Plans for WVPA’s 112th Annual Convention were announced August 26. The event is set for October 19 and 20, at the Marriott Hotel in Charleston. WVPA President Ken Reed will preside over the Convention.
Pharmacists can earn up to 11 hours of approved continued education by attending. CE programs include: The Pharmacy Law You Need To Know; Understanding Drug Shortages; Preventing, Detecting and Responding to Prescription Drug Diversion; Immunization Update; Prescription Drug Diversion and Best Practices for Preventing, Managing and Monitoring Inappropriate Opioid Utilization; and What You Need To Know About Opioid Reduction Act.
Pharmacists are reminded of the requirement to complete three(3) hours of “prescription drug diversion” every two (2) years to maintain their license. This required CE course is scheduled for October 20, beginning at 8:00 a.m.
WVPA members receiving awards include: Craig Kimble, PharmD, Bowl of Hygeia; David Bowyer, RPh, Dr. James H. Beal Award; Matthew Rafa, PharmD, Distinguished Young Pharmacist; Michael Lemasters, PharmD, Rx Champion; and Heidi Romeo, PharmD, Excellence in Innovation.
Registration is available at WVPA, 2016 1/2 Kanawha Blvd., East, Charleston, WV 25311. Telephone 304-344-5302, or Email: www.wvpharmacy.org
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West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey says his lawsuit against the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has brought “real change” in the opioid epidemic. He says results of the suit has meant significant cuts in the number of pills that DEA will allow to be manufactured next year. The proposed limits slash hydrocodone manufacturing by 19% and oxycodone by 8.8%.
Prescribing and dispensing rates of opioid painkillers also have begun to decrease. A preliminary estimate shows 32 million doses of hydrocodone being dispensed in West Virginia in 2019, down from the 99 million doses of hydrocodone dispensed in 2011. Morrisey’s efforts have helped West Virginia see a 51 percent drop in opioid prescriptions since 2013.
Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear is moving forward with a lawsuit against three insulin makers over skyrocketing prices. He alleges Eli Lilly, Sanofi-Aventis and Novo Nordisk have increased the price of their analog insulin products at least 10 times while the costs to make insulin have stayed low, usually less than $7 per vial.
Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma told the insurance industry if it doesn’t work to increase transparency and reduce patient costs, they will face extinction through “Medicare for All.” Her comments were made September 22 at the American Health Insurance Association conference.
Purdue Pharma filed for bankruptcy September 15 after facing abut 2,600 lawsuits for its role in the opioid crisis. It is scheduled to pay $10 billion to settle lawsuits with 24 states. The money is to go toward treatment for people who have become addicted to opioids, and to help pay for overdose-reversal drugs.
Due to a lack of sterility assurance, Altaire Pharmaceuticals is voluntarily recalling OTC drug products and lots sold as generic ophthalmic medications at chain and retail pharmacies. The non-sterile products may result in serious and possibly life-threatening infections or death.
