NABP's 99th Annual Meeting Provides Opportunities for Pharmacists to Continue Their Professional Development

February 27, 2003 12:00 am

Professionals need to continue their career and educational development - the practice of pharmacy is no different. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy®'s (NABP®) 99th Annual Meeting, themed "Continuing Professional Development: The Key to Your Future," May 3-7, 2003, at the Philadelphia Marriott Hotel in Philadelphia, PA, offers pharmacists numerous options to further their educational and professional growth through the available continuing education (CE) and special programs.

The Annual Meeting features the annual business sessions of the Association, CE programs, and such events as the Annual Awards Dinner, the Educational Presentation Area, and a discussion on the accreditation equivalency of Canadian pharmacy programs led by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education. Meeting participants have the option to choose from CE sessions in three programming tracks targeting board of pharmacy executive officers and members, compliance staff, and pharmacy practice issues.

The CE programs will focus on timely and relevant issues like continuing professional development, the new security regulations stemming from the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996, medication error data review, the regulation of listed chemicals, the return and reuse of medications in long term care settings, substance abuse treatment, and recent regulatory cases seen by professional boards. Attendees can earn up to six and a half hours of American Council on Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE)-approved CE credit at the 99th Annual Meeting.

The meeting's four business sessions will address such Association topics as the election of officers and members to the open positions on the Executive Committee and the disposition of resolutions proposed by the districts and member boards of NABP.

NABP is excited to announce its special programming. The Keynote Address will be delivered by General Henry Hugh Shelton, past senior military advisor to President George W. Bush's administration and recipient of the United States Congressional Gold Medal, who will recount the events of September 11 as they unfolded at the White House. At this year's Educational Presentation Area, open on Saturday, May 3, 1 - 5 PM, and Sunday, May 4, from 8 AM - noon, attendees may participate in a poster session where boards will present and discuss their most interesting issues and cases. The Public Board Member Session and the New Member Seminar are both returning to the Annual Meeting line up. New this year is a Meet the Candidates Session that will be held on Monday, May 5, from 2:30 to 3:30 PM where voting delegates can talk with those candidates who are running for open positions on the Executive Committee.

Other special events include the President's Welcoming Reception honoring NABP President John A. Fiacco, the NABP/USP Breakfast, and the Association's Annual Awards Dinner. The awards presented during this banquet will include NABP's Lester E. Hosto Distinguished Service Award, Fred T. Mahaffey Award, and Henry Cade Award.

This year's optional spouse/guest event is a tour of The Physick House and the Philadelphia Museum of Art Highlights Tour.

For more information about the 99th Annual Meeting or NABP, please contact the Meetings Desk at 847/698-6227, or visit the Association's Web site at www.nabp.net.

Courtney Karzen