A Message from the President
ASCP News
- Leaders Meet for Strategic Planning
- Register Now for Geriatrics '08, ASCP's 30th Midyear Conference and Exhibition
- Educational Workshops Help You Advance
- ASCP Offers New Audioconferences on Depression/Anxiety and Epilepsy/Seizures
- What’s in The Consultant Pharmacist
- The Consultant Pharmacist Wants Your Manuscripts!
- Call for Proposals for Annual Meeting: Deadline March 17
Senior Care Advocate, ASCP’s Policy and Advocacy News,
sponsored by sanofi-aventis
- ASCP Comments on CMS Draft Call Letter to Medicare Part D Plans for 2009
- ASCP Comments on CMS ePrescribing Standards
- CMS Releases Information About Filing ESA Claims
- Organizations Propose Long-Term Care Financing Reform
Commission for Certification in Geriatric Pharmacy
ASCP Foundation
- February 15 Deadline for Leadership in Education Award Nomination
- New Geriatric Pharmacotherapy Blog Established
- 2008 Tim Webster Classic Golf Tournament Set for May 13
A Message from the President
We Are Listening@ascp.com for Your Feedback
Have you ever wondered in what direction the Society is moving, or if your particular area of interest was of interest to ASCP? Have you ever wanted to know what the “big picture" is, or even what may be in store for the next few years? If you have ever had the notion that "ASCP should be involved," then listen up.
This year, the leadership of the organization, including the Executive Committee, Board of Directors, leadership group chairs, and staff will be developing ASCP’s strategic plan for 2009–2011. We need to hear from you! What are your thoughts about the direction of the consultant and senior care pharmacy industry and of ASCP?
There is no doubt that the landscape around us is changing, and will continue to shift in significant ways during the next three years. We all sense those shifts and have our opinions as to where things may be headed.
Many pharmaceutical manufacturers are chasing the next big thing in their research and development pipelines while patents will be expiring on many of their primary products in the next three years. This will impact their ability to support grant-funded education programs and activities of many professional organizations.
Demand for qualified pharmacists to provide pharmaceutical care services is increasing as the value of these services continues to be realized. Innovations in technology have created opportunities for long-term care pharmacies to provide services in new, different, and more cost effective ways. Payers are scrutinizing their costs for drugs and continue to exert downward pressure on both prescription drug reimbursement and compliance audits.
How do you think these or other industry forces impact our practices and our businesses? You are out there in the thick of it dealing with these and other issues each day. ASCP has an excellent track record of being in front of key developments and providing a strong voice for issues related to pharmaceutical care for the nation’s seniors. We intend to strengthen our ability to respond by adding your input to the ideas of the leadership of the Society this year as we develop our next strategic plan.
I ask that you invest a few minutes of your time to contribute your ideas. Go to www.ascp.com and click on "In Search of Feedback: send your thoughts and ideas on the future of the Society to ASCP Leaders." There you will find the page designed to gather your input. Give us your thoughts in the general areas listed and we will incorporate them into the planning process. The Board of Directors and I have been impressed with how much has been accomplished in the past. Let us hear from you—we’re Listening@ascp.com.Lee Meyer, PharmD, CGP
ASCP News
Leaders Meet for Strategic Planning
Five of ASCP's leadership groups met January 25–27 in Alexandria, Virginia. Here are highlights of what was discussed:
Chapters Council
Chair Michael Kopcho said the council worked on:
- Promoting student membership and developing a strategy for making the ASCP membership more valuable to them
- Identifying potential members who would volunteer to visit pharmacy schools and help educate students about consultant and senior care pharmacy
- Discussing participation in state pharmacy board sessions and revising ASCP membership surveys
Chapters Council, front, left to right: Jerry Roesener, Greg D'Amour, Rebecca Wright, Mike Kopcho (chair), Debbie Furman (staff liaison); center, left to right: Kathy White, Stan Spoon, Prakash Toke, Phil Wizwer, Janet Dallman, Huda Cotta-Dethlefs, Katherine Anderson, Sandra Leung, Cheryl Rothbart (staff liaison); back, left to right: Joe Marek, Sr., Jan Pizzolanti, Herb Fechter, Holly Infante,Mickey Glasco (board liaison), Julie Caler, Garrett Huxall, Kayla Kosel
Education Advisory Committee
Chair Sharon Clackum said tasks by the committee included:
- Preparing for ASCP's midyear conference in May
- Designing a new needs assessment survey for educational programs so it is shorter and quicker for a better response
- Discussing Berman/Archambault award nominations
- Planning for the Annual annual meeting in November
Education Advisory Committee, front, left to right: Candace M. Jordan, Debbie Bieber, Sharon F. Clackum (chair), Jeannine Guenther, Janice Hoffman, Jessilyn Dechevalier (staff liaison), Amie Taggart Blaszczyk; back, left to right: Trish D'Antonio (staff liaison), Harlan Martin, Thom Whitledge, James R. Byars (board liaison), Marek Kolodziej
Partners Task Force
Partners Task Force, from left to right: Lisa Alaoui (staff liaison), Bonnie Spiers, Diana Quach, Robert Warnock, Lynn Shipp (chair), Arnie Cammeyer (past president), Dan Sanders, Jag Khatter, Brian Parrish, Jackie Hajji (staff liaison), Martha Little (board liaison)
Chair Lynn Williams Shipp (past president) reported the group discussed ways to enhance the partnership between ASCP and industry, such as:
- Implementing an Exhibit ambassador program, in which the leaders survey and thank exhibitors for their presence at ASCP meetings, and build stronger relationships with our industry partners
- Creating a “leave behind” piece, which helps industry identify the benefits of partnership with ASCP
- Updating the industry area of ASCP.com to make it more appealing to industry partners
Pharmacy Operations Task Force
Chair Alexander Pytlarz said the group had engaging discussions about many pharmacy operations “day-to-day” issues, including the future implementation of health information technology and electronic health records. The group also talked about:
- Policy statements related to automation and fraud and abuse issues
- Drug Enforcement Administration and National Association of Boards of Pharmacy issues
- What ASCP can do for pharmacists and technicians involved in dispensing, and new graduates
- Return and reuse of unused medications
Pharmacy Operations Task Force, front row, left to right: Stephanie Spence (staff liaison), Leah Tolliver, Carla McSpadden (staff liaison); back row, left to right, Rod Halbert, Jim Hancock, David Peat, Alex Pytlarz (chair), Bill Fitzpatrick, Vince Galletta (board liaison)
Senior Care Pharmacy Task Force
Chair Hedva Levy said the task force discussed senior care pharmacy practice outside the nursing facility. Topics included:
- Creating a polished brochure, postcards, and fliers for each long-term care setting
- Recommending how to improve SeniorCarePharmacist.com
- Creating templates and copy for marketing pieces, (e.g., brochure, flyer), that senior care pharmacists could adapt to their practices
- Reorganizing the public relations resources on ASCP.com and promoting them to members
- Reviewing ASCP's Developing a Senior Care Pharmacy Practice: Your Guide and Tools for Success and make recommendations for enhancements
Senior Care Pharmacy Task Force, left to right: Dianne Tobias (past president), Ken Tuell, Jane Lee, Hedva Levy (chair), Linda Williams (staff liaison), Penny Shelton (board liaison), Diane Layton, Mary Ann Zagaria, Phylliss Moret (staff liaison), Amy DeWein
Register Now for Geriatrics '08, ASCP's 30th Midyear Conference and Exhibition
Invest in your future by attending Geriatrics ’08, ASCP’s 30th Midyear Conference and Exhibition, May 14–16, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. Geriatrics '08 features exclusive programming designed to enhance your clinical skills and professional expertise. Registration is now open. Register by March 31 and save $100! Register online and save $15. Program details are updated regularly at http://www.ascp.com/education/meetings/2008/midyear/. Act now and save!
Keynote Speaker: Looking at Health Care from a Caregiver’s Perspective
Bestselling author and lecturer Gail Sheehy, the author of Passages, will deliver the keynote address at the Opening General Session, May 14. An icon of Baby Boomers, Sheehy now looks to help a generation navigate the emotional and practical sides of the caregiver role. Described as “America’s most therapeutic journalist” and known for her writing “a road map of adult life,” Sheehy will share her personal passage to family caregiver for her husband. It is a tale both cautionary and inspirational.
Educational Workshops Help You Advance
Programming at Geriatrics '08 is designed to help you enhance your clinical expertise, keep you informed of regulatory issues, and strengthen your business and management skills. The sessions also will address the many facets and changes occurring in care for the elderly that affect your everyday practice. Nationally recognized experts will provide you with practical applications you can use immediately and share with your colleagues. In addition, educational workshops will be held on May 12–13 in conjunction with Geriatrics '08. They include:
- Clinical Update for the Geriatric Pharmacist Workshop, to be held on May 13, was developed by ASCP as part of the Professional Development Program for Certified Geriatric Pharmacist (CGP) recertification and for all pharmacists interested in advancing their geriatric competency. It is designed to update you on practice changes that have occurred in geriatric pharmacotherapy over the past five years. Separate registration is required. (This workshop also is offered April 24 in conjunction with the ASCP Connecticut Chapter’s Senior Symposium '08 at Foxwoods Resort in Mashantucket, Connecticut; July 25 at the ASCP Midwest Regional Conference in Oakbrook, Illinois; and in November at Senior Care Pharmacy ’08, ASCP’s 39th Annual Meeting and Exhibition in New Orleans, Louisiana.)
- Delivering Medication Therapy Management (MTM) Services in the Community, to be held on May 13, is designed to enhance your clinical expertise in evaluating complicated medication regimens, identifying drug-related problems, and making recommendations to patients, caregivers, and health care professionals so you can establish MTM services for Medicare Part D and other patients with complex drug regimens. (This workshop also is offered March 14 in conjunction with the American Pharmacists Association Annual Meeting and Exhibition, March 14–17 in San Diego, California, and November 23 in conjunction with Senior Care Pharmacy '08, ASCP's 39th Annual Meeting and Exhibition, November 19–22, in New Orleans, Louisiana.)
- Geriatric Assessment for the Senior Care Pharmacist Workshop, to be held May 12–13, is designed by pharmacists for pharmacists. It is an innovative approach to comprehending core techniques of the patient interview and assessment so you can apply physical assessment skills to medication monitoring. (This workshop also is offered November 17–18 at Senior Care Pharmacy '08 in New Orleans.)
Go to http://www.ascp.com/education/meetings/2008/midyear/workshops.cfm for more information about the Geriatrics '08 workshops.
ASCP Offers New Audioconferences on Depression/Anxiety and Epilepsy/Seizures
Consultant pharmacists, Veterans Administration pharmacists, geriatric nurse practitioners, long-term care medical directors, and directors of nursing in long-term care will be interested in two new audioconferences offered through a collaboration of ASCP, National Association Directors of Nursing Administration/Long Term Care, and Medical Communications Media.
Register for the conferences—Depression & Anxiety in the Elderly: Optimizing Pharmacotherapy, supported by an educational grant from Ortho McNeil Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC, and Recognizing and Managing Epilepsy and Seizures in an Eldercare Setting, supported by an educational grant from Forest Pharmaceuticals, Inc.—at the Senior Care Online University for Professionals (SCOUP) continuing education (CE) center at http://www.scoup.net/, along with other new CE programs about constipation, hypertension, and urinary incontinence.
What’s in The Consultant Pharmacist
February 2008
- Urgent Need for Secondary Stroke Prevention After Transient Ischemic Attack
- Are There Alternatives to the Use of Quinine to Treat Nocturnal Leg Cramps?
- Pharmacist-Conducted Medication Reconciliation
- Use of Antidepressants and Bone Metabolism
- Optimism and Health
- Teacher, Teacher: When Pharmacists Embrace Their Role as Educators
Plus: Bylines, Health Trends, Policy Currents, ASCP Reports, Journal Review, and Calendar.
The Consultant Pharmacist mails to members and subscribers in mid-February and is archived at http://www.ascp.com/publications/tcp/.
The Consultant Pharmacist Wants Your Manuscripts!
The Consultant Pharmacist welcomes reports of original, well-designed research that is applicable to consultant pharmacy and senior care practice. In additon to original research, the journal encourages submission of literature reviews, case reports, and opinions on important clinical or professional issues. The journal is indexed by the National Library of Medicine, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health, EMBASE.com, Excerpta Medica, and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts. The journal offers an efficient peer-review process, and approved manuscripts generally are published within six to nine months of acceptance. For author instructions and online submission, visit http://www.ascp.com/publications/tcp/.
Call for Proposals for Annual Meeting: Deadline March 17
Have any ideas for session presentations, posters, and papers for Senior Care Pharmacy ’08, ASCP’s 39th Annual Meeting and Exhibition, November 19–22, in New Orleans, Louisiana? Submit them today!
- Session presentations submission deadline: March 17
- Posters and papers submission deadline: May 30
For more information, visit: http://www.ascp.com/education/meetings/2008/annual/.
Senior Care Advocate, ASCP’s Policy and Advocacy News,
sponsored by sanofi-aventis
ASCP Comments on CMS Draft Call Letter to Medicare Part D Plans for 2009
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently sent a draft “call letter” to prescription drug plans (PDPs) and Medicare Advantage (MA) plans describing the requirements they must meet in order to participate in the Medicare prescription drug benefit (Medicare Part D) for 2009. Among the proposed changes, plans will be required to publish their prior authorization criteria on their Web sites to give beneficiaries and providers better access to coverage criteria.
On January 30, ASCP submitted comments to CMS concerning the proposed new requirements for PDPs for 2009. ASCP's comments addressed the following issues, among others:
- Prior Authorization: Beginning in 2009, Medicare Part D plans will be required to publish their prior authorization criteria on their Web sites to give beneficiaries and providers better access to coverage criteria. ASCP's comments support this change and further urge CMS to post additional information for pharmacists that clearly identifies how prior authorization may be overridden for residents in long-term care facilities and other beneficiaries in situations where CMS' transition-fill policy applies.
- ePrescribing: In response to CMS' request for input on ePrescribing, ASCP strongly urged CMS to require the inclusion of all elements of the National Council for Prescription Drug Plans Formulary and Benefits standard in the CMS Formulary Reference File and eliminate the long-term care industry exemption from the required ePrescribing standards.
- Best Available Evidence: Under CMS' proposal, Medicare Part D plans would be required to accept Best Available Evidence at point-of-sale and update their systems within 48–72 hours. ASCP's comments point out that CMS' proposal will not address the failure of Part D Plans to pay incorrectly charged co-payments to long-term care pharmacies for institutionalized dual eligibles who have no co-payment obligations. Instead, ASCP urges CMS to adopt a policy that directs Part D plans to pay the subsidy amounts to the pharmacies up front and reconcile incorrect overpayments should subsequent information establish that the beneficiary was ineligible for the payment.
- Gap Coverage: CMS proposes prohibiting plans offering enhanced coverage from limiting access to drugs covered in the gap to mail-order pharmacies. Instead, CMS states that retail pharmacies must be included. ASCP asks CMS to extend this requirement to long-term care pharmacies as well.
Medicare Part D plans will start submitting formularies for 2009 in late March. The call letter warned plans they could be denied the ability to offer a Medicare Part D plan if they do not meet the 2009 formulary submission deadline. For more information, visit http://www.ascp.com/medicarerx/commentletters.cfm.
ASCP Comments on CMS ePrescribing Standards
ASCP recently submitted recommendations to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in regard to electronic prescribing (ePrescribing) standards. The recommendations include:
- Permitting computer-generated faxed orders in the long-term care industry until the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology (CCHIT) certification of long-term care electronic health records (EHR) is fully adopted by the industry
- Collaboration between CMS and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to resolve issues pertaining to electronic prescribing of controlled substances
- Allow for an alternative identifier within ePrescribing standards for a prescriber without a National Provider Identifier (NPI)
- Conduct additional research on electronic prior authorization be done in an effort to facilitate its adoption and alleviate the manual administrative burden associated with the high volume of prior authorizations in the long-term care setting
- Lift the long-term care industry exemption for ePrescribing standards and name an ePrescribing standard for the long-term care setting before the completion of the final CCHIT long-term care EHR certification requirements
ASCP told CMS the Society supports The National Council for Prescription Drug Programs’ (NCPDP) forthcoming recommendation to the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics and CMS requesting the ePrescribing industry move to NCPDP SCRIPT standard, Version 10.5 by January 2010. ASCP’s comments are available at http://www.ascp.com/advocacy/briefing/hit.cfm.
CMS Releases Information About Filing ESA Claims
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has released a new MLN Matters summary document about "Reporting of Hematocrit or Hemoglobin Levels on All Claims for the Administration of Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (ESAs), Implementation of New Modifiers for Non-ESRD ESA Indications, and Reporting of Hematocrit or Hemoglobin Levels on all Non-ESRD, Non-ESA Claims Requesting Payment for Anti-Anemia Drugs."
Effective for Medicare Part B services on or after January 1, 2008, you must report the most recent hemoglobin or hematocrit levels on any claim for a Medicare patient receiving:
- ESA administrations
- Part B anti-anemia drugs other than ESAs used in the treatment of cancer that are not self-administered
In addition, non-ESRD claims for the administration of ESAs must also contain one of three new Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) modifiers effective January 1, 2008.
Organizations Propose Long-Term Care Financing Reform
The Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care, the American Health Care Association, and the National Center for Assisted Living recently released a report outlining a new model for financing and delivering long-term and postacute care.
With more and more baby boomers turning 65, the cost of long-term care and postacute care expenses will continue to increase dramatically. Both federal and state budgets face huge financial pressures from this cost of care and the system itself cannot support the growing number of people entering public health care programs. Therefore, a solution is needed, according to the organizations. An executive summary of the report is available online at: http://www.ahcancal.org/advocacy/Documents/AHCA-AllianceJointExecutiveSummary.pdf
Commission for Certification in Geriatric Pharmacy
Spring Into CGP Recertification! 
Five years go by quickly. Is it time for you to recertify? The Commission for Certification in Geriatric Pharmacy (CCGP) offers two pathways for recertification. You may retake the 150-question exam or you may choose to recertify by earning CE credit through the CGP Professional Development Program. Details for recertification requirements are on the CCGP Web site. The next testing window is this spring. See dates below and register today!
2008 Testing Dates and Deadlines
- April 13 is the registration deadline for the April/May testing window for the computer-based exam, and for the paper-based exam at Geriatrics '08 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
- July 31 is the registration deadline for the July/August testing window for the computer-based exam.
- October 19 is the registration deadline for the October/November testing window for the computer-based exam, and for the paper-based exam at Senior Care Pharmacy '08 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
For testing locations visit: http://www.ccgp.org/pharmacist/certification/location.htm.
Test Preparation
Need to prepare for the exam? The Self-Assessment Exam (SAE) was designed to help pharmacists measure their knowledge and skills in geriatric pharmacy practice and help candidates prepare for the Certification Examination in Geriatric Pharmacy. You may take the SAE exam online or order a hard copy to be mailed to you.
The SAE consists of 150 multiple-choice items, is self-scoring, and is based on the current certification exam content outline. The SAE will identify those areas where a candidate's knowledge base is lacking and help the candidate to better prepare for the exam. Candidates receive total scores and a summary of strengths and weaknesses by content area. The SAE also contains explanations for each correct and incorrect answer, thereby helping the candidate to better understand the reasoning which supports the correct therapy.
For more information about self assessment, visit the CCGP Web site online at: http://www.ccgp.org/pharmacist/self.htm.
The Commission for Certification in Geriatric Pharmacy and ASCP will be exhibiting at the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Annual Meeting, March 14–17 in San Diego, California. Visit booths 1036 (CCGP) and 1038 (ASCP) if you are attending the APhA meeting. We look forward to seeing you!
ASCP Foundation
February 15 Deadline for Leadership in Education Award Nomination
Who will be the next recipient of the ASCP Leadership in Education Award?
This prestigious award is presented annually in recognition of an ASCP member’s outstanding educational endeavors. Are you—or is someone you know—doing something innovative to educate patients, caregivers, pharmacists, other health care professionals, students, or other audiences?
The recipient of the Leadership in Education Award will be honored at the opening session of Geriatrics ’08, ASCP’s 30th Midyear Conference and Exhibition, May 14–16, in Las Vegas, Nevada, and will receive a custom-designed framed medallion. The award also includes complimentary travel, hotel accommodations, and registration to attend the conference. In addition, sanofi-aventis, the sponsor of the award, will make a contribution to the ASCP Foundation in honor of the award recipient.
Nominations for the Leadership in Education Award must be received no later than February 15. Eligibility requirements and nomination materials are available at www.ascp.com/about/awards/leadershipineducationaward.cfm. Self-nominations are appropriate and encouraged.
The Leadership in Education Award is administered by the ASCP Foundation. If you have any questions about the award or preparing a nomination, contact Peter Murphy at 800-355-2727, extension 133, or pmurphy@ascp.com.
New Geriatric Pharmacotherapy Blog Established
ASCP Foundation Director of Clinical Affairs Tom Clark, RPh, MHS, has established a new blog on issues in geriatric pharmacotherapy. The blog is periodically updated with new developments or alerts to significant new journal articles. Current postings include the following:
- Top Ten Journal Articles of 2007 in Geriatric Pharmacotherapy
- Insomnia and Older Adults
- Falls and Older Adults, With and Without Diabetes
- Reducing Risk of Dementia: NSAIDS—Yes; Statins—No
- What’s the Difference Between a MRP and an ADE?
To view the blog, visit http://web.mac.com/tclark31/Site/Blog/Blog.html.
2008 Tim Webster Classic Golf Tournament Set for May 13
http://2008twclassic.golfreg.com/Join friends and colleagues on May 13 for the 2008 Tim Webster Classic golf tournament benefiting the ASCP Foundation. Named in memory of the former executive director of ASCP, this annual tournament is a great opportunity to support the work of the Foundation while enjoying an afternoon on the links before Geriatrics '08, ASCP's 30th Midyear Conference and Exhibition begins.
This year’s tournament will be held at Angel Park Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nevada. At almost 3,000 feet in elevation, Angel Park offers spectacular views of Red Rock
Canyon and the Las Vegas Valley. Designed by Arnold Palmer, Angel Park has been the recipient of several awards, including the accolades of “Best Public Golf Course” in the Las Vegas Review Journal Readers Poll 11 out of the past 12 years and “Favorite Golf Course” in the What’s On Magazine Visitor Choice Awards.
For additional information about the tournament and to register, visit http://2008twclassic.golfreg.com. Numerous sponsorship opportunities are available also. Questions? Contact ASCP Foundation Executive Director Lisa Gables at 703-739-1316, extension 107, or lgables@ascp.com.