NABP e-News July 25, 2007

July 25, 2007 12:00 am

Law Requiring Use of Tamper-Resistant Rx Pads Worries Pharmacy Groups
Starting October 1, 2007, prescriptions for Medicaid beneficiaries must be either transmitted electronically or written on tamper-resistant prescription pads. This provision, included in the US Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act of 2007, will deny federal reimbursement to states for Medicaid patients' prescriptions that are not written on tamper-resistant prescription pads. The law aims to curb Medicaid prescription fraud and prevent patients from illegally obtaining controlled drugs. Thus far, CMS has not issued proposed rules for implementing the measure. Physician and pharmacy advocates have expressed concerns that the law provides too little time to prepare for implementation, may result in additional administrative burdens and costs for physicians and pharmacists, and likely will discourage physicians and pharmacies from caring for Medicaid patients. NABP is currently reviewing the provision for possible comment. The bill is summarized on the Library of Congress Web site.

North Carolina Requires VIPPS Accreditation for Internet Pharmacies
The North Carolina Board of Pharmacy recently passed a rule imposing substantial new requirements on Internet pharmacies seeking to receive or renew pharmacy permits. In addition to meeting all other state- and Board-imposed requirements for issuance and renewal of a pharmacy permit, Internet pharmacies must: (1) be accredited by the NABP Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites^™ (VIPPS^®) program, (2) certify the percentage of its annual business conducted via the Internet on a form required by the Board, when applying for or renewing permits, and (3) provide the Board with the names, addresses, social security numbers, phone numbers, facsimile numbers, e-mail addresses, and titles of all principal corporate officers of the Internet pharmacy; of all principal officers of any company, partnership, association, or other business entity holding any ownership interest in the Internet pharmacy; and of any individual holding any ownership interest in the Internet pharmacy.

Public Hearing Garners Recommendations on Use of Medication Guides
Participants in the public hearing held June 12-13, 2007, by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research suggested ways to improve the FDA Medication Guide program. The program provides for the distribution of FDA-approved written patient information for certain medications that pose serious and significant public health concerns. FDA officials heard testimony from a member of Congress and 40 individuals representing academia, consumers and consumer groups, the pharmaceutical industry, health care professional groups, practicing physicians, pharmacists, and pharmacy organizations. Participants acknowledged the importance of patients receiving appropriate risk information in the form of Medication Guides to make informed decisions about certain prescribed medications. Some said the current program is too cumbersome and lacks a standard distribution system. Participants urged FDA to increase awareness of Medication Guides, make them easier to read and understand, move toward facilitating electronic distribution, and consider combining the information contained in Medication Guides with other information such as in Consumer Medication Information (CMI). The public hearing is summarized on the FDA Web site.

Online Registration Under Way for NABP 2007 Fall Legislative Conference
Registration, now available online, is under way for the NABP Fall Legislative Conference, to be held September 16-18, 2007 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, VA. Session leaders will provide attendees with information vital to conducting effective meetings with congressional leadership. In addition to programming on current issues in pharmacy regulation, Monday and Tuesday afternoon, September 17-18, are available for attendees to meet with their senators and congressional representatives.

Nine Additional Facilities Awarded VAWD Accreditation
NABP recently accredited nine new facilities through its Verified-Accredited Wholesale Distributors^®. (VAWD^®) program, bringing the total number of accredited facilities to 155 as of July 19, 2007. A full listing of VAWD facilities is available under Accreditation Programs on the NABP Web site at http://www.nabp.net.

• AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation distributes prescription drug products to independent pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and mail-order houses. The company received accreditation for its Romeoville, IL; Paducah, KY; and Lockbourne, OH facilities.
• Cardinal Health 200, Inc, dba Cardinal Health, provides medical supplies and IV solutions to hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, and surgical clinics located mainly in southern California. The company received accreditation for its Ontario, CA facility.
• McKesson Packaging Services provides a full complement of pharmacy-related products. The company received accreditation for its Concord, NC facility.
• Patterson Logistics Services, Inc distributes prescription products and supplies to customers in Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. The company received accreditation for its Mt Joy, PA facility.
• Rite Aid of Maryland, Inc, dba Rite Aid Mid-Atlantic Customer Support Center, is a regional wholesale distributor of prescription and non-prescription items to retail locations owned by Rite Aid of Maryland, Inc. The company received accreditation for its Perryman, MD facility.
• STAT Pharmaceuticals, Inc provides pharmaceutical and medical products to wholesalers and pharmacies nationwide. The company received accreditation for its Santee, CA facility.
• VWR International, Inc ships laboratory supplies, chemicals, and equipment to life science and educational organizations in the North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Tennessee, and Ohio, and handles a limited amount of prescription drugs. The company received accreditation for its Batavia, IL facility.