PTCB Exhibits at 2008 NACDS Conference
August 26, 2008
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board was an exhibitor at this week’s National Association of Chain Drug Store (NACDS) Pharmacy & Technology Conference alongside more than 320 exhibitors and 150 leading retail companies.
The PTCB’s exhibit provideed conference participants with solutions for enhanced patient safety and the benefits of pharmacy technician certification in the largest single gathering of retail pharmacy executives from drug, food, and mass retailers and their supplier counterparts.
Giving Techs a Bad Name
August 25, 2008
An article by Marshall Allen, titled “For pharmacy techs, drugs easy to steal. Low-paid workers have easy access to pills and little cause to fear prosecution”
The article paints a picture of a low-paid worker with no education stuffing their pockets full of Vicodin to make a quick buck.
It makes no mention of the thousands of hard-working, dedicated, and CERTIFIED techs who care about their career and the health of their patients. Techs who do it on a nearly poverty-level income because they care about their job. I take my career very seriously. And I am angry and ashamed when I see these reports on the few bad apples, instead of spotlighting the many great ones.
I suggest Mr. Allen, as the Medical Affairs Reporter for the paper, look deeper into what the Pharmacy Technician really does. Not just the ones who steal or commit a severe dispensing error.
Social Networks are everywhere
August 22, 2008
WellNet Healthcare this month will launch a test version of Point to Point Healthcare, a social network linking users’ physicians, pharmacists and insurance benefit managers, the Washington Post reports. The online tool will allow employees of companies who use the program to connect their health care providers to facilitate treatments. The tool will also feature an online concierge that can assist employees in finding new specialists and a message system that issues reminders to pick up prescriptions.
WellNet, which helps employers evaluate their corporate health plans by collecting anonymous data on employee’s medical and pharmacy activity, will be able to monitor the social network to track such data in real time, the Post reports. WellNet will initially offer the program at no cost if clients transfer their pharmacy benefits to WellNet. WellNet plans in early 2009 to open the services to other companies for a licensing fee.
According to the Post, privacy advocates are concerned about the security of Web-based medical records. Deborah Peel, founder of the Patient Privacy Rights Foundation, said, “There isn’t any way to fix a violation of your sensitive health records.” In addition, some are worried that the identities of the employees could be discovered because WellNet typically deals with small and mid-sized companies, where it could be easier to identify an employee.
Reprinted from Kaiser Network.
Generic Drug Problems
August 22, 2008
I recently stumbled upon a website run by 2 pharmacists titled “The People Pharmacy.”
The website includes a section where users can post their gripes and adverse reactions to generic drugs that they were prescribed.
The largest amont seemed targeted at Generic forms of Wellbutrin XL, Zoloft, Ambien, and of course, many levothyroxine medications. Some get more obscure as Valium, Ativan, Elavil, and some brand name drugs that have not been manufactured for decades.
Some questions for you: are there some brand name drugs you have to stock for your customers that you wish you didn’t? What’s the oddest story you’ve heard about an adverse reaction to a seeming dependable generic? Are there brand names you’ve been asked to stock that you flat-out refuse to?
Please leave it in a comment or, you can also start a thread in our forums!
What should the penalty be?
August 14, 2008
Two Orlando, FL parents said they’re outraged after a pharmacy made a mistake that claimed the life of their 3-year-old son.
Sebastian Ferrero was prescribed 10 times the amount of a growth drug that he needed. The Ferrero family said the pharmacist involved received the minimum punishment for the mistake.
His parents said the decision to fine the Shands Hospital pharmacist responsible for filling their son’s prescription is just a slap on her wrist and a slap in their face.
The 3-year-old died last October. The family blames the pharmacist’s error. Read more
“Flower Power” Protest
August 11, 2008
To demonstrate their opposition to the 10% Medi-Cal cut in California, Pharmacists organized a “flower power” protest.
Holding a press conference and a demonstration on the steps of the Capitol, they sent over 600 bouquets of flowers to the site and urged legislators and the Governor to put a stop the the cuts.
No word yet on it’s effect.
Ortho recalling lot of PROCIT vials
August 8, 2008
The maker of PROCIT is voluntarily recalling one lot after discovering cracks in the necks of some vials that could potentially keep the drug from remaining sterile. Ortho Biotech is recalling manufacturing lot P114942A. Approximately 44,292 vials of this lot were distributed between April 15 and July 17 of this year.
Via DrugTopics
More on Don’t Shoot The Pharmacist
August 4, 2008
Another gem passed on by Dave Broitman R.Ph. regarding his film “Don’t shoot the Pharmacist”.
Dave, and actor Miles MacVane were interviewed on a cable show titled “The Directors Chair”.
The episode can be watched by clicking here. The interview appears at about the 40 minute mark. Watch it all or fast forward. but go check it out.
