Horseshoes, hand grenades … and silver linings | |
|
We were soooo close.
Last week we told you that APC-supported shortage legislation, HR 167, was slated for discussion this week in the House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee, and that we understood APC member Shawn Hodges would be invited to testify.
Well, we came close, but ultimately it didn’t happen. Not Shawn’s testimony anyway. Health Subcommittee staffers apparently quashed it for reasons we don’t quite know.
| |
|
|
And, well, you know that saying in baseball about coming close: It only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.
But there’s a silver lining here – and it turns out to be a big silver lining. While HR 167 was on the slate and was referenced (and seems to be supported by many on the committee), much of the discussion in the hearing was about the challenges faced by generic drug manufacturers and how PBMs, GPOs, and other middlemen create so much downward pressure on pricing that a workable economic model for generics is threatened.
HR 167, of course, is about a more urgent need: The need for hospitals and clinics to be able to access the drugs they must have to treat patients in immediate-need situations. During the hearing, HR 167 sponsor Rep. Morgan Griffith spoke passionately about improvements to the regulatory framework for compounding via DQSA (and other enhancement) in the wake of the NECC tragedy back in 2013.
I confess I cringed more than a little that NECC was referenced in relation to our bill, but the congressman’s remarks certainly defended the ability of traditional compounders to prepare quality sterile urgent-use medications – temporarily, in that interim period between a drug going into shortage and outsourcing facilities being able to ramp up to produce it – for in-hospital or clinic administration.
| | |
|
|
And then, when your fellow compounder Rep. Diana Harshbarger spoke, she offered a spectacular defense of compounding and of the need for our bill. Watch it for yourself here. It’s worth five minutes of your time.
We sure do appreciate Rep. Harshbarger and Rep. Griffith. Our other compounding champions in Congress, too.
| |
|
This coming week, during Compounders on Capitol Hill, scores of compounders will be taking to the Hill to meet with more than 190 members of Congress and share the good news of compounding – three issues in particular. In case you’re not attending, read below on how you can amplify our message from your home base.
We came close this week. Next week, you can help us hit it out of the park.
– Scott
Scott Brunner, CAE, is APC’s chief executive officer. Email him at scott@a4pc.org.
| |
Be fruitful and multiply … our messaging, that is | |
|
Next week is APC’s Compounders on Capitol Hill, where (as our CEO says) “scores of compounders” will converge on Washington, DC for more than 190 meetings with members of Congress.
Even if you are not attending, you can multiply the effect of those September 20 Hill visits by reaching out directly – from right there at home – to your members of Congress.
| |
|
|
Please send an email or make a phone call to your US Senators and your House member to urge action on three compounding priorities – each of which is a patient access issue. You can share with them the three briefing papers linked here, plus here’s a little cheat sheet we’ve prepared for your use in explaining the issues (um, but don’t share the cheat sheet).
It’s a big week of opportunity ahead for pharmacy compounding. Thanks for your support – from wherever you find yourself next Wednesday.
| |
Ad campaign to spotlight compounding’s role in alleviating drug shortages | |
|
Next week, in conjunction with Compounders on Capitol Hill, APC will launch a digital advertising campaign focused on informing members of Congress and Capitol Hill health policy staffers. Temporary drug shortages – and the essential role of compounding pharmacies in helping mitigate those shortages – is the campaign's theme. Here’s a link to the landing page where policy makers can learn more about the issue and download our one-pager on HR 167. A copy of one of the digital ads is featured below.
APC is able to fund the ads thanks to member contributions to our Compounding the Joy of Living campaign.
| |
APC sends follow up to CA BOP | Earlier this week, APC sent a letter to the California Board of Pharmacy requesting clarification on their Draft Compounding Policy statement on USP <797> sterile compounding standards, noting that the confusing language regarding the Board’s intentions and expectations may be difficult for compounders to understand and implement. | |
Med school offers functional medicine certification | |
|
In conjunction with the school of medicine at the University of South Florida, APC supporter and fan Dr. Pamela W. Smith has launched a new series of Personalized Medicine Certification courses.
The courses are all compounding-focused. The first class is on Endocrinology, and is November 9 – 11, 2023 in Tampa, FL. This program is for anyone – pharmacists, technicians, medical professionals, etc. BONUS: Attendees get “in-state” tuition whether they live in Florida or not.
Because this certification is overseen by a medical school, it brings a higher level of credibility to compounders who attain it. It also demonstrates that compounding is an integral part of medical school education. Upon completion of the course, certificate recipients can proudly assert that they received their training from a medical institution.
| |
Pharmacist runs for state office in NC | | |
|
|
Maybe you remember pharmacist Tom Murry from his time as executive director of PCAB.
Well now he’s running for Attorney General of North Carolina, and he wants your support. Here’s where to learn more about Tom. And here’s where to contribute to his campaign.
| |
|
NCPA CEO on chain pharmacy layoffs … and opportunity. As many retail pharmacy chains are shuttering locations and/or reducing pharmacists' hours, the opportunity to gain new patients may or may not benefit independent pharmacies, according to a letter written by NCPA CEO B. Douglas Hoey.
Lollipops show potential as a diagnostic tool. Researchers are working on a lollipop-like device that can be used to collect saliva samples from patients of all ages. So far, the single-use prototype has shown promise not only for its accuracy compared with traditional methods of saliva collection, but also as an easier, more pleasant experience for both medical professionals and patients.
J&J updates with a new look. Johnson & Johnson announced this week it has changed its logo font from the swirly cursive the healthcare behemoth has used for the past 135 years, to a sleek sans serif. The font change is part of a larger rebranding effort by the NJ-based company.
From out of the frying pan, into the cold. The Farmer’s Almanac is predicting above-normal temps and precipitation for the 2023-2024 winter season throughout most of the continental US. Pro tip: Next spring, start thawing early by attending APC’s 2024 Owner Summit, April 4-6, in La Jolla, CA. (See what we did there?)
| |
|
Now available on-demand: The FDA Compounding Quality Center of Excellence is announcing the availability of these self-guided, online courses:
September 19-20: APC's Compounders on Capitol Hill 2023; Hilton National Mall; Washington, DC
September 28: An ARL Bio Pharma live webinar, Beyond The Survey: Top Findings and How to Implement Change in Your Pharmacy
October 5: An APC webinar, USP 797 Best Practices - It's Not Just SOPs (Part 2): From Packaging to Handling, Stability, Documentation, and QA/QC
October 24: An APC webinar, Internal Audit Processes – Facilitating Optimal Operations and Compliance of Your Compounding Pharmacy. More details coming soon!
October 26-28: PCCA’s International Seminar 2023 in Houston, TX
November 9: An APC webinar, Automation and USP 797 Don’t Mix. More details coming soon.
December 12: An APC webinar on quality assurance and medication/patient safety. More details coming soon.
2024
April 4-6: Owner Summit, La Jolla, CA
June 20-21: EduCon Virtual: The Ethical Compounding Conference
| | |
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. |
| | | |
