- Email: [email protected]
APhA Year in Review
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8
1988 APhA Board of Trustees (1 to r): Robert J. Osterhaus, Thomas J. Garrison, Donald R. Gronewald, John T. Fay, Jr., August P. Lemberger, Marily H. Rhudy, Tim L. Vordenbaumen, Charles R ..Green (chairman), J. Lyle Bootman, John W. West, Lucinda L. John F. Schlegel (president), Dennis A. Smith, and R.
The Board of Trustees in executive session.
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989'3 '
American Pharmacy, Vol. NS29, No. 1 January 1
I Ifs been a year of triumphs at APhA. Consistent with the goal set forth in our 3-year action agenda, APhA saw a threefold increase in the number of active new membe - the largest increase in Association membership in 10 years. Your Association worked to ensure that pharmacy's concerns were addressed on several crucial issues that took the spotlight in 1988, such as the Prescription Drug Marketing Act, the Employee Polygraph Protection Act, and the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act, for which our lobbying efforts were nationally recognized. During 1988 the new Advisory Committees met for the first time, providing a stronger voice for the membership in APhA publications, policies, educational programming, and awards. We continued our outreach to the states and the schools, learning firsthand what the issues are at the state level and how APhA can make a difference. And, looking to the future of pharmacy, we established the Cognitive Services Working Group and took action on such issues as freedom of choice in obtaining pharmacy services, the practice of physician dispensing, and mail-order pharmacy. Our actions and accomplishments in 1988 reinforce the Association's vital role in today's profession and have laid the groundwork for more successes in 1989.
• Government: ffecti Vi ly voicing th vi w, nd n.eeds of pharmacis and th pharm cy pro£ Slon to Congre and regulatoryg nci . • International: strengthening tie to international pharmacy organizations and to individual pharmacists throughout the world. • Professional: safeguarding phannacy' profe,.. sional prerogatives in detennining the scope and nature of professional practice in the context of a changing health-care environment. • Public visibility: enhancing and expanding the public's image of the pharmacist as a vital healthcare professional. • Scientific: ensuring access to phannaceutical scientific knowledge and providing a forum for inquiry and interchanges of scientific ideas and practices, both nationally and intern tionally. • Students: addre ing the ne and intere of pharmacy students, whil providing opportunities for leadership and pro~ ional d v lopment. • States: improving communica ion APhA and the tate and amon h
APhA Policy Committee on Public Affairs
APhA Policy Committee on Professional Affairs
American Phannacy, Vol. NS29, No.1 January 1989/37
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CUNICAL AFFAIRS Prevention of Drug Interactions, ADRs Stressed
Only Pharmacists to Review ICFs/MR Drug Regimens
In testimony we submitted to the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, we stressed that "the role of the pharmacist in preventing both adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and serious drug interactions cannot be overstated." The committee was examining the effects of ADRs on the elderly and the failure of current reporting systems to collect complete information on ADRs. In our comments, we stressed that pharmacists "are experts in ensuring the rational use of drugs and in communicating that information to patients and other health-care professionals." We noted, too, that "all patients receiving medication are entitled to comprehensive pharmaceutical services, which only pharmacists can provide."
After strong urging from APhA, the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) issued a comprehensive new standard that permits only pharmacists to perform quarterly drug-regimen reviews in Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded (ICFslMR). HCFA said it adopted the new standard because "the proper conduct of these reviews can be best assured by requiring that a pharmacist perform them." Earlier debate focused on whether a nurse could also conduct drug-regimen reviews.
Cognitive Services Working Group Established In response to priorities identified by the Academy of Pharmacy Practice and Management, we established a seven-member working group to examine the issue of pharmacists' cognitive services provision and reimbursement. The group has developed a plan to increase awareness of these services among pharmacists, health-plan managers, and the public.
'Helping Smokers Quit' Campaign Continued We launched a second phase of the APhAJ National Cancer Institute "Helping Smoker§ Quit" program, providing pharmacists with to help their patients stoP. smoking....... members were also involved for the first through their ASP chapters. "''-LU\,;;iJLL\
Members Provide Views on Proposed Pharmacy Specialties We conducted a membership survey to assess members' views on speci~l>ty ,petitions under review by the Board o~ Pli~~ace~~ical S~~~:al ties. The survey resultsw . used to aevelop 'Qtp' position on the petitions ,. ecognize pha.rmaG9therapy and nutritiona},st!pport pharmacy specialties in pharmacy practice.
as
With our support, tHe U.S ·.·i l · .· •."'n<:'¥f-.'t"nri-t... t Health and Human Services of the cost-effectiveness of lVl~~.aI. caJ[·e-J[·e influenza vaccinatior1S. Iff' ~~~~fl~~~!b~~J~"~~~ coverage is cost-effective; > influenza vaccines would November 1990. APhNs position care to care for the elderlypatien who die each year from influenza-related illness in all likeliHood substantially exceeds the prob;1ble cost of an organized and aggressive influenza vaccination program." hri"""....",...
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20 Pharmacists Participate in Management Course Twenty community pharmacists participated in the 1988 APhA Apple Pharmacy Management Program held June 11-17 at the University of Houston. Now in its fourth year, tHe program is a 6-day intensive management symposium designed for community pharmacists wHo are managing, or want to manage, a pharmacy. The programming, jointly 'developed by business and pharmacy schools, focused on developing management strategies, interpersonal skills, and leadership abilities. Participants were selected from APhA members who are actively engaged in a community pHarmacy setting. The program is supported by a grant from tHe SmithKline Beckman Foundation.
a significant competitive dispensing mar is "no compelling reason ·for governlllent mote pHysician clispensingbytreatingi favorably than other sources of dispensing . THe landmarkreport, pa.rt of our major initiative on this critical issue,foundthat ".~.~~oni tored pHysician dispensing is likely to produce abuses to .consumer welfa.re," inclucling Higher !::n7t:'r~ (rt:> drug . , disincenti vesto advertise
Joint Task Force Evaluates Cost-Effectiveness
Association of co II ected and . .,. . .
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areas in which data research might be '-'V,l.lU'-~'-'lJ'(;;U y\1,,,vor'r'" project compared tHe ing the costs of prescribing, u."-"JtJVJ."-OJl"-J.~., iU."-J.U. administering medications) with other (orms acute or cHronic treatment, such as surgery, t esting, or institutionalization. THe results dfthe group's findings will be presented at the APhA Annual Meeting in April. •
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American Pharmacy, Vol. NS29, No.1 January 1989/39
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nnr'rnrn"',,! and Student,and tHe full report will be available for purchase later in 1989.
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National Employee Forum Committee Appointed
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
Planning began last year for the APhA National Forum on the Employed Pharmacist-one of our new strategic planning, agenda programs designed specifically to benefit employee pharmacists. The seven-member planning committee, composed of employer and employee representatives from community, chain, and hospital pharmacies recommended by state pharmacy associations, met in November to plan the program for this major conference. The conference will examine mechanisms for cooperative employer-employee pharmacist relations that will improve patient care.
Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act
EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS
One of the most significant actions undertaken by Congress in addressing the nation's healthcare needs was inclusion of a drug-benefit component in the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act (P.L. 100-360) signed into law on July 1, 1988. APhA worked with key members of Congress to gain adequate reimbursement for pharmacists dispensing prescription drugs under the scheduled Medicare program. We succeeded in our effort to have reimbursement based on average wholesale price (AWP) plus a disp~ns~;pg fee of~4t q~ind~xed to inflation following .a~~empt~. to 1)a~~ .i~)Il}bursement on mislead!ng;~cquisition CO.~t~l ~e .are also working with the. Health Care Financtn.g Administration (HCFA) assist with the ptoper implementation of the CatastropwcCoverage Act.
American Pharmacy Features CE The "user-friendly" continuing education offered each month inAmericanPharmacy became even more advantageous to members in June when we began publishing the assessment exercise in each issue. By reading the article and submitting the CE assessment readers can earn 1 hour of CE credit for ·a of 12 hours of credit over the course of a year. Articles explored such important topics as depression, general serum chemistry, chemical dependence, tuberculosis, and the oral sulfonylureas. afU1,n'1'Y".n .a n'MI't"\
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from random; routine, and unexamfnations was enacted with the support of APhA. with it broad and comprehenand..how private employal;1nalclstjs; (~an be asked to take ~ .. 'na ..... n~ pyan employer. Polygraph Protection Act (P.L. was signed foto law on June 27, .ve December 27, 1988, under of the Department of Labor.
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Annual Meeting Offered 150 Hours of Education The 135th Annual Meeting in Atlanta att racted thousands of registrants who participated in the 150 hours of continuing education, enabling pharmacists to earn as many as 30 credit hours each. The five program tracks - clinical community, clinical institutional, policy, economic/entrepreneurial, and scientific researchprovided top-notch programming that met the diverse needs of members.
The Exhibit Hall at the 135th Annual Meeting featured the industry's latest developments in products and services.
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American Pharmacy, Vol. NS29, No.1 January 1989/40
Prescription Drug Marketing Act For more than 40 years, APhA has sought reforms in the distribution of drug samples. This year, APhA fought strongly for the enactment of the Prescription Drug Marketing Act (P.L. 100293). After a series of congressional hearings on abuses in drug distribution, including testimony by APhA President John F. Schlegel, the bill was signed into law. APhA also proposed the use of trial prescription orders (TPO) as an alternati ve trial prescription distribution system. The TPO calls for trial dosages to be dispensed by the pharmacist instead of the physician, and is recognized as an alternative method of distribution under the Prescription Drug Marketing Act. APhA is also working with the Food and.Drug Administration (FDA) in an attempt to gain implementation of regulations to allow legitimate and necessary returns of prescriptiol:l drugs to wholesale distributors by hospital pharinacies.
Physician Dispensing for Profit Sponsorship of legislation to restrict physician dispensing for profit (H.R. 2168) by Rep. Ron Wyden (Democrat-Ore.) helped bring national attention to problems that can be associated with this practice. Major newspapers published editorials questioning the practice of physician dispensing. Consumer and senior-citizen groups joined with pharmacy organizations to seek restrictions of physician dispensing for profit. They formed the Coalition for Consumer Prescription Protections (CCPP) which includes APhA, the Consumer Federation of America, National Consumers League, National Council for Senior Citizens, the Food Marketing Institute, NARD, and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores. Rep. Wyden is expected to continue with his commitment to the legislation in the next Congress. We have actively supported a number of states in their efforts to limit the practice. A draft report recently released by U.S. Inspector General Richard P. Kusserow reflects many of APhA's concerns that enforcement of state laws is paramount to reducing the dangers of unregulated physician dispensing. The final report is expected soon.
Freedom of Choice Protection of an individual's freedom of choice in obtaining pharmacy services has been a topic of considerable legislative activity this year. "Freedom of choice" has also been extended to include the right of providers to contract with any pharmacy for Medicaid services if the pharAmerican Pharmacy, Vol. NS29, No.1 January 1989/41
APhA Chairman R. David Cobb
macy is willing to meet the terms of the contract. This issue has become a growing concern to pharmacists as states consider attempts to obtain waivers of Medicaid freedom-of-choice provisions. Several state pharmacy associations and APhA, among others, have been concerned with the interest of Medicaid departments in applying for waivers and are actively opposing such efforts. Efforts by Oregon pharmacists and the Oregon State Pharmacists Association were successful in defending the freedom-of-choice option in their state and overturning an earlier decision by HCFA to grant a waiver of that option. Although this issue has not been permanently "shelved," any further waiver-request proposal must be done through legislation. In any event, OSPA plans to keep a watchful eye.
Mail Order We continued to address concerns with mailorder pharmacy, lobbying for tighter legislative controls. We have worked with the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy to obtain survey information on state legislation and regulation governing mail-order pharmacy. APhA has developed background materials that highlight the advantages and disadvantages of various distribution systems. Efforts are being made to teach drug-benefit managers how community pharmacies may be able to offer the same or better pharmaceutical goods and services at a price competitive with that offered by mail-order programs. Finally, APhA is working with state associatio:ls and PSAOs to develop innovative marketing techniques that will help them compete for large-group prescription drug plans. 41
APhA-PAC The American Pharmaceutical AssociationPolitical Action Committee (APhA-PAC) continued its growth in 1988 and the 100th Congress. Nearly $100,000 was contributed to APhA-PAC by active APhA members during the 100th Congress (1987-88). That's nearly double the 99th Congress total when APhA-PAC was started. APhA-PAC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization of pharmacists who are interested in guarding their interest through political action. APhAPAC funds were used last year to help gain reelection of those members of Congress who successfully supported adequate reimbursement for phannacists under the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act drug benefit; backed restrictions on physician dispensing for profit; and brought refonns against abuses in drug diversion. More than 75 pharmacists who are APhA-PAC advisors from the 50 states worked with the APhA-PAC Board of Governors in deciding on contributions. Administrative expenses for PAC are paid by the Association, thus allowing all funds to be used for contributions to candidates and members of Congress.
APhA Honored for Lobbying Efforts APhA was honored with the 1988 Award of Excellence in Government Affairs from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) for its lobbying efforts on the Medicare catastrophic drug benefit. APhA's work was chosen "as an example of excellence in the field of government relations." Twenty-five other organizations participated in the competition, which was open to all trade and professional associations. The award represents the success of the close cooperative efforts between APhA and its members.
INTERNATIONALAFFAIRS u.s. Pharmacists Prominent at FIP Meeting More than 100 U.S. pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, and their guests attended the 48th International Congress of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) in Sydney, Australia, in early September, marking the largest number of Americans involved in leadership roles in the 76-year history of the international body. Among the APhA members prominent at the meeting was APhA Chairman of the Board Charles R. Green, who served as the U.S. representative to the FIP Section of Community Pharmacists Steering Committee.
PROFESSIONALAFFAIRS Committee ,on Women's Affairs Gears Up As part of our action agenda, APhA established the Committee on Women's Affairs (CWA) to address the effect of increased participation by women in our profession. The committee, made up of eight women from a variety of backgrounds in pharmacy, has worked throughout the year designing a series of educational seminars. The first seminar, "Pharmacy: A Lifelong Career," held October 30 in St. Louis, Mo., featured discussions on how to change careers, set goals, and balance your personal and professional life.
Advisory Committees Review APhA Activities
APhA celebrated its 136th birthday on October 14 1988. ' 42
For the first time, the newly established APhA advisory committees met in Washington, D.C., last year. The meetings served as a forum for members to participate and review APhA act~vities in the areas of communications, educatIon, honors, and policy. The committees will meet once a year to make recommendations to the Board ofTrustees for possible action in these areas. Nearly all the committee recommendations were approved by the Board and will be implemented in 1989. The committees are composed of the chairman ~nd vice-chairman of each of the academy standIn~ committees and two at-large members appOInted by the Chairman of the Board ofTrustees for a total of eight members. ' American Pharmacy, Vol. NS29, No.1 January 1989/42
Residency Program Advisory Committee Set A six-member advisory committee was appointed to guide the continuing development of APhA's Community Pharmacy Residency Program. Now in its third year, the Community Pharmacy Residency Program is a 1-year postgraduate training program in community/ambulatory pharmacy practice designed to develop creative and innovative leaders in the delivery of ambulatory-care pharmacy services. There are currently nine approved residency programs in operation. A residency encompasses a minimum of2,OOO hours of education and training experience conducted over a period of not less than 50 weeks. The committee will identify strategies to promote ambulatory pharmacy residencies, evaluate and strengthen program goals, and review new residency-site proposals.
APhA Executive Residency Now in its third year is the APhA residency program which provides postgraduate training conducted at APhA and a selected state pharmacy association. The 1-year program is a dual-site training experience designed to develop a pool of well-qualified pharmacists to assume management positions in pharmacy-related organizations. Last year's graduate, April M. Shaughnessy, is now working at APhA as professional affairs associate, primarily responsible for student relations.
APhA publishes a variety of periodicals aimed at keeping pharmacists up to date with developments in the profession and the association's activities.
American Pharmacy, Vol. NS29, No.1 January 1989/43
encyor has spurred the creation of assistance in 41 states.
APhA Joins Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners The Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners (JCPP) officially welcomed APhA as a member at its November 18 meeting in Washington, D.C. APhA Chairman Charles R. Green and President John F. Schlegel, representing the Association, expressed a sincere commitment for APhA to be an active participant in JCPP. JCPP was established in 1977 to facilitate discussion of topics of common interest and concern to national pharmacy practitioner organizations. Other members of the Commission are four national pharmacy specialty organizations - the American College of Apothecaries, the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, the American Society of Hospital Pharmacists, and NARD and two liaison members - the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy and the National Council of State Pharmaceutical Association Executives.
A wide variety of educational sessions were offered at the Annual Meeting.
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Many Benefits Gained Through Coalitions APhA has joined pharmacy and other healthcare and scientific organizations in a wide variety of acti vities designed to enhance the health-care role of the pharmacist and improve the public health. Some of the organizations in which we actively participate: American Association for the Advancement of Science American Association for World Health American Council on Pharmaceutical Education American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education American Institute of the History of Pharmacy American Medical Association Health Policy Agenda for the American People American Medical Association Informal Steering Committee on Prescription Drug Abuse Council of Scientific Society Presidents Drug Enforcement AdministrationJPharmacy Working. Committee HealthCare Financing Administration Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Technical Advisory Committee Interagency Committee on Pain and Analgesia International Pharmaceutical Federation Council International Pharmaceutical Federation Section of Community Pharmacists Executive Committee Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations National Cholesterol Education Program Coordinating Committee National Commission on Correctional Health Care National Conference on the Impaired Health Professional Planning Committee National Council on Patient Information and Education National Drug Trade Conference National High Blood Pressure Education Program Coordinating Committee National Leadership Coalition on AIDS Pan American Pharmaceutical Federation of Pharmacy and Biochemistry Pharmacists Against Drug Abuse Poison Prevention Week Council United States Adopted Names (USAN) and USAN Review Board United States Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc.
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PUBLIC VISIBILITY American Pharmaceutical Institute Created In January, APhA created the American Pharmaceutical Institute (API) to address public-policy issues affecting our profession. The goal of API is to broaden the influence practicing pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists have on those who shape public health-care policies. The 21-member board of directors, chaired by Paul Freiman, met twice during 1988. The institute will sponsor policy studies on the factors influencing appropriate prescribing and use of pharmaceuticals. These studies will address the cost-effectiveness of modern medicines and pharmaceutical services, the role of the pharmacist in the selection and proper use of therapeutic agents, and pharmacy management as an integral part of the health-care system.
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Und erstanding Physic"'Q;spenslng 01 PrescripUonOrugs;
AIDS
An Economk: and
Polky Analysis
Pharmacy Education and CJrcCfS:
The APhA Resource Book
During 1988, APhA published or distributed a host of brochures, flyers, and booklets designed to meet the informational needs of pharmacists today.
American Pharmacy, Vol. NS29, No.1 January 1989/44
Action Agenda Earns Top Member Outreach Award
Profession's Views Presented to Consumers Through Media
Validating the strength of APhA's Action Agenda, "Renaissance: Positioning APhA for the Future," APhA was honored with the Silver Anvil Award, the top national award for excellence in the category of information campaigns presented by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). The campaign also won the Thoth Award, the top public-relations award from the Washington, D.C. chapter of PRSA. The goal behind the 3-year $1 million agenda is to attract new members and retain existing ones. The award recognized APhA for its increase in membership for the first time in 10 years, the volume of media inquiries requesting APhA to comment on issues of national interest in the health-care field, and letters to editors publicizing pharmacy's position on a variety of topics.
The Association worked actively with the news media to get the viewpoint of pharmacists presented on a variety of critical issues, such as physician dispensing and mail-order pharmacy. Among the media publicizing APhA's views were the New York Times, Good Housekeeping, ABC News, Vogue, Physicians Radio Network, Voice of America, and Womans Day. In addition, APhA provided background information on pharmacyrelated topics to a large number of news organizations ranging from CBS News to the Wall Street Journal.
Pharmacists Active in National Poison Prevention Week President Reagan proclaimed March 20-26, 1988, as National Poison Prevention Week. Pharmacists continued to playa major role in the campaign aimed at preventing the accidental poisonings of children. Coordinated by the Poison Prevention Week Council- of which APhA is a founding member - the event is intended as "a means for local communities to raise awareness of the dangers of accidental poisonings and to take preventative measures as the dangers warrant."
R. David Cobb (1) accepts plaque from Chairman Charles R. Green recognizing his election as 1988 chairman-elect.
American Pharmacy, Vol. NS29, No.1 January 1989/45
'Talk About Prescriptions' Month Promoted The Association continued its active promotion of October as "Talk About Prescriptions Month," a national observance ·designed to stimulate professionals to give - and consumers to seekthe information needed for safe and effective use of medications. The observance is sponsoredhy the National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE), of which we are a founding member and on whose board of directors we sit.
The Academy of Pharmacy Practice and Management Executive Committee
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APhA Continues Work in the Fight Against AIDS Our work in the fight against AIDS has continued, consistent with the policies adopted by the House of Delegates in 1987, to encourage pharmacists to become more knowledgeable about AIDS; to facilitate the collection evaluation, and distribution of AIDS information' and to support the development of educational ~ro-' grams for pharmacists. Our Annual Meeting in Atlanta last March featur~d several programs on AIDS, including the ThIrd General Session: The AIDS Crisis. In May. . we joined more than 100 businesses., .. c?rpo~abons, .and national yoluntary organiza2 bons In the National Leadership Coalition on ~DS. The coalitioni~ ~private-sector organiza': b0IJ- founded jn tr. 8 ~~o increase col1aboratio~ between the public ana ·private sectors in the fight against AIDS. The goals of the coalition are to highlight emerging neeas arising from the AIDS epidefuic, stimulate the development of information,function as a collaborative body for national and inter:q.at~onal organizations ancl s~imulflteprivaF~-§§p~or involvement. ' APh.A.also arrangea with the Centers for Disease ~2nFrol toJ:lave aavance copies of federal gqy~rnment's eight-page AIDS brophure mailea to each Association member. With aavance copies, APhA ..... J.J.I...,C;~ were abletoprepare for patient questions before the brochure was distributed to every U:S. house:hold. In collaboration with the Burroughs Wellcome CompanYflna the Citizens AIDS Project, APhA. is developing~comprehensive set of educational mflterialsonAJ:pSana its treatment. The mater .
APRSAdds .Sections
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.~~ add~e~sthe . specific needs of our scientific trietnoers, .t he Academy of Pharmaceutical Reseflrq, an;d.Science (APRS) last year addedtwo ne~ .§~ctiohs in aaditionto the Section on Econonii~, Soc~al and Administrative Sciences. The B~~icPharmaceutical Sciences Section was estab!i~hm for ~hose \\Tho do research in the basic ~qitr~es sl~ch as formulation aesign, pharmaco~inetics, and pharmacology. The Clinical SciencesSection is for those who do clinical research such as human testing.
,AfRS Inaugurates Science Symposium APRS held the first-ever APhAJAPRS End-ofSummer Science Symposium, a highly successful program that drew more than 250 pharmaceutical scientists from the U.S. ana arouna the world. The day-and-a-half program on the scientific and regulatory aspects of bioequivalency testing featured a keynote address by Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Frank E. Young who reaffirmed the agency's commitment to bioequivalency testing. The symposium also featured presentations by noted speakers in industry, FDA, ana academia on topics such as f9111Puter-assisted NDA submissions statistical .~ ss:ues associated with bioequivalenc~ testing, andFhe Waxman-Hatch bill. The success of the sYmB9sirim has spurred plans for a secona science s~posium in 1989.
~a~8 incllldea dis~ast. 1ponograph out1ining~u reAF~9~leage ~p~~t~pe disease, a drug-thera
guide t:t0ie\Vingthe treatment.of AIDS, and 'public-edll.cation pamphlet designed for use distributioll .l>y pharmacists ill educating the; if patiep fs
Glaxo presented APhA with an award recognizing the Association's role in the GlaxolAPhA ~ood Government Scholarship Program, whIch promotes student involvement in government affairs. 46
American Pharmacy, Vol. NS29, No. 1 January 1989/46
Biological Diversity Urged as a National Goal The pharmacist's concern for endangered plants and animals as potential ~ources. of n~w drugs was given a boost by the National BIological Diversity Conservation and Environmental Research bill, which APhA endorses. The bill sets forth a series of actions to help prevent the extinction of plant and animal species and, therefore, the loss of biological diversity. The bill, although it advanced through the subcommittee, failed to move forward in the 100th Congress. It is expected to be reintroduced in 1989.
AIClSkCl,.·..'!~.rmqnf.•i~.r'ijg. . · ~·.~rQP~r. of State Affiliates to 48 iin '88 The Alaska ·Ph.arin.flcellticalA.ssbcIalion and
FDA to Help APhA Inform Pharmacists on INDs
Dole Addresses. State Pharmaceutical Executives
Effectively informing pharmacists about treatment IND approvals was the topic of a meeting between FDA representatives and APhA staff this year. FDA's treatment IND protocol is designed to permit investigational new drugs drugs that are therapeutic for severe, lifethreatening diseases - to be marketed before completing phase III clinical trials and the lengthy NDA approval process. APhA pledged its cooperation in making FDA-prepared "fact sheets" on each drug approval available to pharmacists.
Sen. Robert Dole (Republican-Kans.) addressed the APhA Affiliated State Pharmaceutical Association Executives Meeting in September. Praised by state affiliates as the "most successful meeting ever" with APhA, the weekend session focused on national legislative issues - particularly the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act. Dole, a key player in the development of the act, stressed that even though the bill has passed, pharmacists still need to work to ensure their vital role in health care. In his remarks, Dole complimented us for our work in supplying information to Congress on the pharmacist's role in the act. Another speaker at the meeting, Health Care Financing Administration Chief William Roper, discussed with the state executives how the federal government will implement the.act's Medicare prescription-drug benefit.
Vermont Phannacists : AssoCiatjonJ.oin~.dAPhA as state affiliates thi§yea:Frbrin~~gthetotal number of affiliated state pharmaceuticalorganizations to 48. As ..an .a,ffiliate., . thestftte ..ft§sociations and the national professional society work even more closely together to fl.lIther their mutual interests and those of the profession.
The Academy of Phannaceutical Research and Science Executive Committee
American Pharmacy, Vol. NS29, No.1 January 1989/47
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APhA Provides Help to Students on State Board Exams
National Patient Counseling Competition
Past experience has sh own that many students who fai l the Nati ona l Association of Boards of Pha rmacy Licensure Examination (NABPLEX) do so because of a fear of the exam, rather than a lack of knowl edge about the content. As part of APhA's action agenda to help students, we offered a special program at the 1988 Annual Meeting in Atlanta and t h e eight Midyear Regional Meetings. Developed by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy and the University of Cincinnati Medical School, the seminars provided in-depth discussions on the history ofNABPLEX, the origin of its questions, and the best techniques for taking the exam. The program will be presented again at the 1989 Annual Meeting in Anaheim.
The 1988 Annual Meeting once again featured the National Patient Counseling Competition, designed to recognize exceptional professional knowledge and skill exhibited in counseling patients. Coordinated by the Academy of Students of Pharmacy and funded by the United States Pharmacopeial Convention, the goal of the competition is to encourage pharmacy students in their efforts toward becoming better patient educators.
APhA Launches Gift Membership Program for Graduates As part of our action agenda, APhA launched a special membership gift program. Those purchasing the gift memberships for pharmacy school graduates received an extra bonus - a reduced rate for membership dues. Results have been very encouraging. More than 200 ASP rnelnbers have joined APhA as a result of t he program. Even Inore encouraging are the more than 140 non-ASP members who have been recruited.
Summer Internship in Industry Offered to Students The year 1988 saw another successful NPC/ APhA Summer Industry Internship Program, cosponsored by the National Pharmaceutical Council (NPC) and our ASP. Designed to add to the student's overall knowledge of pharmacy, the internship enhances the student's knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry and its role in pharmacy and medicine. It may also suggest industryrelated career opportunities and pathways.
Get on the ~ ,!J\"~<~L3:~j
The eight APhA Midyear Regional meetings held from mid-October through mid-November were well-attended by both students and pharmacy practitioners.
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American Pharmacy, Vol. NS29, No.1 January
1989!4~
We were honored with the Silver Anvil Award by the Public Relations Society of America. The trophy, the highest award for excellence in public relations, recognized APhA's membership information campaign, "Renaissance: Positioning APhA .in the Future."
APhA's "open-doors" policy reflects a reviewed emphasis on reaching out to pharmacists and the public to exchange information and advance the practice of phannacy.
American Pharmacy, Vol. NS29, No.1 January 1989/49
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1988 APhA Board of Trustees (1 to r): Robert J. Osterhaus, Thomas J. Garrison, Donald R. Gronewald, John T. Fay, Jr., August P. Lemberger, Marily H. Rhudy, Tim L. Vordenbaumen, Charles R ..Green (chairman), J. Lyle Bootman, John W. West, Lucinda L. John F. Schlegel (president), Dennis A. Smith, and R.
The Board of Trustees in executive session.
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989'3 '
American Pharmacy, Vol. NS29, No. 1 January 1
I Ifs been a year of triumphs at APhA. Consistent with the goal set forth in our 3-year action agenda, APhA saw a threefold increase in the number of active new membe - the largest increase in Association membership in 10 years. Your Association worked to ensure that pharmacy's concerns were addressed on several crucial issues that took the spotlight in 1988, such as the Prescription Drug Marketing Act, the Employee Polygraph Protection Act, and the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act, for which our lobbying efforts were nationally recognized. During 1988 the new Advisory Committees met for the first time, providing a stronger voice for the membership in APhA publications, policies, educational programming, and awards. We continued our outreach to the states and the schools, learning firsthand what the issues are at the state level and how APhA can make a difference. And, looking to the future of pharmacy, we established the Cognitive Services Working Group and took action on such issues as freedom of choice in obtaining pharmacy services, the practice of physician dispensing, and mail-order pharmacy. Our actions and accomplishments in 1988 reinforce the Association's vital role in today's profession and have laid the groundwork for more successes in 1989.
• Government: ffecti Vi ly voicing th vi w, nd n.eeds of pharmacis and th pharm cy pro£ Slon to Congre and regulatoryg nci . • International: strengthening tie to international pharmacy organizations and to individual pharmacists throughout the world. • Professional: safeguarding phannacy' profe,.. sional prerogatives in detennining the scope and nature of professional practice in the context of a changing health-care environment. • Public visibility: enhancing and expanding the public's image of the pharmacist as a vital healthcare professional. • Scientific: ensuring access to phannaceutical scientific knowledge and providing a forum for inquiry and interchanges of scientific ideas and practices, both nationally and intern tionally. • Students: addre ing the ne and intere of pharmacy students, whil providing opportunities for leadership and pro~ ional d v lopment. • States: improving communica ion APhA and the tate and amon h
APhA Policy Committee on Public Affairs
APhA Policy Committee on Professional Affairs
American Phannacy, Vol. NS29, No.1 January 1989/37
37
CUNICAL AFFAIRS Prevention of Drug Interactions, ADRs Stressed
Only Pharmacists to Review ICFs/MR Drug Regimens
In testimony we submitted to the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, we stressed that "the role of the pharmacist in preventing both adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and serious drug interactions cannot be overstated." The committee was examining the effects of ADRs on the elderly and the failure of current reporting systems to collect complete information on ADRs. In our comments, we stressed that pharmacists "are experts in ensuring the rational use of drugs and in communicating that information to patients and other health-care professionals." We noted, too, that "all patients receiving medication are entitled to comprehensive pharmaceutical services, which only pharmacists can provide."
After strong urging from APhA, the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) issued a comprehensive new standard that permits only pharmacists to perform quarterly drug-regimen reviews in Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded (ICFslMR). HCFA said it adopted the new standard because "the proper conduct of these reviews can be best assured by requiring that a pharmacist perform them." Earlier debate focused on whether a nurse could also conduct drug-regimen reviews.
Cognitive Services Working Group Established In response to priorities identified by the Academy of Pharmacy Practice and Management, we established a seven-member working group to examine the issue of pharmacists' cognitive services provision and reimbursement. The group has developed a plan to increase awareness of these services among pharmacists, health-plan managers, and the public.
'Helping Smokers Quit' Campaign Continued We launched a second phase of the APhAJ National Cancer Institute "Helping Smoker§ Quit" program, providing pharmacists with to help their patients stoP. smoking....... members were also involved for the first through their ASP chapters. "''-LU\,;;iJLL\
Members Provide Views on Proposed Pharmacy Specialties We conducted a membership survey to assess members' views on speci~l>ty ,petitions under review by the Board o~ Pli~~ace~~ical S~~~:al ties. The survey resultsw . used to aevelop 'Qtp' position on the petitions ,. ecognize pha.rmaG9therapy and nutritiona},st!pport pharmacy specialties in pharmacy practice.
as
With our support, tHe U.S ·.·i l · .· •."'n<:'¥f-.'t"nri-t... t Health and Human Services of the cost-effectiveness of lVl~~.aI. caJ[·e-J[·e influenza vaccinatior1S. Iff' ~~~~fl~~~!b~~J~"~~~ coverage is cost-effective; > influenza vaccines would November 1990. APhNs position care to care for the elderlypatien who die each year from influenza-related illness in all likeliHood substantially exceeds the prob;1ble cost of an organized and aggressive influenza vaccination program." hri"""....",...
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20 Pharmacists Participate in Management Course Twenty community pharmacists participated in the 1988 APhA Apple Pharmacy Management Program held June 11-17 at the University of Houston. Now in its fourth year, tHe program is a 6-day intensive management symposium designed for community pharmacists wHo are managing, or want to manage, a pharmacy. The programming, jointly 'developed by business and pharmacy schools, focused on developing management strategies, interpersonal skills, and leadership abilities. Participants were selected from APhA members who are actively engaged in a community pHarmacy setting. The program is supported by a grant from tHe SmithKline Beckman Foundation.
a significant competitive dispensing mar is "no compelling reason ·for governlllent mote pHysician clispensingbytreatingi favorably than other sources of dispensing . THe landmarkreport, pa.rt of our major initiative on this critical issue,foundthat ".~.~~oni tored pHysician dispensing is likely to produce abuses to .consumer welfa.re," inclucling Higher !::n7t:'r~ (rt:> drug . , disincenti vesto advertise
Joint Task Force Evaluates Cost-Effectiveness
Association of co II ected and . .,. . .
'-.IVJ.J.Gi::'G.::l
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_ex:~~tIngres:~~l~Chlll~.ldl~g:
areas in which data research might be '-'V,l.lU'-~'-'lJ'(;;U y\1,,,vor'r'" project compared tHe ing the costs of prescribing, u."-"JtJVJ."-OJl"-J.~., iU."-J.U. administering medications) with other (orms acute or cHronic treatment, such as surgery, t esting, or institutionalization. THe results dfthe group's findings will be presented at the APhA Annual Meeting in April. •
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American Pharmacy, Vol. NS29, No.1 January 1989/39
In
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"''1'''' r>f'I,.... ...
nnr'rnrn"',,! and Student,and tHe full report will be available for purchase later in 1989.
39
National Employee Forum Committee Appointed
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
Planning began last year for the APhA National Forum on the Employed Pharmacist-one of our new strategic planning, agenda programs designed specifically to benefit employee pharmacists. The seven-member planning committee, composed of employer and employee representatives from community, chain, and hospital pharmacies recommended by state pharmacy associations, met in November to plan the program for this major conference. The conference will examine mechanisms for cooperative employer-employee pharmacist relations that will improve patient care.
Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act
EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS
One of the most significant actions undertaken by Congress in addressing the nation's healthcare needs was inclusion of a drug-benefit component in the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act (P.L. 100-360) signed into law on July 1, 1988. APhA worked with key members of Congress to gain adequate reimbursement for pharmacists dispensing prescription drugs under the scheduled Medicare program. We succeeded in our effort to have reimbursement based on average wholesale price (AWP) plus a disp~ns~;pg fee of~4t q~ind~xed to inflation following .a~~empt~. to 1)a~~ .i~)Il}bursement on mislead!ng;~cquisition CO.~t~l ~e .are also working with the. Health Care Financtn.g Administration (HCFA) assist with the ptoper implementation of the CatastropwcCoverage Act.
American Pharmacy Features CE The "user-friendly" continuing education offered each month inAmericanPharmacy became even more advantageous to members in June when we began publishing the assessment exercise in each issue. By reading the article and submitting the CE assessment readers can earn 1 hour of CE credit for ·a of 12 hours of credit over the course of a year. Articles explored such important topics as depression, general serum chemistry, chemical dependence, tuberculosis, and the oral sulfonylureas. afU1,n'1'Y".n .a n'MI't"\
..........c ............
from random; routine, and unexamfnations was enacted with the support of APhA. with it broad and comprehenand..how private employal;1nalclstjs; (~an be asked to take ~ .. 'na ..... n~ pyan employer. Polygraph Protection Act (P.L. was signed foto law on June 27, .ve December 27, 1988, under of the Department of Labor.
~.:'-4. J~fj!'rTff1,.~r..h
Annual Meeting Offered 150 Hours of Education The 135th Annual Meeting in Atlanta att racted thousands of registrants who participated in the 150 hours of continuing education, enabling pharmacists to earn as many as 30 credit hours each. The five program tracks - clinical community, clinical institutional, policy, economic/entrepreneurial, and scientific researchprovided top-notch programming that met the diverse needs of members.
The Exhibit Hall at the 135th Annual Meeting featured the industry's latest developments in products and services.
40
American Pharmacy, Vol. NS29, No.1 January 1989/40
Prescription Drug Marketing Act For more than 40 years, APhA has sought reforms in the distribution of drug samples. This year, APhA fought strongly for the enactment of the Prescription Drug Marketing Act (P.L. 100293). After a series of congressional hearings on abuses in drug distribution, including testimony by APhA President John F. Schlegel, the bill was signed into law. APhA also proposed the use of trial prescription orders (TPO) as an alternati ve trial prescription distribution system. The TPO calls for trial dosages to be dispensed by the pharmacist instead of the physician, and is recognized as an alternative method of distribution under the Prescription Drug Marketing Act. APhA is also working with the Food and.Drug Administration (FDA) in an attempt to gain implementation of regulations to allow legitimate and necessary returns of prescriptiol:l drugs to wholesale distributors by hospital pharinacies.
Physician Dispensing for Profit Sponsorship of legislation to restrict physician dispensing for profit (H.R. 2168) by Rep. Ron Wyden (Democrat-Ore.) helped bring national attention to problems that can be associated with this practice. Major newspapers published editorials questioning the practice of physician dispensing. Consumer and senior-citizen groups joined with pharmacy organizations to seek restrictions of physician dispensing for profit. They formed the Coalition for Consumer Prescription Protections (CCPP) which includes APhA, the Consumer Federation of America, National Consumers League, National Council for Senior Citizens, the Food Marketing Institute, NARD, and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores. Rep. Wyden is expected to continue with his commitment to the legislation in the next Congress. We have actively supported a number of states in their efforts to limit the practice. A draft report recently released by U.S. Inspector General Richard P. Kusserow reflects many of APhA's concerns that enforcement of state laws is paramount to reducing the dangers of unregulated physician dispensing. The final report is expected soon.
Freedom of Choice Protection of an individual's freedom of choice in obtaining pharmacy services has been a topic of considerable legislative activity this year. "Freedom of choice" has also been extended to include the right of providers to contract with any pharmacy for Medicaid services if the pharAmerican Pharmacy, Vol. NS29, No.1 January 1989/41
APhA Chairman R. David Cobb
macy is willing to meet the terms of the contract. This issue has become a growing concern to pharmacists as states consider attempts to obtain waivers of Medicaid freedom-of-choice provisions. Several state pharmacy associations and APhA, among others, have been concerned with the interest of Medicaid departments in applying for waivers and are actively opposing such efforts. Efforts by Oregon pharmacists and the Oregon State Pharmacists Association were successful in defending the freedom-of-choice option in their state and overturning an earlier decision by HCFA to grant a waiver of that option. Although this issue has not been permanently "shelved," any further waiver-request proposal must be done through legislation. In any event, OSPA plans to keep a watchful eye.
Mail Order We continued to address concerns with mailorder pharmacy, lobbying for tighter legislative controls. We have worked with the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy to obtain survey information on state legislation and regulation governing mail-order pharmacy. APhA has developed background materials that highlight the advantages and disadvantages of various distribution systems. Efforts are being made to teach drug-benefit managers how community pharmacies may be able to offer the same or better pharmaceutical goods and services at a price competitive with that offered by mail-order programs. Finally, APhA is working with state associatio:ls and PSAOs to develop innovative marketing techniques that will help them compete for large-group prescription drug plans. 41
APhA-PAC The American Pharmaceutical AssociationPolitical Action Committee (APhA-PAC) continued its growth in 1988 and the 100th Congress. Nearly $100,000 was contributed to APhA-PAC by active APhA members during the 100th Congress (1987-88). That's nearly double the 99th Congress total when APhA-PAC was started. APhA-PAC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization of pharmacists who are interested in guarding their interest through political action. APhAPAC funds were used last year to help gain reelection of those members of Congress who successfully supported adequate reimbursement for phannacists under the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act drug benefit; backed restrictions on physician dispensing for profit; and brought refonns against abuses in drug diversion. More than 75 pharmacists who are APhA-PAC advisors from the 50 states worked with the APhA-PAC Board of Governors in deciding on contributions. Administrative expenses for PAC are paid by the Association, thus allowing all funds to be used for contributions to candidates and members of Congress.
APhA Honored for Lobbying Efforts APhA was honored with the 1988 Award of Excellence in Government Affairs from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) for its lobbying efforts on the Medicare catastrophic drug benefit. APhA's work was chosen "as an example of excellence in the field of government relations." Twenty-five other organizations participated in the competition, which was open to all trade and professional associations. The award represents the success of the close cooperative efforts between APhA and its members.
INTERNATIONALAFFAIRS u.s. Pharmacists Prominent at FIP Meeting More than 100 U.S. pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, and their guests attended the 48th International Congress of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) in Sydney, Australia, in early September, marking the largest number of Americans involved in leadership roles in the 76-year history of the international body. Among the APhA members prominent at the meeting was APhA Chairman of the Board Charles R. Green, who served as the U.S. representative to the FIP Section of Community Pharmacists Steering Committee.
PROFESSIONALAFFAIRS Committee ,on Women's Affairs Gears Up As part of our action agenda, APhA established the Committee on Women's Affairs (CWA) to address the effect of increased participation by women in our profession. The committee, made up of eight women from a variety of backgrounds in pharmacy, has worked throughout the year designing a series of educational seminars. The first seminar, "Pharmacy: A Lifelong Career," held October 30 in St. Louis, Mo., featured discussions on how to change careers, set goals, and balance your personal and professional life.
Advisory Committees Review APhA Activities
APhA celebrated its 136th birthday on October 14 1988. ' 42
For the first time, the newly established APhA advisory committees met in Washington, D.C., last year. The meetings served as a forum for members to participate and review APhA act~vities in the areas of communications, educatIon, honors, and policy. The committees will meet once a year to make recommendations to the Board ofTrustees for possible action in these areas. Nearly all the committee recommendations were approved by the Board and will be implemented in 1989. The committees are composed of the chairman ~nd vice-chairman of each of the academy standIn~ committees and two at-large members appOInted by the Chairman of the Board ofTrustees for a total of eight members. ' American Pharmacy, Vol. NS29, No.1 January 1989/42
Residency Program Advisory Committee Set A six-member advisory committee was appointed to guide the continuing development of APhA's Community Pharmacy Residency Program. Now in its third year, the Community Pharmacy Residency Program is a 1-year postgraduate training program in community/ambulatory pharmacy practice designed to develop creative and innovative leaders in the delivery of ambulatory-care pharmacy services. There are currently nine approved residency programs in operation. A residency encompasses a minimum of2,OOO hours of education and training experience conducted over a period of not less than 50 weeks. The committee will identify strategies to promote ambulatory pharmacy residencies, evaluate and strengthen program goals, and review new residency-site proposals.
APhA Executive Residency Now in its third year is the APhA residency program which provides postgraduate training conducted at APhA and a selected state pharmacy association. The 1-year program is a dual-site training experience designed to develop a pool of well-qualified pharmacists to assume management positions in pharmacy-related organizations. Last year's graduate, April M. Shaughnessy, is now working at APhA as professional affairs associate, primarily responsible for student relations.
APhA publishes a variety of periodicals aimed at keeping pharmacists up to date with developments in the profession and the association's activities.
American Pharmacy, Vol. NS29, No.1 January 1989/43
encyor has spurred the creation of assistance in 41 states.
APhA Joins Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners The Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners (JCPP) officially welcomed APhA as a member at its November 18 meeting in Washington, D.C. APhA Chairman Charles R. Green and President John F. Schlegel, representing the Association, expressed a sincere commitment for APhA to be an active participant in JCPP. JCPP was established in 1977 to facilitate discussion of topics of common interest and concern to national pharmacy practitioner organizations. Other members of the Commission are four national pharmacy specialty organizations - the American College of Apothecaries, the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, the American Society of Hospital Pharmacists, and NARD and two liaison members - the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy and the National Council of State Pharmaceutical Association Executives.
A wide variety of educational sessions were offered at the Annual Meeting.
43
Many Benefits Gained Through Coalitions APhA has joined pharmacy and other healthcare and scientific organizations in a wide variety of acti vities designed to enhance the health-care role of the pharmacist and improve the public health. Some of the organizations in which we actively participate: American Association for the Advancement of Science American Association for World Health American Council on Pharmaceutical Education American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education American Institute of the History of Pharmacy American Medical Association Health Policy Agenda for the American People American Medical Association Informal Steering Committee on Prescription Drug Abuse Council of Scientific Society Presidents Drug Enforcement AdministrationJPharmacy Working. Committee HealthCare Financing Administration Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Technical Advisory Committee Interagency Committee on Pain and Analgesia International Pharmaceutical Federation Council International Pharmaceutical Federation Section of Community Pharmacists Executive Committee Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations National Cholesterol Education Program Coordinating Committee National Commission on Correctional Health Care National Conference on the Impaired Health Professional Planning Committee National Council on Patient Information and Education National Drug Trade Conference National High Blood Pressure Education Program Coordinating Committee National Leadership Coalition on AIDS Pan American Pharmaceutical Federation of Pharmacy and Biochemistry Pharmacists Against Drug Abuse Poison Prevention Week Council United States Adopted Names (USAN) and USAN Review Board United States Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc.
44
PUBLIC VISIBILITY American Pharmaceutical Institute Created In January, APhA created the American Pharmaceutical Institute (API) to address public-policy issues affecting our profession. The goal of API is to broaden the influence practicing pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists have on those who shape public health-care policies. The 21-member board of directors, chaired by Paul Freiman, met twice during 1988. The institute will sponsor policy studies on the factors influencing appropriate prescribing and use of pharmaceuticals. These studies will address the cost-effectiveness of modern medicines and pharmaceutical services, the role of the pharmacist in the selection and proper use of therapeutic agents, and pharmacy management as an integral part of the health-care system.
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Und erstanding Physic"'Q;spenslng 01 PrescripUonOrugs;
AIDS
An Economk: and
Polky Analysis
Pharmacy Education and CJrcCfS:
The APhA Resource Book
During 1988, APhA published or distributed a host of brochures, flyers, and booklets designed to meet the informational needs of pharmacists today.
American Pharmacy, Vol. NS29, No.1 January 1989/44
Action Agenda Earns Top Member Outreach Award
Profession's Views Presented to Consumers Through Media
Validating the strength of APhA's Action Agenda, "Renaissance: Positioning APhA for the Future," APhA was honored with the Silver Anvil Award, the top national award for excellence in the category of information campaigns presented by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). The campaign also won the Thoth Award, the top public-relations award from the Washington, D.C. chapter of PRSA. The goal behind the 3-year $1 million agenda is to attract new members and retain existing ones. The award recognized APhA for its increase in membership for the first time in 10 years, the volume of media inquiries requesting APhA to comment on issues of national interest in the health-care field, and letters to editors publicizing pharmacy's position on a variety of topics.
The Association worked actively with the news media to get the viewpoint of pharmacists presented on a variety of critical issues, such as physician dispensing and mail-order pharmacy. Among the media publicizing APhA's views were the New York Times, Good Housekeeping, ABC News, Vogue, Physicians Radio Network, Voice of America, and Womans Day. In addition, APhA provided background information on pharmacyrelated topics to a large number of news organizations ranging from CBS News to the Wall Street Journal.
Pharmacists Active in National Poison Prevention Week President Reagan proclaimed March 20-26, 1988, as National Poison Prevention Week. Pharmacists continued to playa major role in the campaign aimed at preventing the accidental poisonings of children. Coordinated by the Poison Prevention Week Council- of which APhA is a founding member - the event is intended as "a means for local communities to raise awareness of the dangers of accidental poisonings and to take preventative measures as the dangers warrant."
R. David Cobb (1) accepts plaque from Chairman Charles R. Green recognizing his election as 1988 chairman-elect.
American Pharmacy, Vol. NS29, No.1 January 1989/45
'Talk About Prescriptions' Month Promoted The Association continued its active promotion of October as "Talk About Prescriptions Month," a national observance ·designed to stimulate professionals to give - and consumers to seekthe information needed for safe and effective use of medications. The observance is sponsoredhy the National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE), of which we are a founding member and on whose board of directors we sit.
The Academy of Pharmacy Practice and Management Executive Committee
45
APhA Continues Work in the Fight Against AIDS Our work in the fight against AIDS has continued, consistent with the policies adopted by the House of Delegates in 1987, to encourage pharmacists to become more knowledgeable about AIDS; to facilitate the collection evaluation, and distribution of AIDS information' and to support the development of educational ~ro-' grams for pharmacists. Our Annual Meeting in Atlanta last March featur~d several programs on AIDS, including the ThIrd General Session: The AIDS Crisis. In May. . we joined more than 100 businesses., .. c?rpo~abons, .and national yoluntary organiza2 bons In the National Leadership Coalition on ~DS. The coalitioni~ ~private-sector organiza': b0IJ- founded jn tr. 8 ~~o increase col1aboratio~ between the public ana ·private sectors in the fight against AIDS. The goals of the coalition are to highlight emerging neeas arising from the AIDS epidefuic, stimulate the development of information,function as a collaborative body for national and inter:q.at~onal organizations ancl s~imulflteprivaF~-§§p~or involvement. ' APh.A.also arrangea with the Centers for Disease ~2nFrol toJ:lave aavance copies of federal gqy~rnment's eight-page AIDS brophure mailea to each Association member. With aavance copies, APhA ..... J.J.I...,C;~ were abletoprepare for patient questions before the brochure was distributed to every U:S. house:hold. In collaboration with the Burroughs Wellcome CompanYflna the Citizens AIDS Project, APhA. is developing~comprehensive set of educational mflterialsonAJ:pSana its treatment. The mater .
APRSAdds .Sections
..
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.~~ add~e~sthe . specific needs of our scientific trietnoers, .t he Academy of Pharmaceutical Reseflrq, an;d.Science (APRS) last year addedtwo ne~ .§~ctiohs in aaditionto the Section on Econonii~, Soc~al and Administrative Sciences. The B~~icPharmaceutical Sciences Section was estab!i~hm for ~hose \\Tho do research in the basic ~qitr~es sl~ch as formulation aesign, pharmaco~inetics, and pharmacology. The Clinical SciencesSection is for those who do clinical research such as human testing.
,AfRS Inaugurates Science Symposium APRS held the first-ever APhAJAPRS End-ofSummer Science Symposium, a highly successful program that drew more than 250 pharmaceutical scientists from the U.S. ana arouna the world. The day-and-a-half program on the scientific and regulatory aspects of bioequivalency testing featured a keynote address by Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Frank E. Young who reaffirmed the agency's commitment to bioequivalency testing. The symposium also featured presentations by noted speakers in industry, FDA, ana academia on topics such as f9111Puter-assisted NDA submissions statistical .~ ss:ues associated with bioequivalenc~ testing, andFhe Waxman-Hatch bill. The success of the sYmB9sirim has spurred plans for a secona science s~posium in 1989.
~a~8 incllldea dis~ast. 1ponograph out1ining~u reAF~9~leage ~p~~t~pe disease, a drug-thera
guide t:t0ie\Vingthe treatment.of AIDS, and 'public-edll.cation pamphlet designed for use distributioll .l>y pharmacists ill educating the; if patiep fs
Glaxo presented APhA with an award recognizing the Association's role in the GlaxolAPhA ~ood Government Scholarship Program, whIch promotes student involvement in government affairs. 46
American Pharmacy, Vol. NS29, No. 1 January 1989/46
Biological Diversity Urged as a National Goal The pharmacist's concern for endangered plants and animals as potential ~ources. of n~w drugs was given a boost by the National BIological Diversity Conservation and Environmental Research bill, which APhA endorses. The bill sets forth a series of actions to help prevent the extinction of plant and animal species and, therefore, the loss of biological diversity. The bill, although it advanced through the subcommittee, failed to move forward in the 100th Congress. It is expected to be reintroduced in 1989.
AIClSkCl,.·..'!~.rmqnf.•i~.r'ijg. . · ~·.~rQP~r. of State Affiliates to 48 iin '88 The Alaska ·Ph.arin.flcellticalA.ssbcIalion and
FDA to Help APhA Inform Pharmacists on INDs
Dole Addresses. State Pharmaceutical Executives
Effectively informing pharmacists about treatment IND approvals was the topic of a meeting between FDA representatives and APhA staff this year. FDA's treatment IND protocol is designed to permit investigational new drugs drugs that are therapeutic for severe, lifethreatening diseases - to be marketed before completing phase III clinical trials and the lengthy NDA approval process. APhA pledged its cooperation in making FDA-prepared "fact sheets" on each drug approval available to pharmacists.
Sen. Robert Dole (Republican-Kans.) addressed the APhA Affiliated State Pharmaceutical Association Executives Meeting in September. Praised by state affiliates as the "most successful meeting ever" with APhA, the weekend session focused on national legislative issues - particularly the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act. Dole, a key player in the development of the act, stressed that even though the bill has passed, pharmacists still need to work to ensure their vital role in health care. In his remarks, Dole complimented us for our work in supplying information to Congress on the pharmacist's role in the act. Another speaker at the meeting, Health Care Financing Administration Chief William Roper, discussed with the state executives how the federal government will implement the.act's Medicare prescription-drug benefit.
Vermont Phannacists : AssoCiatjonJ.oin~.dAPhA as state affiliates thi§yea:Frbrin~~gthetotal number of affiliated state pharmaceuticalorganizations to 48. As ..an .a,ffiliate., . thestftte ..ft§sociations and the national professional society work even more closely together to fl.lIther their mutual interests and those of the profession.
The Academy of Phannaceutical Research and Science Executive Committee
American Pharmacy, Vol. NS29, No.1 January 1989/47
47
(
APhA Provides Help to Students on State Board Exams
National Patient Counseling Competition
Past experience has sh own that many students who fai l the Nati ona l Association of Boards of Pha rmacy Licensure Examination (NABPLEX) do so because of a fear of the exam, rather than a lack of knowl edge about the content. As part of APhA's action agenda to help students, we offered a special program at the 1988 Annual Meeting in Atlanta and t h e eight Midyear Regional Meetings. Developed by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy and the University of Cincinnati Medical School, the seminars provided in-depth discussions on the history ofNABPLEX, the origin of its questions, and the best techniques for taking the exam. The program will be presented again at the 1989 Annual Meeting in Anaheim.
The 1988 Annual Meeting once again featured the National Patient Counseling Competition, designed to recognize exceptional professional knowledge and skill exhibited in counseling patients. Coordinated by the Academy of Students of Pharmacy and funded by the United States Pharmacopeial Convention, the goal of the competition is to encourage pharmacy students in their efforts toward becoming better patient educators.
APhA Launches Gift Membership Program for Graduates As part of our action agenda, APhA launched a special membership gift program. Those purchasing the gift memberships for pharmacy school graduates received an extra bonus - a reduced rate for membership dues. Results have been very encouraging. More than 200 ASP rnelnbers have joined APhA as a result of t he program. Even Inore encouraging are the more than 140 non-ASP members who have been recruited.
Summer Internship in Industry Offered to Students The year 1988 saw another successful NPC/ APhA Summer Industry Internship Program, cosponsored by the National Pharmaceutical Council (NPC) and our ASP. Designed to add to the student's overall knowledge of pharmacy, the internship enhances the student's knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry and its role in pharmacy and medicine. It may also suggest industryrelated career opportunities and pathways.
Get on the ~ ,!J\"~<~L3:~j
The eight APhA Midyear Regional meetings held from mid-October through mid-November were well-attended by both students and pharmacy practitioners.
48
American Pharmacy, Vol. NS29, No.1 January
1989!4~
We were honored with the Silver Anvil Award by the Public Relations Society of America. The trophy, the highest award for excellence in public relations, recognized APhA's membership information campaign, "Renaissance: Positioning APhA .in the Future."
APhA's "open-doors" policy reflects a reviewed emphasis on reaching out to pharmacists and the public to exchange information and advance the practice of phannacy.
American Pharmacy, Vol. NS29, No.1 January 1989/49