NABP's Fall Legislative Conference Offers Attendees Up to Eight CE Hours

July 10, 2003 12:00 AM

Participants will not only have the chance to meet with their congressional representatives at NABP's 2003 Fall Legislative Conference, they will also be able to log as many as eight American Council on Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE)-approved continuing education (CE) credit hours during the conference that will be held September 14-16, 2003, at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC.

Sunday, September 14

The first session of the conference, Federal Legislative Update, held on Sunday, September 14, from 2 to 3:30 PM, will offer attendees information on current issues under consideration by the boards of pharmacy to prepare for meetings with state representatives. Topics discussed will include federal legislative actions and initiatives relevant to pharmacy compounding, foreign drug importation, and medical error legislation and regulations. Attendees will earn 0.15 continuing education units (CEUs), or 1.5 contact hours, for attending this session.

Next, learn about the current status of electronic prescriptions and electronic signatures during the Electronic Prescriptions and Electronic Signatures session, which is also on Sunday, from 3:45 to 5:15 PM. Electronic transmission of prescriptions and signatures is nearer to common practice as several states implement pilot programs. Pending Drug Enforcement Administration regulations, issues presented by the various state regulations, and limitations presented by multiple technologies are some of the issues that will be discussed. Participants can earn 0.15 CEUs, or 1.5 contact hours, by attending this session.

Monday, September 15

Kick off Monday morning with a discussion about how vigilance over the distribution of controlled substances is a must, and how state controlled substance monitoring programs can aid state pharmacy boards in keeping track of these substances. Update on State Controlled Substance Monitoring Programs on September 15, from 9 to 10:30 AM, will feature an update on state controlled substance monitoring programs: what has worked, what has not worked, and what states have done with the information that has been gathered. Participants can earn 0.15 CEUs, or 1.5 contact hours, by attending this session.

Next, explore the role of pharmacy technicians and impact on incidences of diversion and disciplinary activity during the Technician Diversion and Monitoring session. Held on Monday, from 10:45 AM to 12:15 PM, this session will show you how a centralized clearinghouse system can help monitor technician activities and affect diversion. Attendees can earn 0.15 CEUs, or 1.5 contact hours, by attending this session.

Tuesday, September 16

Participants of the last conference session, HIPAA Privacy Update, will receive updated information on the Office for Civil Rights' policies regarding enforcement of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act privacy rules, as well as their impact upon state board of pharmacy activities during this session on Tuesday, September 16, from 9:45 to 11:45 AM. Participants can earn 0.2 CEUs, or 2.0 contact hours, by attending this session.

Special Sessions

As the debate grows over technician education and training accreditation, ACPE is holding open hearings on the issue. The ACPE Technician Education and Training Standards Hearing on Tuesday, September 16, from 8 to 9:30 AM will promote a profession-wide dialogue concerning the possible development of national standards and an accreditation process for pharmacy technician education and training. A short presentation will be made by ACPE representatives, followed by an open microphone session to involve session participants. No CE credit is available for this session.

Each afternoon of the 2003 FLC has been left open so attendees can schedule meetings with their congressional representatives. Participants are encouraged to make appointments without delay, as NABP has scheduled the conference while Congress is in session.

Renee Renganathan