Owner and manager of Pierpont Landing Pharmacy in Morgantown, Michael LeMasters will be given the Rx Champion Award for 2019 in recognition of his efforts to prevent drug abuse and diversion. West Virginia Pharmacists Association President Ken Reed will present the award to Michael during the 2019 Annual Convention in the Charleston Marriott Hotel, October 19.
Michael is recognized for developing the State of West Virginia’s guidlines for a pharmacist providing pharmaceutical care to patients with opioid use disorders using selected medications. His attainment has been adopted by the West Virginia Board of Pharmacy and utilized by pharmacists statewide.
He also has the state’s first collaborative practice agreement relating to opioid use disorder. He utilizes the state’s naloxone dispensing protocol, as well as the collaborative practice agreement to ensure each patient receives naloxone. He has seen lives saved as a result of these efforts.
The safeguards built into his dispensing policies and procedures have been applauded by providers and law enforcement. His efforts have lead him to a position on the Governor’s Task Force to address opioid addiction.
Michael is committed to training students and interns on the provisions of quality pharmaceutical care to patients in a nonjudgemental manner. He is working very hard with patients, providers and pharmacists to reduce diversion and to aid patients
He works tirelessly to help his patients recover safely and to ensure they help themselves and our communities by reducing diversion In 2018, he became a trainer for the WV Office of Emergency Services naloxone program so that he could continue to educate and provide care for both providers and patients
