Please take a couple of minutes to fill out the Call for Speakers Form HERE.

Pharmacy Forecast 2020 Provides Recommendations on Dealing with Unpredictable Events

This strategic planning guide features a chapter on black swan events or rare events (widely deemed improbable) with massive consequences. As pharmacists work to combat COVID-19, the importance of having systems in place to respond to unanticipated events has never been more clear.

Pharmacy Forecast authors James M. Hoffman, Pharm.D., M.S., BCPS, FASHP, Scott Knoer, M.S., Pharm.D., FASHP, and William A. Zellmer, B.S.Pharm., M.P.H., recommend that practice leaders take an honest assessment of their departments and encourage their teams to pay attention to major global trends that could evolve into events that affect pharmacy practice. They also suggest that pharmacists use the Pharmacy Forecast annually to help departments shift their focus from near-term operational issues toward long-term strategic issues.

The Pharmacy Forecast 2020 examines developments that may be challenging for practice leaders and provides recomendations on how to prepare for them. The Pharmacy Forecast was supported by a grant from Omnicell, Inc., to the ASHP Foundation's David A. Zilz Leaders for the Future Fund.

The MSHP Education and Programming Committee is excited to announce that we will be hosting a “Pharmacy Research-Share Poster Session" at the Spring Seminar on April 3rd, 2020. The poster session will take place at 4:30 pm during Happy Hour (after completion of the morning/afternoon CE programming). The poster submission is open to all MSHP members: pharmacists, pharmacy residents, and pharmacy students. The submission deadline is February 24th 11:59 pm. MSHP will accept and review the following types of research submissions: Encore, Original, Research-in-progress (results must be finalized by March 24th). Please submit your abstracts online here. 

Once the poster submission form is completed, the Education and Programming Committee will review all submissions. Notification of accepted abstracts will be communicated by March 4th.

Please review the following additional information before completing the form:

1. Who can complete and submit the poster submission form? Primary Author
2. Primary Author submitting the poster submission form must be a MSHP member.
3. Who can present the poster? Primary author or Co-authors
4. Notification of acceptance or rejection of poster will be emailed out on March 4th.
5. The Education and Programming Committee will be using the Poster Judging Form (see form here) to review poster abstract submissions.
6. If accepted, all results pertaining to "research in progress" must be finalized by March 24th.
7. The primary author/presenter does not need to be registered for the Spring Seminar CE Session in order to present at the poster session. Presenter is responsible for own registration/payment for the Spring Seminar if they wish to attend the CE portion and meals.
8. Poster Awards: Best Poster Award will be presented during the poster session. More information to come.
9. The poster submission form has the following areas for completion:

• Poster Category: Encore (previously presented), Original, Research-in-progress
• Subcategory: Administration/Financial management/Human Resources, Ambulatory Care, Cardiology/Anticoagulation, Clinical Services Management, Critical Care, Drug Information/Drug Use Evaluation, Infectious Disease/HIV, Informatics/Technology/Automation, Investigational Drugs, Oncology/Hematology, Pain Management/Palliative Care, Precepting/Preceptor Skills/Education, Psychiatry/Neurology, Safety/Quality, Pharmaceutical research
• Abstract: Must include the following sections: Title, Purpose, Methods, Results, and Conclusion. Total Word Limit: 400 words
  Submitting author name (must be an MSHP member)
  Submitting author category: pharmacist, pharmacy resident, pharmacy student
  Submitting author company, organization or school of pharmacy
  Submitting author email
  Submitting author phone number
  List all authors (provide first and last names, degrees and institutions, titles and places of employment)
  If invited to present your poster at the Spring Seminar, please state who will be presenting
  Will you be attending the MSHP Spring Seminar?
  

We look forward to an engaging poster session where our members can share their efforts to improve the medication use system and/or patient care across the state of Maryland. If you have any questions about the poster session, please contact: Min Kwon.

Thank you,
Education and Programming Committee (Chair: Snow Nehrbass and Vice Chair: Min Kwon)

Poster Session Sub-Workgroup (Min Kwon, Jessica Pyhtila, Catherine (Kate) Burdalski, Catherine Kiruthi, Karen Yiu, Michelle Yu)

Celebrate Pharmacy Technician Day!

Today is Pharmacy Technician Day, MSHP wants to celebrate all of the Pharmacy Technicians that help support and advance the pharmacy field. This is a special time to acknowledge the importance of pharmacy technicians on the pharmacy team.

We encourage everyone to take time to celebrate technicians in your network! Use the hashtag #RxTechDay so we can follow the celebrations!

2019 Fall Technician CE Day

We invite you to join us on Saturday, October 26, 2019 for our Fall Technician Event, learning from our experts about some hot pharmacy topics: Sterile Compounding (with Hands-on Practice!), Poison Control Center Updates, PTCB Calculations & Terminology, and Crucial Conversations in the Workplace! This event will also provide the opportunity to network with your fellow technicians and learn about what is happening at MSHP. We hope to see you there!

Fees

Online registration is required. Please log in for member pricing!

The cost will be $15 for MSHP members and $25 for non-members. Continental breakfast will be included. 

Location

Johns Hopkins Homecare Group
5901 Holabird Ave
Baltimore, Maryland  21224
United States

Thank you to all of our Technician Members!

Maryland Society of Health System Pharmacists
4 Lan Drive, Suite 310
Westford, MA 01886
Phone: (978) 364-5035
Fax: (978) 250-1117

Please take a couple of minutes to fill out the Call for Speakers Form HERE.

Nominations will be accepted through July 1, 2019 and award recipients will be honored at the Annual Awards Dinner on September 25, 2019 in Baltimore. Register for the dinner here!

Please note: the Preceptor of the Year award is announced and honored at the Resident Welcome Dinner on July 25, 2019. The nomination deadline for that award is June 1, 2019. 

Award Descriptions & Nomination Forms

• W Arthur Purdum Award: Established in 1970 by the Maryland Society of Health-System Pharmacists and serves as the Society's most prestigious award. The purpose of the W. Arthur Purdum Award is to recognize an individual who has made significant and/or sustained contributions or has provided influential leadership for health-system pharmacy in Maryland. Selected by the W. Arthur Purdum Committee, made up of past award recipients.

• MSHP Excellence Award: The purpose the MSHP Excellence Award is to recognize and reward outstanding, significant, consistent, and ongoing contributions to advancing pharmacy practice and demonstrating a commitment to improving patient care through multidisciplinary care delivery. This award is selected by the Nominations Committee. 

• Pharmacy Technician of the Year Award: The purpose of the Technician of the Year Award is to honor a certified technician who through his or her dedication, interest and enthusiasm has made a significant contribution to the practice of pharmacy in Maryland. This award is selected by the Nominations Committee. 

• Health System Pharmacist of the Year Award: The purpose of the Health-System Pharmacist of the Year Award is to recognize and reward a pharmacist who has demonstrated outstanding contributions to the practice of health-system pharmacy with an impact on Maryland citizens, health-system pharmacists, or pharmacy practice within the past year. This award is selected by the Nominations Committee. 

• Preceptor of the Year Award: The purpose of the Preceptor of the Year Award is to honor an MSHP member for significant contributions to the training and education of students and residents. This award is selected by the Emerging Practitioners Committee. The deadline to receive nominations for this award is tomorrow, June 1, 2019. 

• Jeffery Ensor Leadership Award: The purpose of the Jeffrey E. Ensor Emerging Leader Award is to recognize and reward an individual, new to health-system pharmacy (10 years from graduation or less), who has demonstrated significant leadership potential with an impact on Maryland health-system pharmacists or pharmacy practice. The candidate will be an emerging leader who demonstrates the ideals of the profession of pharmacy while providing exceptional service and commitment to the profession. This award is selected by the Nominations Committee. 

• Medication Safety Award: The purpose of the Medication Safety Award is to recognize and honor outstanding members who contribute to improvements in medication use and/or patient safety. The award program also allows for sharing achievements and dissemination of ideas for improving medication use and patient safety throughout Maryland’s health-systems. Those interested will need to apply to be considered. This award is selected by the Medication Safety Committee. 

The Natalie M. LaPrade Medical Cannabis Commission is an independent commission that functions within the Maryland Department of Health.

The purpose of the Commission is to develop policies, procedures, guidelines, and regulations to implement programs to make medical cannabis available to qualifying patients in a safe and effective manner.

Membership Composition
Total Number: 13

Composition:

1) The Secretary of Health, or the Secretary’s designee.

2) Nine members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate:

• Two licensed noncertified providers who are physicians, dentists, podiatrist, nurse practitioners or nurse midwives.
• One nurse or other health care provider experience in hospice, nominated by a State hospice trade association.
• One pharmacist licensed in the State, nominated by a State research institution or trade association; and
• One scientist who has experience in the science of cannabis, nominated by a State research institution
• Four members with substantial experience: As an executive with fiduciary responsibilities for a large organization or foundation; In an academic field relating to health, agriculture, finance, or addiction treatment; or As a professional in a profession relating to health, agriculture, finance, or addiction treatment.

3) Three members are appointed by the Governor:

• One member from a list of three individuals recommended by the President of the Senate;
• One member from a list of three individuals recommended by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; and
• One member from either of the lists from the President or the Speaker.

Nomination Information

MSHP is seeking one nominee for the Pharmacist seat as described above (see bold bullet). Interested pharmacists should submit the nomination form no later than Monday, June 10 to be considered by the MSHP Board of Directors. Upon selection, the nominee will be responsible for completing additional documentation as required by the state of Maryland. 

1. Provides preceptorship to a diverse group of learners (students, residents) and/or learners from a variety of programs in the state of Maryland. 
2. Encourages trainees to participate in activities that facilitate independent learning and growth (i.e. research or publication opportunities, involvement in leadership activities). 
3. Clearly demonstrates enthusiasm for teaching and mentoring, and shows passion for advancement of the pharmacy profession. 
4. Be an Active pharmacist member of MSHP, in good standing and, practicing in hospital or health-system pharmacy.

The nomination period will be open until Friday, June 1, 2019. 

Here is some of what is inside this month's issue. Read all of the content HERE.

• Special Announcement from the Board of Directors
• Medication Safety: Areas of Readiness for a Joint Commission Survey
• Technician Corner: Pharmacy Technicians Performing Medication Histories in the Emergency Department
• Fostamatinib: New Drug for an Old Problem

• Pharmascript January 2019

• Pharmascript Abstracts Supplement January 2019

Click Here to access the application form. We are currently working on our schedule for the Spring Seminar happening Friday, April 5, 2019. 

Introduction

The Maryland Pharmacy Coalition (MPC) (Appendix A) voted unanimously, in 2017, to support legislation for the State of Maryland that would mandate requirements consistent with the recommendations of the 2017 National Pharmacy Technician Stakeholder Consensus Conference. This decision stemmed from recognition that enhancing the educational requirements for pharmacy technicians will increase medication safety for Maryland patients and support additional direct patient-care services by pharmacists.

The 2018 Maryland Pharmacy Technician Consensus Conference (June 21, 2018) was designed to seek broad consensus in support of the action taken by the MPC and to identify specific issues that will need to be addressed as pharmacy leaders in the state move forward on the matter.

CLICK HERE to read the full report. 

• What’s Inside This Issue?
  •  Standardizations of Oral Compounded Medications
  • Pharmacy Technician Corner: A Day in the Life
  • New Drug Update: Daratumumab for Multiple Myeloma
  • New Drug Update: Segesterone Acetate/Ethinyl Estradiol
    Vaginal System (Annovera™)
  • New Drug Update: Andexanet Alfa (Andexxa®)

• Pharmascript Volume 42, Issue No. 3
• Pharmascript Special Edition: 2018 Pharmacy Resident Abstracts 

Also check out:

This edition includes:

• New Drug Updates
• The Technician Corner
• Congratulations to the John Hopkins Hospital Department of Pharmacy for winning a BPS award! 

Read the full issue by clicking here, and also check out the Committee Supplement here.

Congratulations to the Johns Hopkins Hospital Department of Pharmacy! 

Stacy Dalpoas, President Elect (Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center)

David Ngo, Treasurer (Holy Cross Hospital)

Ashley Martinelli, Secretary (University of Maryland Medical Center)

Michael Armahizer, Director-at-Large (University of Maryland Medical Center)

We will be inducting these members at our April 13th Spring Seminar, during the business meeting section. Thanks again to all who participated in the elections. 

Congratulations to our newly elected Board Members!

Dear Colleague,

As you are aware, drug overdose and opioid-involved deaths are increasing at an alarming rate. CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) is committed to helping fight the opioid crisis which is crippling communities across the nation. After reviewing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain, we have updated our policies to be consistent with the CDC’s prescribing guidance.

Effective October 1, 2017, certain opioid pain medications covered by our prescription drug benefit plan may be subject to quantity and duration limits. We will provide coverage for up to 90 morphine milligram equivalent (MME) per day of immediate and extended-release opioid prescriptions. Additionally, we will provide coverage for up to a seven-day supply of initial immediate-release opioid prescriptions for patients who have not received an opioid prescription in the last three months. The opioid limits do not apply if a patient has received a medication used to treat cancer under their prescription benefit in the last 365 days.

If the patient requires a higher dosage, or longer duration physicians, dentists and other providers may request a prior authorization through the CareFirst Provider Portal or your electronic prior authorization vender. Please note that if patients fill a prescription for a medication that exceeds the limits, they may have to pay the full cost of the medication.

Together with our pharmacy benefit manager, CVS Caremark, we will continue to review our drug prescribing policies and make changes as needed. If you should have any questions, please contact Brian Pinto, Director of Pharmacy Policy, at pharmacyoperations@carefirst.com. We look forward to working with you to help fight opioid addiction.

Sincerely,

Arif Khan
Vice President, TCCI Program Oversight
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

Daniel Winn, M.D.
Vice President and Senior Medical Director
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

Pharmacy volunteers are urgently needed at the NRG Center shelter in Houston to help with pharmacy services for evacuees.

Please visit the TSHP website for additional information.

If you have an out-of-state license and would like to help, please visit the TSHP website for temporary licensing information and emergency dispensing rules for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

ASHP President-elect Kelly M. Smith, with the approval of the Board of Directors, appoints members of ASHP Committees. ASHP members are encouraged to recommend themselves or other members for appointment.

In making recommendations for appointments, the President-elect takes into consideration geographic distribution, personal qualifications, and previous experience in ASHP and affiliated state societies. ASHP is especially interested in having recommendations that help ensure sufficient diversity in appointments. ASHP is also interested in identifying new practitioners, residents, and students who are well equipped to serve ASHP through engagement on a committee.

Members may recommend more than one individual for any particular committee. The number of recommendations usually far exceeds the number of appointments. Members who have previously been appointed and who would like to continue serving must also submit recommendation materials.

ASHP members must complete the online Appointment Recommendation Submission Form to recommend themselves or someone else for appointment. The form allows members to provide comments on the candidate's (1) qualifications, (2) experience, (3) areas of special expertise, (4) previous involvement with ASHP or state affiliates, and (5) any special characteristics that will help ASHP achieve a balance of perspectives and diversity. Note that the candidate's curriculum vitae must be attached to the form when it is submitted.

If you have any questions, please contact the ASHP Executive Office at ashpeo@ashp.org.