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The voice for pharmacy compounding │ 9 December 2022

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From APC's President

There's a committee for that


Surely by now you've heard that APC is recruiting committee members for 2023. 


Our organization relies heavily on the work of committees to do research and make recommendations to the Board of Directors. We couldn’t do what we do without them.


When I first became involved with APC, I was asked to serve on a committee. I declined because I figured I didn’t have the time to spare. Well, the committee chair was persistent and eventually I accepted the opportunity. 


I am so glad I did. And you know what? It didn’t take as much of my time as I expected. Most committees only need 2 to 4 hours per month. Of course, you can contribute more if you wish, but the basic commitment is minimal.


The list of committees that are open to members in 2023 are:

  • Communications
  • Education
  • Federal Legislative
  • Membership
  • State Legislative
  • Technician Services


All of APC's committees are important. The one that I—personally—want to see grow the most in 2023 is State Legislative. I would LOVE to have 52 members on this committee: one for each state and territory we represent. You would be our eyes and ears on the ground in your state to let us know of the regulatory concerns you face and enforcement action your boards of pharmacy are taking or threatening to take. Your service would be invaluable.


With 3,400 APC members, there is no reason we can’t fill every committee and even start sub-committees. Committee membership is a fantastic way for technicians and pharmacists to further engage with our profession through advocacy and action. It is also a rewarding experience and I highly recommend it. 


Won’t you please join me in contributing a few hours each month towards making our profession stronger? See below for instructions on how to submit your committee application.


   Dave 

• • •


David Miller is APC’s president and the managing co-owner of Keystone Compounding Pharmacy in Grand Rapids, Michigan. You can reach him at drdave@keystonepharm.com.

Ready to commit to an APC committee?

If you would like to be considered for appointment, please send an email to info@a4pc.org, and include the following information:


  • Your name
  • Pharmacy/facility name
  • Town and state
  • The APC committee(s) you’re interested in
  • A brief description of your expertise in the subject area covered by that committee


But don't lollygag: Committee requests are due by COB December 16, 2022.

ICYMI

Catch up on these recent stories that you might've missed:

This week

APC briefs BOPs on GFI 256, DTE

This week, APC sent state boards of pharmacy two briefing memos to provide the boards of pharmacy with background, context, and guidance.


One memo focuses on the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine’s GFI on animal compounding and how that guidance may interact with or conflict with state law or regulation.


The other memo addresses FDA’s recent clarification of its stance on desiccated thyroid extract compounding and urges state boards to adopt the same “enforcement discretion” approach as FDA on this issue.


Please reach out to your state’s Board of Pharmacy members and director and urge them to attend to the memos. And of course, let them know that representatives of APC are happy to speak to the Board about these issues if invited. Lastly, share any feedback you get with us at info@a4pc.org.

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You've only got 27 more days...

… to get reduced rates for APC’s professional development event of the year.


EduCon is the conference for keeping your team members current and compliant, and it’s coming up February 9-10, 2023. Earn up to 12 CE hours, approved for both pharmacists and technicians. Live CE credit is only available on February 9 and 10. Home study CE credit can be earned for on-demand participation.


But you need to register by January 4 if you'd like to take advantage of early bird rates for members and (especially!) PFMs.

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Dear Express Scripts...

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APC joined five other pharmacy trade associations on a letter this week to Express Scripts and Cigna urging them to reconsider their decision to shrink TRICARE’s retail network by almost 15,000 pharmacies.


The pharmacy network changes were made effective on October 24 by Express Scripts, which administers the TRICARE benefit on behalf of the Department of Defense. The changes are estimated to impact 400,000 TRICARE beneficiaries—people who are currently serving or have served in the US military.


In the letter, the associations urge Express Scripts to keep all pharmacies that were included in the 2022 TRICARE network in the 2023 network at the 2022 terms and conditions.


Image courtesy of Kim Heimbuch via Pixabay.com.

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APC sends comments to Maine BOP

On November 30, APC submitted a comment letter to the Maine Board of Pharmacy regarding a proposed rule about veterinary compounding.


The proposed rules in Chapter 42 allows compounding for veterinary office use for the first time in the state but requires a signed acknowledgment from a veterinarian with each order, an undue burden for both pharmacists and veterinarians. 

New patron offers 20% off this month

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Our newest Corporate Patron, Specialty Process Labs, is offering APC members a 20 percent discount on its Thyroid USP API through the month of December. You can reach SPL at customerservice@rlclabs.com.

Corporate Patron briefing set for Dec 15

APC Corporate Patrons and other vendors associated with our organization are invited to attend a briefing on Thursday, December 15th at 11:00am ET.


Agenda items will include:

  • Year-end update on APC public policy priorities
  • An update on APC initiatives and projects
  • A look ahead to APC 2023 opportunities and initiatives


Here’s a calendar appointment that includes the Zoom meeting information. Note, this briefing is for our vendors only.

Save these dates

December 13: An ARL live webinar, Understanding USP <797> Microbiology Testing Requirements


December 14: An FDA CDER webinar, What to Expect after an Inspection: 483s, Responses and Beyond


December 15: An APC briefing for Corporate Patrons


2023

January 4: Early bird rates end for EduCon 2023.


February 9–10: APC's EduCon 2023, virtual


March 2628: APC's Owner Summit 2023; The Grand Hotel Golf Resort + Spa;

Point Clear, Ala. (more details coming soon)


September 19–20: APC's Compounders on Capitol Hill 2023; Hilton National Mall; Washington, DC

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Short takes

The way to a healthy mind is a healthy gut biome? Dutch researchers recently published results of a study that suggested gut microbiome composition may play a key role in depression.


Influenza hospitalizations are breaking records (but not the good kind). It truly 'tis the season: According to a recent news article, flu hospitalizations since October 2 are the highest they've been in over a decade.

Quick links



APC Career Center

• Job seekers

• Employers


APC's Code of Ethics


Compounding Connections archive


Continuing education

• Live webinars

• On-demand webinars


Current issues:

GFI #256 on animal compounding

Urgent-use compounding

Prohibition on peptide compounding

La Vita Case amicus filing

Insanitary Conditions amicus filing


EduCon 2023


Prescriber Briefing Resources  


Invest in APC efforts

• CompPAC

• Campaign to save cBHT

• OneFund


Membership

• Renew

• Pharmacy/Facility Membership (PFM)

• APC Logo agreement for PFMs

• APC Logo agreement for individual members


Affinity service providers

Accounting & Tax Services: Rx Advisors

Audible Sunshine

Office Equipment: TUI Solutions

Online Payments Platform: HealNow

Patient-Reported Outcomes: OutcomeMD

• Shipment Trackers, a shipping costs auditor  

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APC is committed to addressing any concerns or complaints within one business day. Please send them — and, of course, any compliments — to info@a4pc.org.