CPhTLink.com: Win $50 - CONTEST CLOSED
May 31, 2008
**UPDATE: MONDAY 5PM***
I thought I’d see more comments at the end of the day when something free is thrown in. No big deal. Increased Chances of winning for those who entered! Rome was not built in a day. I am going to extend the deadline to 7:00PM Eastern Today. That will be about the time I get home from work and can begin the winner selection.
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I had envisioned our first contest would be a “Can you read this script?” kind of deal. But, for some reason, all our doctors have been writing fairly legible this month.
So here is the deal. CPhTLink.com will give away 1 Amazon.com $50 gift card to a reader chosen at random.
All I want you to do is Read more
Emily’s Law passes Ohio Senate
May 30, 2008
The Ohio Senate has unanimously passed SB 203 known as Emily’s Law.
Senator Tim Grendell sponsored the measure that now goes to the House. The bill was prompted by the tragic death of 2-year-old Emily Jerry. (Read More on Emily Jerry and “Emily’s Act” that is currently in the house.)
The pharmacists, Eric Cropp, has since lost his pharmacist license in Ohio and is now facing criminal charges.
Senator Grendell learned that Ohio has no minimum training, licensing standards, or state oversight of pharmacy technicians. Current law requires only that a technician’s work be overseen by a pharmacist.
Grendell’s legislation establishes criminal penalties for “unauthorized pharmacy-related drug conduct” and “permitting unauthorized pharmacy-related drug conduct and specifies criteria that must be met to be considered a qualified pharmacy technician.”
The bill prohibits the performance of certain activities that are part of the practice of pharmacy unless the person is a pharmacist, pharmacy intern, or “qualified pharmacy technician. ”
Via WKYC.xom
FAA bans Chantix for pilots and air controllers
May 28, 2008
The Federal Aviation Administration has banned pilots and air traffic controllers from using the anti-smoking drug Chantix after a study found that it had apparently contributed to auto accidents and other problems that pose risks to both users and others.
The aviation agency had approved the drug last summer, before federal safety regulators began investigating reports of serious psychiatric problems, including suicidal behavior, sharp shifts in mood, and vivid nighttime episodes Read more
San Francisco sues McKesson
May 28, 2008
Via DrugTopics:The city of San Francisco is alleging McKesson illegally conspired to fix drug pricing through manipulations of the average wholesale price. In a complaint filed in federal court in Boston, the city attorney Dennis Herrera accused the wholesaler of inflating the difference between the wholesale acquisition cost and the average wholesale price of more than 400 medications.
The suit is closely related to another suit over AWP inflation filed against First DataBank and McKesson in the same courtroom. Earlier this year the judge in that case refused to approve a proposed settlement with First DataBank in that case that would have ended the reporting of AWP data.
In a statement, McKesson promised to vigorously defend itself. “As with the pending litigation in Boston filed against McKesson and First DataBank, we believe the allegations lack merit and intend to vigorously defend ourselves,” the company stated. “As we have previously stated, McKesson does not set AWPs and does not set the drug prices paid by consumers or health plans.”
Some industry insiders hope that community pharmacies won’t be hurt if the San Francisco suit prevails, since many contracts are based on AWP.
PTCB certifies 300,000
May 20, 2008
Press Release Via PTCB.org:
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) announced today that over 300,000 pharmacy technicians have officially been designated Certified Pharmacy Technicians (CPhT) through successfully completing the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination or transfer process since the program inception in 1995. PTCB is the pioneer in the certification of pharmacy technicians, who play a vital role in assisting pharmacists in serving patients nationwide. Pharmacy technicians work in retail pharmacies, hospitals and health-systems, nursing homes, mail-order pharmacies, and other pharmacy locations. The field is growing - pharmacy technician was named one of the 30 top jobs of 2008 by CareerBuilder.com. Read more
Florida could require tech registration
May 8, 2008
Florida would become the latest state to require the registration and training of pharmacy technicians thanks to legislation going before Gov. Charlie Crist to sign into law.
Under the bill passed by Florida legislators, technicians would need to register with the Florida Board of Pharmacy by 2010. Starting in 2011, the legislation would require them to complete one of the following: a board-approved training program, 1,500 hours of work as a technician under a Florida licensed pharmacist or certification by a program accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.
ASHP recently launched an initiative to work with state affiliates to advocate for state laws that require, as a prerequisite for state board registration, completion of an ASHP-accredited pharmacy technician training and PTCB certification.
Via: Medical News Today
