 treasurer.  Burleson has served a two-year term as an executive committee member representing District 3.  

James T. DeVita, RPh, was elected to serve a three-year member term, representing District 1, on the executive committee. Edward G. McGinley, RPh, MBA, was elected to serve a three-year member term, representing District 2; and Mark T. Conradi, RPh, JD, was elected to serve a one-year member term, representing District 3.  

Lloyd K. Jessen, RPh, JD, was re-elected to serve a second three-year member term, representing District 5, on the committee. 

07/05/10

Pfizer Appoints Dolsten President of

Worldwide Research and Development

Pfizer Inc. has named Mikael Dolsten, MD, PhD, president of Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, as the company completes its integration of these functions following the Wyeth acquisition. Dolsten previously led Wyeth's research and development organization from May 2008, and after the close of the Wyeth acquisition was named president of Pfizer's BioTherapeutics Research & Development. Prior to his appointment at Wyeth, Dolsten held key leadership roles in R&D at Boehringer Ingelheim and AstraZeneca. 

With this appointment, Dolsten will now lead all of research at Pfizer, as well as development of all compounds through Phase 2, or 'proof of concept.' Late-stage clinical development will continue to be led by clinical teams throughout the Worldwide Biopharmaceutical Businesses, as announced in April 2009. 

Pfizer also announced the resignation of Martin Mackay, president, PharmaTherapeutics Research & Development, who will leave the company effective immediately. Dolsten will expand the role of Rod MacKenzie, PhD, who is currently senior vice president and head of Worldwide Research for PharmaTherapeutics R&D. In addition to his current responsibilities leading small molecule research, MacKenzie will add responsibility for Asia R&D strategy, as well as small molecules pharmaceutical science.

07/05/10

ValuCentric Names Boardman V.P.

Chris Boardman has joined the ValuCentric management team as vice president of data services and analytics. Boardman will lead efforts to further expand the company’s offerings in prescription level data services. 

Boardman has over 20 years experience in the health care consulting profession, including over a decade at IMS Health.

07/05/10