October/November2019 THE PERSONAL TOLL · AmeriTrust Group, Inc. formerly Meadowbrook Insurance...

October/November2019

THE PERSONAL TOLLIt’s more than a “crisis” or an “epidemic” — addiction destroys lives. Pharmacists are stepping up, but there’s a long way to go.

Davis Owen, April 27, 1993 – March 4, 2014,Kennesaw, Georgia

DIABETES PROGRAMS FOR PHARMACISTS p. 10 | GPHA EDUCATION FOR 2020 p. 12

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Georgia Pharmacy 1October/November 2019

contents

6shout outsNew members, GPhAers in the news, a Mercer update, plus the latest entries into the 100% Club

8studentsMeet GPhA’s new Student Leadership Board

10diabetesCheck out these two programs for pharmacists to help their diabetic patients

12educationA look at GPhA’s plans for 2020

20PharmPACInvestors in the future of pharmacy in Georgia

22contact usWho does what at GPhA — and how to reach us

2 prescriptPlaying ballAs fall begins, CEO Bob Coleman talks about how GPhA is getting ready for a big 2020.

3 quick hitsFighting the Centene-WellCare merger, USP changes, trying to end DIR fees, and more

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Georgia Pharmacy magazine is the official publication of the Georgia Pharmacy Association.

Unless otherwise noted, the entire contents of this publication is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license. Direct any questions to the editor at [email protected].

Chief Executive Officer Bob Coleman

President and Chair of the Board Chris Thurmond

President-Elect Wes Chapman

Immediate Past President Liza Chapman

Editor Andrew Kantor Director of [email protected]

Art Director Carole Erger-Fass

ADVERTISING All advertising inquiries should be directed to Kenna Little at [email protected] or (404) 419-8129. Media kit and rates available upon request.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Georgia Pharmacy is distributed as a regular membership service, paid for with membership dues. Single issues are $10 per issue domestic and $20 international. Practicing Georgia pharmacists who are not members of GPhA are not eligible for subscriptions.

POSTALGeorgia Pharmacy (ISSN 1075-6965) is published bi-monthly by GPhA, 6065 Barfield Road NE, Suite 100 Sandy Springs, GA, 30328. Periodicals postage paid at Atlanta, GA and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Georgia Pharmacy magazine, 6065 Barfield Road NE, Suite 100, Sandy Springs, GA 30328.

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More Americans die each year from opioid overdoses than in the entire Vietnam War, and each one has a story. Davis Owens was 20 when he overdosed — read his ... and read how pharmacists can help.

Pictured: Davis Owens (right) died of an opioid overdose in 2014. His story is one of thousands.

14 THE PERSONAL TOLL

23 postscriptThe winding road of knowledgePresident Chris Thurmond didn’t take the direct route to his pharmacy career, but he knows he made the right call.

24the back page The lighter side of pharmacy and healthcare news

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Georgia Pharmacy 2 October/November 2019

PRESCRIPT

convention (which we wrote about last month) members have attended two sold-out events during Braves baseball games. And our techni-cian members are planning a member meeting in early May, so PARTICIPATE!

And most importantly, fall is when we prepare for the next year’s legislative session. Data are gathered to support our position on legislation we plan to introduce next year. Networking begins with key legislators, staff, officials, and — you might be surprised by this — even those we know who will adamantly be in opposition. As you may recall, this year’s anti-steering bill becomes effective January 1, 2020. We will be actively pushing for enforcement of the provi-sions of this law and working with members to provide examples of violations.

For next year’s session, GPhA will be address-ing issues in Medicaid managed care and seeking solutions that improve patient care, save the state money, and improve reimbursements for pharmacies. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that there needs to be a change. The solution may not be simple, but our objective is to simply remedy this situation.

You are probably aware that some states, like West Virginia, are considering or have moved away from managed care; the state has tak-en over Medicaid management. Whatever the solution, conditions in managed care affect all practice settings, so a solution needs to be found and implemented quickly if Georgia’s patients are going to continue to have access to pharma-cies, particularly in our rural areas.

So, enjoy your favorite college football team, but be prepared when asked to focus on the ball and ADVOCATE!

Bob Coleman is chief executive officer of the Georgia Pharmacy Association.

Fall: when thoughts turn to the best time to go for a drive to catch the fall colors, hopefully a bit of relief from the summer heat (where as I write this, it’s supposed to be 95 degrees!), and last but certainly not least, college football! From Bulldogs to Bears, and even a War Eagle

or two, college football dominates social media, sports news, and even water cooler discussions.

And while it’s great to have college sports as a diversion, fall represents a time for GPhA to focus on our objectives and (I hope you’ll forgive me for this) keep our eye on the ball.

September represents the end of our regular member renewal period and the beginning of late renewal. Each year, an enormous amount of time and effort goes into GPhA staff reaching out by phone, e-mail, and even those annoying robo-calls to ask members to renew. The good news is, most members simply forgot, or their renewal notice is somewhere on their desks! My ask of you is, if you are not currently on auto-renewal your membership, please drop us an e-mail or call and let us set you up. It will save both you and GPhA a bunch of time!

Fall also represents a planning period for GPhA. Next year, we will continue to expand our educational offerings, revise and update our news and information, provide opportunities for members to network during the fall AIP meeting and the 12 Regional President’s Meetings con-ducted across the state, and hold other events.

In addition to a great meal, the ability to network with pharmacists, pharmacy techs, and pharmacy students in your area, those meetings offer a great opportunity for you to learn more about GPhA’s priority initiatives for the upcom-ing assembly. Please check out the GPhA website and look for e-mail invitations with dates, times, and locations in your area and ATTEND!

After advocacy, GPhA members tell us that networking is next in importance. In addition to

Playing ball

BOB COLEMAN

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Georgia PharmacyA S S O C I A T I O N

From the CEO


Centene and WellCare — two of Georgia’s Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) — want to merge. And, GPhA is urging Insurance Commissioner John King not to approve the merger.

During what turned into an almost four-hour hearing, the commissioner heard arguments for and against the merger. GPhA went to bat both in person and with a detailed follow-up letter, laying out just how bad this merger will be for the state by diving deep into the numbers to rebut Centene’s arguments for expansion. (You can read the letter at GPhA.org/centene.)

GPhA built a coalition of support with our friends from the Medical Association of Georgia and the Georgia Society of Clinical Oncology, both of which joined in the case against the merger. That is our advocacy team at work, fighting for phar-macists and patients.

It doesn’t take an economics degree to see that giving one company control of 61 percent of Georgia’s Medicaid patients’ healthcare is a recipe for skyrock-

eting costs and wasteful spend-ing. Yet that’s what Centene was asking for, and that’s why GPhA was there, fighting to prevent a bad deal for the state.

With CEO Bob Coleman in attendance, VP of Public Policy Greg Reybold pulled together a formidable team to testify against the merger. (A big thank you to Benji Black, Laura Ko, and Loren Pierce, for coming to speak out against the merger!)

What Centene is proposing would create the nation’s largest Medicaid managed care orga-nization. It’s bad enough that PBMs already take a huge chunk of the state’s Medicaid dollars to “administrate” prescription drug benefits. MCOs have their fingers in the pie as well: For every Med-icaid dollar the state spends, it pays Centene Management Ser-vices (or one of the other MCOs) between 10.5% and 11.5%.

That’s hundreds of millions of dollars Georgia spends on “healthcare” that just pays private corporations to manage the process. Now Centene and WellCare want to merge to get a

larger market share, less compe-tition, and a bigger slice of the taxpayers’ pie ... and they have the gall to say this will somehow be good for patients.

Just trust them.But apparently even they

aren’t quite sure of the econom-ic results. In one document, Centene says that “economies of scale” will make this mega-MCO cost less. (Hint: That’s not how economies of scale work.) Then, in another, it flip-flops and says it won’t really know the impact on Georgia Medicaid until after “an initial transitional period.” And Centene repeatedly claimed there would be no layoffs ... so where will these economies of scale come from?

Finally, if you got this far and haven’t been shaking your head, here’s another bit of information to consider: According to survey data, Centene and WellCare aren’t even very good at what they do. In half of performance measures, both companies were ranked below average.

Now they want to merge. And Georgians may pay for it.

GPHA FIGHTS CENTENE-WELLCARE MERGER

QUICK HITS

* A staggering 25 percent of Georgia Medicaid’s prescription drug spending didn’t go to pay for drugs — it went to pay PBMs. We’re talking $27 million for “administration.”

** By the way, Centene has an ownership stake in two PBMs ... but please don’t call it “double-dipping.”


QUICK HITS Advertising right here — in

Georgia Pharmacy magazine — is a great way to reach the most influential pharmacy owners, pharmacists, and technicians in Georgia.

Now is the time to get your ads in for our six issues in 2020!

The rates are great and the reach is perfect — so contact Kenna Little at [email protected] or (404) 419-8129.

She can also help you get your message in our other publica-tions, including the daily GPhA Buzz newsletter!

GET YOUR ADS IN!

SENATORS TO ADMINISTRATION: END DIR FEESWe love a bipartisan story, especially when it’s good for pharmacists like this one: More than 80 percent of the Senate Finance Committee — 11 Republicans and 14 Democrats — sent a letter to HHS and CMS asking that they “close a Medicare regulation loophole – known as pharmacy direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) fees – that inflates patients’ out-of-pocket drug costs and that is pushing pharmacies out of business.”

DIR reform was initially part of a 2018 plan from the Trump administration, but it ended up being cut in the final Medicare rule. It’s time, the senators said, to bring that back. Just about every major national pharmacy organization gave its “Amen!” to the letter.

GPhA is hosting the 2019 fall Regional Presidents’ Briefings, where phar-macy professionals from your corner of the state will gather for a great dinner at a local eatery. You’ll even get an hour of CPE!

It includes...

• A critical run-down of the changes to laws and regulations that are going to impact your pharmacy practice ... and your patients

• One hour of CE credit • A chance to meet and connect with other pharmacy pros in your area • A great meal for only $10 ($25 for non-GPhA members that can be applied to membership if signing up at the event)!

Region 1 (Statesboro area): Tuesday, October 22Region 2 (Valdosta area): Tuesday, October 15Region 3 (Americus area): Wednesday, October 23Region 4 (Peachtree City area): Thursday, October 24Region 5 (Atlanta area): Thursday, October 10Region 6 (Macon area): Thursday, October 24Region 7 (Acworth area): Tuesday, October 15Region 8 (Waycross area): Wednesday, October 16Region 9 (Ellijay area): Wednesday, October 16Region 10 (Athens area): Thursday, October 17Region 11 (Augusta area): Wednesday, October 23Region 12 (Dublin area): Thursday, October 17

Sign up now for an evening with dinner and an important update — go to GPhA.org/briefings.

Region Meetings are coming

Could gluten in infancy lead to diabetes later? A Norwegian study says it can: “Each 10 g of gluten consumed daily during infancy is associated with a 46% increased risk for develop-ing type 1 diabetes during the next 12 years.”

(Interesting side note: Gluten consumption during pregnancy had no effect.)

CHILDHOOD GLUTEN AND ADULT DIABETES?


USP POSTPONES NEW STANDARDS; QUESTIONS REMAIN

At least 14 Georgia companies, hospi-tals, and other medical organizations are under investigation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for “breaches of unsecured protected health information.”

Most involve the use of e-mail to send patient records, but some, like that of North Atlanta Medical Clinic this past January, are due to unautho-rized access to a computer.

The largest breach was that of the Georgia Department of Human Ser-vices 10 months ago, which affected more than 439,000 individuals; close behind was a breach at Augusta Uni-versity Medical Center (417,000 individ-uals affected).

MEDICAL-DATA BREACHES IN GEORGIA

levypruettcullen.cominfo@www.

The FDA says it’s drawing up a plan to ban flavored e-cigarettes in the wake of A) a spike in teen use of the nicotine-delivery devices, and B) the emergence of a still-mysteri-ous vaping disease that has already killed at least seven people.

Meanwhile, some other places are already making their own moves. China banned Juul without expla-nation in mid-September, and India followed a few days later by banning all e-cigarettes — immediately.

At home, New York and Michigan

became the first states to ban flavored e-cigarettes, in what the Washington Post described as “the latest crack-down by regulators amid an outbreak of vaping-related illnesses and a growing recognition of its threat to the country’s young people.”

California is considering a similar bill, and one has also been intro-duced in the U.S. Senate.

E-CIG BANS ARE SPREADING

USP is postponing the imple-mentation of new compounding standards in its chapters 795, 797, and 825, pending appeal. They were to take effect December 1.

The proposed changes to chapter 800, though, are not being appealed, but the organi-zation said that those changes are “informational only” — at least until the other appeals are resolved.

GPhA believes that, because they are are “informational,” enforcement of new chapter 800 standards at the state level should not be triggered. It is engaging with stakeholders about this issue and will provide updates as soon as they are available.


SHOUT-OUTS

The American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) represents all divisions of pharmacy, helps student pharmacists advocate for our profession, and gives back to our local community. We have several national pa-tient-care focused activities that enable us to serve our commu-nities including initiatives such as Operation Heart, Operation Immunization, and Operation Diabetes.

This past year, we had the privilege of participating in local health fairs where our members provided blood pressure screen-ings and smoking cessation education; the nation-wide Drug Take-Back program; numerous immunization clinics; and nalox-one training for all of our student pharmacists. We were also able to host advocacy events such as “Policy on Tap” where students gathered with elected representatives to discuss policy that af-fects our profession. This spring, we enjoyed a tie-dye event that supported the APhA Political Action Committee in its national “Back the PAC” campaign. We also hosted an event to raise funds for the international students we host each summer.

Not only have we been involved on campus and in our commu-nities, but we also have been active and involved on the national level of APhA. Several APhA-ASP members currently hold na-tional positions: President-elect Savannah Cunningham serves as the APhA-ASP mid-year regional meeting coordinator for Region 3 as well as the executive director for the GPhA Student Leader-ship Board (see page 8).

APhA-ASP is one of the biggest organizations on Mercer’s Atlanta campus, and we hope to be able to continue to provide student pharmacists with opportunities to advocate as a collec-tive voice and unite to provide optimal patient care and improve our communities. —Amanda Marie Hammond, 2018-2019 APhA-ASP President

Kevin Florence, ADD Drug Store; Athens

Ankit Patel, Benzer Pharmacy; Warner Robbins

Vijay Patel, Macon Pharmacy; Macon

Yolanda Rivers, Waycross Family Pharmacy; Waycross

Dean and Krista Stone, IHS Pharmacy & Gifts; Metter

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These are the newest members of GPhA’s 100% Club — Georgia pharmacies where 100 percent of employees are GPhA members. Find out more at GPhA.org/100percent.

Mercer’s chapter of APhA’s Academy of Student Pharmacists helps celebrate the organization’s golden anniversary.

THE LATEST FROM APHA-ASP AT MERCER

The PCOM Georgia School of Pharmacy chose its two teachers of the year: Xinyu (Eric) Wang for the De-partment of Pharmaceu-tical Sciences, and Mandy Reece for the Pharmacy Department of Pharmacy Practice. Congrats to both!

PCOM TEACHERS OF THE YEAR

Eric Wang Mandy Reece


Congrats and welcome to the latest classes of student pharmacists.

The University of Georgia College of Pharmacy welcomed 136 new PharmD students during its annual white coat ceremony on Saturday, August 10.

Stats: The class of 2023 aver-ages 21.7 years of age, and 95% come from Georgia. About 55% previously attended UGA, and 15% are first generation college attendees.

Ditto for Mercer University; its college of pharmacy held its white coat ceremony on Friday,

THE WHITE COATS ARE COMING!

SILVER LEVEL:Butch Bowling; GainesvilleNikki Bryant; PrestonBryce Carter; DunwoodyAndy Clements; RhineDavid Clements; FayettevilleRay Crisp; DecaturKevin Florence; AthensCasey Gaetano; Sandy SpringsAmy Galloway; Blue Ridge Johnathan Knight; ReynoldsMarty Laird; DaltonThomas Lindsey; OmegaJohnathan Marquess; Acworth

2018 –19

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ENT’S CIRCLE

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These are the newest members of GPhA’s President’s Circle — people who recruit their fellow pharmacists, technicians, academics, and others to become part of the association. Recruit a member and join!

PHARMACISTS Chioma Abara, Savannah Mike Addington, Clayton (AEP)Reginald Barnes, Atlanta Scottie Barton, Gainesville (AEP)Kenneth Bethea, Valdosta (ACHP)Dayna Brittin, Ball Ground (AEP)Rodney Burris, Clarkesville (ACHP)Shannon Canady, Kite Yvener Charles, Acworth English Coit, Norwood Lauren Costick, Peachtree City (AIP)Ushma Dahya, Kennesaw (AEP)Matthew Disharoon, Atlanta (AEP)Terry Durrence, Savannah Kelsey Eberlin, Jefferson Tricia Francetich, Grayson (AEP)Sam Freeman, Lavonia (AEP)John Green, Buford (AEP)Bryan Hazelton, Fayetteville (AIP)David Hood, Marietta (ACHP)Badrinath Jayanthi, Alpharetta (AEP)Mia Jung, Macon Bahareh Kashani, Suwanee Keetae Kim, Duluth Tracy Kitchens, Guyton (AEP)

Payge Ladson, Moultrie Ashley Langford, Dallas Dante Lehman, Acworth (AEP)Lauren Lindsey, Omega (AEP)Yvette MacGregor, Ellijay (AEP)Krithika Mani, Cumming (AEP)Ashley McCain, Gainesville (AEP)Joseph McGalliard, Jr., Meigs (AEP)Sara McNease, Cochran (AEP)Juliet Moghalu, Austell Joshua Morgan, Alpharetta (AIP)Ralph Mote, Mableton (AEP)Connor O’Daniels, Smyrna (AEP)Abigail Pakingan, Gainesville (ACHP)Michelle Pasqualetti, Bogart (ACHP)Sweta Patel, Roswell (ACHP)Bhavin Patel, Adairsville (AEP)Lynn Philpot, Atlanta Melissa Price, Cartersville (ACHP)Amber Rains-Vines, Trion (AEP)Jennifer Ries, Roswell (AEP)Kerry Roe, Rincon (AEP)Jennifer Roney, Gray (AEP)Melanie Rudisill, Atlanta (ACHP)Brandy Schley, Athens (AEP)Stephen Shearer, Canton (ACHP)

Tony Singletary, Albany (AEP)Brittany Smith, Smyrna (AEP)Clay Smith, Chickamauga (AEP)Brandon Standard, Allenhurst (ACHP)David Stanley, Clermont (AIP)René Starrett, Hartwell (ACHP)Brian Stell, Villa Rica Heather Tally, Cartersville (AEP)William Van Story, Suwanee Hien Vo, Lawrenceville Melanie Washington, Fayetteville (AEP)Christopher Waters, Marietta (AEP)Yancy Witt, Atlanta (AEP)Ashley Woodhouse, Savannah (ACHP) TECHNICIANSCami Allen, Watkinsville (APT)Gretchen Armstrong, Monroe (APT)Shelby Brazier, Buena Vista (APT)Gabriel Brittin, Ball Ground (APT)Samantha Brooks, Cadwell (APT)Brianna Caldwell, Barnesville (APT)Camaryn Candelario, Athens (APT)Martha Cook, Augusta (APT)Heather Duke, Albany (APT)Kirsten East, Warner Robbins (APT)

Kayla Faircloth, Cobbtown (APT)Betsy Hall, Rhine (APT)Tammy Henry, Blue Ridge (APT)Tiffany Hinson, Chester (APT)Robin Holliday, Albany (APT)Cheri Hunt, Cumming (APT)Amanda Jackson, Helena (APT)Brenda Johnsa, Buford (APT)Shekia Kirby, Waycross (APT)Hollie Klug, Ringgold (APT)Hannah Lankford, Villa Rica (APT)Juliet Leverett, Butler (APT)Larry McCalister, Atlanta (APT)Roxanne McHugh, Athens (APT)Janet Minshew, Rochelle (APT)T ondalayn Needham, Lawrenceville (APT)

Debra Parham, Danielsville (APT)Briana Reich, Athens (APT)Stacey Smith, Sumner (APT)Melissa Starnes, Ocilla (APT)Megan Watson, Dublin (APT)Andrew Wilson, Alpharetta (APT)Alesha Wright, Waycross (APT)Abigail Yarbrough, Griffin (APT)

WELCOME OUR NEW MEMBERS

Trent McDaniel; CochranRabun Neves; AthensGlenn Parkman; SylvesterAnkit Patel; Warner RobbinsSujal Patel; KennesawWilliam Posey; MoultrieYolanda Rivers; WaycrossCharles Scott; DawsonBreanna Spires; McRaeSteve Spruill; ToccaDean Stone; MetterChris Thurmond; AthensPedro Valentine; Columbus

August 16, when 124 student were “coated”.

Stats: The Mercer College of Pharmacy class of 2023 is 69% female and 30% male, with 111 students from the U.S. (including 81 Georgians), and 13 from other countries.

UGA’s white coats (above); Mercer’s Walter Akoh gets his bear on


STUDENT LEADERSHIP

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Savannah Cunningham, Mercer University College of Pharmacy, class of 2022I am excited about creating and leading a student leadership board to connect student phar-macists to opportunities within GPhA. I am passionate about the work GPhA does to advocate for pharmacists and the patients we care for. I look forward to continuing my involvement in my state pharmacy association throughout my career.

Taylor Alex Reaves, Mercer University College of Pharmacy, class of 2022I am thrilled to create and lead the GPhA Student Leadership Board in order for students to have the opportunity to become more involved with GPhA. I am excited about the future of GPhA and my continued involvement throughout my career. I hope to advance the knowledge of the pharmacy field for both students and the public through advocacy efforts.

MERCER UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF PHARMACY

Emma Chandlee, class of 2022Being a part of the legislative priority making process, and get-ting students involved in their future professional is important for the future of pharmacy. I want to be a voice for my future

profession and an advocate for pharmacy and pharmacy students.

Seth Harrison, class of 2022Being involved in GPhA is a priority for me because I want Georgia pharmacy to become even more dynamic than it is now. The two primary ways to accomplish this are through patient care and advocacy for the profession, both of which I am passionate about.

Liddy Cronan, class of 2021GPhA rallies for pharmacy at the capitol, helps with education and networking, and helps improve the practice of pharmacy as we progress towards the future. Stu-dent participation in our state organization helps us accelerate forward, improve the care of our patients, and improve our pro-fession regardless of the branch of pharmacy we belong to. I have no doubt that I will be a lifelong member of GPhA.

Jasper Westbrook, class of 2021Being an active member in GPhA is a crucial component of my future success as a phar-macist in the state of Georgia. GPhA not only does an amazing job at advocating for positive legislation for the pharmacy profession, but also serves as an easily accessible resource that enables pharmacists to improve their practices, which ultimately improves the lives of patients.

PHILADELPHIA COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE SCHOOL OF PHARMACY

Latasha Lawson, class of 2022GPhA is well-known for its advocacy for pharmacy, patients, ensuring pharmaceutical care is maintained, and being active in the community. I hope to see the student leadership board help to secure the future of our profession through advocacy for patients and our community.

Laura Nguyen, class of 2022As a member of the GPhA Student Leadership Board, I plan to further innovate and create opportunities for student pharmacists to raise awareness the community of the roles of a pharmacist. I believe that phar-macists are primary advocates in health care for patients, medi-cations, and overall well-being.

Nandi Rosier, class of 2021I have a passion for pharmacy practice opportunities that pro-mote positive patient outcomes through integrated clinical prac-tice and education. As the Pres-ident of APhA-ASP at PCOM, I want to directly educate and motivate student pharmacists to take part in the goals of GPhA.

Betelehem Sheferaw, class of 2021 GPhA grants student pharmacists an opportunity to take advantage of leadership, service, and advoca-cy opportunities in the pharmacy

Introducing the Student Leadership BoardGPhA has launched a new effort just for student pharmacists: the Student Leadership Board. Comprised of students from all four of Georgia’s pharmacy schools, it will meet throughout the year to help develop programs and events to connect, teach, and involve tomorrow’s pharmacists. Here are the inaugural members:


field. I value and appreciate the learning opportunities provided by GPhA to guide me in my pro-fessional and personal endeavors.

SOUTH UNIVERSITY

Pete Nagel, class of 2021I want to improve the lives of patients and decrease the cost of healthcare. I believe that there is no better way to do this than to increase the scope of practice of our pharmacists. I hope to help support laws that are going to improve patient care by way of interaction with pharmacist.

Garrett Streat, class of 2021I believe the keys to the progres-sion of pharmacy depends on education and advocacy. I plan to serve and represent GPhA with the intent of learning, ed-ucating and advocating for our profession.

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA COLLEGE OF PHARMACY

Stephen Ansel, class of 2022The network and education opportunities that GPhA offers are invaluable to maintaining success in the industry. The strong advocacy that GPhA excels in assures that both phar-macists and patients are treated fairly and not taken advantage of; while an established presence in the community not only helps the public, but improves the perception that the public has of the pharmacist.

Tommy Tuggle, class of 2022I find that every day there are new opportunities to learn about advances in pharmacy and developments in patient care. Participating in the Georgia Pharmacy Association Student Leadership Board

affords me the opportunity to represent the voice of student pharmacists and the patients we all serve.

Rebecca Bruning, class of 2021I have been enthralled with the progress GPhA is making for the future of pharmacy and am prepared expand on this growth as a member of the GPhA Student Leadership Board and president of APhA-ASP at UGA.

Kyler Miller, class of 2021I take the greatest pride in my future profession, and I want to see it rise to its full potential. I want pharmacists to have a seat at the table, and I want to be a part of the push to get them there. I am indebted to GPhA for the work it does to protect both pharmacists and patients.

Get a cup of coffee and a second opinion.

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meet the program requirements. Reimbursement is value-based, i.e., it’s based on outcomes. (Many self-insured employers and private payers see the benefit of diabetes prevention, and they’re willing to pay for these programs as well.)

DIABETES SELF-MANAGEMENT EDUCATION AND SUPPORT (DSMES)DSMES helps patients with diabetes learn healthy eating and lifestyle changes to better manage their condition. Patients who receive that kind of educa-tion and support are much more likely to learn and lead a healthier lifestyle. Unfortunately, participa-tion is low in DSMES programs even though they are usually covered by Medicare. According to the CDC, fewer than 5 percent of Medicare beneficia-ries with diabetes receive DSMES services — the other 95 percent are not getting the education and support needed. One reason: 62 percent of rural counties do not even offer DSMES services.

The good news: Pharmacists are perfectly posi-tioned to provide these services. You are accessible, knowledgeable, and trusted by your patients — and that means you can change their behaviors and give them better outcomes than they could achieve alone.

Once referred by a provider, participants are eli-gible for 10 hours of diabetes education over a year, then two hours a year after that.

Amanda Gaddy is director of clinical services for GPhA’s Academy of Independent Pharmacy.

According to the CDC, the facts surrounding pa-tients with diabetes are staggering:

• Approximately 86 million adults in the United States have pre-diabetes.

• In 2017, the estimated cost of diabetes in the U.S. — medical and non-medical — was $327 billion.

• Lifestyle change can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes by approximately 95 percent.

• Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the country.

As a pharmacist, you see patients with diabetes and pre-diabetes every day. You can help them.

There are two programs pharmacists can offer. One can help decrease the progression from pre-di-abetes to type 2 diabetes, the other can improve out-comes for patients already diagnosed with diabetes. In addition to decreasing the overall costs associ-ated with diabetes, you’ll help patients develop the skills to manage their condition.

Providing one or both of these is a great way to differentiate your pharmacy — and potentially attract new patients.

NATIONAL DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAMThe National Diabetes Prevention Program, or National DPP, is recognized by CDC as a life-style-change program. The year-long program focuses on healthy eating, increasing physical ac-tivity, lowering stress, and improving coping skills. Participants are 58 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes — and that jumps to 71 percent less likely if they’re over the age of 60.

Sessions are weekly for the first six months and then monthly for the remaining six months, and they’re in a group setting. A trained ‘lifestyle coach’ leads participants through a specific curriculum, and the result is better eating habits and more exercise, with a weight loss goal of five to seven percent.

The best part: Pharmacists and techs can both be lifestyle coaches. National DPP allows you to identi-fy individuals who are at risk of developing diabetes (e.g., working with local employers, gyms, or health centers), enroll them in the program, and bill Medi-care for your services once you have shown you can

diabetes

Two programs, big results

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SO YOU WANT TO DEFEAT DIABETES AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY? ACT NOW!

GPhA is working with the Georgia Department of Public Health to identify pharmacists interested in providing National DPP and/or DSMES. For a limited number of pharmacists, there are funds to cover training, education, and technology to get the program(s) started. And DPH will provide the resources to assist with every step along the way.

Sound good? If you’re interested, contact Tamiko Pickett for the next steps: [email protected] or (404) 232-1393.

RESOURCES: GPhA.org/dsm • CDC.gov/diabetes/dsmes-toolkit • CDC.gov/diabetes/prevention

1. The Georgia Pharmacy Foundation has provided scholarships to student pharmacists for years, helping hundreds pay for their education and begin their careers.

2. You have access to a free CE series to help you stay mentally healthy, live well, and serve patients better?

3. You can follow a free path to becoming a Champion for Opioid Safety through the foundation?

4. The foundation funds the high-quality CPE you enjoy at the Georgia Pharmacy Convention, plus student-focused lunch & learns on college campuses?

We need your help to raise $10,000 to advance the profession and help pharmacists provide high quality care.

BE THE SOLUTION.

Visit GPhA.org/foundation to make a tax-deductible donation to make a difference in your life and the lives of your patients today.

BENEFITING THE GEORGIA PHARMACY FOUNDATION

Did you know…

Have you tried scanning a QR code lately? It’s easy! Free QR code readers are available from the App Store and Google Play — you can scan a QR code to go directly to a Web site. Try it today!

NEW!


CPE Advisory Committee develop a curriculum for the year. They choose the subjects our cours-es should cover, outline the learning objectives for each, and then look for the best faculty to teach them.

The first place to look for instructors is sub-ject-matter experts among GPhA membership, many of whom are also members of the faculty at one of Georgia’s pharmacy schools. With such a broad member base to choose from, this is often where we find willing and able pharmacy professionals — even better, they are usually not only on the cutting edge of the specific subject, they also have the same perspective as the peo-ple they’re teaching.

If there isn’t a member available, the committee will turn to known experts in the state or nationally. (For example, attorneys, law enforcement, or medical specialists.)

The result is a slate of up-to-date courses and top-notch instructors that help make GPhA’s education program the best in Georgia.

COMING UP

Starting this winter, here are some of the new education opportuni-ties to keep an eye out for. Check your e-mail, the daily GPhA Buzz digest, or the GPhA website: GPhA.org/education.

Love your gut: The latest on the gut microbiome, from pre- and pro-biotics to the effects of various medication and lifestyle choices.

“Cannabis Conundrum”: There’s no denying that there’s marijuana in the future in some form, wheth-er it’s CBD, cannabis oil, THC or some other derivative, you need to know the pharmacology;

GPhA is committed to offering members the best continuing education opportunities in the state.

Because we have members across the practice spectrum — independent and chain, health system and retail, new and seasoned — GPhA puts out a call

each year asking what topics they’re most in-terested in. Not surprisingly, members’ interests often mirror the latest news: CBD, hypertension, opioids, and so on. But there are also sugges-tions for topics that are less obvious — ideas that spring from pharmacists’ and techs’ daily experiences.

Using those submissions, along with their own experience and expertise, members of the

education

Learning process


PIC review: Be the best pharmacist-in-charge you can be;

Aromatherapy: Learn the science behind the scents;

Pharmacy tech spring conference: The debut of “Tech U,” a program created by the members of GPhA’s Academy of Pharmacy Technicians;

Pharmacy tech webinar series: “Future Trends and Top 30 Medications”: The popular program from Pedro Valentin and Frank Barnett comes to GPhA;

Emergency planning: From a flu pandemic to a biological attack, be prepared to be part of the response (especially if the CDC orders a mass dispensing);

More certificate programs!

CHAIR: Andi McKeeverAssociate Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Director of the Drug Information Center and Residency Program, South University School of Pharmacy

VICE CHAIR: Johnathan HamrickClinical Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Director of Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences,Mercer University College of Pharmacy

Shari AllenAssociate Professor of Pharmacy Practice,Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Pharmacy

Erin AvilesPharmacist and Patient Care Coordinator, Kroger

Amber BrackettPharmacist, Kroger

Bryce CarterPharmacist, Dunwoody Pharmacy

Sharon ClackumSenior Care-Consultant Pharmacist

Mike CrooksOpioid Safety and Pharmacy Interventions Technical Lead,Alliant Quality

Melanie DefuscoPharmacy Supervisor,Curant Health

Jake GaldoDirector of Performance Measurement,Pharmacy Quality Alliance

Kendra ManigaultMedical Science Liaison,Sanofi

Cara McCalleyPharmacy Director,Morgan Medical Center

Matthew PerriPharmacist, professor, and consultant,UGA College of Pharmacy

Ivy SimmonsDirector of Pharmacy,Liberty Regional

Lou WoodsClinical Pharmacist,The Pharmacy at Emory Midtown

Henry YoungClinical and Administrative Pharmacy Associate Professor,UGA College of Pharmacy

THE CPE COMMITTEE

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

GPhA tries to make its CE available in a variety of ways to best fit the different lifestyles of our mem-bers. Our most comprehensive group of courses is CPEasy — online webinars you can take from home (or wherever you have a decent Internet connection and can listen to the lecture). You’ll find them at GPhA.org/cpeasy, and we’re always adding new ones.

The largest concentration of live CE courses is, of course, at the annual Georgia Pharmacy Conven-tion, where you can easily get 10 or more hours of education over the four days of the event. For 2020, the convention is at the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, N.C., from June 18 to 21.

GPhA also offers a number of live classes in other locations, including its headquarters in Sandy Springs, at restaurants around the state as part of the spring and fall Regional Presidents’ Briefings, and even (for the first time) at an Atlanta Braves game!

FIND ALL GPHA’S EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AT GPHA.ORG/EDUCATION.

cover story

THE DEVASTATING TOLL OF OPIOIDS — AND THE IMPACT PHARMACISTS CAN MAKE

BY CHRISTY ROSELL

THE PERSONAL TOLL

Davis Owen died of an opioid overdose before his 21st birthday.

Opioids killed more than 47,000 people in 2017, according to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Using this data, the National Safety Council rearranged its cause of death report, now saying more people are likely to die in the United States from an opioid over-dose than gun violence or car accidents.

Pharmacists are the last people pa-tients hear from before taking an opioid. Read on to hear about how a person in long-term recovery, a mom who lost her son, an inventor, a certified preven-tion specialist, and two pharmacists are making a difference. While some are focused on recovery, they all agree that awareness can help stop addiction before it starts.



exercise equipment, and a lounge with ping pong, pool tables, and an Xbox. At some point, we were joined by a black lab named Oli, short for Olive, a sweet dog who provides emotional support to people at The Zone.

The biggest room was lined with chairs and couches for more than 34 different peer support groups as well as a yoga class for weekly sessions. Sarah mentioned that the newest group was for adolescents.

While the space is impressive, the sheer number of people who come to The Zone is eye-opening. The space bustles with people who are doing everything they can to recover and stay that way. There are people of every age and skin color. Professionals. Veterans. Homeless. They come together as a family to support each other in recovery for life.

“This place,” Sarah says, “helped me understand you could be social and sober.”

AN A+ OPIOID USER

On March 4th, 2014, Missy Owen’s doorbell rang.“The detectives told us that our precious son

had been found dead in his car,” Missy said. He had overdosed on heroin.

The oldest of five children, Davis Owen was Mis-sy’s tallest son. “He gave the best bear hugs ever,” she remembered. “My head fit right at his heart. He was a loving guy.”

At school, Davis was a leader. He was president of his senior class, an honor student, editor of the yearbook, a baseball player and wrestler. He gave the commencement speech at his graduation.

And like so many other people, Davis’s turn to opioids started with an injury.

“He had an accident where he had been rear-ended about a year before [his death],” Missy remembered. “He had his own prescription for opioids. He knew they made him feel good. He was really stressed out. He wasn’t sleeping well. He remembered how they made him feel and allowed him to rest, so he turned to the family medicine cabinet.”

Big statistics about death by opioids loom in newspapers, broadcast news, and documentaries. While they help shed light on the severity of the problem, they aren’t personal. To many people, the opioid crisis doesn’t feel like a crisis unless we are

personally affected by someone who is an addict — or worse, by someone we’ve lost.

To better understand opioid addiction, I drove to Marietta to take a tour of The Zone, a 21,000-square-foot community for people who are in substance abuse recovery.

Sarah Mangold, the program director, greeted me at the front desk. A tall, smiling professional woman in her 30s, she led me to what she called her favorite part of the building: a warm and inviting coffee shop with wood tables and chairs, Oriental rugs, and barn wood walls. Chalkboard signs invited me to buy a chai latte or espresso.

“My drugs of choice were prescription opioids, Xanax, heroin, meth. You name it. I did it,” said Sarah, wasting no time making the opioid crisis feel personal. “I was in and out of jail several times, but I never stayed for very long. I kept committing crimes and getting high with no real consequences.”

As her drug abuse escalated, she found herself in jail for an extended period of time. She remem-bered a visit by a woman who told her about The Zone, a place that would help her overcome her addiction. And that’s the first place Sarah went when she got out of jail. She found solace talking with people who understood her addiction and, like her, wanted a better life. Working in the coffee shop helped her discover her life’s purpose to over-come her addiction and to help others overcome theirs.

Sarah describes recovery as “long-term.” Rather than a one-time decision, she says, recovery is a choice that must be made every day for a lifetime.

Before I could reflect further on the lifelong dev-astation of opioids for survivors, Sarah hustled me down the hallway, reminding me that it’s import-ant to look forward, not back.

There were rooms for meeting with recovery coaches, peer-support specialists, as well as a chiropractor. A dental student provides services to people in recovery. Sarah opened the door to a bright and well-stocked arts and crafts room. Then a music room with drums, guitars, and a piano. There was an enviable gym with state-of-the-art

“PUT THE MEDICINE UNDER LOCK AND KEY, AS YOU WOULD A GUN.”


cover story

Eventually, when the painkillers ran out, he switched to heroin.

“There are so many times living with someone with an addiction that I questioned myself,” Missy remembered. “I know I had $20 in my pocket. Did I put it in my computer bag? There were so many times I questioned my sanity because I didn’t want to question my son.”

Soon after Davis died, Missy and her husband, Michael, founded the Davis Direction Foundation, a nonprofit focused on opioid addiction awareness. A few years later, their foundation financed the opening of The Zone in Marietta.

“We fight addiction and fuel recovery,” Missy said. “We do that by providing the resources and support that people in recovery need to stay in recovery. Our goal is to continually communicate

with people who are trying to be better. You may fall 500 times, but we’re here to teach you how to get back up.”

While it is based 20 miles north of Atlanta, the nonprofit helps people from all over the state.

“We’ve Lyfted people from Columbus,” Mis-sy said. “We’re open 365 days a year from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and we offer peer support by phone. If you need detox, we can get you there.”

Through a closed Davis Direction Facebook group of 10,000 members, the nonprofit has cre-ated a nationwide network to connect people to resources everywhere. Its work has been so successful that groups in 12 states have adopted the model.

For pharmacists interested in building opi-oid awareness and naloxone prescriptions into their pharmacy workflows, Emory’s Christa Russie offers these tips:

1. Get technicians involved. “We had everyone do a CE so they could speak to the patients if they had a question. Tech-nicians are typically the staff that identify candidates and inform them of the nalox-one prescription. They get the pharmacists involved to counsel the patients.”

2 .Identify candidates for opioid awareness and naloxone. “Our quali-fications are not completely set in stone. We use discretion. For example, we look to see if it’s a maintenance medication — a long-acting pain medication like a fentanyl patch or oxycontin — or a short-acting medication like valium that could potenti-ate side effects.”

3. Process the naloxone with the pre-scription. “When we identify a candidate for naloxone, we process naloxone with

their insurance under [Georgia’s] standing order protocol. We saw other workflows where they told the patient [when picking up their first prescription] and then the patient had to wait while they processed the naloxone. Here we have the naloxone ready at the same time. We get it prepared and attach an information sheet to the bag, which triggers technicians to ask if patients are interested in learning more. Having it ready with the rest of the pre-scription is what has made it so successful here. Two-thirds of patients have accepted it. That breaks down to one to two a day.”

4. Make it easy to use. “We prefer to prescribe nasal spray, but Medicaid covers injectables that we convert to nasal spray. We have counseling devices: a Narcan spraying device and one of our naloxone syringes and an atomizer that goes with syringe to show them how to use it. We also provide a flyer.”

5. Be sensitive. “When we council patients, we talk to them about it in terms

of safety and prevention, not about them developing an addiction. A prescription is meant to be therapeutic for a patient. We liken it to having an EpiPen if you have an allergy or glucose tabs for diabetic patients. We sometimes share stories, like one about a patient who had taken an old medicine and new medicine by accident when switching medicines. Her daughter found her and had to call 9-1-1. Another patient’s child got into her medication. We’ve found that sharing these stories and educating about the life-saving effects of naloxone gives patients peace of mind.”

6. Revisit patients who reject pre-scriptions later in the year. “We keep a list of reasons of denial. Most of the time, the prescription is free or low-cost and patients don’t have the financial reason to say no. At the beginning of the year, de-ductibles aren’t met so some patients may reject the prescription because there is a cost. Later in the year, we will re-discuss with these patients because they will have probably met their deductible.”

TO-DO LIST


prescription opioids.“Pharmacists are the gatekeepers, the trusted

sources regarding medicine,” he said. “I plead with you, when dispensing these controlled substances, please advise Georgia citizens to put the medicine under lock and key, as you would a gun.”

An International Certified Prevention Special-ist, John has counseled and learned from many people who have misused opioids and become ad-dicted over the years. Compounding the problem is the simple fact that getting the drugs is easy; he’s seen estimates ranging from 70 to 90 percent

THE DEADLIEST THING

In her office at The Zone, Missy pressed a packet into my hand — it was like one of those small plas-tic packets you get when you buy fresh flowers. “DisposeRx” said the wrapper.

“When you’re done with your painkillers, you pour the powder in the bottle, fill the bottle two-thirds with water, put the cap back on and shake vigorously,” Missy said, emphasizing the word ‘vigorously.’ “It turns the [remaining] opioids into a gel and deactivates the ingredients.”

She noted that Walgreens has made a commit-ment to give these packets away for free with ev-ery opioid prescription where lockboxes or other safe disposal alternatives are not readily available.

“I think every pharmacist in the U.S., when filling an opioid prescription, should give Dispos-eRx and ask if the patient has access to Narcan,” she said. “It opens the lines of communication to understand that what you have in your hands is the deadliest thing.”

An alternative: prescription drop boxes. “In Georgia, we’re very blessed because we have almost 300 drop boxes that are in operation 24 hours, seven days a week,” said John Bringuel, the statewide project director for the Geor-gia Prescription Drug Abuse Preven-tion Initiative. Finding one is simply a matter of going to a website: PrescriptionDrugDisposal.com.

John’s employer, the Council on Alco-hol and Drugs, is a non-profit preven-tion provider in Georgia. It gave him $100,000 to provide every sheriff in the state with at least one drug drop box. Today, every Georgia county but four has at least one drop box.

“Mark out your name on the bottle [and] what kind of drug is in the bottle, and dispose of them in the drug drop box,” he said. “It is as simple as that. No questions asked. It’s like dropping a piece of mail in the mailbox.”

EASY ACCESS

John also sees opportunities for pharmacists to make a significant difference in the misuse and abuse of

Alliance for Patient Medication Safety is a federally listed Patient Safety Organization (PSO)www.medicationsafety.org | [email protected] | (866)365-7472

Mistakeshappen.Team up with us to reduce risks in your pharmacy.

“THEY DON’T HAVE TO GO TO A DRUG DEALER; THEY GO TO GRANDMA’S OR A FRIEND’S HOUSE.”


of people who get ahold of prescriptions find them unlocked and unsecured in someone’s house.

“Youth will tell you that they don’t have to go to a drug dealer; they go to grandma’s or a friend’s house,” he said. “They rarely ever take the entire bottle of pills or from a bottle that’s almost empty. They’ll take them out of the bottles that have more than 20 pills because the person prescribed them will not realize they are gone until later.”

Security doesn’t have to be complicated. People can use secure devices they already have, such as gun safes or in-home fire boxes. Retail outlets, including pharmacies, have begun to sell medicine safes as well. “These safes sell for $30 to $35 and they wholesale around $10,” John said.

WORKING OPIOID AWARENESS (AND NALOXONE) INTO THE WORKFLOW

In 2017, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal signed a law that expanded access to naloxone to fight the opi-oid epidemic. The Georgia Board of Pharmacy re-moved naloxone from the dangerous drug list and rescheduled it as a Schedule V exempt drug. At the same time, Deal directed the Department of Public Health to issue a standing order to allow naloxone to be dispensed over-the-counter by pharmacists across the state without a prescription. (More info at GPhA.org/naloxone.)

Lead pharmacists Lou Woods and Christa Russie at The Pharmacy at Emory Midtown were convinced of the impact their pharmacy could make with patients getting opioid prescriptions. Their passion for patients was clear. What was unclear was how to approach making something as important as naloxone part of the workflow so it wasn’t overlooked. What they found is that patients are receptive if it’s approached in an edu-cational and compassionate way.

“We dispense a large number of narcotics be-cause of Emory’s Winship Cancer Institute, a lot of sickle-cell patients who require a large amount of medications to prevent potential crises as well as surgeries,” Lou said. Some of those doses were pretty high. “But they actually need it,” he said. “For me, being able to destigmatize talking about opioid risk and Narcan with patients made me feel better. We are in such a unique position to help patients.”

Of course, concerns popped up along the way. One question: If you purchase naloxone in case you need to help someone else (which is allowed by law), is it insurance fraud if it is billed to your insurance? Lou and Christa spoke to Medicaid to get clarification. “The answer: No it’s not,” Lou said.

To keep everything consistent, changes would need to be made to the workflow. Lou and Christa spent several months creating a process-driven approach, with new policies and staff training, plus collateral such as SOPs, prescription templates, and flyers.

They rolled out the program in March of 2019 at their midtown location. They prescribed naloxone to 99 patients that first month.

“Most everyone was very receptive of us being able to provide that for them,” Lou said. “Patients were very excited — a lot of them had heard about it but they didn’t know how to attain it.”

cover story

ARE YOU A CHAMPION FOR OPIOID SAFETY? If you’re a pharmacist interested in working opioid education into your workflow, GPhA recently launched a free Foundations of Opioid Safety educational opportunity. Learn more at GPhA.org/opioidsafety.The Georgia Pharmacy Foundation launched a program to recognize Georgia pharmacists who go above and beyond to serve their communities.

Pharmacists are the last line of defense against opioid abuse, explained Mike Crooks, a foundation board member and opioid safety and pharmacy interventions technical lead with Alliant Healthcare. He works closely with pharmacists across the state on the issue. And as a foundation board member, Mike is leading the effort to help pharmacists talk to patients about opioid risk, storage, and disposal. A two-minute conversation, he says, can potentially save a life.

The Foundations of Opioid Safety program provides a path for pharmacy teams to implement an opioid safety program and seamlessly integrate it into the workflow.

When you complete the program, you’ll earn CEs and be named a Foundations of Opioid Safety Champion. It’s more than a line on your résumé or CV —- its means you’ll be part of the Foundation’s Champions Network, with access to resources, news, information, and the latest best practices.

Get started now: GPhA.org/opioidsafety.


Their health system’s senior leadership was also on board. “Our immediate supervisor is really enthusiastic about this,” Lou said. “Our leadership wants us to go the extra mile to help our patients.”

Following Lou and Christa’s success, Emory plans to roll this program out at least one of its other pharmacies.

“This is a relatively easy thing to do to make a difference for our patients,” Christa said. “We have an opportunity to save a life.”

Christy Rosell is a freelance writer and owner of ClearWing Communications, a content shop in the Atlanta metro area that serves organizations making the world a better place.

RESOURCE LIST FOR PHARMACISTS & PHARMACY TECHSGeorgia Pharmacy Foundation Champions of Opioid Safety: GPha.org/opioidsafety

Alliant Quality Opioid Safety and Pharmacy Interventions program: alliantquality.org

Dispose RX (single-use disposal packets): disposerx.com

Georgia prescription drug disposal locations: prescriptiondrugdisposal.com or stoprxabuseinga.org

SAFE STORAGEPersonal medicine safes: drugfreeworkplacestore.com

AWARENESS AND RECOVERYDavis Direction Foundation: davisdirection.com

The Zone Georgia: thezonegeorgia.com or (770) 693-5982

Georgia Crisis Access Line: dbhdd.georgia.gov/access-services or (800) 715-4225

Opioid Treatment Providers of Georgia: otpgeorgia.org or (770) 840-9912

Helpline for Georgia Substance Abuse: (800) 338-6745

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Partner with

Purple

GA-P-0106a-V.2

CareSource is the only non-profit managed care plan to provide services to Georgia Medicaid, PeachCare for Kids® and Planning for Healthy Babies enrollees who receive services through the Georgia Families® program. We bring innovative thinking and services to health partners and members. Find out more about us.

Let’s talk! (855) 202-1058 [email protected]

“WE ARE IN SUCH A UNIQUE POSITION TO HELP PATIENTS.”


INVESTING IN PHARMPAC IS INVESTING IN YOUR PRACTICE.

The following pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, students,and others have joined GPhA’s PharmPAC for the 2019 calendar year.

The contribution levels are based on investment through September 15, 2019.

Diamond Investors ($4,800 or $400/month)

Titanium Investors ($2,400 or $200/month)

FRED SHARPEAlbany

SCOTT MEEKSDouglas

CHARLES BARNESValdosta

MAC McCORDAtlanta

RALPH BALCHINFayetteville

2019 PHARMPAC INVESTORS

BRANDALL LOVVORNBremen

DAVID GRAVESMacon

LON LEWISSt. Simons Island

TOMMY LINDSEYOmega

MICHAEL E. FARMERWinder

HELP US REACH OUR GOAL FOR 2019!Visit GPhA.org/PharmPAC to find out more.

$0 $130,000

$85,142.50*Goal:

$130,000

*As of September 15, 2019

TED M. HUNTDallas


TOMMY E. BRYAN WILLIAM G. CAGLE HUGH M. CHANCY GEORGE CHAPMAN KEITH E. CHAPMAN DALE M. COKER W. C. CONLEY BEN D. CRAVEY BLAKE DANIEL AL DIXON LEE JACK DUNN NEAL FLORENCE VIC L. JOHNSON MARSHA C. KAPILOFF IRA KATZ JEFF LUREY JONATHAN G. MARQUESS

IVEY BROGDON MCCURDY AMY W. MILLER DREW MILLER CASSIE RILEY HOUSTON LEE ROGERS JOHN DAVID DAVID SANDLIN TIM SHORT TERESA FUTCH SMITH CARL L. STANLEY DENNIS H. STRICKLAND MICHAEL T. TARRANT CFP CHRISTOPHER R. THURMOND DANNY A. TOTH ALEX TUCKER THOMAS H. WHITWORTH

Platinum Investors ($1,200 or $100/month)

Silver Investors ($300 or $25/month) Nelson Anglin Michael Azzolin Mark T. Barnes Claude W. Bates Jeffery Bray James M. Carpenter Michael A. Crooks Ed Stevens Dozier

Greg A. Drake Marshall L. Frost Hannah Head Joe Ed Holt Jason Jones Susan M. Kane Willie O. Latch Michael Lewis Ashley London Earl Marbut Hilary Jack Mbadugha

Donald Piela Yolanda Leshon Rivers Terry Donald Shaw Thomas Thomas Sherrer Jonathan L. Sinyard Renee D. Smith Richard Brian Smith Marie Tomblin Austin B Tull Carla Elizabeth Woodall

Bronze Investors ($150 or $12.50/month)

Phil Barfield Ashlyn Carter Bryce Carter Matthew Crist Michelle Cruson Douglas W. HallLarry Harkleroad

Phillip R. James Joshua D. Kinsey Brenton Lake Rabun Wiley Neves Victor Serafy Lou Woods

Gold Investors ($600 or $50/month)

JAMES W. BARTLING NICHOLAS O. BLAND LANCE P. BOLES JREFFERY BRAY WILLIAM FLEMING BREWSTER LIZA G. CHAPMAN MAHLON DAVIDSON SHARON DEASON BENJAMIN KEITH DUPREE JAMES GORDON ELROD KEVIN FLORENCE KERRY A. GRIFFIN JOHNATHAN HAMRICK ROBERT M. HATTON MICHAEL O. ITEOGU JASON JONES STEPHANIE W. KIRKLAND

LAURA KO GEORGE LAUNIUS EUGENE CARTER MCDONALD ROBERT B. MOODY SHERRI S. MOODY SUJAL PATEL BILL LEE PRATHER OLA REFFELL DARYL GORDON REYNOLDS ROBERT ANDY ROGERS SHARON MILLS SHERRER DAVID STANLEY JAMES N. THOMAS WILLIAM H TURNER CHUCK WILSON HENRY DALLAS WILSON III

PUT THE POWER OF A NETWORK BEHIND YOU

800-965-EPIC | EPICRX.COM

We Deliver Solutions fora Healthier Bottom Line

EPIC Pharmacies, Inc. provides more than 1,500 independent member pharmacies across the U.S. with the group buying power and managed care solutions essential to delivering quality patient care.

Membership o�ers:

• Group volume purchasing power• Aggressive wholesaler pricing programs• Successful rebate program - $30.8 million returned to members in 2018• EPIC Pharmacy Network, Inc. (EPN) membership fee included at no cost – access to third-party contracts• Clinical services tools, including expert assistance from our in-house pharmacist and access to custom PrescribeWellness o�erings and EQuIPPTM

• – free third-party claims reconciliation program and automated reimbursements below cost system

• – Web-based solution for pharmacy regulatory and compliance management

Georgia Pharmacy 22 October/November2019

Keep in touch

contact

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For questions about education or the Georgia Pharmacy FoundationTeresa Tatum Director of Education & Foundation Director (404) [email protected]

For questions about the GPhA board or governance policiesMerrily Bennett Executive Assistant and Governance Manager (404) 419-8173 [email protected]

For questions about governmental affairsGreg Reybold Vice President of Public Policy(404) [email protected]

For questions or comments about e-mail, websites, social media, or this magazineAndrew Kantor Director of Communication [email protected]

For questions about advertising, insurance products, or operational or accounting issues:Kenna LittleVice President of Finance &Administration(404) [email protected]

Patricia Aguilar Accounting Coordinator (404) 419-8124 [email protected]

For membership questions Mary Ritchie Director of Membership Operations (404) 419-8115 [email protected]

For assistance with independent-pharmacy issuesJeff Lurey, R.Ph. VP of Independent Pharmacy (404) 419-8103 [email protected]

For questions about your AIP membershipVerouschka “V” Betancourt-Whigham Manager of AIP Member Services (404) 419-8102 [email protected]

AIP Member Service RepresentativesRhonda Bonner (229) 854-2797 [email protected]

Charles Boone (478) [email protected]

Melissa Reybold (678) 485-6126 [email protected]

Gene Smith (423) [email protected]

REACH US AT 404.231.5074 OR GPhA.ORG

GPhA LEADERSHIPPresident & Chair of the BoardCHRIS THURMOND, [email protected] President-Elect WES CHAPMAN [email protected]

Immediate Past PresidentTIM SHORT, [email protected]

DirectorsASHISH [email protected]

MAHLON DAVIDSON [email protected]

KEVIN [email protected]

JOE ED [email protected]

ASHLEY [email protected]

AMY [email protected]

FRED [email protected]

JONATHAN [email protected]

Chief Executive OfficerBOB [email protected]

Got a concern about a GPhA program or service? Want to compliment or complain?Drop a note to [email protected].

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GPhA’S MEMBER SERVICE PARTNERS

Alliance for Patient Medication Safetymedicationsafety.orgQuality assurance compliance resources(866) 365-7472

InfiniTrakinfinitrak.usTrack and trace compliance software(844) 464-4641

Pharmacy Technician Certification Boardptcb.org(800) 363-8012

SoFisofi.com/gphaStudent-loan refinancing(855) 456-7634


had the time to find it myself.Enter the beautiful concept of continuing

education. Mandated for license renewal, but so much more than that. It is the simplest way to remind yourself of what you may have forgot-ten, and to expand your knowledge base. I gen-erally get more than 40 hours of CE each year, not counting the ones without official credit. Granted, I am not normal — tell me something that I, or anyone familiar with me, doesn’t al-ready know — but I encourage you to continue to expand your pharmacy knowledge. You and your patients will appreciate it.

Education happens to be one of the pillars of GPhA, and we have a top-notch group of dedi-cated members (the CPE Advisory Committee) charged to “provide high-quality, evidence-based educational activities that are responsive to GPhA member interests and needs; accessible to all parts of the state; taught by pharmacy professionals and other recognized experts in formats that are attractive to adult learners; designed to improve the lives of patients and practice of pharmacy in all of its settings.” This committee fulfills its charge well, and if you have an interest, it’s a great opportunity to get involved in GPhA.

The quality educational opportunities are so much more than convention (although those are truly amazing). Currently the association is offering Compounding Deep Dive; certificate programs in diabetes, immunizations, MTM, and point-of-care testing; not to mention the CPEasy on-demand courses available. Add in Region President’s Meetings and legislative updates, and we too often forget how valuable our GPhA membership truly is. Make sure you tell your colleagues how great these courses are and how they too should be members of GPhA. Remember, together we are better, together we are stronger.

Chris Thurmond is GPhA’s 2019–2020 president and owner of Village Drug Shop of Athens. Write to him at [email protected].

Why did you want to be a pharmacist? My journey into pharmacy was some-what non-linear. While an economics major at Van-derbilt University, I had planned on entering the financial world — think Gordon Gekko from Wall

Street. I vividly remember donning my busi-ness suit, grabbing my leather-bound portfolio, and heading to an official job fair on campus. Handing out my résumé and speaking with the recruiters, I quickly came to a frightening revelation — I would be miserable in a suit and tie every day. Ruh-roh.

I went back and made the decision to go to medical school. Great plan ... until medical schools decided they didn’t want me. (I was wait-listed three years in a row.) Now pharma-cy had always been an option; my father was a pharmacist. I made the decision to apply to both pharmacy and medical school. When I got into pharmacy school — and was wait-listed at medical school for the third time — I made the decision to go to there. (Does anyone else get the feeling that these “decisions” may not have fully been mine? And did I mention that my pharmacy journey was somewhat non-linear?)

All of this is to say that pharmacy was not my initial passion. However, after my first year of pharmacy school I knew I was in the right place. Pharmacy was the career I was always meant for.

I was a pretty good student in school, and I enjoyed using the knowledge I received in class to better understand how and why certain medications worked. After graduation, I sought out articles and textbooks that I thought would help in my continued educational growth. But enter work, church, wife, kids, and thousands of obligations, and my dedicated time for seeking out educational opportunities diminished. I still wanted that great depth of knowledge for myself and my patients, but found I no longer

The winding road of knowledge

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CHRIS THURMOND

POSTSCRIPT

From the President


the back page

Dried-toad secretions: Once is enoughA single inhalation of dried-toad secretions could give you “sustained enhancement of satisfaction with life, mindfulness-related capacities, and a decrement of psycho-pathological symptoms” finds a study in the journal Psychopharmacology — but only if it was the right kind of dried toad. Obviously.

Why don’t you just stay home with us, dear?A study out of UGA finds that teens who don’t date “are less depressed and have better social skills.”

Non-dating students had similar or better interpersonal skills than their more frequently dating peers. While the scores of self-reported positive rela-tionships with friends, at home, and at school did not differ between dating and non-dating peers, teachers rated the non-dating students significantly higher for social skills and leadership skills than their dating peers.

BY ANDREW KANTOR

“Therapeutic medical gas”People who invested in “molecular hydrogen” water machines, which they believe can cure heart problems, muscle pain, autism, concussions, depressions, lupus, and more, are shocked — shocked! — to find that this ‘health miracle’ is far, far from miraculous. They’re suing Trusii over faulty machines, high-interest loans, and broken promises.

As CNBC put it, despite all the health claims folks heard on social media, “Trusii op-erates in the largely unregulated $40 billion-a-year U.S. market for dietary supplements, where pseudoscience and bogus assertions are rampant.”

Look at my zits!If you’ve got teenage patients/customers with acne, one company thinks they ought to draw attention to their spots rather than try to cover them up — while healing them at the same time. Hydro-Stars are made from the same stuff as surgical dressing, but they’re bright yellow stars designed to draw attention to the zits healing underneath. We wish the company luck with that strategy.

Committed to providing you the

Workers’ Compensation Coverage You Deserve!

• Dividend opportunities for eligible participating members

• Superior claims handling

• Personal customer service representative

• Access to Safetysurance.com, a virtual library that delivers theaccident-prevention and safety information you need to improve yourdaily operations

Georgia Pharmacy Association has built a valuable relationship with AmeriTrust Group, Inc. formerly Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc. who can provide you a competitive, no obligation workers’ compensation insurance quote.

GPhA Member Benefits Include:

Edition Date: 07/2018

Kenna Little | Georgia Pharmacy Association | P (404) 419-8129 F (404) 237-8435

Contact Kenna Little at GPhA today to get started.

10% dividend paid to eligible GPhA members for the past 5 years!

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Tomorrow.Imagine That.

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Pharmacy Insurance

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6065 Barfield Road NE | Suite 100 Sandy Springs, GA 30328

For more information, visit GPhA.org or call Verouschka Betancourt-Whigham at (404) 419-8102

No other state association in the country has an organization like the Georgia Pharmacy Association’s Academy of Independent Pharmacy. We are proud to represent our members and our profession!

They get help4 Help working with Medicare and

Medicaid

4 Help with audit relief

4 Help with MAC appeals

4 Help buying and selling a pharmacy

They get connections4 Connections to other independent

pharmacies throughout the state

4 Partnerships with OTC and nutritional supplement companies

4 A chance to learn and network at AIP’s fall and spring statewide meetings

4 Access to telehealth and chronic care management resources through CriticalKey

They get benefits4 Audit relief (AIP efforts saved members more

than $320,000)

4 Services specifically for compounding pharmacies

4 Free business consultations with pharmacy experts

4 Access to the comprehensive AIP Pharmacy Manual, which offers extensive material about buying, selling, and managing a pharmacy — including information about regulatory issues and agencies

AIP MEMBERS GET IT

With AIP, independent never means alone.

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