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Top News
Ohio’s $650 million opioid ruling against major pharmacies may spook pharmacists
medcitynews.com 8/18/2022
Walgreens and Walmart must pay $650 million to two Ohio counties for their part in the opioid epidemic., a judge ruled Wednesday. This would “address a small piece of a terrible and tenacious and escalating national tragedy,” said U.S. District Judge Aaron Polster. But some say the ruling has potential to cause further damage by spooking pharmacists. The decision showed that Polster believed the three companies’ oversupply of prescription opioids contributed to the epidemic in Lake and Trumbull counties in Ohio. He ruled that the pharmacies should be responsible for one-third of the total abatement costs, with drugmakers, distributors, and dispensers of prescription opioids also liable.
^ QUOTABLE ^
“ This decision sends pharmacists a dangerous message: you're expected to overrule doctors - and not doing so can be costly. ”
Skyrocketing sign on bonuses for pharmacists; so why are jobs going unfilled?
WSYX TV 6 8/30/2022
Several pharmacies are now offering big-time signing bonuses to attract pharmacists- up to $75,000 in some cases. Despite all that, medical experts said there’s no big rush to put on a lab coat. "When you’re thinking about becoming a healthcare professional it’s not about the money," said OPA Member E. Michael Murphy, assistant professor of clinical pharmacy at the Ohio State University College of Pharmacy.
^ QUOTABLE ^
“ What we’ve really seen over the past several months is that there’s a shortage of pharmacists that are willing to work in understaffed and under-resourced pharmacies. ”
Member Notice: Ohio Department of Medicaid Updates
1. The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) is moving to a centralized credentialing platform they are calling the Provider Network Management (PNM) beginning 10/1/22. The platform is designed to ease credentialing and enrollment for all providers, including pharmacists, across the Ohio Medicaid managed care organizations. If you already have an Ohio Medicaid Provider ID, you can pre-register for the PNM from 8/15-9/23 by following this link: https://pnm-preregistration.omes.maximus.com/. For the pre-registration, you will need to create an OH|ID account, your NPI number, and your Medicaid ID number.
Please note, if you are part of a health-system, FQHC, or other organization that has a credentialing department, you should check with your representatives in that office before completing the pre-registration to see if you are already enrolled.
For more information on the centralized credentialing process, visit the ODM website here: https://managedcare.medicaid.ohio.gov/managed-care/centralized-credentialing. You may also watch the video linked here for an overview: https://youtu.be/lLidQYGYOkk
2. All Ohio Medicaid pharmacies must complete all pages of ODM Cost of Dispensing Survey unless you meet the following criteria:
- New pharmacies that were in business less than six months during the most recently completed reporting period.
- Pharmacies with a change in ownership that resulted in less than six months in business during the reporting period.
An electronic version of the Ohio Medicaid Pharmacy Cost of Dispensing Survey is available. The electronic version is in Excel format. The electronic version aids the user by calculating totals and transferring information to the reconciliation to help ensure the accuracy of the data. Please send an email to disp_survey@mslc.com to request the electronic version of the survey. Completed surveys can be
returned via email to disp_survey@mslc.com.
Call toll free (800) 374‐6858 or email disp_survey@mslc.com if you have any questions. Complete and return the survey by September 14, 2022.
Frustrated pharmacists are opting out of the insurance system, saving some customers hundreds of dollars a month
nbcnews.com 8/19/2022
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — For years, Sharon Kitchen and her husband, Mike, went to the same pharmacy just 2 miles from their house in this suburb of Columbus. But last June, their pharmacist, OPA Member Nate Hux, suggested that Sharon switch to a new pharmacy he had opened — right next door to his old one — which he said would save her more than $500 a year.
AG: Health care giant to pay $19M for overcharging WA Medicaid program
q13fox.com 8/25/2022
OLYMPIA, Wash. - Attorney General (AG) Bob Ferguson announced on Wednesday that the Fortune 50 health care giant Centene will pay the state of Washington $19 million for overcharging the state Medicaid program. Ferguson is calling this Medicaid fraud recovery the second-largest in state history.
BACK-TO-SCHOOL SERIES EPISODE 8, INTERVIEW WITH STU BEATTY, PHARMD ABOUT THE PHARMACIST PROVIDER ONLINE TRAINING PROGRAM
thepharmacistsvoice.com 8/26/2022Ohio pharmacist Stu Beatty, PharmD talks to Ohio pharmacist and podcast host Kim Newlove, RPh about The Pharmacist Provider online training program. If you’re interested in providing reimbursable services to your patients regardless of practice setting, you need to listen to this episode!
Community Pharmacies Have Become Public Health Destinations
diagnosticsworldnews.com 8/26/2022
WASHINGTON—A long list of clinical services, including point-of-care (POC) testing, could be implemented in the community pharmacies which, especially during the pandemic, have become public health destinations,
^ QUOTABLE ^
“ The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention points out that pharmacists have long been identified as underutilized health resource ”
Innovative Strategies to Manage Increased Pharmacist Workload
Drug Topics 8/23/2022
...one of the things we hear a lot of is the extra workload of that and having the time to spend to have those discussions. Are there any hints that any of you could provide our audience in terms of whether you try to do it all at once or in increments? Because we have the flu season coming up, do you try to reintroduce the flu discussion with the COVID-19 discussion? Or do you do the full gamut? What are your suggestions?
Pharmacist shortages: Walgreens forced to temporarily close in Shorewood, Racine from lack of pharmacist
www.tmj4.com 8/29/2022
In the past few days, a major pharmacy shut down both in Shorewood and Racine. The problem is a shortage of pharmacists.
Gun Violence Bill Contains an Unlikely Provision on PBMs
medpagetoday.com 8/30/2022
..."Extension of moratorium on implementation of rule relating to eliminating the anti-kickback statute safe harbor protection for prescription drug rebates." That provision pushes back a rule on prescription drug rebates to 2027. And the Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law by the president on August 16, extends the moratorium even further to Jan. 1, 2032.
Adderall is hard to find at some pharmacies following a labor shortage at the largest U.S. supplier
nbcnews.com 8/26/2022
Some pharmacies are having difficulty filling prescriptions of the attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder medication Adderall, following a labor shortage at the medication’s biggest U.S. supplier. Yet the Food and Drug Administration said that, based on its monitoring of the supply of ADHD medications from all manufacturers, no shortage has been detected overall.
Special Thanks to our Sponsor, InfoWerks Data Services, LLC.
How pharmacies can thrive amid financial, regulatory and economic uncertainties
medcitynews.com 8/29/2022
Concerns about the economy have kicked into high gear, melting away notions of a cool, lazy summer for community pharmacies. Recently, an astounding 68% of CFOs polled by CNBC said they believe a recession will occur during the first half of 2023. The concerning economic outlook is yet another stressor atop an ever-growing list for pharmacies
3 reasons pharmacist pay fell 5% last year
beckershospitalreview.com 8/22/2022
Despite tackling more responsibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacists saw their inflation-adjusted pay drop by about 5 percent last year, according to a recent The New York Times report. For months, pharmacies have struggled to retain and hire workers, and some customers are shifting from retail chains to local pharmacies after months of long lines. In some areas, Walgreens is offering bonuses up to $75,000 to recruit workers.
OPA News
 November 6: Midyear Meeting- Get Educated, Leave Elevated
Ohio Pharmacists Association
Don’t miss out on this energizing opportunity to earn CPE and connect with experts in your profession! This meeting offers one hour of ACPE accredited patient/medication safety CPE credit focused on pharmacogenomics to help meet Ohio’s CPE requirements. This is a great opportunity to get an early start on earning CPE credit for the 2023 pharmacist licensure renewal cycle!
November 9: APhA’s The Pharmacist & Patient-Centered Diabetes Care Certificate Training Program
Ohio Pharmacists Association
This program an educational experience designed to equip pharmacists with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to provide effective, evidence-based diabetes care. The program provides comprehensive instruction in current diabetes concepts and standards of care and incorporates case studies and hands-on skills training focused on the situations most likely to be encountered — as well as the services most needed — in community and ambulatory care practice settings.
February 9: Resolutions Solicitation Deadline
Ohio Pharmacists Association
Resolutions are the method by which OPA members can formally set the direction of the Association and profession. Members are welcome to submit proposed resolution ideas to the OPA Resolutions and Bylaws Committee for review and referral to the 2023 House of Delegates. Resolution submission is open until February 9, 2023. They may be submitted to Ernest Boyd at eboyd@ohiopharmacists.org.
OPA encourages you to take the Well-being Index Survey
Ohio Pharmacists Association
The OPA Ad Hoc Committee on Work Force Issues has had some discussions on pharmacist burnout and strategies to build resilience. OPA cares about your well-being and is sharing APhA's Well-being Index for Pharmacists (WBI). Survey Code = apha
On-Demand Compounding CPE For Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians
Ohio Pharmacists Association
A series of Compounding Home-Study On-Demand courses will be hosted...Topics include DEA Inspection, Veterinary Compounding, Ethics, Cultural Competency, Aiding Medical Research, Pharmacogenomic Testing, USP <795> and <797> BUDs, Biopharmaceutical Classification, USP Chapters and FDA guidelines, BUDs & Stability Studies. These sessions will be available through 12/31/2022.
CPE to Expand Your Practice
Ohio Pharmacists Association
Are you interested in learning more about diabetes care, medication therapy management, or providing long-acting injectables? OPA plans to host APhA’s diabetes care and MTM certificate training programs, as well as the Ohio Pharmacists Foundation’s Pharmacist Training Program for Long-Acting Injectables in 2022. These programs are scheduled based on demand, so let us know of your interest by completing the Interest Forms below. We look forward to helping you expand your practice.
COVID-19 Vaccines Information
Ohio Pharmacists Association
Federal and state guidance, resources and updates. Watch for Vaccine and Therapeutic Updates from OPA on Tuesdays.
Online Home-Study Grading NOW Available!
Ohio Pharmacists Association
OPA grades nearly 700 home-study quizzes each month and uploads CPE credit to the CPE Monitor at the end of each month on behalf of our members. Our members have asked for a more convenient way to submit completed CPE quizzes for credit. OPA has worked to find a solution to offer YOU the simplicity of completing the quizzes online and submitting your CPE credit online via LecturePanda. No need to wait until the end of the month to see if CPE credit was awarded.
Smoking Cessation Training Program available!
Ohio Pharmacists AssociationOPA has partnered with the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) to offer continuing pharmacy education (CPE) activities to help community pharmacists implement a smoking cessation program in their pharmacies. This three-part series is designed to give pharmacists the expertise to help patients successfully quit smoking or using tobacco.
Patient/Medication Safety CPE Available On-Demand
Ohio Pharmacists AssociationOPA offers a package of two Patient/Medication Safety on-demand CPE courses (one-hour each), which are hosted on LecturePanda, the Ohio Pharmacists Foundation’s (OPF) online platform. You can view the CPE videos, complete post-activity quizzes and speaker evaluations, and claim credit on LecturePanda.
September 18 - November 18: Independent Pharmacy Expo 2022 Virtual
Ohio Pharmacists Association
The Independent Pharmacy Expo 2022 Virtual is a must-attend event for pharmacy owners, prospective owners, pharmacists and others who have an interest in community pharmacy practice. Topics include Decreased DIR Fees, Collaborative Practice Agreements, DEA Audits, Multiple Pharmacy Locations, Test and Treat Implementation, Care Planning, and Collaborative Practice Model.
September 20: OPA Awards Nominations are due
Ohio Pharmacists Association
September 20, 2022 is the deadline to nominate candidates for OPA Awards. (UNDER 40 and Media Award Nominations may be submitted until February 20, 2023.) All awards are presented during the OPA Annual Conference and Trade Show, which will be held April 14-16, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio.
September 20: OPA Officer and Trustee Nominations Deadline
Ohio Pharmacists Association
Enhance Your Career with Leadership in OPA
Consider a position on OPA's 2023 ballot. Leadership in OPA will afford you the opportunity to contribute to the planning process in moving Ohio pharmacy forward, to develop skills that will benefit you professionally and personally, to meet and exchange ideas with innovators in the profession, and to feel a sense of accomplishment. Exciting things are happening with the practice of pharmacy. Be a part of it!
Ohio Pharmacy News
New Grants Fuel Projects to Improve Ohio Health Outcomes
clevescene.com 9/1/2022
The money is targeted to the state's most vulnerable. A new program in Ohio is focused on raising the voices of people in communities consistently experiencing health disparities. The Ohio Department of Health is awarding $6.8 million to fund projects in Health Improvement Zones, which are neighborhoods facing the greatest risk of poor health outcomes.
11th state settles with Medicaid contractor over conduct first uncovered in Ohio
Ohio Capital Journal 8/29/2022
Centene, the largest Medicaid contractor in the United States, has settled with an 11th state over conduct that was initially detected in Ohio. On Aug. 24, a deal was announced between Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson and St. Louis-based Centene to settle claims that Centene’s pharmacy benefit manager had overbilled the state’s Medicaid system, Reuters reported. Under the terms of the deal, the state will get $19 million, while another $13.3 million will go to the federal government, which funds the bulk of Medicaid, the health program for the poor.
Ohio’s largest LGBTQ+ health provider denied direct access to monkeypox vaccine
WCMH TV 4 8/26/2022
As monkeypox cases are on the rise in Franklin County, one of the largest LGBTQ+ healthcare providers has been denied direct access to the vaccine by the federal government. Equitas Health said they applied for direct access to the monkeypox vaccine, after already providing hundreds of vaccines to those most at risk throughout Ohio. Now, Equitas Health officials are saying the government made the wrong decision.
'There’s no doubt in my mind someone will die because of this': Lake Co. pharmacy loses funding, set to close
news5cleveland.com 8/23/2022
A Lake County program that saves lives will have to shut its doors at the end of September due to lack of funding. Joel Lucia is the president and founder of the nonprofit organization Prescription Assistance Program that's located in Concord Township. ...The prescriptions are for cancer, diabetes, heart problems and so much more. The only medicine the pharmacy doesn't have is narcotics. It serves more than 700 people throughout Lake County and surrounding areas each year.
Walmart Says it Will Appeal The Ohio 650 Million Dollar Judgement Against Them
The Script Post 8/19/2022
On Wednesday Ohio US District Judge Dan Aaron Polster ruled that over the next 15 years, approximately $306.2 million must be paid to Lake County and approximately $344.4 million must be paid to Trumbull County. The companies ruled against were Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens who must pay a combined 650 .6 Million to these counties. All three companies were found liable for their role in the opioid epidemic in both counties above. The Judgement alleged that these companies were used as pill mills, created a public nuisance, and a black market for drugs.
Seeking candidates for an open pharmacy position?
OPA members can submit job, residency, or fellowship postings to the OPA Career Center for free here.
Seeking a job, residency or fellowship? Check out the newest postings on the OPA website's Career Center!
National News
Pfizer and Moderna's updated COVID boosters win FDA nods, with swift rollouts to follow
fiercepharma.com 8/31/2022
The public's wait for another round of COVID-19 vaccine boosters is finally coming to an end. Wednesday morning, the FDA gave the all-clear to Omicron-targeted COVID-19 shots from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech. The pair of bivalent mRNA vaccines have scored emergency use authorizations as single-dose inoculations to be given at least two months after primary or initial booster vaccination, the regulator said in a release.
Contributor: Replacing White Bagging Mandates With Market Competition Will Improve Patient Outcome
ajmc.com 8/30/2022 OPINION
Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) deploy numerous anticompetitive actions, which have not gone unnoticed. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has launched an inquiry to examine whether PBMs have adverse impacts “on the access and affordability of prescription drugs.” The government’s probe is welcome news. ... The growing restrictions on where providers can source their drugs, a practice referred to as white bagging, exemplify such practices.
^ QUOTABLE ^
“ But there are many detrimental PBM practices that are creating unwarranted risks to patients’ health and, consequently, require remedying sooner rather than later. ”
988: An Alternative To 911 For Mental Health
www.npr.org 9/29/2022
People in the U.S. experiencing a mental health crisis have a new way to reach out for help — calling or texting the numbers 9-8-8. Today, health correspondent Rhitu Chatterjee joins Scientist in Residence Regina G. Barber to talk about how the hotline works, the U.S. mental health system and what this alternative to 911 means for people in crisis.
Abbott to restart production of Similac baby formula at its Michigan plant
nbcnews.com 8/29/2022
Abbott Laboratories said Friday it is restarting production of its Similac baby formula and expects to begin shipments to retail stores in about six weeks.
Drugmakers failed to report quality issues to FDA
axios.com 9/28/2022
Half of the drugmakers required to report information about significant quality problems with products they shipped failed to do so between 2018 and 2021, Axios' Adriel Bettelheim writes about a new FDA report on pharmaceutical quality.
Where Amazon is heading in health after the Amazon Care failure
cnbc.com 8/28/2022
Chalk up another failure in health care for Amazon, one of the ultimate market disruptors. First, its much-hyped effort with JPMorgan and Berkshire Hathaway to reform health care, Haven, ended its short life. Now, Amazon Care, its effort to tackle telemedicine and primary care for the employer market on a national basis –
Independent pharmacies sue OptumRx over alleged 'bad faith' reimbursement practices meant to 'destroy competition'
madisonrecord.com 8/26/2022
Nearly 200 independently owned pharmacies are suing OptumRx in St. Clair County, claiming they are reimbursed less for dispensing prescription drugs than retail chain pharmacies.
The business of empathy: How pharmacists can improve performance by improving the human connection
medcitynews.com 8/26/2022
When pharmacies engage on a human level with patient support programs, patients become more fully engaged in their treatment, leading to potentially significant health benefits and good business for pharmacies.
Congress Urged to Address Home Infusion Access by Medicare
pharmacypracticenews.com 8/25/2022
Dozens of U.S. health systems, hospitals and group purchasing organizations sent a letter Aug. 24 to Congress urging Medicare to increase access to home infusion therapy (HIT) services. Although the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services offers an HIT benefit, the letter noted, few patients who receive their IV medications at home have been able to take advantage of it.
COVID vaccination in kids under 5 remain low as US hospital admissions steadily rise
usatoday.com 8/25/2022
Although a recent study from Pfizer showed its COVID-19 vaccine is effective at protecting children younger than 5, pediatricians are having a hard time persuading parents to vaccinate their youngest kids. The summer saw hospitalizations steadily climb in this age group, and health experts worry the trend will continue as children return to school and day care facilities.
Nasal vaccines could be the future in the fight against COVID-19
thedenverchannel.com 8/25/2022
COVID-19 booster shots could soon be given as nasal sprays. Approximately a dozen different COVID-19 nasal vaccines are currently in clinical trials or pre-clinical trials. They work by creating immune resistance in a person's nose and throat, stopping the virus from spreading right as it enters their body.
Where Are Pharmacists Allowed to Administer Monkeypox Vaccines?
uspharmacist.com 8/24/2022
Richmond, VA—So far, vaccines for monkeypox are not routinely distributed to pharmacies. However, if the products were available, which pharmacists would be able to deliver shots?
Pfizer COVID pill showed no benefit in adults under 65, study finds
Los Angeles Times 8/24/2022
WASHINGTON —Pfizer’s COVID-19 pill appears to provide little or no benefit for adults under 65 while still reducing the risk of hospitalization and death for high-risk seniors, according to a large study published Wednesday.
What is the biggest challenge PharmDs have faced during COVID-19?
healio.com 8/24/2022
As with society in general, COVID-19 has created varied challenges for the infectious disease pharmacist community. However, as identified, the challenge of pivoting work and a constantly shifting landscape of available therapies were universal.
NCPA CEO: Three-Quarters of Community Pharmacists Say Filling Open Positions Remains Difficult
pharmacytimes.com 8/19/2022
... the survey showed what a lot of our members are telling us and what they're feeling, and it quantified those things. As you mentioned, almost three fourths are experiencing some kind of labor shortage of some kind, particularly with technicians, front end staff, but also with pharmacists as well. I think that's coupled with demand for pharmacy services that’s greater than it's ever been before. So, we have this great demand and this shortage of people to do it coming at the same time.
Nationwide lidocaine shortage worries Kentucky’s doctors and pharmacists
WBKO TV 13 8/19/2022
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - One of the most crucial drugs in the medical world is running out. Lidocaine is used by doctors to take away a person’s pain. Nurses at Dr. Tami Cassis’s Dermatology & Aesthetics Center in Norton Commons said their suppliers started running of lidocaine about eight months ago. The drug, if used in proper dosage, also has the ability to prevent bleeding out during surgeries.
Retailers Like Best Buy Already Flocking To Join Drugstores To Sell Hearing Aids This Fall
Forbes.com 8/17/2022
News the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will soon allow hearing aids to be sold over-the-counter is bringing an influx of new competition – including retailers looking to expand deeper into the healthcare business like Best Buy – into what promises to be a multi-billion-dollar market.
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Upcoming Events
Mark your calendar for upcoming OPA events (subject to change with coronavirus cancellations):
Oct 18 - OPA Pharmacist Training Program for Immunizations - Save the Date
Nov 16 - OPA Pharmacist Legislative Day- Save the Date
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