- Email: [email protected]
Michigan Pioneers Generic Drug Law
Public Education Program Planned
Michigan Pioneers Generic DlUg Law
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The state of Michigan has pioneered passage of the nation's first consumer-oriented bill on the dispensing of generic drugs. And the Michigan Pharmaceutical Association, which played an important role in passage of the bill, has planned a public education program to assist its implementation. On March 31 Michigan's generic drug law became the law of the state. This legislation enables pharmacists to select the brand of the drug to be dispensed when generic equivalents are available and prescribed by a physician. Prior to March 31,
not only in poison control centers, libraries, and emergency rooms of medical centers and community hospitals, but also in the offices of generalists and specialists. It is recommended for the library of aJl pharmacists. Opportunities and Pharmacy Careers, Fred B. Gable, Vocational Guidance Manual,
Inc., Louisville, Ky., 1974.
The author gives a comprehensive description of the profession and encourages students to explore the rewarding and challenging field of pharmacy. In doing so, the author discusses the education of the pharmacists, community pharmacy, specialization within pharmacy and opportunities for employment. Dissolution Technology, Lewis J. Leeson, and J. Thuro Carstensen, The Industrial Pharmaceutical Technology Section of the
antisubstitution laws prevented pharmacists from performing this professional service. The legislation was enacted in the 1974 session of the Michigan legislature over the active opposition of the medical profession as well as pharmaceutical manufacturers. Achieving enactment was realized through the efforts of a committed coalition of interests including the Michigan Pharmaceutical Association, labor unions and a consumer group known as the Citizens Lobby. Harvard University's school of public health recently conducted a case study of this milestone achievement. The study considered both the professional concepts of this pharmacy-identified issue, as well as the political strategies employed to secure passage on the first attempt. The legislation's proponents contend it will more effectively utilize the special knowledge and experience of the pharmacist so the pharmacist converts his or her role from the "manufacturers' seller" to the "patients' purchasing agent." In this way, new consumer savings may be realized as the pharmacist combines quality and economic criteria in selecting the product to be dispensed. If this new law in due time creates a five percent savings-and many predict more- that could mean about $8 million for Michigan consumers.
Pharmaceutical marketing is atypical of the usual marketplace considerations, in that a unique middleman-the physiciannot only creates the demand by writing a prescription order (usually by brand name), but also authorizes its purchase. Therefore, this legislation strives to more effectively utilize existing health professionals, a long-time goal of public health officials concerned with health economics. Michigan Pharmaceutical Association Executive Director Louis M. Sesti estimates that "the new professional function for the pharmacist can currently be exercised for about 15 to 25 percent of all prescription medications. This estimate will probably grow in the next few years as patents expire on certain pharmaceuticals and as greater competition at the manufacturing level results in predictable changes." Sesti also announced that MP A has developed a public education program to parallel implementation of the generic drug bill. The campaign is highlighted by publication of a leaflet entitled Pharmacy Facts. It will be distributed to consumers by pharmacists to clarify facts about the generic drug bill. The first topic of Pharmacy Facts is "What's A Generic?" It examines the issues which will assist the consumers of prescription pharmacy services.
Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington, D.C., 1974.
of individualized therapy for each patient. Additional chapters have been added-acute respiratory failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, neurologic emergencies-while other chapters have been extensively rewritten and all have been updated.
The contributing authors discuss theories of dissolution- single particulate systems, theories of dissolution, multi-particulate systems, dissolution methodology, influence of formulation on dissolution rate, methods of increase in dissolution rate, biological implications of in vitro dissolution testing.
Manual of Medical Therapeutics, 21st Edition, Edgar C. Boedeker and James H. Dauber, Editors, Little, Brown and Company, Boston, M.ass., 1974,455 pages, $7.95.
The manual is written to reflect the approach to medical therapy employed by the majority of physicians on the staff of Washington University-Barnes Hospital Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri. Although the format is concise, the effort is made to convey the necessity
REGISTERED PHARMACIST Vitally concerned with the life of Chicago's south suburban community, Ingalls' 600 ·bed hospital complex continues to meet health care needs with expanded, more efficient and progressive pharmacy services. Plans for the immediate implementation of the IV ad mixture, the unit dose system and drug information programs will free Pharmacists for more specialized, professional duties as well as assure optimum accuracy. Experience in the unit dose system and IV additives is helpful as well as a willingness to rotate shifts. We offer an excellent salary, generous fringe benefits and the opportunity to make a significant contribution to bettering medical services. For a confidential interview, send a resume complete with salary history and requirements or CALL COLLECT: (312) 333·2300, EXT. 5216 EMPLOYMENT SUPERVISOR . ~ . . INGALLS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL 1 Ingalls Drive I Harvey, Ill. 60426 A" Equal Opp o rtu'lity Employer
Vol. NS15 , No.6, June 1975
361
Michigan Pioneers Generic DlUg Law
wh"B Genene " •
"•
.~
•
The state of Michigan has pioneered passage of the nation's first consumer-oriented bill on the dispensing of generic drugs. And the Michigan Pharmaceutical Association, which played an important role in passage of the bill, has planned a public education program to assist its implementation. On March 31 Michigan's generic drug law became the law of the state. This legislation enables pharmacists to select the brand of the drug to be dispensed when generic equivalents are available and prescribed by a physician. Prior to March 31,
not only in poison control centers, libraries, and emergency rooms of medical centers and community hospitals, but also in the offices of generalists and specialists. It is recommended for the library of aJl pharmacists. Opportunities and Pharmacy Careers, Fred B. Gable, Vocational Guidance Manual,
Inc., Louisville, Ky., 1974.
The author gives a comprehensive description of the profession and encourages students to explore the rewarding and challenging field of pharmacy. In doing so, the author discusses the education of the pharmacists, community pharmacy, specialization within pharmacy and opportunities for employment. Dissolution Technology, Lewis J. Leeson, and J. Thuro Carstensen, The Industrial Pharmaceutical Technology Section of the
antisubstitution laws prevented pharmacists from performing this professional service. The legislation was enacted in the 1974 session of the Michigan legislature over the active opposition of the medical profession as well as pharmaceutical manufacturers. Achieving enactment was realized through the efforts of a committed coalition of interests including the Michigan Pharmaceutical Association, labor unions and a consumer group known as the Citizens Lobby. Harvard University's school of public health recently conducted a case study of this milestone achievement. The study considered both the professional concepts of this pharmacy-identified issue, as well as the political strategies employed to secure passage on the first attempt. The legislation's proponents contend it will more effectively utilize the special knowledge and experience of the pharmacist so the pharmacist converts his or her role from the "manufacturers' seller" to the "patients' purchasing agent." In this way, new consumer savings may be realized as the pharmacist combines quality and economic criteria in selecting the product to be dispensed. If this new law in due time creates a five percent savings-and many predict more- that could mean about $8 million for Michigan consumers.
Pharmaceutical marketing is atypical of the usual marketplace considerations, in that a unique middleman-the physiciannot only creates the demand by writing a prescription order (usually by brand name), but also authorizes its purchase. Therefore, this legislation strives to more effectively utilize existing health professionals, a long-time goal of public health officials concerned with health economics. Michigan Pharmaceutical Association Executive Director Louis M. Sesti estimates that "the new professional function for the pharmacist can currently be exercised for about 15 to 25 percent of all prescription medications. This estimate will probably grow in the next few years as patents expire on certain pharmaceuticals and as greater competition at the manufacturing level results in predictable changes." Sesti also announced that MP A has developed a public education program to parallel implementation of the generic drug bill. The campaign is highlighted by publication of a leaflet entitled Pharmacy Facts. It will be distributed to consumers by pharmacists to clarify facts about the generic drug bill. The first topic of Pharmacy Facts is "What's A Generic?" It examines the issues which will assist the consumers of prescription pharmacy services.
Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington, D.C., 1974.
of individualized therapy for each patient. Additional chapters have been added-acute respiratory failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, neurologic emergencies-while other chapters have been extensively rewritten and all have been updated.
The contributing authors discuss theories of dissolution- single particulate systems, theories of dissolution, multi-particulate systems, dissolution methodology, influence of formulation on dissolution rate, methods of increase in dissolution rate, biological implications of in vitro dissolution testing.
Manual of Medical Therapeutics, 21st Edition, Edgar C. Boedeker and James H. Dauber, Editors, Little, Brown and Company, Boston, M.ass., 1974,455 pages, $7.95.
The manual is written to reflect the approach to medical therapy employed by the majority of physicians on the staff of Washington University-Barnes Hospital Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri. Although the format is concise, the effort is made to convey the necessity
REGISTERED PHARMACIST Vitally concerned with the life of Chicago's south suburban community, Ingalls' 600 ·bed hospital complex continues to meet health care needs with expanded, more efficient and progressive pharmacy services. Plans for the immediate implementation of the IV ad mixture, the unit dose system and drug information programs will free Pharmacists for more specialized, professional duties as well as assure optimum accuracy. Experience in the unit dose system and IV additives is helpful as well as a willingness to rotate shifts. We offer an excellent salary, generous fringe benefits and the opportunity to make a significant contribution to bettering medical services. For a confidential interview, send a resume complete with salary history and requirements or CALL COLLECT: (312) 333·2300, EXT. 5216 EMPLOYMENT SUPERVISOR . ~ . . INGALLS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL 1 Ingalls Drive I Harvey, Ill. 60426 A" Equal Opp o rtu'lity Employer
Vol. NS15 , No.6, June 1975
361