CEO Message April 4, 2008

Author: Lynn Rolston
Dear Member,

Update on 10 Percent Budget Cuts
Over the course of the last week, nearly all of the elements of our plan to fight the 10% Medi-Cal cuts have sprung into action. We agreed to engage the same attorneys that NCPA and NACDS used to stop AMP implementation. We believe they have sound theories and a strong chance of prevailing.  Additionally, we’ll be joining the California Medical Association suit. The cost of dispensing study is fully underway and both chain and independent pharmacies will be contacted, starting next week, to get data into the system as quickly as possible. We plan to produce the first data set in May and will use this study as a comparison to the California study by Myers & Stauffer. Further, our PR campaign will begin to be visible next week. We have many other activities underway so please know that we are doing everything we possibly can and welcome your ideas and participation at any time. Contact me directly at lrolston@cpha.com.

Funding and Donations for these Efforts
Yesterday, Mike Quick with AmerisourceBergen verified that they will be paying one third of the cost of the dispensing study over the next three years. Cardinal Health had already agreed to fund a third of the study and at this point we are still waiting to hear back from McKesson.  We thank them all for their generous support. Moreover, a number of our locals have contributed $1,000 to $6,000 to the Pharmacy Defense Fund and both the Indian Pharmacists Association and the Korean Pharmacists Association have made very generous donations as well.  And, too, a large number of our members have made contributions anywhere from $100 to $5,000!  We are overwhelmed by this outstanding response, and given the magnitude of this effort we ask that more of you donate by clicking here. As noted in previous messages, NACDS and CRA are splitting the cost of the PR campaign with CPhA and at this point, NCPA is considering how best to support our efforts as well to help protect pharmacy in California.

CPhA’s Sponsored Legislation
The Assembly Health Committee met on Tuesday, April 1, 2008.  Assembly Member Dr. Edward Hernandez, author of AB 2535 (a CPhA sponsored bill that seeks to address the inadequacies of pharmacy reimbursement) did a great job in presenting the bill.  Kathy Lynch and our contract lobbyist, Jim Gross, testified on behalf of CPhA and its member pharmacists regarding the importance of fair pharmacy reimbursement and the various and continuous cuts to pharmacy reimbursement stemming from laws passed at the federal level.  The current impending 10% state cut to pharmacy reimbursement along with the potentially devastating results if such cut is implemented was also highlighted in our testimony.  Our pharmacy partners, CRA, NACDS, Walgreen’s and Rite Aid, all testified in support of CPhA’s bill.  The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) concisely addressed the recently released Survey of Dispensing and Acquisition Costs of Pharmaceuticals conducted by Myers and Stauffer at the request of DHCS.  We fully recognize all of the issues facing pharmacy and will work to keep CPhA’s bill moving through the legislative process




3rd Annual Student Pharmacist and New Practitioner's Summit
The 3rd Annual Student Pharmacist and New Practitioner’s Summit is taking place on April 25 - 27, 2008 in San Diego and it is a “don't miss” event for students and new practitioners. The Student Summit Committee has planned some terrific workshops this year such as Conflict Resolution, Residency Showcase, Career Roundtable and Risk-Based Financial Planning.  If you would like to learn how to deal with a difficult patient, figure out if you should apply for a residency, not sure what practice setting you want to work in or how to pay those student loans after college, then this is the event for you! Registration is only $50.00 and sponsorships will be given to those who are registered on a first come, first served basis. So register early, register today at www.cpha.com/studentsummit.

Pharmacists – Wear Your White Coat!
We encourage all Pharmacists and Student Pharmacists to WEAR YOUR WHITE COAT for CPhA’s Legislative Day, which takes place on April 16, 2008 in Sacramento. We already know that a great number of you will be joining us, but due to all the issues facing CPhA and pharmacy right now, we need a huge turnout this year! You can register for CPhA’s Legislative Day, at www.cpha.com/legday. On the same day, the five California chapters of the Alzheimer's Association and its Sacramento-based California Council will be having a huge rally as well, and we will be taking part in a brief joint presentation with them. There is sure to be a lot of media in attendance, so wearing your white coat would make a great visual.

Protect Your Pharmacy Week
NCPA and its partners, RxPATROL, FBI LEEDA, and the Community Pharmacy Foundation, have declared April 14-18 “Protect Your Pharmacy Week.”  This week will focus on how to keep pharmacy staffs and businesses safe and secure.  NCPA Members will be receiving “Protect Your Pharmacy” toolkits in the mail beginning the first week in April.  These kits include discounts of up to 20% on closed circuit TV-DVR systems, a security training DVD, a security checklist, and other items to help keep their pharmacy secure.  Non NCPA members will not be receiving a toolkit, but if they sign up for NCPA membership, they will receive one for free. Visit www.ncpanet.org for more information.

Singulair Information
Recently, there have been some reports that some Singulair users have had suicidal thoughts and behavior.  Merck who produces Singulair released a statement that you can view by clicking here.  You can view the FDA Early Communication that was posted on March 27, 2008 by clicking here.  If you have any questions, please contact the National Service Center at 800-NSC Merck (800-672-6372), where the Medical Team comprised of pharmacists and nurses will be able to provide answers to your product related questions.



April 14th is the Deadline for Submitting CE Presentation Proposals
The Pharmacy Foundation of California (PFC) invites university professors, informal educators, pharmacy practitioners and other members of the “community of pharmacy” to share their experience and expertise with other pharmacy professionals by submitting a proposal to present an educational lecture and/or workshop at Outlook 2009 (scheduled for February 19 – 22 in Anaheim, CA). If you are interested in having your CE program considered for Outlook 2009, click here to review the proposal submission guidelines and to complete the proposal form.  Proposal forms must be submitted by April 14, 2008, to receive full consideration.  If you have any questions, please contact Shannon Presidio at spresidio@pharmacyfoundation.org.

In the News

The Sacramento Bee recently ran a story regarding a number of robberies involving Oxycontin. To read the article, click here.
Question of the Week
Dear Lynn,

Whatever happened with the TV interview that Ira Freeman was scheduled for last Sunday evening?

Sincerely,

Paul Lofholm
CPhA President

Answer

Dear Paul,

Thanks for the question.  As we reported last week, Ira Freeman received a great deal of media coverage regarding his 15-day fast in protest of the Governor’s 10% Medi-Cal budget cuts.  On Sunday, he was interviewed on a news segment in Los Angeles, called “Extra,” which is a 20-minute, in-depth program on current events. The lead story of the show was the pending crisis with the state’s Medi-Cal coverage, should the 10% budget cuts go through. Ira’s interview appears three minutes into the program. Click here to view the full program on the KNBC website. Our hats are off to Ira for taking a proactive step to generate some attention regarding the impact these cuts will have on patients and pharmacy! We’re happy to report that he completed his 15-day fast as planned and recuperated well.

Sincerely,

Lynn Rolston
Chief Executive Officer
California Pharmacists Association

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