Drug Topics - November 19, 2007 - (Page 17)

www.drugtopics.com NOVEMBER 19, 2007 DRUG TOPICS 17 Cover Story That level of oversight is important, some insist. “What we’ve seen with a lot of recovery programs is that they start out with good intentions, but there have been some fraud and financial issues,” said a concerned Carmen Catizone, executive director of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. “Overall, PRNs are managed and run by dedicated people, but there needs to be structure and accountability.” Part of the reason the Ohio board is so willing to work with the PRN is that more than half of the state board’s time is occupied with substance abuse issues. “That’s way too much time,” Winsley said. “We have other issues that we should be dealing with.” To combat the problem, Winsley is working with pharmacy educators in the state. “We need to sit down and start talking with the chemically dependent while they are still in school,” he argued. “If we can intervene when they are in pharmacy school or in high school, then it would never get to the level of the board.” Many pharmacy schools have developed substance abuse programs for students, and APhA has formed a substance abuse special interest group. The association also founded and has supported the University of Utah School on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependencies. Students appear to be getting the message. According to Marcie Bough, Pharm.D., director, federal regulatory affairs at APhA, the number of students who attend the Utah school has increased dramatically. In addition, the APhA Foundation offers student leaders a scholarship to attend the school. DT Spreading the recovery gospel Unfortunately, few PRNs receive direct funding from licensing fees and most rely on fundraising and charging patients to underwrite their work. PRN advocates and board of pharmacy officials agree that a more formal structure would greatly improve their work. Like everything else, Catizone said, “it has been a question of resources” in finding funding for PRNs. “The goals of the recovery network and the goals of the board are at opposite ends of the spectrum,” contends William T. Winsley, executive director of the Ohio pharmacy board. “If pharmacists have a problem, get help now before we find out about it.” http://www.drugtopics.com http://www.pdrbookstore.com

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Drug Topics - November 19, 2007 Contents Latebreakers Letters Leukemia Patients Now Have More Options First-in-Class HIV Drug Boon to Patients at End of Tether 150 Years of American Pharmacy Pharmacy Schools Confront New Pressures From Pariah to Patient ACCP Releases Position Paper on Ethical Interactions New Injectable Antibiotic Welcomed with Open Arms NCCN Updates Head and Neck Cancer Guide Improved Phosphate Binder Approved for Dialysis Patients Considering Combination Concern Ensuring Seamless Care Bill Would Create Center for Comparative Effectiveness Hospital Improves Patient Safety with Automatic Drug Distribution System Infection Rates, Patient Stays Drop with New Drug Device How R.Ph.s Helped Three Hospitals Win Quality and Safety Awards A Pharmacist and Dog in Tow are Alzheimer’s Patients’ Best Friends More PBMs Agreeing to Pricing Transparency New Insulins in the Management of Diabetes New Products Advertisers Index Classified VIEWPOINT: Reflections on Pharmacy School After 30 Years

Drug Topics - November 19, 2007

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