Senate Bill 92 Passed Out of the House

On Wednesday, Aug. 27, Senate Bill (SB) 92, which requires licensure and certification for pharmacy technicians practicing in Michigan, passed out of the Michigan House of Representatives and returns to the Michigan Senate to be concurred. Once the amendments are concurred in the Senate, the bill will move to the desk of Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder for his signature. MPA will provide additional information to members as the bill moves along in the process. As it reads now, SB 92 will create three categories of licensure: pharmacy technician, temporary and limited.

• To obtain a pharmacy technician license, an individual will need to pass a certification exam and have graduated from high school or passed the GRE. This license will need to be renewed every two years.
• A temporary license applies to individuals preparing to take the certification exam, which is only valid for 210 days and is not renewable.
• The limited license may apply to current pharmacy technicians and serves as the grandfather clause of the bill. These pharmacy technicians will not have to take a certification exam. To obtain the limited license, an individual must submit proof that they acquired at least 1,000 hours of experience practicing as a pharmacy technician at their pharmacy in the two-year period before applying for the license. This license is good for two years and is renewable. However, the limited license is only valid if the pharmacy technician practices at one pharmacy and continues to practice there. As soon as they are no longer employed by that pharmacy or start practicing at a different employment site, they must take a certification exam and apply for the pharmacy technician license.

Federal Pharmacy Bills Brief

Each year, it seems that pharmacy gains more traction with federal legislative efforts. This is a trend we have seen in Michigan as well. However, with so much going on it is easy to get lost in the issues or become confused with the purpose of each bill. Below is a brief description of the legislative efforts currently taking place at the national level.  Michigan congressional leaders are stepping up for pharmacy! In a follow-up post next week, I will provide you with some information on what steps you can take to advocate for these issues!

H.R. 4190 (Provider Status): In Michigan, pharmacists have provider status, however, they are not able to bill Medicare for pharmacy-provided services because pharmacists are not considered providers at the federal level. Congresswoman Candice Miller and Congressmen Mike Rogers and Kerry Bentivolio have signed on to support pharmacists becoming providers. Currently, there are 94 co-sponsors (50 Democrats and 44 Republicans). Specifically, this bill would allow for coverage of pharmacy services under Medicare Part B for those patients living in medically underserved areas. This is an important step in allowing Michigan pharmacists to show their value! 

Link: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-113hr4190ih/pdf/BILLS-113hr4190ih.pdf

H.R. 4577 (Open Networks): There is some confusion related to this bill, The Ensuring Seniors Access to Local Pharmacies Act of 2014, which is also often referred to as the “Any Willing Pharmacy” or “Open Networks” bill. When bills have several different titles, it can blur the message and, therefore, the mission. It is important for us to be communicating the same information. Many organizations refer to this bill as the “Any Willing Pharmacy” or “Open Networks” bill and we tend to like that language since pharmacists have not received provider status at the federal level.  This bill would give pharmacists the opportunity to provide services in currently restricted networks in a targeted manner such as a medically underserved area or among a medically underserved population. The pharmacy will also need to meet the terms and conditions identified by the plan. Currently, there are 59 co-sponsors (32 Republicans and 27 Democrats), none of which are from Michigan.

Link: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-113hr4577ih/pdf/BILLS-113hr4577ih.pdf

H.R. 4437 (PBM Regulations): This bill was introduced on April 9, 2014. The Generic Drug Pricing Fairness Act amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require each contract entered into with a prescription drug plan (PDP) sponsor from entering into a contract with any pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) to manage the prescription drug coverage provided under such plan, or to control the costs of the prescription drug coverage under it, unless the PBM adheres to specified criteria when handling personally identifiable utilization and claims data or other sensitive patient data. Currently, 12 co-sponsors have signed on to support this bill, none of which are from Michigan.

Link: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-113hr4437ih/pdf/BILLS-113hr4437ih.pdf

Michigan is a great state, with many of our congressional leaders holding significant roles in Congress. Let’s Do OUR PART to advocate for pharmacy. To learn how to get involved in the Pharmacy Advocacy Response Team, please contact Amanda Lick, MPA manager of advocacy, governmental and regulatory affairs at Amanda@MichiganPharmacists.org or (517) 377-0254.

Apotek: A Swedish Perspective

by Ashley Builta, Pharm.D., fellow of association management and business development

I am definitely a self-confessed nerd when it comes to my profession. While I know I’m not alone in this, it sometimes leads to shall we say “trying” social situations. My curiosity about the history of pharmacy has probably alienated more people than I care to recall when I start to spout various pharmacy facts. I’ve learned to taper these sorts of conversations down considerably, but my “pharmacy nerd” pops up from time to time.

Knowing my weakness, I just can’t resist the opportunity to see how pharmacy is practiced elsewhere in the world and the pharmacy history contained there. I had the good fortune to take my “graduation from pharmacy school” vacation to visit family in Sweden. While none of them are remotely in the medical field, they thankfully agreed to go along with me in my adventures to find the apotek (pharmacy) in the area.

The Old:

While in Stockholm, I was lucky to find one particularly well-preserved old pharmacy. Walking in, the doors were well-worn and blackened on the outer edge by hundreds of years of patients passing through them. The waiting area had multiple mortar and pestles around. Sadly, one was being used as a trashcan, but then again, I can’t think of a current use for what looked like a 10-gallon stone mortar. A slightly smaller set was on display upon a pedestal so I, of course, immediately went to it in an attempt to demonstrate my skills to my family. Let’s just say my attempts to maneuver the considerably heavy pestle resulted in few good pictures and a deeper appreciation for modern-day compounding.

It was a huge mortar and pestle! I can’t imagine actually trying to make something with it. Behind me is the sign that lists all the owners of the pharmacy since 1674.

The main prescription area of this pharmacy was preserved so that it resembled how it looked in the 1700s. I was so fascinated by all the old jars and labels that I had to be dragged out of the pharmacy so we would make it to dinner on time.

I still don’t know the meaning of the bird. The pharmacist never came over to us, so I didn’t get the chance to ask.

Of course, you can’t visit Stockholm without a trip to the Nobel museum! I made a beeline straight for the medicine display. The hydrocortisone cream box in the case is spelled “hydrokortison kräm” and it’s a box of “aspirine” if you’re wondering.

The New:

Everything else about the pharmacies I entered throughout my trip was surprisingly similar to pharmacies in the United States. While pharmacies certainly aren’t as frequently encountered as they are here, they do occur regularly around the blocks. I observed what appeared to be three major chains of pharmacies, and only one independent in the areas where I stayed. The pharmacies had basically the same layout as most here. One major difference was in the product selection. There were no aisles of candy, cards, soda or other non-health care articles in sight. If the pharmacy was large enough, there might be aisles of personal care products, a small section for makeup and other items you might have forgotten to grab elsewhere, but nowhere near the amount of things that are packed into U.S. pharmacies. The shelves were clean, neat and all illuminated well. The physical space out front was much smaller in many of the pharmacies, especially those in old buildings, but this allowed for easy conversation with the pharmacy staff behind the counter.

A Swedish pharmacy connected to a grocery store.

Perhaps the most surprising thing for me was the mini-medication area immediately above the conveyer belt in the grocery store. My last day in Sweden, I was loading up on Swedish candy in a local grocery store when I looked up to see this display!

My pharmacy nerd was now unstoppable. I found myself studying every box and tube to figure out what everything contained. What could they buy right there at check-out that we only dispensed with a prescription? What dosage forms were available? What was the brand name? I’m pretty sure everyone behind me was quite annoyed with just how long my curiosity was taking, but I had to know!

I visited many more museums while I was in Sweden that contained pharmacy-related history. I would write more about them, but then you wouldn’t have anything to ask me about the next time you see me. Just be forewarned, my inner pharmacy nerd will be happy that you asked!

What have you found most interesting about pharmacy in other countries? Do you have any good international pharmacy adventures or any pictures you’d like to share with us? Leave a comment below!

Register Online to Volunteer at Pharmacy Day at the Capitol

Volunteer for Pharmacy Day at the Capitol
Sept. 9, 2014, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. 

Volunteer registration is available online for Pharmacy Day at the Capitol, which will be held Sept. 9 on the south lawn of the Michigan State Capitol building in Lansing.

Pharmacy professionals and student pharmacists are encouraged to register to take advantage of valuable one-on-one time with Michigan legislators and their staffs. This is a great opportunity to educate policymakers on key pharmacy practice areas! Discuss important pharmacy issues and provide expertise in the following areas:

• Blood glucose monitoring
• Blood pressure monitoring
• Compounding
• Emergency preparedness
• Healthy lifestyle practices
• Immunizations
• Pharmacist education and training
• Point-of-care testing

Please visit the event page and click on 'Register' at the bottom of the page to sign up as a volunteer or donate supplies to support Pharmacy Day at the Capitol. Please be sure that you read through the registration carefully, providing as much information as possible. Volunteer registrations must be submitted online and received by 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2014.

More information on the event is also available below.

Medication Disposal Event @ the Capitol

MPA is also holding the Medication Disposal Event @ the Capitol in conjunction with Pharmacy Day at the Capitol, where participants are able to safely and responsibly dispose of medications, including controlled substance medications/narcotics. Medications will be collected from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Additional information for the public is available online.

In 2013, the Association collected 590 pounds of medications with an estimated value of more than $1 million. Click here to read the press release that followed last year's disposal event.

Press Conference

A press conference will be held at 11 a.m.discussing the expanding and innovative roles of pharmacists and the importance of their involvement in proper medication disposal. Additional details will be available soon.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Due to the setting of the event and the potential for windy conditions, promotional materials allowed will be limited to table covering. All contributors will be recognized with on-site signage. Please view and complete a sponsorship form if you'd like to help support this important event. Contact Amanda Lick, MPA manager of advocacy, governmental and regulatory affairs, at (517) 377-0254 or Amanda@MichiganPharmacists.org if you're interested in a sponsorship or have any questions.

We hope to see you at the Capitol on Sept. 9! Don't miss out on this key opportunity to show passion for your profession.

Voting Today Should Be Your PRIMARY Priority!

Good Afternoon!

Several people have chatted with me today about the primary election so I thought I would provide you with a brief update including some basic details to help make voting easier! There are only 7 hours left to vote today!

Today is the day to vote in your district’s primary election and choose the candidate you would like to see run in November. Polls are open from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.

A VERY COOL FEATURE: To view where you registered to vote and to also view a sample of the ballot you will be voting on, plug your information here: https://webapps.sos.state.mi.us/mivote/

If you would like more information, please email me directly or you can read this article which has lots of great information: http://www.mlive.com/lansing-news/index.ssf/2014/07/your_michigan_2014_primary_ele.html

Happy Voting!