In This Issue:

CEO Perspective

Professional Practice

• Whitmer Declares Oct. 17-23 Michigan Pharmacy Week
• Impact of Hurricane Helene on IV and Peritoneal Dialysis Solutions
• Walgreens Announces Plan to Close 1,200 Stores Over Next Three Years
• Cabrini Clinic in Detroit Seeks Volunteer Pharmacists
• Program Aims to Bolster Data on Respiratory Pathogens in Michigan

Legislative and Regulatory

• DSCSA Waivers and Exemptions Beyond the Stabilization Period
• FDA to Reconsider Decision Barring Compounded Versions of Lilly Weight Loss Drug
• WHO Approves Bavarian Nordic's Mpox Vaccine for Adolescents

National Association News

• Join MPA at the NCPA Annual Convention Oct. 26-29 in Columbus

MPA News

• Renew Your Membership for 2025
• Book Your Room Now for ACE 2025!
• Award Nomination Deadline Extended
• Register for the 2024 MSHP Annual Meeting
• MPF Motion for a Mission Fundraiser
• CE Events
• Trauma-Informed Workforce Certificate Training Program

Upcoming Live MPA CE Offerings

Upcoming Meetings and Events

For over three decades, PrimeRx, developed by Micro Merchant Systems, has been at the forefront of providing pharmacy management solutions. Since our inception, we’ve dedicated ourselves to supporting thousands of pharmacies nationwide with innovative, technology-focused solutions, empowering pharmacists in their critical work.

Our diverse team, boasting extensive experience that includes former pharmacy consultants, owners and technicians, is committed to addressing the daily challenges pharmacists face with cutting-edge technology.



Enhance your pharmacy’s efficiency, generate more revenue and reduce operating expenses. Discover how our pharmacy management solutions have improved efficiency, patient care and driven success across various pharmacy settings. Find out what PrimeRx can do for your pharmacy. Schedule a DEMO today at www.primerx.io/schedule-a-demo.

PrimeRx is a Michigan Pharmacists Association Emerald Annual Sponsor.

October is always the start of our membership renewal season, and we appreciate each and every one of you! In honor of National Pharmacists Month, we’re offering once again the special price of $299 to our active pharmacists who renew this month. The special also applies to new members who get the added bonus of membership through the end of 2024 in addition to their 2025 membership. Join/renew today and save!

There’s still time for you to register for the MSHP Annual Meeting Oct. 25 at the Sheraton Grands Rapids Airport Hotel. We have a great program planned and supported by more than 50 exhibitors who are eager to meet with you.

You also can nominate one of your colleagues for a prestigious MPA Award to recognize their professional accomplishments. But the deadline is fast approaching as well – Oct. 30. Honor a well-deserving colleague today!

And, if you haven’t checked out our new and improved website yet, take it for a spin. You’ll enjoy the drive!

Mark A. Glasper

CEO

Whitmer Proclaims Oct. 17-23 as Michigan Pharmacy Week

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed a proclamation declaring Oct. 17-23 as Michigan Pharmacy Week.

Read the governor's proclamation below:

MPA has several resources on its website to help you promote and celebrate Michigan Pharmacy Week. Click the button below.

Impact of Hurricane Helene

on IV and Peritoneal Dialysis Solutions

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), in coordination with the Michigan Health and Hospital Association (MHA) and federal partners, is monitoring impacts related to the closure of the Baxter North Cove production facility in North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. This facility produces at least 60% of the company’s intravenous (IV) and peritoneal dialysis solutions. While the FDA has not declared any new shortages related to products produced at the facility, health care entities should implement appropriate product management and conservation measures. 

Recommendations for health care providers:

• Review Baxter’s guidance for healthcare entities on management and conservation of supplies. Implement appropriate conservations measures in accordance with facility policy. 
• Review the ECRI report designed to help health care providers navigate shortages caused by this facility closure. 
• Health care entities who are nearing a shortage of these supplies should contact their regional healthcare coalition. This will allow for local, regional, state and federal coordination. 
• If a facility does not have adequate supply for a patient, they should be referred to the nearest emergency room.

Walgreens Announces Plan to Close

1,200 Stores Over Next Three Years

Walgreens Boots Alliance plans to close 1,200 stores over the next three years as the embattled pharmacy chain attempts a turnaround in the face of low drug reimbursement rates and slower consumer spending.

Since taking the helm last year, CEO Tim Wentworth has announced multiple steps, including a $1 billion cost-cutting program.

Walgreens in May cut prices on 1,300 products across its U.S. stores, following other retailers in looking to appeal to inflation-weary customers.

"This turnaround will take time, but we are confident it will yield significant financial and consumer benefits over the long term," CEO Tim Wentworth said in a statement.

The company in June said it would close a significant portion of its roughly 8,600 U.S. stores, but did not disclose the exact number.

Cabrini Clinic Seeks Volunteer Pharmacists

The Cabrini Clinic, 1234 Porter St. in Detroit, is seeking volunteer pharmacists.

Cabrini Clinic is in Detroit’s historic Corktown District and is the oldest free clinic in the country. It has a state-of-the-art dispensary with the SRS computer system in addition to a very well-stocked inventory. Patients are the uninsured and underserved members of our community, including many people of Hispanic and Arabic ethnicities. The clinic is looking for a commitment to only one shift per month for approximately two to three hours.  

If you think you can help this important local outreach, please contact Kristen McErlean, Nurse Practitioner and clinical lead at Cabrini Clinic for more details at cabriniclinic.com, or call 313-961-7863.

Program Aims to Bolster Data

on Respiratory Pathogens in Michigan

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Laboratories (BOL) sentinel surveillance program collects statewide data to track circulating respiratory pathogens in Michigan. The sentinel surveillance program is a volunteer-based program through which clinics and health systems in Michigan provide a limited number of specimens to the BOL for processing and generation of pathogen activity reports. However, numerous areas of the state, including the northern regions of the Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula, have little to no data submitted to the state.

To enhance sentinel surveillance data in the State of Michigan, the Michigan Pharmacists Association, the Collaboration for Advance Pharmacy Enterprises (CAPE) at Ferris State University College of Pharmacy, and the MDHHS BOL are launching a project to enroll community pharmacies as sentinel surveillance sites. We are looking for volunteer pharmacies to participate in a pilot program for the 2024-25 respiratory season. Sites will be provided materials and training to collect specimen for individuals with symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection and asked to submit 10-20 specimens to the MDHHS BOL monthly. These data will be used to generate pathogen activity reports for various regions in Michigan.

DSCSA Waivers and Exemptions Beyond the Stabilization Period

The FDA is issuing an exemption from the enhanced drug distribution security requirements of section 582 of the FD&C Act for eligible trading partners. This exemption applies to any product transacted by eligible trading partners, which are trading partners who have successfully completed or made documented efforts to complete data connections with their immediate trading partners, but still face challenges exchanging data.

Exemptions for pharmacies were extended for another year for organizations with 26 or more employees and two years for smaller organizations.

FDA to Reconsider Decision Barring Compounded Versions of Lilly Weight Loss Drug

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has agreed to reconsider a decision it made last month to bar drug compounders from selling their own versions of Eli Lilly's blockbuster weight loss and diabetes drugs.

The agency said in a court filing it would now allow compounding pharmacies and facilities to keep providing the drugs while it reviews whether there is a shortage of their active ingredient. The compounding versions of the drugs are cheaper for patients than the brand-name versions.

The decision was in response to a lawsuit brought on Monday by the Outsourcing Facilities Association, a compounding industry group. After the FDA's decision on Friday to reconsider, U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman in Fort Worth, Texas put the lawsuit on hold.

The Sept. 30 decision by the FDA endangered the ability of compounders to sell versions of Lilly's weight loss drug Zepbound and diabetes drug Mounjaro. The FDA decision removed their active ingredient, tirzepatide, from its list of drugs experiencing shortages.

WHO Approves Bavarian Nordic's Mpox Vaccine for Adolescents

The World Health Organization has approved Bavarian Nordic's mpox vaccine for adolescents aged 12 to 17 years, an age group considered especially vulnerable to outbreaks of the disease that has triggered global concern.

The WHO said in a statement that it gave the Jynneos vaccine prequalification for adolescents on Oct. 8.

The WHO declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years in August after a new type of the virus spread from the Democratic Republic of Congo to its neighbors.

The United Nations agency approved the use of the vaccine in September as the first shot against mpox in adults, making it easier for badly hit African countries to access the vaccine.

Children, adolescents and those with weakened immune systems have been particularly vulnerable to mpox, a viral infection that typically causes flu-like symptoms and skin lesions filled with pus. WHO's latest decision comes after the EU approved the drug for the vaccine for adolescents in September.

Join MPA at the NCPA Annual Convention Oct. 26-29

Meet MPA at at the National Community Pharmacists Assocation Annual Convention in Columbus from Oct. 26-29 – the only industry event specifically tailored to community pharmacy.

NCPA 2024 will provide motivating keynotes, business boosters and a jam-packed expo floor to help you chart a course that can lead to growth, performance and success.

Learn more and register now!

It's Time to Renew Your Membership

There are many benefits to renewing your membership with MPA, including:

• Direct access to experts that can answer law and practice questions
• Networking opportunities with pharmacy professionals, such as complimentary membership in our local county associations and practice sections
• Free and discounted CE opportunities such the MPA Annual Convention & Exposition – the state’s largest pharmacy conference
• Being part of the collective voice advocating for the future of the profession
• Competitive home, auto and business insurance through MPA’s affiliated PSI Insurance Agency

MPA exists for and is effective because of its members. RENEW today to ensure that your benefits are secured and that MPA has the resources to move the mountains ahead for you, for the profession and for patients.

In honor of American Pharmacists Month, active pharmacists can renew OR join MPA for $299 through Oct. 31. This deal expires soon, so don't delay and renew today!

Book Your Room Now for ACE 2025!

MPA's Annual Convention & Exhibition (ACE) will take over the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa just outside Traverse City from April 11-13, 2025! Information on registration, exhibitors and sponsorships will become available soon, but it's not too early to mark your calendars as pharmacy's biggest continuing education event in Michigan takes its show on the road.

We encourage our members to make the 2025 ACE their "stay-cation" – golf, water activities and wineries are just a few things you can do in beautiful Traverse City. Get started now and book your room by clicking the button below! Attendees can also call 231-534-6001 and speak with a reservations agent to book their accommodations. They will receive the discounted rate if they mention the Michigan Pharmacists Association.

Award Nomination Deadline Extended

Nominate one of your colleagues for a prestigious award to recognize their professional accomplishments! MPA is accepting nominations for the following awards:

• MPA Pharmacist of the Year
• Bowl of Hygeia
• Executive Board Medal
• Excellence in Innovation
• Distinguished Young Pharmacist Practitioner
• Fred W. Arnold Public Relations Award
• Fellow of MPA
• CSPM Pharmacist of the Year
• MSCP Pharmacist of the Year
• MSPT Technician of the Year
• Pharmacy PAC Awards

Nominations are due Oct. 30, 2024.

Learn more and submit your award nominations by clicking below.

MSHP Annual Meeting Oct. 25 in Grand Rapids

Join the Michigan Society of Health-System Pharmacists (MSHP) for its 2024 Annual Meeting Oct. 25 at the Sheraton Grand Rapids Airport Hotel! With registration opening at 7:30 a.m. and a wellness CE promptly at 8:30 a.m., MSHP Annual is the place to be for our health system industry members. In addition to the wellness focus, complete with a conference wellness room, CE will address this year’s theme, “Less Not Loss” with a focus on optimization within pharmacy practice.

In addition, expect required CE like pain and law, as well as important endeavors such as pharmacogenomics, artificial intelligence within electronic scoring systems and the utilization of pharmacy extenders – all planned and facilitated by industry leaders. MPA has set aside additional networking time for attendees and looks forward to creating an atmosphere of learning, engagement and wellness.

Click the buttons below to get started.

MPF Hosting 'Motion for a Mission' Fundraiser Oct. 13-17

Support the Michigan Pharmacy Foundation by contributing to the Motion for a Mission fundraising event Oct. 13-17.

Motion for a Mission is a peer-to-peer fundraising event where individuals and teams participate in various activities to raise funds for the Michigan Pharmacy Foundation. MPF's mission is “To Foster the Future of Pharmacy” by improving health care quality outcomes through a healthy lifestyle and the advancement of the pharmacy profession.

How Can You Get Involved?

1. Join as an Individual or Team: Sign up to participate in activities such as walking, running, cycling or any other physical activity you enjoy. You can join individually or form a team with friends, family, or colleagues.
2. Set Your Goal: Decide on a fundraising goal you want to achieve. Every dollar raised will directly support our mission.
3. Spread the Word: Share your participation with your network. Use social media, emails, and word of mouth to encourage others to donate and support your efforts.



Visit the Motion for a Mission website to register. You can create your fundraising page and customize it with your story and goals. Every participant who raises $50 or more will receive a Motion for a Mission t-shirt.

Trauma-Informed Workforce Certificate Training Program

Dr. Helen Sairany's Trauma-Informed Workforce Certificate Training Program is a catalyst for personal transformation, enabling you to forge deeper connections with yourself, your work and your team. Embark on this trauma-informed journey to sustain your practice.

Participants will:

• Bid goodbye to burnout and toxic patterns.
• Explore the potential of your workplace. 
• Be mentored by an expert facilitator. 
• Gain mastery in conscious decision-making. 

Participants can take the training in its entirety or a la carte. Detailed information can be found at the links below. Please feel free to email or call the MPA Education and Events team with any questions or needs you may have!

Trauma-Informed Workforce:

All Home Study Offerings

More Upcoming Live Continuing Education From MPA

Pharmacy Technician Immunization Administration

Mixed Format – Self Study/Live Webinar

Live Date: Oct. 19, 10-11:30 a.m.

MSHP Annual Meeting

Oct. 25

Grand Rapids Sheraton Airport Hotel

Michigan Pharmacy

Law Update Q4

Nov. 11, 5-6 p.m.

APhA Pharmacy-based

Immunization Training

Mixed Format – Self Study/Live Webinar

Live Date: Dec. 11, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

IBT Home Studies

Couldn't make it to a live implicit bias training (IBT) session? Not to worry, our IBT home studies could be right for you! MPA currently offers two IBT home studies. Both meet all current Michigan licensing requirements. Click the buttons below to get started!

Looking for Something Else? Try MPA's On-Demand CE

In addition, MPA offers other on-demand pharmacy CE on a variety of topics that can be accessed 24/7/365 on its website. Click the button below to view our catalog of programs.

MedZoomer is the nation’s fastest growing same-day prescription delivery service. We can deliver to your patients, facilities, group homes and more.

We offer a wide range of deliveries: contactless, controlled, temp-regulated and over-the-counter drugs, all within a 25 or 50-mile radius of the pickup location.

MedZoomer is a Michigan Pharmacists Association Preferred Business Partner.

Part-Time Job Opening for Pharmacists

Surgical Pharmacy Solutions, Inc.

This job opening is ideal for pharmacists wishing to work part-time consulting with ambulatory surgery centers to help them meet pharmacy standards and regulations. Join one of Michigan's largest ambulatory surgery center consultant groups.

You will have a perfect job with no politics, bureaucracy or insurance issues to deal with – and make your own hours.

Call 586-260-7246 to explore further.

Oct. 24: MSHP Board of Directors

Oct. 25: MSHP Annual Meeting

Nov. 7: CSPM Board of Directors

Nov. 19: MSCP Board of Directors

Nov. 21: MPF Board of Trustees

Jan. 9: MSHP Committee Day

Jan. 16: MPA Committee Day

MPA Events Calendar