Appalachian College of Pharmacy

Awarded Full Accreditation

The Appalachian College of Pharmacy (ACP) in Oakwood, Va., has been advised by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) that the college has been advanced from candidate status to full accreditation status. 

ACP opened its doors in 2005 and was awarded candidate status by ACPE in June 2007 which allowed its graduates to take the North American Pharmacy Licensure Examination which all pharmacists are required to pass to be able to practice in the United States.  Since then the college has graduated 126 students. 

Frank Kilgore, the college’s chairman and founder, explained that “our three-year doctor of pharmacy program is accelerated and runs year-round. That allows our students to graduate and enter the work force a year earlier than graduates of a traditional four-year pharmacy program but with equivalent classroom hours, clinical training, professional degree and credentials.”

07/17/10

Louisiana's Revamped Medicaid Program

Will Likely Attract National Insurers Ahead

of Reform-Related Medicaid Expansion

HealthLeaders-InterStudy, a provider of managed care market intelligence, reports that Louisiana is reforming its current fee-for-service Medicaid delivery model, adding coordinated care networks comprised of health plans, provider coalitions and hospitals. According to the recent Georgia, Alabama & Louisiana Health Plan Analysis, Medicaid insurers not currently operating in Louisiana such as AMERIGROUP and AmeriHealth Mercy will likely consider applying to become a designated coordinated care network.

As outlined by Louisiana's Department of Health, coordinated care networks can be structured as prepaid providers who are paid a capitated fee for an array of primary care services or as fee-for-service primary care case management groups that are eligible for additional payments when driving down costs. Under the plan, pharmacy benefits will be provided separately on a fee-for-service basis. 

The coordinated care initiative replaces the state's previous Medicaid reform attempt, Louisiana Health First, which failed to win approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

07/17/10

Walgreens Reaches Agreement with USA Drug

Walgreens reports it has reached an agreement with USA Drug to acquire the prescription files and certain other assets of 17 Ike’s and Super-D drugstores in the Memphis, Tenn., area. 

Walgreens will purchase the prescription files at each of the 17 locations and transfer them to nearby Walgreens pharmacies. In addition, Walgreens is currently in negotiations with USA Drug to acquire and continue to operate the two remaining Ike’s drugstores (located on Eastgate Park Avenue and Union Avenue) and anticipates staffing most of the store positions with the existing employees. 

The acquisition is subject to certain customary terms and conditions. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

07/17/10

Funding Approved for FAMU Pharmacy School

Funding of $8.5 million for a Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University (FAMU) pharmacy school in Crestview has been approved by the Florida legislature. 

Of that amount, $7 million is earmarked for renovations to the Alatex Building, donated to the university by the City of Crestview for the pharmacy school. The remaining $1.5 million comes in the form of recurring annual funds to pay faculty salaries at the school. 

07/17/10

Kentucky Board of Pharmacy

Brian DeWire, DC, has been appointed a public member of the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy. His appointment will end January 1, 2014. 

Also appointed to the Kentucky board was Scott Greenwell, PharmD. His appointment will expire January 1, 2014. 

Joel Thornbury, RPh, has been elected president of the Kentucky board. Larry Hadley, RPh, was elected vice president.

07/17/10

North Carolina Board of Pharmacy

Robert McLaughlin, Jr., RPh, was been elected president of the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy. Betty Dennis, PharmD, was elected vice president.

07/17/10

UGA College of Pharmacy Graduates 124

Students and Honors 15 at Awards Banquet

The University of Georgia College of Pharmacy graduated 124 Doctor of Pharmacy students in ceremonies held May 1. Of those students, 86 graduated with honors: 13 summa cum laude, 36 magna cum laude and 37 cum laude. 

In addition a record number of 24 graduates were selected to attend postgraduate residency programs in Georgia and across the United States. 

Graduation festivities began with the 62nd annual senior awards banquet where 15  students received 12 separate awards for special achievement, academic excellence and professionalism. 

Bailey Holland Guest, Tifton, received the Robert C. Wilson Award, as an outstanding member of the graduating class. 

Anthony Carlos Scott, Lawrenceville, received the Kenneth L. Waters Award, which recognizes academic excellence, leadership qualities, professional attitude and service. 

Melinda Edwina James, Royston, was recipient of the Durward N. Entrekin Pharmacy Student Leadership Award.

The Lilly Achievement Award recognized Rola Mousa Franks, Demorest, for ethics, scholarship and leadership. Vidya Nair, Lawrenceville, Maria Miller Thurston, Athens, and Merida Barbara Mason, Dublin, received the Merck Awards for Academic Excellence. 

The APhA-ASP Senior Recognition Certificate went to Elaine Rachel Mebel, Marietta. The Facts and Comparisons Award of Excellence in Clinical Communications went to Leigh Anne Dye, Powder Springs, for high academic achievement and outstanding clinical communication skills. 

The McKesson Award, based on professional practice activities, was presented Navid Reza Amlani, Marietta. The Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. Excellence in Pharmacy Award for high academic achievement and professional motivation was awarded to Cecilia J. Inhulsen, Montezuma. 

The Pharmdawg Award for service to the profession, college and community was presented to Stephen Andrew Thomas, Jesus, and Robert Bowen Brady, Savannah. Olubusola Opeoluwa Oluyemi, Kennesaw, received the Redfearn Award for professionalism and community service. William Burt Wrenn, Watkinsville, received the TEVA Pharmaceuticals USA Outstanding Student Award for excellence in the study of pharmacy.

07/17/10