The voice for pharmacy compounding 1 December 2023

This edition sponsored by ARL

From our Board Chair

A $100,000 deficit


One of the challenges of being an ambitious but resource-poor association is that we have to spend a lot of time asking members like you for money.


I suspect you’ve noticed?

That’s because dues dollars – either dues your company pays as a PFM or that you pay as an individual member — only cover about half of APC’s expenses each year. It’s only thanks to a combination of other revenue sources — including conference, education, corporate patron, royalty, and OneFund revenues — that we’re able to represent you the way we do.


This year, we’ve done really well with all of those funding sources except one: OneFund. It’s the fund that fuels our advocacy work, and it’s supported by gifts from individual compounding pharmacies and members.


OneFund gifts have been falling for the past two years, and we’re not really sure why. In 2021, more than $310,000 was given to OneFund. Last year, that amount fell to $285,000. This year, we dropped the goal, and even at that, if things don’t change, we’ll miss that goal by $100,000 or more.


There’s a lot we could do with that $100,000 — or, to put it more bluntly, a lot we can’t do without it. I’m talking, in particular, about confronting wrong-headed state or FDA policies we won’t have the funds to tackle.


So yeah, once again, I’m asking for money. If those of you who have given to OneFund in previous years but not yet in this year would make your 2023 investment, we’d more than make up that $100k. And if you’ve never given, well, there’s never been a more needful time.


Click the button below and do your part: A one-time gift, or better yet, set up a recurring monthly investment. 


We sure do need it — just as much as you need APC to continue to protect your profession.


—Anthony


Anthony Grzib is VP of quality and compliance, state-regulated pharmacies at Wedgewood Pharmacy in Swedesboro, New Jersey. You can reach him at agrzib@wedgewoodpharmacy.com.


ICYMI


This week’s news

APC files amicus in Novo case against Tennessee compounder


A U.S. District Court judge approved APC filing an amicus brief this week in Novo Nordisk’s lawsuit against Tennessee compounder (and APC PFM) DCA Pharmacy. 


“This is great news,” said APC’s Scott Brunner. “It means the brief, which explains the essential role compounding pharmacies play in preparing copies of FDA-approved drugs when those drugs appear on the FDA drug shortage list, was accepted and will be considered by the court. The brief also clarifies for the court that pharmacy compounding is authorized in state and federal law and is not, as Novo asserts, ‘unauthorized drug manufacturing.’”   


APC awaits responses from courts to its requests to submit the amicus brief in the three other Novo lawsuits against compounding pharmacies. 


APC is represented by Boesen & Snow Law, Scottsdale, Arizona. The legal action is supported by APC’s Legal Action Fund, which is funded by contributions from APC members.

Novo alleges potency discrepancy, impurities in compounded semaglutide


We’ll let you read it for yourself. Interesting how the reporter seems to take Novo’s word for it, no? 


(This is a late-breaking story. APC and its attorneys are reviewing and may issue a statement.)

Our state-by-state 795-797-800 chart has been updated


APC has posted an updated version of our compilation of state by state adoption of USP <795>, <797>, and <800>. It’s an APC members-only resource, and provides information about the method by which each state adopts USP chapters, the current status of USP chapter adoption and effective dates by state, and links to state websites where USP-related law and/or regulations may be found.


Though we cannot guarantee accuracy, it’s based on recent data-gathering and is a helpful resource for compliance. You’ll need your APC member login and password to access it.

PCF names new directors 


The Pharmacy Compounding Foundation has elected five board members, including Michael Blaire of Scottsdale, AZ, Lloyd Levidow of Scottsdale, AZ, Lisa Everett Andersen of Olathe, KS,  Greg Lake of Hideout, UT, and Katie Lewis of Lincoln, NE. Congratulations to these newly appointed directors.


Here’s the entire 2024 PCF Board of Directors:

  • President: Jennifer Burch, Durham, NC
  • President-elect: Michael Blaire, Scottsdale, AZ
  • Treasurer: Lloyd Levidow, Scottsdale, AZ
  • Liza Chapman, Atlanta, GA
  • Lisa Everett Andersen, Olathe, KS
  • Barbara Exum, Glen Allen, VA
  • Greg Lake, Hideout, UT
  • Katie Lewis, Lincoln, NE
  • Robert Nickell, Torrance, CA
  • APC Chair: Tenille Davis, Scottsdale, AZ


Short Takes

Last call for APC 2024 committee appointment. If you’re interested in serving on an APC committee for 2024, today is the last day to send an email to info@a4pc.org and tell us which committee you’re interested in. Please include a brief explanation of your expertise or interest in that committee’s functional area. Committees available for appointment are:

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


Op-Ed: The U.S. pharmacy industry is crumbling. Here’s how to fix it.


A few PFM benefits to remember (and take advantage of):

Save these dates

December 7: An APC webinar, USP 797 and Automation (rescheduled)

December 12: An APC webinar, Compounding Pharmacy Medication Errors - What the Data Says

December 14–16: A4M Longevity Fest 2023 in Las Vegas


2024

January 28: An APC webinar, Survey of State Compounding Law Changes 2024. More details coming soon.

April 4–6: Owner Summit, La Jolla, CA

June 20–21: EduCon Virtual: The Ethical Compounding Conference

September 17–18: Compounders on Capitol Hill (CCH) in Washington, DC


On demand

Now available: The FDA Compounding Quality Center of Excellence is announcing the availability of these self-guided, online courses:

Quick links

APC Career Center

• Job seekers

• Employers


APC's Code of Ethics


Compounding Connections archive


Compounders on Capitol Hill


Continuing education

• Live webinars

• On-demand webinars


Current issues:

GFI #256 on animal compounding

Urgent-use compounding (HR 167)

Adverse events reporting framework 

Saving compounded hormones


EduCon


Owner Summit


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

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board

• Shipment Trackers, a shipping costs auditor 

• TUI Total Solutions

• TxtSquad


Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding | A4PC.org

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.

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