NABP e-News September 20, 2007

Proposed Legislation Would Soften Requirements for Tamper-Resistant Rx Pads
Legislation recently introduced in the House and Senate seeks to lessen the impact of a new law requiring the use of tamper-resistant prescription pads for Medicaid prescriptions as of October 1, 2007. Ohio Representative Charlie Wilson introduced legislation (HR 3090) that would change the law so that it applies only to Schedule II narcotic drugs. Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown introduced a similar bill (SB 2013) that would restrict the law to apply only to Schedule II drugs on October 1 and would delay full implementation of the law until April 2009. Both bills are referred to as the Patient and Pharmacy Protection Act of 2007 and seek to amend the Medicare prescription requirement contained in the US Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act of 2007. HR 3090 is currently pending in the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and SB 2013 is under review by the Finance Committee. The bills are accessible via the Library of Congress Web site at http://thomas.loc.gov.

NABP Joins Panel Discussion on Drug Distribution at LogiPharma 2007 Conference
NABP staff took part in the Distribution and Transportation Management Forum at the LogiPharma 2007 Conference, held September 17-19, 2007, in Philadelphia, PA. The conference provides a forum for sharing knowledge and exchanging ideas on the challenges and issues surrounding pharmaceutical supply chain management, as well as new strategies and technologies that can contribute to supply chain sustainability and cost-efficiency. NABP addressed recent trends in state regulation pertaining to the wholesale distribution of prescription medications, as well as the impact of potential federal legislation, during the panel discussion, “Helping the Pharmaceutical Industry Prepare for and Meet Regulatory Compliance through Collaboration and Cooperation.” Also on the panel were Brian Loiacono, Senior Regulatory Specialist, Henry Schein, Inc.; Ron Lanton, Government Relations, Industry Analyst, HD Smith; Mary Jo Muoio, Senior Vice President, Barthco International; and Judith Nurse, Supervising Inspector, California Board of Pharmacy.

NABP Awards DMEPOS Accreditation to CVS Caremark
CVS Caremark has received accreditation for its mail order pharmacy services and its CVS/pharmacy retail stores through the NABP durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) accreditation program. The DMEPOS program ensures that pharmacies supplying DMEPOS products meet the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) quality and accreditation standards. Those pharmacies that are accredited through the program are doing their part to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries receive the appropriate products, services, and patient care associated with DMEPOS. CVS is the first chain to receive DMEPOS accreditation through the NABP DMEPOS program. In addition, CVS received accreditation for its online pharmacy through the NABP Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites™ program in 1999 and for its distribution centers through the NABP Verified-Accredited Wholesale Distributors® program in 2006. The news release about the accreditation of CVS Caremark is posted under News/Press, and more information about DMEPOS accreditation is available under Accreditation Programs on the NABP Web site.

Sixteen Additional Facilities Awarded VAWD Accreditation
NABP recently accredited 16 new facilities through its Verified-Accredited Wholesale Distributors® (VAWD®) program, bringing the total number of accredited facilities to 182 as of September 14, 2007. A full listing of VAWD facilities is available under Accreditation Programs on the NABP Web site.

  • AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation, dba Oncology Supply Company services a limited cancer treatment clientele consisting of physicians, clinics, and hospitals. The facility’s inventory includes a limited number of non-controlled substance prescription medications and some over-the-counter products and devices. The company received accreditation for its Dothan, AL facility.
  • Cardinal Health 200, Inc, provides regional distribution of medical supplies and intravenous solutions to hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, and surgical clinics. The company received accreditation for its Grand Prairie, TX facility.
  • Columbus Serum Company provides veterinary medications, intravenous solutions, biologicals, and supplies to veterinarians and animal hospitals and clinics. The company received accreditation for its Columbus, OH facility.
  • Exel, Inc, is a third-party logistics provider processing controlled substance prescription medications as well as over-the-counter products. The company received accreditation for its Mechanicsburg, PA facility.
  • Novis Pharmaceuticals, LLP, is a specialty distributor of plasma derivatives, albumin, immune globulins, coagulation factors, and hyper-immune products. The company received accreditation for its Elk Grove Village, IL facility.
  • Patterson Logistics Services, Inc, distributes veterinary products, including prescription medications, in Ohio and Indiana. The company received accreditation for its Camby, IN facility.
  • Patterson Logistics Services, Inc, distributes a range of prescription and over-the-counter products used in dental practices nationwide. The company received accreditation for its South Bend, IN facility.
  • UPS Supply Chain Solutions, Inc, provides pharmaceutical product warehousing, distribution, and transportation management services on behalf of clients to customers nationwide. The company received accreditation for eight facilities in the following locations:
    • Newark, DE
    • Rancho Cucamonga, CA
    • Decatur, GA
    • Louisville, KY
    • Stead, NV
    • Harrisburg, PA
    • Memphis, TN
    • Ft Worth, TX
  • Webster Veterinary Supply, Inc, distributes companion-pet veterinary supplies and pharmaceuticals nationwide, primarily in the New England area. The company received accreditation for its Sterling, MA facility.

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