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NABP e-News June 13, 2007
Drug Topics Article Addresses Logistical, Political Challenges Facing Boards of Pharmacy
An article in the June 5, 2007 issue of Drug Topics addresses the strains that the state boards of pharmacy are feeling under the pressures of short staffs and tight budgets, while they struggle to develop new rules and regulations to address hard-hitting issues such as e-prescribing and compounding, while still upholding their licensing duties and fending off unscrupulous Internet pharmacies. Nonetheless, the article notes, critics still complain that the boards aren't shouldering their share of the public safety load. The title sums up the issues in a nutshell, "Pharmacy boards under siege: Chronically under-funded, these agencies struggle to meet their responsibilities while fighting state and federal groups for control." The article examines the possible future of the boards and their role in shaping it. Among those quoted in the article are Virginia Herold, Jay Campbell, and William Winsley, executive directors of the California, North Carolina, and Ohio boards of pharmacy, respectively; and Carmen Catizone, executive director of NABP. The complete article is available at http://www.drugtopics.com/drugtopics/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=429707.
NABP 2007 Fall Legislative Conference Prepares Attendees for Meetings with Legislators
Save the date for the NABP Fall Legislative Conference, to be held September 16-18, 2007 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, VA, where session leaders will provide attendees with information vital to conducting an effective meeting with congressional leadership. In addition to programming on current issues in pharmacy regulation, Monday and Tuesday afternoon are available for attendees to meet with their senators and congressional representatives. For the most current information on the conference, travel, and lodging, please visit the Fall Conference page.
FDA Nabs Tainted Toothpaste Shipment, Issues Import Alert
FDA recently issued an import alert to prevent toothpaste containing diethylene glycol (DEG) from entering the United States. While FDA is not aware of any US reports of poisonings from toothpaste containing DEG, the agency is concerned about potential risks from chronic exposure to DEG and exposure to DEG in certain populations, such as children and individuals with kidney or liver disease. Based on reports of contaminated toothpaste from China found in several countries, including Panama, FDA increased its scrutiny and began sampling toothpaste and other dental products manufactured in China that were imported into the US. FDA inspectors identified and detained one shipment of toothpaste at the U.S. border, containing approximately 3% DEG by weight. In addition, FDA inspectors found and tested toothpaste products from China located at a distribution center and a retail store. The highest level found was between 3% and 4%. The product at the retail store was not labeled as containing DEG but was found to contain the substance. The import alert, which includes the brands of toothpaste from China that contain DEG, is posted on the FDA Web site. This action follows the recent issuance by FDA of a Guidance for Industry recommending that pharmaceutical manufacturers, pharmacy compounders, repackers, and suppliers test for the presence of DEG in glycerin.
NCC MERP Wins APhA Pinnacle Award for Contributions to Health Care Quality
On June 12, 2007, the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Foundation named the National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention (NCC MERP) the winner of its 2007 Pinnacle Awards in the Agency/Association Category. NCC MERP was selected for its contributions to health care quality through the medication use process. The Pinnacle Awards recognize individuals and organizations for pioneering innovative ways to improve the medication use process, reduce medication errors, improve patient outcomes, and increase communication among all members of the health care team. Since its inception in 1995, NCC MERP has achieved several major accomplishments in the patient safety arena, including the development of a standardized definition of “medication error,” development of a taxonomy of medication errors, development of a severity category index of medication errors, issuance of recommendations to prevent medication errors, and coordination of conferences on standardization of barcodes on medication packages and standardization of suffix use with drug nomenclature. NABP is a founding member of NCC MERP and a current member of its steering committee.
