Out of the Gates

E-Newsletter from Gates Healthcare Associates

April 2014

In This Issue

HEALTHY
HEADLINES

Click on links for more:

New devices expand safe compounding options

States adopt variety
of oversight strategies in post-NECC world

Why paper prescriptions are going the way of
snail mail

FDA orders new warning for epidural steroids

$1,000-a-day miracle drug shocks U.S. healthcare system

Drugstores play doctor: Retail medical clinics meet demand from Obamacare

Secrecy surrounds execution drugs in most states

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We've all heard so much about efforts by compounding pharmacies and industry regulators to improve patient safety. Meanwhile, there is another process, far beyond the headlines, that aims to improve the safety of pharmacy workers who handle hazardous drugs while preparing vital medications for patients.

Some 8 million U.S. healthcare workers are potentially exposed to hazardous drugs on an annual basis. The proposed USP Chapter <800> builds upon the standards established in Chapters <795> and <797> which cover non-sterile and sterile preparations, respectively. The goal of the new chapter is to protect personnel and the environment from exposure to hazardous drugs. The U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention, aka USP, is accepting public comments on the proposed chapter through the end of July. Gates Healthcare has developed a webinar to educate clients who are interested in these vital new standards.

It's all in the name of safety, for patients and for the pharmacy staff who serve them every day.

Sincerely,

Ernest P. Gates Jr., R.Ph, FASCP, FIACP, FACA

President, Gates Healthcare Associates

And Now, A Few Words From Our Client

Health Dimensions Compounding Pharmacy recently engaged the Gates Healthcare team of Ken Speidel and Ken Latta to assess the Farmington Hills, Mich., pharmacy's operations relative to 503a and 503b compounding. Founder and President Scott Popyk, RPh, MBA, FIACP, appreciated the Gates team's responsiveness and the value they brought to the business.

"Gates offers an array of consulting services that spans the breadth of what compounders need. From USP compliance to cGMP matters, Gates has been able to help," Popyk said.

Health Dimensions has worked with other consultants, but none have brought the same level of interest and follow-up as the Gates team to create positive change," Popyk said. "They took a personal interest in our success, and that was reassuring."

"I would definitely recommend Gates Healthcare," he added. "They have been extremely effective and have brought tremendous value to my firm."

Did You Know?

Nearly a third of new prescriptions go unfilled by patients, according to a study recently published by the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Researchers in Canada found the highest levels of non-adherence for costlier drugs and those with high co-pays. In terms of pharmacological class, patients were more likely to not fill prescriptions for hormones and synthetics. Antibiotics were the least likely to be left unfilled.

Younger patients -- those under age 52 -- were less likely to deny doctor's orders, and men were slightly less likely to fill their pill orders than women.

-- Ken Speidel, RPh, PharmD, Senior Associate

Gates Healthcare Associates is a pharmaceutical and healthcare consulting firm that provides extensive clinical, programmatic, and regulatory knowledge and insight to an array of organizations nationally and abroad. We help our clients confront and overcome challenges and obstacles to growth, positioning them for long term business success.