PUBLIC WARNED ABOUT ONLINE DRUG SELLERS
The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) issued a release April 24 to increase awareness about how rogue Internet drug sites are preying on consumers' fears about drug shortages.
With the most critical shortages involving cancer, antibiotic, nutrition and electrolyte-imbalance medicines, counterfeiters are taking advantage of a lucrative niche market for fake prescription medicine.
NABP found 96% of the more than 9,500 Internet drug outlets analyzed continue to operate out of compliance with United State pharmacy laws, fuel prescription drug abuse and misuse, and provide an outlet for counterfeit medicines to enter the US drug supply -- all of which endanger the health and safety of Americans.
NABP has identified several rogue drug sites affiliated with the counterfeit Avastin scheme that sell unapproved medications from numerous foreign sources to US patients without a valid prescription, putting patients in danger.
NABP has found that rogue Internet drug outlets are exploiting consumers' concerns over prescription drug shortages to spread misinformation and sell counterfeit and substandard drugs, such as erectile dysfunction medications -- many of them knockoffs of legitimate brands -- that are not in short supply.
NEW LIMITS FOR PSE PRODUCTS BEGIN JUNE 8
Passed by the 2012 Legislature and signed into law by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin, Senate Bill 437 implements revised and new legal provisions relating to the prescribing and dispensing of controlled substances and pesudoephedrine, ephedrine and phenylpropanolamine products at various dates throughout the year.
The first date of importance to pharmacists is June 8, 2012. The limits on PSE products that can be sold persons over age 18 years of age are: no more than 3.6 grams per day; no more than 7.6 grams during a 30-day period; and no more than 48 grams during a one-year period. These limits are less then the current limits.
IMMUNIZATIONS BY PHARMACISTS
WVPA was informed on April 4, 2012 by the Board of Pharmacy that it has filed Series 12 Rule for Immunizations by Pharmacists with the Secretary of State today officially making it legal for pharmacists to administer the following additional immunizations as contained in HB 4139 passed by the 2012 Legislature:
· Hepatitis A,
· Hepatitis B,
· Herpes Zoster, and
· Tetanus, tetanus-diphtheria ("Td") or tetanus-diphtheria-and-petussis ("Tdap").
These are in addition to the current influenza and pneumonia immunizations pharmacists have been allowed to administer if they have met requirements established by the Board.
A pharmacist licensed by the Board may administer the above immunizations to any person 18 years of age or older provided the pharmacist has met all of the following requirements:
(a) registered with the Board to administer immunizations;
(b) successfully completed the American Pharmacists Association's (APhA) immunization training program, or such other immunization training course as may be approved by the Board, which courses must be based on the standards established for immunization training by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in the public health service of the US Dept. of Health and Human Services;
(c) maintains current certification in basic life-support training, including basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) offered by the American Heart Assoc. or the American Red Cross; and
(d) completed a minimum of two (2) hours annually of continuing education related to immunizations. The continuing education must be by a provider approved by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).
WV PHARMACY TECHS EXCEED NATIONAL AVERAGE IN TESTING
According to a year-end 2011 report by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) 87 of the 107 West Virginia pharmacy technicians taking the national certification exam passed last year.
This 81% passing rate exceeds the national average of 76%. A total 1,284 West Virginia technicians have attained national certification since exams began in 1995.
The primary work environment for these technicians who sat for the PTCB certification examination include: independent pharmacies; chain pharmacies, hospital; home health care; and long term care. The primary area of work was assisting in prescription dispensing, followed by assisting in inpatient medication dispensing.
Forty-five states, including West Virginia, promote PTCB certification.