Challenges of Pharmacy Practice to be Discussed at NABP's 97th Annual Meeting

February 6, 2001 12:00 AM

In a world of an increasing demand for quality pharmacy care, a wide range of regulatory approaches and innovations will be discussed at the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy's (NABP) 97th Annual Meeting of May 5-9, 2001, at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel and Towers in Seattle, Wash. The five-day event, entitled, “Wake Up, Smell the Coffee,” is designed to assist the executive officers, members, and compliance staff of the state boards of pharmacy in their responsibility to regulate pharmacy practice and protect the public health.

As in previous years, the Annual Meeting will combine an informative mix of general sessions, continuing education programs, and extracurricular activities. Attendees may select from continuing education (CE) sessions in programming tracks targeting board of pharmacy executive officers and members, compliance staff, and pharmacy practice issues.

Among the scheduled educational programs are Electronic Prescribing and Electronic Signatures, the HRSA Report on Pharmacy Manpower Shortage, Pharmaceutical Care Outcomes: The Compliance Perspective, and a three-part program on arthritis and chronic pain management. Annual Meeting participants will have the option of earning up to seven CE contact hours.

This year, on Saturday, May 5, from 9 AM-5 PM, the Annual Meeting will offer a special pre-meeting CE seminar titled, Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery: A Certificate Program for Pharmacists. Presented by the American Pharmaceutical Association, the program consists of a home study component and a training seminar, which will provide pharmacists with the skills necessary to serve as primary sources of vaccine information and administration. The program teaches the basics of immunology, focuses on practice implementation, and discusses legal and regulatory issues. Completion of the home study-module and training session will provide participants with 18 CE contact hours.

The featured speaker at the 97th Annual Meeting will be oceanographer Dr Robert D. Ballard, who discovered such historically important ships as the Titanic, the Lusitania, the Yorktown, the Andrea Doria, and the Bismarck. Ballard has led or participated in more than 110 underwater expeditions and is a well-known host of National Geographic specials.

Annual Meeting participants will also want to take some time to walk through the Presentation Area and visit with representatives of companies displaying dispensing equipment, computer software packages, online services, wholesale distributor innovations, and central fill technologies that are revolutionizing the practice of pharmacy.

An integral part of the Annual Meeting is the special event programming, with its spouse/guest activities, annual golf tournament, a fun run/walk, and optional tour of Underground Seattle and Pioneer Square.

Other memorable events include the President's Welcoming Reception honoring NABP President Jerry Moore and his fiancée, Sara Redden, and the Association's Annual Awards Dinner. The special evening recognizes the efforts of NABP's president, honorary president, and the recipient of the Lester E. Hosto Distinguished Service Award.

For more information regarding the 97th Annual Meeting, please contact the NABP meeting desk at 847/698-6227. Information may also be found on NABP's Web site at www.nabp.net.

Jan Teplitz