RxPatrol

Written by Michael A. Jackson
Friday, 30 January 2009 20:14

Consider the following:

Since June of 2008, RxPATROL is credited with 56 arrests for pharmacy crimes.

Last Updated (Friday, 30 January 2009 21:59)

Methamphetamine Training Resource

Written by Michael A. Jackson
Wednesday, 24 December 2008 12:28

Required Training for Retailers of Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine and Phenylpropranolamine

The Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 (Title VII of the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005, P.L. 109-177) was signed into law March 9, 2006. All changes went into effect on March 9, 2006, (date the legislation was signed). The Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act primarily affect persons selling products containing the List I chemicals ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine.  This act directs businesses to train staff and certify with the Federal goverment that this training has taken place.  The Office of Diversion Control on the DEA website.

DEA has developed training materials regarding self-certification training for regulated sellers of non-prescription drug products containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine as required by the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005.  You can download those training materials from the above web site link.  We understand this there may be a requirement for training to take place on an annual basis along with the obligation to recertify with the U.S. Department of Justice

Self-Certification and Training

(1) Seller must self-certify to the Attorney General that each individual who is responsible for delivering such products into the custody of purchasers, or who deals directly with purchasers by obtaining payment for the products, has undergone training provided by the seller to ensure that the individual understands the requirements that apply to the sale of these products.

(2) Regulated seller may not sell any scheduled listed chemical product at retail unless the self-certification has been submitted to the Attorney General.

(3) Seller must maintain a copy of such self-certification and records demonstrating that individuals have undergone such training.

(4) The certification is not effective unless, in addition to provisions regarding the training of individuals, the certification includes a statement that the seller understands each of the requirements regarding transactional limits, blister-packs, "behind the counter" placement, photo identification, and logbook also apply and agrees to comply with the requirements.

(5) The Attorney General will issue regulations to establish the criteria for self-certifications and employee training. Separate certification is required for each place of business at which a regulated seller sells such products at retail.

(6) The Attorney General will establish a program that will:

(a) be carried out through an Internet site of the Department of Justice;

(b) inform regulated sellers that 18 U.S.C. § 1001 applies to such certifications;

(c) make available to sellers the criteria for certification and training;

(d) be designed to permit submission of certifications through the Internet site; and

(e) be designed to automatically provide the explanation of the criteria for certification and training and an acknowledgment that the Department of Justice has received a certification, without requiring direct interaction of regulated sellers with staff of the Department of Justice.

(7) Copies of certifications shall be made available to appropriate State and local officials.

Last Updated (Monday, 29 November 1999 19:00)

2008 Legislative Program

Written by Michael A. Jackson
Sunday, 28 September 2008 20:10

The FPA advocacy program for the 2008 legislative session included a review of pharmacist technician regulations, requirements for pharmacists to dispense contraceptive products and restrictions on pharmacists ability to enterchange generic drugs.  Also included in this year's session was a significant revision on licensure transfer regulations for pharmacists wishing to practice in this state.

The Association will be conducting several law conferences to recap all of these activities.  Visit our "Upcoming CE Conferences" section of our web site for more information.

Alex Pytlarz, Legislative Committee Chair
Michael Jackson, R.Ph. Executive Vice President and CEO

Last Updated (Sunday, 28 September 2008 20:37)

2006 FPA Legislative Program

Written by Michael A. Jackson
Monday, 10 March 2008 16:31

2006 FPA Legislative Program

The FPA legislative committee restructured its advocacy efforts for the 2005-2006 legislative year. Members of the committee under the guidance of co-chairs Theresa Tolle and Nick Generalovich met several times to put together the Association's action plan. Included in the action plan was defining and prioritizing our work product. The committee identified three major areas for focusing our advocacy efforts. Within each of the three focus areas, the Association identified specific action goals for its advocacy program. These three major focus areas and the specific action items within each area are as follows:

Priority 1 - Advance & Protect Business of Pharmacy with Special Focus on Unique Needs of the Independent Pharmacy.

Enhance pharmacist reimbursement from any Third Party Payer - Including, but not limited to, Medicare, Medicaid, Pharmacy Benefit Managers, Managed Care, Insurers, etc.

• Pass legislation regulating Pharmacy Benefit Managers.
• Pass appropriations legislation authorizing state-provided supplemental share of costs for those who need it.
• Pass appropriations legislation funding reimbursement enhancements for additional professional services (esp. drug utilization review in the form of the FPA Quality Related Event Project).
• Maintain/Secure access for participation by "any willing provider."

Priority 2 - Advance & Protect the Practice and Profession of Pharmacy.

• Pass legislation allowing properly-trained, willing Florida pharmacists to immunize patients for the flu pursuant to a written protocol with a physician.
• Support regulation of pharmacy technicians (certification or registration) and maintain existing pharmacy-technician ratio limits.
• Support licensure by endorsement statute from sunset without expansion or anything other than technical clarifications.
• Protect patients from dangerous prescribing & dispensing practices and support training requirements for prescriber's assistants.
• Protect pharmacy from jumping through even more unnecessary, redundant or non-reimbursed regulatory hurdles.

Priority 3 - Ameliorate Regulatory Burdens on Pharmacy

• Monitor & support pedigree paper tolling legislation.
• Monitor e-prescribing and electronic medical records legislation
• Monitor controlled substance monitoring database initiatives.
• Monitor prescription legibility legislation potential modifications and clarifications.
• Monitor modifications and clarifications to methamphetamine abuse prevention legislation.

Our designated governmental affairs consultant and legislative counsel, Lori Weems, has worked tirelessly with Association staff and leadership to help build coalitions, support or oppose issues that impact the practice of the profession of pharmacy and monitor regulatory changes that our members need to be aware of. The table of contents has links to a summary of several of the many issues that were either monitored or advocated by Association advocates.

Read more: 2006 FPA Legislative Program

Last Updated (Wednesday, 11 June 2008 11:35)