the georgia pharmacy journal: december 2010

The Georgia Pharmacy Journal December 20102

2011 OPEN ENROLLMENT!Join us in celebrating 30 years of serving the members

of the Georgia Pharmacy Association.

To learn more visit www.gpha.org.

Call or e-mail TODAY to schedule a time to discuss your health insurance needs.

Trevor Miller – Director of Insurance Services404.419.8107 or email at [email protected]

Celebrating 30 years of service to the Pharmacists of Georgia!

Georgia Pharmacy Association Members Take Advantage ofPremium Discounts Up to 30% on Individual Disability

Insurance

Have you protected your most valuable asset?Many people realize the need to insure personal belongings like carsand homes, but often they neglect to insure what provides their lifestyle and financial well-being - their income!

The risk of disability exists and the financial impact of a long-term disability (90 days or more) can have adevastating impact on individuals, families and businesses.During the course of your career, you are 3½ timesmore likely to be injured and need disability coverage than you are to die. (Health Insurance Association of America,2000)

As a member of the Georgia Pharmacy Association, you can help protect your most valuable asset and receivepremium discounts up to 30% on high-quality Individual Disability Income Insurance from Principal Life InsuranceCompany.

For more information visit www.gpha.org.

* Association Program subject to state approval. Policy forms HH 750, HH 702, HH 703. This is a general summary only. Additional guidelines apply. Disability insurance has limitations and exclusions. Forcosts and details of coverage, contact your Principal Life financial representative.


F E A T U R E A R T I C L E S

15 New Pharmacy School Ribbin Cutting Held November 12

21 Continuing Education for Pharmacists: Understanding Medication Therapy Management Services

C O L U M N S

4 President’s Message

7 Editorial

For an up-to-date calendar of events, log ontowww.gpha.org.

11VIP Day Save the DateFebruary 23, 2011

Departments8 Pharm PAC 2010-201111 Peer Reviewers Needed12 GPhA New Members16 GPhFAnnual Fund19 New Practitioner Leadership

Conference Nomination Form31 GPhA Board of Directors

Advertisers2 The Insurance Trust2 Principal Financial Group5 PharmAssist Recovery Network5 Display Options, Inc.6 GPhA Career Center9 Logix, Inc.9 Michael T. Tarrant9 Toliver & Gainer10 Pharmacists Mutual Companies12 Melvin Goldstein, P.C.13 Sparkfly14 GoToMeeting/GoToWebinar15 IPA EVP & CEO Ad17 Carribean CPE Cruise18 GPhA Workers Compensation20 AIP30 Southeastern Girls of Pharamcy

Leadership Weekend32 The Insurance Trust

P R E S I D E N T ’ S M E S S A G E


December is typically the time of year many of ustake a physical inventory at our practices, whichhelps us prepare better for the year ahead. The

end of the year is also an opportune time to take stock ofwhere we are in our own lives. It is a good time to asksome challenging questions, such as, “What am I doingthat brings purpose and fulfillment to my life, bothpersonally and professionally?”

One of my favorite lines came from Rick Warren’s book,The Purpose Driven Life. The first line in the book simplysays, “It’s not about you.” Now that four word statementmade me stop and think. If it is not about me, then what isIT about? The point Warren was making in his book isthat it is about relationships and serving others that bringsmeaning in life. In our professional lives, we serve theneeds of people each and every day. In my way ofthinking, that makes us a service profession. But are weviewed as such, by our patients/customers or by otherhealth care providers? If we were viewed as order takersand counters of pills in the past, what are we doing,individually and collectively, to change that image?

It takes a change in mindset to move toward a serviceoriented profession, just as it does to adhere to a NewYear’s resolution. A major obstacle to change is that weget too comfortable with the ways things are. At theNCPA national convention in October, former Secretary

of Health and Human Services, Donna Shalala, spokeabout the role of pharmacists in the future. In essence, sheimplored pharmacists to step up to the plate and acceptthe challenges that will be presented as healthcare reformis unfurled. She warned that we must be proactive inexploring opportunities in the new realities of medicalhomes and accountable care organizations and expand onthe present reality of medication therapy management. Ifwe don’t, other health care providers will seize the day.

It is not only time to step up to the plate, but also topractice what we preach. If we are managing diabetespatients and preaching the importance of diet andexercise, are we going home after work and sitting in frontof the TV snacking on moon pies and RC Cola? If wethink it is important to promote and advance theprofession of pharmacy, as per our mission statement, arewe giving of our time and our resources to ourprofessional associations, both on the state and nationallevel?

What brings purpose and fulfillment is very individual, butthere do seem to be common denominators. In myinaugural address, I quoted Albert Schweitzer, who said, “Idon’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing Iknow: the only ones among you who will be really happyare those who will have sought and found how to serve.”The staff and volunteers of GPhA will strive hard to serve

Dale M. Coker, R.Ph., FIACPGPhA President

Taking StockTaking Stock

I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones amongyou who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.

PharmAssist Recovery Network

The PharmAssist Network continuesto provide advocacy, intervention and

assistance to the impairedpractitioners, students and techniciansin the state. If you or anyone you

know needs assistance, please call thehotline number:

PharmAssist Hotline Number(24 hours / 7 days a week)

404-362-8185(All calls are confidential)

Display Options, Inc.40 years experience, 1500 pharmacies and still going………

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our membership in meeting the challenges of our fiveyear strategic plan, emphasizing membership andadvocacy. The question is, what are you willing to do? Willyou find new ways to serve your patients and your profession?Will you be an advocate for your profession instead ofcomplaining about the problems? Will you be active inhelping to define the role of pharmacy in health care reform?Will you invest your time and resources to help ensure thefuture of our profession?One of the lessons I have learnedin life is that service is not always glamorous, nor does italways bring instant gratification, but it does bring aboutlasting reward. Isn’t that what IT is all about?

Find the best jobs and highly qualified pharmacists Georgia has to offer.

SUPPORTING PHARMACISTS.ADVANCING CAREERS.

Career Center

Members Save 20% on Job Postings

Use code MEMDIS001

www.gpha.org/jobs

Adowntown Atlanta panhandler asks each person hemeets, “Friend, can you spare a dime?” I think thattoday we sadly find most of pharmacy is saying to

every payer and PBM, “Can you spare a dime?”

I am told about the same panhandler who had a verywealthy uncle pass away and left the penniless panhandlera million dollars in a personal trust fund. The estate andwill provided him with a checkbook to write a check for asmuch money as he needed whenever he needed it. Thegreat irony was the panhandler had never learned to readand write and though he was a millionaire, he was stillpenniless with a checkbook in his pocket with checks hecould not write and could not cash.

Each of us knows the panhandler needs to take time tolearn to read and write so he access and manage his newfound wealth that at the moment seems so far out of hisreach.

Why didn’t the panhandler take time to learn to read andwrite and access his new found wealth? The reason was hewas too busy chasing another dime from the same peoplehe always had asked.

Pharmacy’s old dispensing process of “lick, stick, countand pour” has been greatly improved today in efficiency

and accuracy while at the same time facing reductions inthe dispensing fee, dime by dime. Does pharmacy havetime to access all the new found wealth in the professionthrough the delivery of immunizations, medicationtherapy management, chronic disease management ofdiabetes, asthma, and COPD and many otheropportunities?

Any pharmacist or every pharmacy owner today can reachout to the new found financial rewards for managing theoutcomes of patient’s prescriptions. Pharmacists can learnto write their own check. The Georgia PharmacyAssociation is a great resource for teaching proficiency inthose areas of practice; however pharmacists have to cometo those classes and learn to read and write their future orchoose to go to work next week seeking a friend to spare adime.

Today’s and tomorrow’s health care holds increasingopportunities for new and improved reimbursement forpharmacists — we just need to learn how to write thecheck on the future.

Happy Holiday from myself and the GPhA Staff.

E X E C U T I V E V I C E P R E S I D E N T ’ S E D I T O R I A L

Jim BracewellExecutive Vice President / CEO

7The Georgia Pharmacy Journal December 2010

“Friend, Can You Spare a Dime”


Titanium Level($2400 minimum pledge)Patrick Dunham, R.Ph.Michael E. Farmer, R.Ph.David Graves, R.Ph.Ann Hansford, R.Ph.Jeffrey L. Lurey, R.Ph.Robert A. Ledbetter, R.Ph.Marvin O. McCord, III, R.Ph.Judson L. Mullican, R.Ph.W.A. (Bill) Murray, R.Ph.Mark L. Parris, Pharm.D.Fred F. Sharpe, R.Ph.Jeff Sikes, R.Ph.

Platinum Level($1200 minimum pledge)Robert Bowles, Jr., R.Ph., CDM, CftsT.M. Bridges, R.Ph.Bruce L. Broadrick, Sr., R.Ph.Thomas E. Bryan, Jr., B.S.William G. Cagle, Jr., R.Ph.Keith Chapman, R.Ph.Hugh M. Chancy, R.Ph.Dale M. Coker, R.Ph., FIACPBilly ConleyJ. Ashley Dukes, R.Ph.Stewart Flanagin, Jr., R.Ph.Robert M. Hatton, Pharm.D.Alan M. Jones, R.Ph.Ira Katz, R.Ph.Harold M. Kemp, Pharm.D.Brandall S. Lovvorn, Pharm.D.Eddie M. Madden, R.Ph.

Jonathan Marquess, Pharm.D., CDE, CPTPam S. Marquess, Pharm.D.Kenneth A McCarthy, R.Ph.Scott Meeks, R.Ph.Drew Miller, R.Ph., CDMLaird Miller, R.Ph.Jay Mosley, R.Ph.Wallace Allen Partridge, Jr.Tim Short, R.Ph.

Gold Level($600 minimum pledge)James Bartling, Pharm.D., ADA, CAC IIRobert CecilLiza G. Chapman, Pharm.D.Patrick M. Cook, Pharm.D.Mahlon Davidson, R.Ph., CDMJim Elrod, R.Ph.Kevin FlorenceH. Neal Florence, R.Ph.David GamadanisMarsha C. Kapiloff, R.Ph.J.Thomas Lindsey, R.Ph.Robert B. Moody, III, R.Ph.Sherri S. Moody, Pharm.D.sharon M. Sherrer, Pharm.D.Michael T. TarrantJeffrey Richardson, R.Ph.Robert Anderson Rogers, R.Ph.Dean Stone, R.Ph., CDMThomas H. Whitworth, R.Ph., CDM

Silver Level($300 minimum pledge)Renee D. Adamson, Pharm.D.Larry Batten, R.Ph.John L. Colvard, J. R.Ph.F. Al Dixon, R.Ph.Jack Dunn, R.Ph.Marshall L. Frost, Pharm.D.Amy S. Galloway, R.Ph.Michael O. Iteogu, Pharm.D.Willie O. Latch, R.Ph.Kenneth A. McCarthy, R.Ph.Kalen Beauchamp Porter, Pharm.D.Edward Franklin Reynolds, R.Ph.Houston L. Rogers, Jr., Pharm.D., CDMBrandon UllrichAlan M. Voges, Sr., R.Ph.Flynn W. Warren, M.S., R.Ph.Oliver C. Whipple, R.Ph.Walter Alan White, R.Ph.

Bronze Level($150 minimum pledge)Mark C. Cooper, R.Ph.Monica M. Ali-Warren, R.Ph.Lance P. Boles, R.Ph., MBAJames R. Brown, R.Ph.Michael A. Crooks, Pharm.D.Charles Alan Earnest, R.Ph.Amanda R. Gaddy, R.Ph.Martin T. Grizzard, R.Ph.Fadeke JafojoAllison LayneWilliam E. Lee, R.Ph.William J. McLeer, Sr., R.Ph.Richard Brian Smith, R.Ph.Wallace WhitenSharon B. Zerillo, R.Ph.

Pharm PAC Enrollment

Pledge Year 2010-2011

If you made a gift or pledge to Pharm PAC and your name does not appear above please, contact Kelly J. McLendon [email protected] or 404-419-8116.. Donations made Pharm PAC are not considered charitable donations and arenot tax deductible.


Lawyer and Pharmacist Leroy Toliver, Pharm.D., R.Ph., J.D.

• Professional LicensureDisciplinary Proceedings• Medicaid Recoupment Defense• Challenges in Medicaid Audits• OIG List Problems• SCX or Other Audits

Leroy Toliver has been a Georgia RegisteredPharmacist for 38 years. He has been a practicingattorney for 29 years and has represented numerouspharmacists and pharmacies in all types of cases.Collectively, he has saved his clients millions of

dollars.

Toliver and Gainer,LLP

942 Green Street, SWConyers, GA [email protected]

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Securities, certain advisory services and insurance products are offered through INVEST Financial Corporation

(INVEST), member FINRA/SIPC, a federally registered Investment Adviser, and affiliated insurance agencies.

INVEST is not affiliated with Financial Network Associates, Inc. Other advisory services may be offered through

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Pharm PAC Contributors’ List ContinuedMembers(no minimum pledge)Jill AugustineClaude W. Bates, B.S.Chad J. Brown, R.Ph.Max C. Brown, R.Ph.Lucinda F. Burroughs, R.Ph.Waymon M. Cannon, R.Ph.Walter A. Clark, Jr., R.Ph.Jean N. Courson, R.Ph.

Carleton C. Crabill, R.Ph.Alton D. Greenway, R.Ph.J. Clarence Jackson, Jr., R.Ph.Gina Ryan Johnson, Pharm.D., BCPS, CDEAshley S. LondonTracie D. Lunde, Pharm.D.Ralph K. Marett, M.S.Whitney B. Pickett, Pharm.D.Rose Ann Pinkstaff, R.Ph.Michael Reagan, R.Ph.Leonard Franklin

Reynolds, III, R.Ph.James Riggs, R.Ph.Victor Serafy, R.Ph.Harry A. Shurley, Jr., R.Ph.James. E. Stowe, Jr., R.Ph.William D. Whitaker, R.Ph.Jonathon A. Williams, Pharm.D.Michael R. Williams, R.Ph.

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Professional Opportunity & Earn FREE CPE Credit!!!

ATTENTION GPHA PHARMACISTS – WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!

As you may know, GPhA publishes a self-study article in The Journal each month for CPE credit. In order tostay in compliance with ACPE, we are required to have each article reviewed by at least 2 registeredpharmacists.

Peer Reviewer(s) are asked to consider and respond to questions concerning each article. The following areexamples of the questions asked:

• Is the content up-to-date and relevant to the practice of medicine • Is the activity appropriate to the stated audience (i.e pharmacists)• Is the activity scientifically rigorous and presented in a manner generally accepted in the medical profession • Does the activity present balanced information, leaving out trade names and including both benefits andlimitation of drugs. Recommendations are to include entire classes of drugs instead of one product • Amount of time to complete the activity

Once you have completed a peer review, you will receive FREE CPE credit for the article you reviewed. If youwould like to be considered as a volunteer peer reviewer, please contact Maggie Patterson [email protected] or 404-419-8120.

As pharmacists of all practice settings, we need to continually challenge ourselves and sharpen our skills.PLUS it is a nice addition to your professional bio!


G P H A M E M B E R N E W S

Pharmacy School Student MembersDeslyn Adams, Savannah

Gbolahan Adebowale, SavannahLindsay Carter, Wrightsville

Christiana DiPlotti, LawrencevilleEdjona Ehe, SavannahTakang Etta, LithoniaAmber Fowler, GuytonHaley Gay, Quitman

Kate Hamil, KennesawTiffany Hammons, Savannah

Sarah Hardie, RinconZachary Hobby, Athens

Lauren Howell, TownsendEun Pyung Im, Athens

Laura Inendino, SavannahAquila Ingram, PoolerApril Jones, PelhamKylie Jones, Unadilla

Jennifer LeeRebecca Lee, RoswellRoger Lee, Atlanta

Danny Libin, Pensacola, FLKathryn McCarthy, SavannahLaura McEachren, Savannah

Mary Ngo, JonesboroVian Nguyen, Atlanta

Anoop Patel, LawrencevilleSwayaprabha Patel, Dothan, AL

Brian Peifer, AtlantaCharles Robertson, SavannahBrandon Rutstein, Atlanta

Amanda Stankiewicz, SavannahSonali Tejani, SavannahDavid Trinh, Savannah

Shannon Walraven, Calhoun

Individual Pharmacist MemberTed Adam Green, B.S., Macon

Amber Laurel Rains-Vines, Pharm.D., Trion

New Graduate Member - First YearJohnathan Wyndell Hamrick, Atlanta

Pharmacy Technician MemberAshley Victoria Skipper, Sandersville

Associate MemberDaniel Philip Van Deventer, MS, Birmingham, AL

Welcome to GPhA!The following is a list of new members who have joined Georgia’s premier

professional pharmacy association!

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Officials at Georgia’s newest pharmacy school cut theribbon Friday, November 12, commemorating thelaunch of the new four-year PharmD degree program

Aug. 16.

The noon-time ribbon cutting ceremony came one day beforethe 79 inaugural students received their white coats signifyingthe start of their journey into the field of pharmacy.

Among those participating in the program will be PCOMPresident and Chief Executive Officer Matthew Schure;Trustee Chairman Paul McGloin; PCOM School of PharmacyDean Mark Okamoto; Chair of Pharmacy Practice TimothyPoole, Pharm.D. and Georgia Campus Executive Officer JohnFleischmann. Assisting were First-Year Student PharmacistsMarco Ragins, a U.S. Army veteran who ledthe Pledge of Allegiance; and Tina Kazmark,the Class Chair.

The opening of the new school attracted alarge number of students for the 79 availableseats, and over 300 applicants were invitedto the Georgia campus for interviews.According to Dr. Okamoto, “Theadmissions team worked diligently to recruitand admit students who are talented, whohave expressed passion for the professionand who we expect to excel, bothacademically and professionally.”

Students in the four-year Doctor ofPharmacy program are involved inclassroom, lab and pharmacy experiencesbeginning in year one. Classroom and lab

experiences continue throughout the first three years of theprogram, while the fourth academic year sends students toeight, five-week rotations in hospital practice, communitypractice, ambulatory care and medicine rotations along withfour elective rotations in a variety of settings includingpediatrics, cardiology, infectious diseases, nuclear pharmacy,psychiatry, and managed care, to name a few.

Most of the students have a baccalaureate degree and somehave graduate degrees, but some of the students are able tofulfill the prerequisite requirements in less time. Many of thecharter class come from working professional backgrounds aspharmacy technicians. The centralized Pharmacy CollegeApplication Service (PharmCAS, www.pharmacas.org) beganaccepting applications on June 14, 2010, for the class enrollingin August 2011. Applicant interviews began Oct. 27 on the GA-PCOM Campus and will continue until April 1.

“No stone will be left unturned to provide them with a first-ratepharmacy school experience and equip them with the educationand understanding they need to take leadership roles in an ever-changing healthcare environment,” said to PCOM School ofPharmacy Dean Mark Okamoto. “We are grateful for theforesight of the PCOM Trustees and senior administration andthe support we have received from pharmacy leaders andpractitioners across the state. Our faculty brings diversebackgrounds to the School, with experience in pharmacyeducation, pharmaceutical and clinical research, clinicalpractice, and administrative management,” he added. “Ourstudents will be the beneficiaries of all they have to offer.”


New Pharmacy School Ribbon Cutting Held in Nov.

The Iowa Pharmacy Association is accepting applications for the position of

Executive Vice President & CEO

PURPOSE OF POSITIONAs chief executive officer, the EVP&CEO provides leadership and vision for the profession of pharmacy in Iowa and nationally.

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLSThe EVP&CEO must have a professional degree in pharmacy, be licensed or eligible to be licensed as a pharmacist, have prior or current demonstration of effective leadership, and have effective verbal and written communication skills.

APPLICATION PROCESSFor confidential consideration, interested applicants should submit a resume or curriculum vitae; names and contact information of three professional references*; and a cover letter addressing how you are qualified to fulfill the position description, including a personal perspective on how a state pharmacy association executive can advance the profession of pharmacy.

*references will not be contacted without your prior consent

Review of applications will begin February 15, 2011 and continue until the position is filled. Compensation package will be commensurate with background and qualifications. Position description and further information can be obtained at www.iarx.org.

Applications will be accepted electronically at [email protected]. Questions can be directed to the same email or to Fred Dorr with Wasker, Dorr, Wimmer, & Marcouiller, P.C. at (515) 283-1801.

P H A R M A C Y S C H O O L N E W S

GEORGIA PHARMACY FOUNDATION ANNUAL GIVING CAMPAIGN

The Georgia Pharmacy Foundation began its 9th Annual Giving Campaign on September 1st. Since 2002, the Foundation’s Annual Giving Campaigns have raised more than $102,000. Thank you to everyone who has made a difference with their gift. Each year, these resources make it possible for the Foundation to:

• Provide financial aid through scholarships to deserving Georgia student pharmacists • Provide training for future pharmacy leaders through our New Practitioner Leadership Conference • Help with the funding of the Southeastern PRN Program • Provide continuing education programs for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians

By giving to the Annual Campaign you are contributing to the continuity of the pharmacy profession, in turn strengthening the future of pharmacy. These gifts are vitally important to the continued success of the Foundation because they offer the flexibility to support emerging opportunities and unmet needs when often no other source of funding is available. Acknowledging the difference that pharmacy has made in your life will ensure that the profession remains the place where thinkers become leaders.

If you have not yet made your tax-deductible* gift for the current campaign, please do so today. Your support, at any level, is important. It will have an impact! Remember, many companies will match your contribution, doubling or even tripling the value of your gift! The success of our fundraising depends on donations and grants from foundations, government, corporations, and many generous individuals. Contributions are acknowledged with a Charitable Donation receipt for tax purposes, names will appear on our website and will be listed in the GPhA Journal. Checks should be made payable to the Georgia Pharmacy Foundation. We also welcome Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. Donations can also be made via our website at www.gpha.org.

(*As provided by law)

Giving back is the best way to keep our profession going forward!

Yes! I want to help support the good work of the Georgia Pharmacy Foundation by contributing to the 9th Annual Giving Campaign with my pledge of:

[ ] President’s Circle = $5,000 or more [ ] Eagle = $2,500 - $4,999 [ ] Centurion = $1,000 - $2,499 [ ] Gold Partner = $500 - $999 [ ] Silver Partner = $250 - $499 [ ] Bronze Partner = $100 - $249 [ ] Partner = $____ - $99

Name (Please Print): ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Company (if applicable): ______________________________________________________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City: ______________________________________________________________________ ST _________ Zip _________________ Telephone: (_____) ___________________ Email: __________________________________________________________

[ ] Please check here if you prefer to be listed as an Anonymous contributor.

Please specify if you would like to make your donation a gift. If so, please provide name and address of where you would like the In Memory/Honor gift card to be sent: (Please Print) [ ] In Memory of _______________________________________________________________________________

[ ] In Honor of _________________________________________________________________________________

Send notification to: __________________________________________________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________

* * * * * * * * * *

DON’T FORGET, you can make your gift online at WWW.GPHA.ORG - click on the Georgia Pharmacy Foundation logo on the front page.

[ ] Enclosed is my check payable to Georgia Pharmacy Foundation for $__________ OR [ ] Bill my credit card for $____________

(If you prefer to pay by installments, please indicate which one: [ ] Monthly or [ ] Quarterly. A separate form will be sent to you for completion.)

(Please circle one: AmEx Visa M/C Disc.) Card #:_____________________________________________ Security #: _____ Exp.Date: _____ (If name on credit card and the billing address are different from above, please provide that information too) Signature: _______________________________________________________________________ Today’s Date: __________________

Since 2002, the Foundation’s Annual

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__________________________________________________________

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] In Honor of _________________________________________________________________________________

A __________________________________________________________________________________________

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Goals: The goals of this article are toprovide an overview on MedicationTherapy Management (MTM)services and to review some of thebarriers involved in implementingthese services.

Objectives: At the conclusion of thisarticle, successful participants shouldbe able to:1) Define medication therapymanagement.2) Describe the APhA/NACDS coreelements of a MTM service.3) Understand perceived barriersfrom physicians and patients to theimplementation of MTM services.

IntroductionIn 2003, the Medicare PrescriptionDrug Improvement andModernization Act (MMA) officiallyrecognized the need for medicationtherapy management (MTM)services.1 The act was first initiated toenable Medicare beneficiaries theability to afford the increasing costs ofprescription drug therapy bysubsidizing drug costs through standalone drug plans and MedicareAdvantage drug plans.2 Additionally,with the implementation of MMA, theCenters for Medicare and MedicaidServices (CMS) established therequirement that all Medicare Part Dplans institute MTM programs as partof the eligible beneficiaries’ benefits.1

One of the key benefits forestablishing MTM programs was theability to manage increasingmedication costs by employingpharmacists or other qualified healthcare professionals to help ensureappropriate and cost-effective druguse among their members.2 While theMMA did not define nor create basicelements to the MTM services, the actdid give prescription drug plans andMedicare Advantage drug plans thecreative ability to develop andimplement these services.3

It is important to distinguish MTMservices under MMA and servicesdefined in the Omnibus BudgetReconciliation Act of 1990 (OBRA-90). Prior to the establishment ofMTM services, OBRA-90 broughtrecognition to the pharmaceuticalcare model of the pharmacy practice,in which pharmacists promoted theability to produce good therapeuticoutcomes and improve a patient’squality of life, and made it into anational policy.4 OBRA-90 defined thedrug use review process whichincluded both patient counseling anddisease state management. MTMservices are much morecomprehensive and broader in scopethan patient counseling and diseasestate management in that MTMservices occur independently frommedication dispensing. MTM servicesare not required by law, as is patientcounseling. MTM services encompassall medications and disease states,whereas disease state managementprograms focus on a particular

Continuing Education for PharmacistsUnderstanding Medication Therapy Management ServicesMichell Redding, Pharm.D., Clinical Assistant Professor (Mercer University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences); Amanda McCall, Pharm.D.,Community Practice Resident (Mercer COPHS/East Marietta Drugs); Mina Yun, Pharm.D., Community Practice Resident (Mercer COPHS/Rite AidCorporation).

Mcgivney MS, et al. Medication Therapy Management: Its Relationship to patientcounseling, disease management, and pharmaceutical care. JAPhA. 2007;47:622


condition and the factors surroundingthat condition. Figure 1 shows thecorrelation between MTM services topatient counseling and disease statemanagement as they relate topharmaceutical care provided in thepharmacy practice.

Definitions of Medication TherapyManagementThree key benefits of MTMprograms, established by the CMS inthe MMA, were to promote betterunderstanding of medicationtherapies, increase medicationcompliance, and reduce the incidenceof adverse drug reactions, includingdrug-drug interactions.1, 3, 4 However,MMA did not clearly define all theactivities and/or services required forthe MTM programs.4 This wasprimarily left for prescription drugplans and Medicare Advantage plansto design and implement. While thereis no clear definition to whatconstitutes MTM services, 11 nationalpharmacy organizations havedeveloped a consensus definition forMTM services.4 In this definition,MTM services were defined as adistinct service or group of servicesthat optimize therapeutic outcomesfor individual patients that areindependent of, but can occur inconjunction with the provision of adrug product.4 A general consensushas been developed for the definitionof MTM services; however, theframework for providing theseservices still varies amongorganizations. For example, theAmerican Pharmacists Association(APhA) and the National Associationof Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) havedeveloped five core elements forproviding MTM services.4, 5

Table 1: Core Elements

These core elements were designedbased on the community pharmacy’sperspective of how MTM servicesshould be delivered.4 In contrast, theAcademy of Managed Care Pharmacy(AMCP) developed seven coreelements for providing MTM servicesbased on the insurer’s perspective.These core elements of MTM servicesmay differ among professionalorganizations; however, these serviceshave been implemented within thepharmacy profession throughpharmaceutical care services for manyyears.4 Pharmaceutical care enablesthe pharmacist to work with patientsand other healthcare professionals inorder to enhance the results obtainedfrom medication therapies.1 Thedistinction between MTM servicesand pharmaceutical care services isthat pharmaceutical care services areprovided to anyone, whereas MTMservices are limited to specified plansand primarily Medicare Part Dbeneficiaries.1 Eligibility criteria forMTM services includes chronicdiseases, resulting in multiplemedication therapies and increasedannual medication costs.1, 2

Implementation of MedicationTherapy Management Service As the profession of pharmacy movesforward from strictly dispensing roles

to the management of patient-centered therapy, implementation ofMTM services are key toincorporating clinical services intodaily routine. CMS provided verylimited guidelines on both patientselection for and implementation ofMTM services. This led to thedevelopment of guidelines. Asmentioned previously above, there arestill no universally acceptedparameters to define MTM servicesand how they should be facilitated. Inthe following section, the coreelements as defined by APhA andNACDS, along with other opinionspublished by differing sources aresummarized to establish a basis forimplementing a MTM service.

Medication Therapy ManagementOperational AspectsPatient Identification and EnrollmentMTM Programs should identify boththe process and accountability foridentification of patients at risk foradverse events and those likely tosuffer poor outcomes.4 In Table 2,APhA and NACDS defined the coreelements service model and identifiedpatients who may benefit from MTMservices.7

Pause and Reflect: Of your currentpatients, who would benefit most fromMTM?

The Academy of Managed CarePharmacy recognized patients at riskto include those who are over- orunder-utilizers of medications,followed by multiple prescribers,routinely non-adherent withmedication regimens, do notunderstand or demonstrate properuse of medications, have financialbarriers to obtaining prescriptions,and need multiple medications totreat co-morbidities.8 The Medicare

Core Elements

Medication Therapy Review

Personal Medication Record

Patient Medication-Related Action Plan

Intervention/ Referral

Documentation/ Follow-Up


Prescription Drug, Improvement, andModernization Act of 2003 (MMA)allowed individual Medicare Part Dplans to set their own eligibilitycriteria for MTM services, which is toinclude patients with multiple chronicconditions, multiple prescriptionmedications, and projectedmedication costs greater than $4,000annually.9 Patients may be recruitedseveral ways including identificationby MTM providers, health plan,physician referral, or patient self-referral. Many MTM providers relysolely on national pharmacy servicenetworks such as Outcomes, Mirixa,and CCRx to recruit patients and donot do any additional marketing oftheir own.6 Other MTM serviceproviders may only provide in-houseprograms to their own employees.

Delivery of MTM ServicesThere remains a discrepancy onwhich mode of MTM delivery is mosteffective between differentorganizations. CMS does not specifytheir preferred, mode of deliveryhowever APhA and NACDS

published core elements stating thatface-to-face interactions are preferredbut other interactions such astelephone are acceptable undercertain circumstances.4 A personalface-to-face interaction is optimal toobserve signs and visual clues of apatient’s overall health and to enhancethe patient-pharmacist relationshiphowever, alternative methods ofinteractions like telephone arenecessary for patient convenience orfor MTM models that haveconsultative pharmacists working incall centers.7 For face-to-faceinteractions, MTM services should bedelivered in a private or semi-privatearea, as required by HIPAA laws. Thepharmacist must set aside timedevoted to the patient during theservice and minimize distractions asmuch as possible; therefore servicesshould typically be offered byappointment unless there is flexibilityin staffing and time allotment to allowfor walk-in patients.7

APhA and NACDS Core ElementsAPhA and NACDS core elements

service model advocates that a patientreceive an annual comprehensivemedication therapy review andadditional follow-up according to thepatient’s individual need.7 However,plan benefits and other limitationsmay hinder the ability for an idealfollow-up schedule. A MTM sessionshould include all or some of thepoints of care outlined in table 3.

The Medication Therapy Review(MTR) is a systematic process ofcollecting patient information in orderto assess medication therapies,identify medication-related problems,and create a plan to resolve them.7

The objectives are to provide patienteducation, address any problems orconcerns, and to empower patients tohave the knowledge and ability to self-manage their medications and healthconditions. These objectives may becomprehensive or targeted toward anidentified actual or potentialmedication-related problem. Ideallythe pharmacist would work incollaboration with the physician orother healthcare professional to

Patients experiencing a transition of care

Receiving care from more than one prescriber

Taking five or more chronic medications including nonprescription, herbal, and dietary supplements

Having at least one chronic disease or health condition

Having laboratory values outside normal range

Demonstrating non-adherence

Having limited health literacy

Experiencing financial burden

Recently experienced adverse event

Taking high-risk medications with narrow therapeutic index

Self-identifies with a perceived need for MTM services

Table 2: Patients who would benefit from MTM services7


determine appropriate actions toresolve any identified problems. Fortargeted MTRs, the pharmacist willaddress an actual or potentialmedication-related problem andintervene in the proper manner eitherby referring or consulting with aphysician or providing patienteducation. Assessing medication-related problems include determiningthe clinical appropriateness ofmedications (benefit vs. risk), correctdosing regimen, identifyingtherapeutic duplications, assessing theadherence to therapy, identifyinguntreated conditions, and factoring incost considerations.7 A plan should bedeveloped for each identifiedproblem; education and trainingshould be provided on the appropriateadministration of medications and anymonitoring necessary. Everythingdiscovered during the MTR should becommunicated to the patient’sphysician including any suggestions orrecommendations to medicationregimen or follow-up care.

The Personal Medication Record(PMR) is a comprehensive record ofthe patient’s medications includingprescription and nonprescriptionmedications, herbal products, anddietary supplements.7 A written copyof the PMR should be supplied to thepatient at a literacy level appropriatefor the patient’s understanding. Foreach medication, the PMR shouldinclude: medication name (brand andgeneric), dose/dosage form,indications, instruction for use, specialinstructions, and ordering prescriber.This should help aid the patients selfmanagement of medications. Patientsshould be encouraged to maintain anupdated copy of this form and provideit at all health care visits.

A Medication-Related Action Plan(MAP) is a patient-centric documentcontaining the action plan for patientsto use in tracking progress for self-management.6 This includes specificgoals set collaboratively with thepatient and pharmacist. MAPreinforces a patient-centeredapproach to MTM and encouragesself-empowerment for patients to

actively participate in their healthmanagement. This document is usefulduring follow-up appointments totrack progress of set goals. For anymedication-related problems thatwere identified, the pharmacist wouldprovide consultative services toaddress those problems or refer thepatient to their physician or otherhealthcare professional. Interventionswould include collaborating withphysicians and other healthcareprofessionals in order to resolve theproblems or addressing issues withpatients themselves by providingcounseling and education that arewithin the scope of pharmacistpractice.7 Examples of circumstancesrequiring referral include necessity forevaluation and diagnosis of healthcondition, lab monitoring for high-risk medications, and extendeddisease state management for chronicand complex health conditions suchas diabetes.

These services should be tailored tomeet the individual needs of a patient,taking note of literacy level, culturalsensitivity, and socio-economic

MTM session care points

Assessment of patient’s general health status andconditions

Comprehensive medication review to identify andresolve any medication-related problems and adversedrug events

Formulating medication treatment plan; initiating ormodifying appropriate medication therapy

Monitoring for safety and effectiveness

Documentation of care and communication withprimary care provider

Provide verbal or written education and training topatient

Table 3: MTM Care Points7


factors.8 An emphasis should beplaced on a concerted effort toprovide coordination of care insteadof fragmented care to improve patientoutcomes. Procedures should be inplace to allow the appropriatecommunication and sharing ofinformation among healthcareproviders.

Documentation and BillingThe proper documentation of allservices rendered is important forcommunication with interdisciplinaryhealth care teams, continuation ofcare for patients, professional liability,and also for billing andreimbursement.4, 7-9 Documentationsinclude a SOAP note assessment,provided to primary care physiciansfollowing an MTM encounter and anyrecommendations or interventionsthat are deemed appropriate.Documentation should be performedin a consistent manner and be clearand coherent to allow continuation ofservice during follow-upappointments. Records should bemaintained in compliance with alllaws and regulations.7, 8

Current Procedural Terminology(CPT) codes have been developed toprovide a standard means of paymentfor MTM services. The CPT codes forMTM services are considered to becategory III codes, indicating they arein a “test and trial” period.5, 10 Apetition to change to a category I

status to increase the use for paymentof services is currently pending.10 Thelevel of complexity and time spentmay influence compensation rates.Fee-for-service models for billing haveshown fees ranged from $1-3 perminute or $60-180 per hour.11 In aneffort to improve outcomes, thePharmacy Quality Alliance (PQA)was formed; its mission is to improvehealthcare quality of patient safetythrough a collaborative process thatcollects data in the least burdensomeway and reports meaningfulinformation found.4 The intent ofPQA is to improve outcomes andstimulate development of newpayment models. Eventually pay-for-performance programs may bedeveloped using performancemeasures outlined by the PQA.

Barriers to ImplementationProvider Perceived BarriersIn a survey performed by Schommeret. al., MTM providers were asked toassess the value of MTM services.11

The results showed that the mostimportant criteria were increasedprofessional satisfaction, increasedquality of care, and increased patientsatisfaction. Less important criteriaincluded revenue generated fromMTM services, increased patienttraffic, increased prescription volume,and increased prescription sales. Themost important factors influencingthe decision of organizations that offerMTM services were patient needs,

responsibility as a health provider,recognized need to improve healthcare quality, contribution to healthcare team, and professionalsatisfaction. Other factors that werechosen to be of lesser importancewere reducing health care costs,primary business mission, reducinginsurer costs, provider needs, andneed for other revenue sources.11

However, the ratings betweenindependent and small chainpharmacies compared to large chaincommunity pharmacies were quitedifferent.11 The large chain providersrated increased prescription sales andrevenue as the most importantbarriers, while stating the reasons forimplementing MTM services weredecreased prescription volume andcompetition.11

Some of the provider perceivedbarriers to implementing MTMservices included pharmacists havinginadequate time, insufficient staffing,dispensing activitiesw were too heavy,and difficulty of billing for MTM.11

Most of the comments written bypotential providers who have notimplemented MTM services revealedthe fact that pharmacists would like tobe more engaged and involved withpatient care services, but feel theircurrent work environment does notsupport providing the services.Respondents from large chain settingsreported inadequatetraining/experience and inadequate

CPT Code Service Covered

99605 Initial 15 minutes of MTM services – including assessment and intervention for a new patient

99606 Initial 15 minutes of MTM services for established patient

99607 Each additional 15 minutes

Table 4: Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for claims processing10-12


space available as significant variablespreventing them from providingMTM services.11

Pause and Reflect: What are yourgreatest challenges to having physciansaccept the outcomes of your MTMsessions?

Payer Perceived BarriersPayer respondents to an online surveyreported that the cost to provideMTM services was between $0 to$300 for a member per month.12 Mostof the respondents measured thefollowing outcomes for MTMservices: drug interactionsidentified/resolved, improvedmedication adherence, medicationover/underuse, identification/resolution of therapeutic duplications,and overall medication costs.12

Financial return to costs ratio rangedfrom 2:1 to 12:1 with the medianbeing 3:1.12 Payers noted that theprimary perceived barrier to providinga MTM service was a lack of aperceived need by patients.4, 12 Duringrecruitment, patients mistook MTMcalls for sales calls. Payers also worriedthat patients may become confused ifthe pharmacist and physicianprovided conflicting information andrecommendations. The next mostfrequently reported barrier was thelack of acceptance by physicians. Therespondents commented that they feltphysicians were skeptical to thetangible value of MTM services. Mostorganizations were still in thedevelopmental stages; however, thoseoffering MTM services vary largely onimplementation, process of billing,and how reimbursement rates arebeing set.

Patient and Physician Survey ResultsAn analysis of the literature wasperformed by Panvelkar et al, to

measure patient satisfaction withpharmacy services performed bycommunity pharmacists. Resultsshowed a noticeable trend of higherlevels of satisfaction withpharmaceutical care services overtime. Patient satisfaction levels rangedfrom “somewhat” to “pretty satisfied”with pharmacist provided services, butwith a suboptimal level of counselingin a survey performed by Liu et al., inasthmatic patients in 1999.13 Morerecently in 2007, Tinelli et al., mailedquestionnaires to patients withcoronary heart disease who showedhigh levels of satisfaction withpharmacy services and the patientswere more likely to recommendservice to others. One issuediscovered was the lack of consistentinstruments to measure satisfaction;most instruments were developed forspecific services, making it difficult toextrapolate outcomes informationinto the practice as a whole.

When asked to identify the mostbeneficial service communitypharmacists provided to patients, themajority of surveyed physiciansindictated general drug education.13

Other services that were rankedincluded anticoagulation services,smoking cessation counseling,financial assistance, and nutrition. In asurvey conducted in a 300-bed,community health system institution,more than half of the physicianssurveyed believed pharmacists shouldprovide medication-related educationas a part of the professions’ role asmedication experts.13 A majority of thephysicians (60%) were comfortablewith pharmacists adjusting therapy,but not with selecting initial drugtherapy.13 A limited amount ofoutcomes data is available onphysician satisfaction or physicianperception of MTM services provided

by community pharmacists. As moreguidelines are implemented,measurement of patient and physiciansatisfaction may be an importantoutcome to be assessed.

Pause and Reflect: What are yourgreatest challenges to having patientsaccept the outcomes of your MTMsessions?

Pause and Reflect: What can you do tohelp overcome the reluctance of thephyscians and patients?

Future of Medication TherapyManagement ServicesOver the last decade, with theimplementation of bothpharmaceutical care and MTMservices, we have seen a continuousshift within the profession ofpharmacy from a primary dispensaryrole into a more patient-centeredpractice. With the new healthcare lawstaking effect, pharmacists will seechanges taking place specifically withregard to Medication TherapyManagement. The Department ofHealth and Human Services (HHS)will begin providing grants for theimplementation of pharmacist drivenMTM services.14 These services willtarget patient populations on four ormore medications or any high riskmedications, those who suffer fromtwo or more chronic diseases, or thosewho have undergone a transition ofcare which could likely create a highrisk or medication-related problems.14

Along with MTM grants, MedicarePart D will have required componentsregarding MTM services, such as:requiring patients to receive an annualcomprehensive medication reviewand any follow up or interventionsthat may be necessary.14


References1. Ramalho de Oliveira D, Brummel AR, Miller DB. Medication therapy management: 10 years of experience in a largeintegrated health care system. J Manag Care Pharm [Internet]. 2010 Apr;16(3):185-95.

2. Gonzalez J NM. Medication therapy management. J Manag Care Pharm [Internet]. 2008 [cited September10,2010];14 (4)(S):s8.

3. Spooner JJ. Medication therapy management programs: When will the outcomes come out? J Manag Care Pharm[Internet]. 2007 Apr;13(3):276-7.

4. Pellegrino AN, Martin MT, Tilton JJ, Touchette DR. Medication therapy management services: Definitions andoutcomes. Drugs [Internet]. 2009;69(4):393-406.

5. American Pharmacists Association. Medication Therapy Management Digest: Perspectives on the Value of MTMServices and Their Impact on Health Care. [Internet]American Pharmacists Association; 2009 [cited September 5,2010].

6. American Pharmacists Association. Medication Therapy Management Digest: Perspectives on the Value of MTMServices and Their Impact on Health Care. [Internet]. Washington, DC: American Pharmacists Association September30, 2010; [25]. Available from: www.pharmacist.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=MTM&CONTENTID=15640&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm

7. American Pharmacists Association, National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation. Medication therapymanagement in pharmacy practice: Core elements of an MTM service model (version 2.0). J Am Pharm Assoc (2003)[Internet]. 2008 May-Jun;48(3):341-53.

8. Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy. Sound medication therapy management programs, version 2.0 with validationstudy. J Manag Care Pharm [Internet]. 2008 Jan;14(1 Suppl B):S2-44.

9. MacIntosh C, Weiser C, Wassimi A, Reddick J, Scovis N, Guy M, Boesen K. Attitudes toward and factors affectingimplementation of medication therapy management services by community pharmacists. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003)[Internet]. 2009 Jan-Feb;49(1):26-30.

10. McGivney MS, Meyer SM, Duncan-Hewitt W, Hall DL, Goode JV, Smith RB. Medication therapy management: Itsrelationship to patient counseling, disease management, and pharmaceutical care. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) [Internet].2007 Sep-Oct;47(5):620-8.

11. Schommer JC, Planas LG, Johnson KA, Doucette WR. Pharmacist-provided medication therapy management (part1): Provider perspectives in 2007. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) [Internet]. 2008 May-Jun;48(3):354-63.

12. Schommer JC, Planas LG, Johnson KA, Doucette WR. Pharmacist-provided medication therapy management (part2): Payer perspectives in 2007. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) [Internet]. 2008 Jul-Aug;48(4):478-86.

13. Naik Panvelkar P, Saini B, Armour C. Measurement of patient satisfaction with community pharmacy services: Areview. Pharm World Sci [Internet]. 2009 Oct;31(5):525-37.

14. Thompson CA. New health care laws will bring changes for pharmacists. Am J Health Syst Pharm [Internet]. 2010May 1;67(9):690-5.

28The Georgia Pharmacy Journal December 2010

Continuing Education for PharmacistsQuiz and Evaluation Understanding Medication Therapy Management Services

1. Medication Therapy Management (MTM) wasintroduced by which law?

a. OBRA-90b. CMSc. MMAd. HHS

2. A benefit of MTM services includes which of thefollowing?

a. increase medication complianceb. promote better understanding of medication therapies

c. reduce the incident of adverse drug reactionsd. all of the above

3. Which of the following is not a core element of a MTMservice?

a. disease state managementb. personal medication recordc. documentation or follow upd. intervention or referral

4. Which of the following are types of patients who wouldbenefit from a MTM service?

a. a patient on one medicationb. a patient with multiple chronic diseasesc. a patient with normal lab valuesd. all of the above

5. In what mode should MTM services be delivered:a. face-to-faceb. telephonec. a onlyd. both a and b

6. Which of the following are MTM session points?a. assessment of patient’s general health status and condition:

b. comprehensive medication reviewc. verbal or written education and trainingd. all of the above

7. A medication therapy review is a systematic process ofcollecting patient information to assess:

a. complianceb. medication related problemsc. b onlyd. both a and b

8. A medication related problem would include which ofthe following:

a. therapeutic duplicationsb. identifying untreated indicationsc. adherence to therapyd. all of the above

9. A Personal Medication Record (PMR) form shouldinclude all but:

a. a comprehensive list of medications the patient is taking (prescription and nonprescription)

b. language tailored to the patient literacy levelc. special instructionsd. pharmacist evaluations

10. Payment for MTM services are billed according to:a. CPT codesb. MTM codesc. PQA codesd. DSM codes


J o u r n a l C P E A n s w e r S h e e t

The Georgia Pharmacy Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a providerof continuing pharmacy education. No financial support was received for this activity.

Understanding Medication Therapy Management ServicesThis lesson is a knowledge-based CPE activity and is targeted to pharmacists.GPhA code: J10-12ACPE#: 0142-0000-10-011-H01-PContact Hours: 1.0 (0.10 CEU)Release Date: 12/01/2010Expiration Date: 12/01/20121. Select one correct answer per question and circle the appropriate letter below using blue or black ink (no red ink or pencil.)2. Members submit $4.00, Non-members must include $10.00 to cover the cost of grading and issuing statements of credit/Please send check or money order only. Note: GPhA members will receive priority in processing CE. Statements of credit forGPhA members will be emailed or mailed within four weeks of receipt of the course quiz.

1. A B C D 6. A B C D2. A B C D 7. A B C D3. A B C D 8. A B C D4. A B C D 9. A B C D5. A B C D 10. A B C D

Activity Evaluation: must be completed for creditPlease rate the following items on a scale from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)as to how well the activity:

1. Relates to pharmacy practice: 1 2 3 4 5 2. Met my educational needs: 1 2 3 4 5 3. Achieves the stated learning objectives: 1 2 3 4 5 4. Faculty presented the information: 1 2 3 4 5 5. Made use of the educational material (article): 1 2 3 4 56. Teaching methods conveyed information (tables, figures, boxes): 1 2 3 4 5 7. Post-test aided in assessing my grasp of the information: 1 2 3 4 5 8. Met my expectations: 1 2 3 4 57. Avoided any bias: 1 2 3 4 5 8. How long did it take to complete this activity? _______________________

A passing grade of 70% is required for each examination. A person who fails the exam may resubmit the quiz only onceat no additional charge.

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Remove this page from the Journal and mail this completed quiz and evaluation to: GPhA, 50 Lenox Pointe NE,Atlanta, GA 30324.

Gather your girlfriends for a weekend of fun, facts, and facials! Register today to ensure your spot at the 2011 Southeastern “Girls of Pharmacy” Leadership Weekend. Full registration includes: CE programming, event materials, two breakfasts, and one dinner reception with included drink ticket. Extra reception tickets can be purchased separately. (Men - Don’t be shy! You can attend too!)

Rooms are available at the Grove Park Inn for $140 per night. Call (800) 438-5800 to book your room today.

Spa appointments are available for reservation through the Grove Park Inn. You must be registered for the event to make reservations through SCPhA’s reserved appointment times. New this year! Attendees are entitled to a 15% treatment discount on services booked before noon on Friday, January 14th and after noon on Sunday, January 16th. This discount is not valid on manicures or pedicures and cannot be combined with any other discounts or packages. Call the spa directly at 828-253-0299 to make your reservations today.

For questions, please call 803.354.9977.

South Carolina Pharmacy Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing

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Girls of PharmacySoutheastern

Leadership Weekend 2011

Return to SCPhA at 1350 Browning Road, Columbia, SC 29210 or via fax to 803.354.9207. You can also register online at www.scrx.org.

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Gather your girlfrie 1 Southe at the 201

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ent materials two breakfas

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n, facts, and facials! Register today to ensure your spot eekend. cy” Leadership W Weekend. Full registration includes: CE

sts and one dinner recep

kend 2011 Pharmac

ster today to ensure your spot Full registration includes: CE

tion with included dr

cy

programming, eve Extra reception tic

Rooms are availab . room today

Spa appointments for the event to ma Attendees are ent January 14th and

ent materials, two breakfas ckets can be purchased se

ble at the Grove Park Inn

s are available for reservation through the Grove Park Inn. ake reservations through

itled to a 15% treatment d , Ja after noon on Sunday

sts, and one dinner reception with included drink ticket. . (Men - Don’t be eparately

for $140 per night. Call (800) 438-5800 to book your

tion through the Grove Park Inn. s reserved appoin ’ SCPhA

discount on services booked before noon on FridayThis discoun nuary 16th.

tion with included dr ou can atten YYou can attend too!) e shy!

800) 438-5800 to book your

ou must be YYou must be registered ark Inn. ntment times. New this year!

ked before noon on Friday t is not valid on manicures or

pedicures and can 828-253-0299 to m

For questions, ple

South Carolina Pharmac

nnot be combined with any make your reservations to

ase call 803.354.9977.

A Association is accredited by the cy

y other discounts or packa . day

Accreditation Council for Pharmacy

ages. Call the spa d

Education as a provider of

Address__

, State City

Phone____

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_______________________

, Zip________________________________________________________________________

_______________ Email__

on Fees (Guest registrations

_______________________

______________________________________________________

_______________________

include CE credit b DO NOT

________________________

________________________________

_______________________

but do cover meal function costs):

__________

__________

_________

costs):

Long Sleev Short Slee Event Pha

Additional

ve ($25 each): ___Small eve ($20 each): ___Small rmDiva Shirts:

PharmDiva apparel and acc

____Medium ____ Large ____ XLarge ____ XXLarge____Medium ____ Large ____ XLarge ____ XXLarge

cessory options are available

____ XLarge ____ XXLarge ____ XLarge ____ XXLarge

.pharm e for purchase at www w.pharmdiva.com.

Please make

e e

mdiva.com.

checks payable to SCPhA

processing fe

Return to S

ee. No refunds will be given for late

at 1350 Browning CPhA A at 1350 Browning Road, Columbia, SC 29210 or via fax to 803.354.9207. ou can als YYou can also register online at www

e cancellations or no-shows. Please

g Road, Columbia, SC 2 so register online at www

e note that the threat of inclement w

29210 or via fax to 803. .scrx.org. w

weather shall not be

354.9207.


The Georgia Pharmacy Journal

Editor: Jim [email protected]

Managing Editor & Designer: Kelly [email protected]

The Georgia Pharmacy Journal® (GPJ) is the official publication of theGeorgia Pharmacy Association, Inc. (GPhA). Copyright © 2010, GeorgiaPharmacy Association, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publicationmay be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronicor mechanical including by photocopy, recording or information storageretrieval systems, without prior written permission from the publisher andmanaging editor.

All views expressed in bylined articles are the opinions of the author anddo not necessarily express the views or policies of the editors, officers ormembers of the Georgia Pharmacy Association.

ARTICLES AND ARTWORKThose who are interested in writing for this publication are encouraged torequest the official GPJ Guidelines for Writers. Artists or photographerswishing to submit artwork for use on the cover should call, write or e-mailthe editorial offices as listed above.

SUBSCRIPTIONS AND CHANGE OF ADDRESSThe Georgia Pharmacy Journal® (GPJ) (ISSN 1075-6965) is distributed asa regular membership service, paid for through allocation of membershipdues. Subscription rate for non-members is $50.00 per year domestic and$10.00 per single copy; international rates $65.00 per year and $20.00single copy. Subscriptions are not available for non-GPhA memberpharmacists licensed and practicing in Georgia.

The Georgia Pharmacy Journal® (GPJ) (ISSN 1075-6965) is publishedmonthly by the GPhA, 50 Lenox Pointe NE, Atlanta, GA 30324.Periodicals postage paid at Atlanta, GA and additional offices.POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Georgia PharmacyJournal®, 50 Lenox Pointe, NE, Atlanta, GA 30324.

ADVERTISINGAdvertising copy deadline and rates are available at www.gpha.org uponrequest. All advertising and production orders should be sent to the GPhAheadquarters as listed above.

GPhA HEADQUARTERS50 Lenox Pointe, NEAtlanta, Georgia 30324Office: 404.231.5074Fax: 404.237.8435 www.gpha.org

Print: Star Printing - 770.974.6195

2010 - 2011 GPhA

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Name PositionEddie Madden Chairman of the BoardDale Coker PresidentJack Dunn President-ElectRobert Hatton First Vice PresidentPamala Marquess Second Vice PresidentJim Bracewell Executive Vice President/CEOHugh Chancy State-at-LargeRobert Bowles State-at-LargeKeith Herist State-at-LargeJonathan Marquess State-at-LargeSharon Sherrer State-at-LargeLiza Chapman State-at-LargeMary Meredith State-at-LargeHeather DeBellis Region One PresidentFred Sharpe Region Two PresidentJohn Drew Region Three PresidentAmanda Gaddy Region Four PresidentShobhna Butler Region Five PresidentAshley Faulk Region Six PresidentMike Crooks Region Seven PresidentLarry Batten Region Eight PresidentDavid Gamadanis Region Nine PresidentChris Thurmond Region Ten PresidentMarshall Frost Region Eleven PresidentKen Eiland Region Twelve PresidentRenee Adamson ACP ChairmanJosh Kinsey AEP ChairmanDon Davis AHP ChairmanIra Katz AIP ChairmanDeAnna Flores APT ChairmanLance Faglie ASA ChairmanJohn T. Sherrer Foundation ChairmanMichael Farmer Insurance Trust ChairmanSteve Wilson Ex Officio - President, GA Board of

PharmacySonny Rader Ex Officio - Chairman, GSHPGina Ryan Johnson Ex Officio MercerJill Augustine Ex Officio Mercer ASPRusty Fetterman Ex Officio South Olivia Santoso Ex Officio South ASPSukh Sarao Ex Officio UGADavid Bray Ex Officio UGA ASP

�e Insurance Trust

Serving Georgia Pharm

acists Since 1981

GeorgiaPharmaceutical Services

I n s u r a n c e A g e n c y

Trevor MillerDirector of Insurance Services

[email protected]

Main: (404) 231-5074 ext. 8107

Direct: (404) 419-8107

The GPhA Journal50 Lenox Pointe, N.E.Atlanta, Georgia 30324

Disability Income InsuranceWorkers’ Compensation PlansMajor Medical InsuranceAccident Policy InsuranceProfessional Liability InsuranceLong Term Care

Jumbo Term Life InsuranceRetirement Income PlansAnnuitiesGroup Dental401(k) and SNIP PlansAnd more...

Karen ConleyManager of Insurance Services

[email protected]

...

The

TotalSolution

for all your

Insurance Needs

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the georgia pharmacy journal: december 2010

Documents

disability insurance

pharmacists of georgia

t u r e

disability coverage

time of year

health insurance needs

financial impact

longterm disability