NABP Symposium to Provide Forum for Attendees to Investigate and Discuss Anti-counterfeiting Efforts, Explore Establishment of BTC Drug Class

Attendees of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) 2008 Symposium will have the chance to explore the challenges of combating counterfeit drugs as well as examine the logistics of establishing a behind-the-counter (BTC) drug class during the new one-and-a-half day meeting format. Held December 4-5, 2008, at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Hotel in Tucson, AZ, the Symposium will offer attendees a full day to hear from experts on the topic of counterfeit drugs and investigate solutions to fight against this issue on Thursday, while Friday’s half-day session will feature discussion on the possible establishment of a BTC drug class as well as provide a point-counterpoint discussion on the pros and cons. Participating attendees may earn up to 12 contact hours (1.2 CEUs) of Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)-approved continuing pharmacy education (CPE) credit.

Thursday, December 4

State and federal pharmacy regulators, as well as law enforcement agencies continue to gauge anti-counterfeiting efforts and seek to gain as much information as possible in order to substantiate concerns of counterfeit drugs. In the United States alone, nearly 1% of pharmaceutical sales per year are counterfeit, equating to approximately 30 million prescriptions. In addition, 30% of the available drugs in developing countries may be counterfeit. During the Thursday morning CPE session, held from 8 am to noon, attendees will be presented with an overview of the problem of drug counterfeiting and what can be expected in the future. Participants of this session, “Counterfeit Drugs: Serious Threat or Ploy?” (ACPE program #205-000-08-008-L03-P) will have the opportunity to earn four contact hours (0.4 CEUs) of CPE credit while hearing presentations from experts on the following topics:

  • The Hard Evidence of Counterfeit Drugs
  • A Global Look at Counterfeiting
  • Illegal Importation: Point-Counterpoint
  • Prevalence of Counterfeit Drugs from Manufacturer to Patient
  • Diversion through Secondary Wholesalers and Closed Door Pharmacies: An Update
  • Malware Ties to Online Drug Distributors and Organized Crime: What are the Implications?
  • Pedigrees: From Tomatoes to Jalapeños to Pharmaceuticals
  • California Pedigree Law Update

The Thursday afternoon CPE session, “What Are We Going to Do to Counter Counterfeiting?” (ACPE program #205-000-08-009-L03-P), held from 1:30 to 5 pm, looks to the future and presents meeting attendees with information on the need for the industry and regulators to share information obtained in their efforts to protect products and cooperate for effective outcomes. In addition, the session provides information on current and potential future efforts by NABP to curb counterfeiting, avert illegally operating rogue Internet drug outlets, and protect the public health. Offering three-and-a-half contact hours (0.35 CEUs) of CPE credit, this session also offers participants the opportunity to participate in roundtable discussions on the following topics:

  • The “Haves” and the “Have Nots” of Pedigrees
  • Educating about Internet Drug Safety – Strategies for Informing and Educating Patients
  • The Dream Team: A Strategy for Combating Counterfeit Drugs

Friday, December 5

During the final session, “Behind-the-Counter Class of Drugs: Is the Time Right?” (ACPE program #205-000-08-010-L03-P), held from 8:30 am to 1 pm, participants will discuss the establishment of a BTC drug class. As Food and Drug Administration (FDA) takes a more active approach in investigating creation of this new drug class, questions still remain regarding the monitoring of this third tier of drugs and the development of uniform requirements. Attendees will hear from FDA about the ins and outs of establishing a BTC class of drugs and how this will affect board of pharmacy regulation of the practice of pharmacy, as well as how the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act will have to be amended to allow for a BTC class of drugs. A representative from the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities will also be on hand to describe the association’s experiences with a BTC class of drugs in Canada. Finally, a stimulating point-counterpoint discussion will present participants with proponents’ and opponents’ viewpoints and debate from various entities about the benefits and risks of creating a third, BTC class of drugs. Participation in this session will enable attendees to earn four-and-a-half contact hours (0.45 CEUs) of CPE credit.

For a full description of the CPE sessions or to register for the 2008 Symposium, visit the Meetings section of the NABP Web site.

NABP and the NABP Foundation are approved by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as providers of continuing pharmacy education. ACPE Provider Number: 205. Participants may earn up to 4.5 contact hours (0.45 CEUs) of ACPE-approved continuing education credit from NABP. Participants in continuing pharmacy education programs will receive credit by completing a “Statement of Continuing Pharmacy Education Participation” and submitting it to the NABP office. A validated Statement of Credit will be sent as proof of participation within approximately six weeks. Full attendance and completion of a program evaluation form for each session are required to receive continuing pharmacy education credit and a Statement of Credit.

Larissa Doucette

News Topics

Archives