the georgia pharmacy journal: november 2008

The Official Publication of the Georgia Pharmacy Association November 2008

VVoolluummee 3300,, NNuummbbeerr 1111 www.gpha.org

Hugh Chancy: NCPA Willard B. Simmons IndependentPharmacist of the Year

The Georgia Pharmacy Journal November 20082

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

13 Pharmacy Profile In Leadership

18 Pharmacy Schools’ News

C O L U M N S

4 President’s Message

6 Editorial

For an up-to-date calendarof events, log onto

www.gpha.org.

16-17Hugh Chancy

2008 NCPA Willard B. SimmonsIndependent Pharmacist of the Year

Departments10 New Members10 PharmPAC Contribution Form25 Journal CE30 GPhA Board of Directors

Advertisers2 The Insurance Trust2 Meadowbrook® Insurance Group8 Pharmacists Mutual Companies10 Michael T. Tarrant14 Toliver & Gainer31 PACE Alliance32 The Insurance Trust

P R E S I D E N T ʼ S M E S S A G E

Hugh Chancy – A True Winner


On October 13, 2008, I had the privilege ofwitnessing one of my closest friends receive theNCPA Independent Pharmacist of the Year Award during the Second General Session of the2008 NCPA Convention in Tampa, Florida. FormerGPhA President, Hugh Chancy, was the winner ofthis award. In my article this month, I would askthat you allow me to invoke a time ofpresidential privilege.

When I chose to run for GPhA Second VicePresident, I knew Hugh Chancy. However, I mustconfess that I knew very little of the professionallife, character, integrity, and faith that Hughpossesses. Soon after I was elected Second VicePresident, Hugh began to share insights with methat related to the things that were taking placewithin the GPhA Executive Committee and theAssociation at large. He was also interested inpersonal concerns that I might have and wouldtake time to share his insights into thesesituations. Hugh always made me feel welcomeand like I was a valuable member of theExecutive Committee.

Hugh is a successful businessman and ownerof three pharmacies, a wonderful husband toTina, the proud father of two boys, and thecaring son of a mother whom he dearly loves.

While he has been very successful in hisbusinesses, the overriding factor that motivateshis life is his faith in God. His faith in God allowshim to be the husband, father, and son that heis. With a solid foundation in his relationship withGod and his family, Hugh is able to operate hisbusinesses successfully and to be a friend to somany people by always demonstrating a caring,loving, and compassionate spirit toward thosewith whom he comes in contact.

After I had served on the ExecutiveCommittee for five months, our family began avery difficult yet rewarding journey. I rememberone Saturday morning during this time, I wasabout to go into a store in Thomaston. I was

Robert BowlesPresident


feeling discouraged and very low. At thatmoment, my cell phone rang, and it was Hugh.He was just calling to check on me and to seehow my family and I were doing. Unfortunately,in today’s world, not many people are going totake the time on Saturday morning to see howsomeone else is doing. Hugh was able to quicklydetermine that I was very low, and his simple,but quick response was, “Can I pray with you?”Those were the best words that I could haveheard at that time.

It is the overriding spirit of love and concernfor others that allows Hugh to be theoutstanding pharmacist that he is. Not only wasHugh an outstanding GPhA President, but he isactively involved in his church and weekly Biblestudy programs, leadership programs, and othercommunity activities. All of these things areaccomplished because of his deep abiding faithin God.

On October 13th, Hugh, once again madeGPhA proud when he received the 2008 NCPAIndependent Pharmacist of the Year award. We must be reminded that he also made hisfamily, church, businesses, and friends proud.Most all of us go through life with few individualsthat we can truly call close friends. I am blessedbeyond measure for God to have put HughChancy in my life.

Hugh, you are truly a friend to me and one onwhom I can always count. You are a friend whowill share your insights on issues within GPhA orissues that I might be facing in my personal life.Most of all, you are willing to share your faith,what God is doing in your life, and thedifference that He can make in each of our lives.

You have become to me the brother that I neverhad, and I thank you for the impact that youhave had on my life.

Congratulations on being named the 2008NCPA Independent Pharmacist of the Year.Through your receipt of this award, you willhave many opportunities to share your love,compassion, concern, and faith with othersaround you,Thank you for being my dear friend.

Congratulations Hugh Chancy on being named the 2008 NCPA Independent Pharmacist of the Year

E X E C U T I V E V I C E P R E S I D E N T ʼ S E D I T O R I A L

Jim BracewellExecutive Vice President / CEO

None of us is as smart as all of us!

6The Georgia Pharmacy Journal November 2008

Two pharmacists were at a pharmacyconference out west and had a free afternoon inthe conference schedule so they decided to hike atrail near the resort where they were staying. Acouple of miles into the hike they happened upona grizzly bear with her cubs. The situation becamevery dangerous as they realized the bear wasabout to attack. They tried to think what to do.Should they find a tree to climb? Should they fightthe bear? Should they run?

One pharmacist shouted to the other that theyshould make a run for it. The other pharmacistshouted back, “I have heard it is impossible to out

run a grizzly bear!” “I know,” said the firstpharmacist, “but I think I can out run you.”

There is a life lesson to be learned from thisstory. I can tell these pharmacists are notmembers of the Georgia Pharmacy Association.How do I know? I know because when members ofGPhA are confronted with a problem theyimmediately band together, knowing there isstrength and wisdom in working together. One ofmy most favorite axioms is “None of us is as smartas all of us.”

It does not matter if the bear is AMP, unfairaudits, restrictions on delivering ofimmunizations, or a new unrealistic regulation.Whatever the bear, no matter how big or howmean, the Georgia Pharmacy Association is thereto bring together the talents, the strengths, theknowledge, and political clout of manypharmacists to tame it.

If you know a pharmacist that is trying to outrun the bear, suggest he or she join GPhA and let’sset about the task of ridding the profession ofbear attacks of bears once and for all.

GPhA needs every pharmacist in Georgia tobecome one unified voice against the challengesof the profession. What better time than now tojoin. Go to www.GPhA.org see what is happeningin your professional association today.

National Community Pharmacists Association

AIP MEMBERS JOIN THE NATIONAL COMMUNITYPHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION

Members of Georgia Independent Community Pharmacy Group Join National Independent Community Pharmacy Group

Alexandria, Va. - October 07, 2008 The National Community Pharmacists Association proudlywelcomes the Academy of Independent Pharmacy (AIP) and all of its community memberpharmacists as members of NCPA. “NCPA and AIP have shared a long working relationship and we’re so pleased to be joined by allof its members,” said Stephen L. Giroux, RPh, NCPA president. “As the first statewide group tooffer NCPA membership to all of its members, we look forward to working with them as leadersin Georgia and continuing to receive their grassroots support on nationwide issues.” AIP Director Jeff Lurey (an NCPA member since 1978) said, “AIP’s partnership with NCPA is anatural process. When you look at what NCPA does at the national level and compare what AIPdoes at the state level, the similarities are astounding. By partnering with NCPA on thismembership campaign, AIP will support NCPA’s national efforts more than ever.”AIP is one of the oldest academies of the Georgia Pharmacy Association and representsindependent pharmacists in communities across the state. Many AIP members belong to NCPAand the Academy has now offered membership to all of its members. NCPA launched a membership campaign in June to reach every independent community pharmacyowner in the United States and get an expanding membership actively involved.The Georgia Pharmacy Association’s Academy of Independent Pharmacy (AIP) was founded in1993. AIP represents more than 500 independent pharmacies in the State of Georgia. Its mission isto ensure the economic viability and security of independent pharmacy. It addresses the uniquebusiness and professional issues that affect independent pharmacy. It also provides educationalprograms with an emphasis on enhancing the managerial skills of independent pharmacists. Itslobbying efforts extend from the local community level to the State House to the White House. Ifthere is an issue affecting independent pharmacy, AIP is there to protect and defend.The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA®) represents America’s communitypharmacists, including the owners of more than 23,000 community pharmacies, pharmacyfranchises, and chains. Together they represent an $84 billion health-care marketplace, employover 300,000 full-time employees, and dispense nearly half of the nation’s retail prescriptionmedicines. For more information, visit the NCPA Web site.



AIP Spring MeetingApril 25-26, 2009

Sea Palms Resort ~ St. Simons Island, GA

Please Fax Registration to 404.237.8435

• CE opportunities • AIP Business Meeting • Social and Cocktails with our PartnersRegistration: (For Planning Purposes Please Fill Out and Return)

Memberʼs Name: __________________________Nickname (for badge): __________________________GA R.Ph. License No:___________ Pharmacy Name: _________________________________________Address: _____________________________________________________________________________Phone:(____)____________ Fax:(____)_____________ E-mail Address: __________________________Please circle the following: Academy Member? Yes No GPhA™ Member? Yes No**If Spouse/Guest is attending please print his/her name: ______________________________________Nickname (for badge): ___________________ Is the above guest a member of GPhA? Yes____ No ____

Georgia Pharmacy Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as aprovider of continuing pharmacy education.

Please call 1.800.841.6268 for reservations(Ask for the AIP room block)

Come relax in the lush oasis that is Sea Palms Resort. Take a walk under ancientlive oaks, where the ocean air mixes with a soft marsh breeze. Bike on the beach,play golf, tennis or just relax on your balcony overlooking the island's natural beauty.Sea Palms Resort offers the perfect setting for our AIP Spring Meeting.

Our spring meeting will offer continuing education, time to meet with our vendors,an AIP Business Session to discuss issues impacting independent pharmacy, time tonetwork with other AIP Pharmacies and catch up with old friends. Plan onattending and bring your family for a weekend to be remembered.

AIP has negotiated a special room rate of $139 (Deluxe) and special pricing on otheraccommodations (accommodation choices include hotel-style deluxe guest rooms,executive studios with kitchenette and fully furnished one to three bedroom suiteswith scenic sun deck or screened porch). To guarantee that you receive this specialrate and to ensure you get a room please make your reservation as soon as possible.

Sea Palms has more amenities than any other property on St. Simons Island and isjust minutes from the beach. With twenty seven holes of golf, three swimmingpools, three rubico clay tennis courts, a fitness center and sauna, sandpit volleyballcourt, bike rentals and horseshoes, the recreational opportunities are boundless.

We are very excited about this year’s AIP Spring Meeting. We will give you moredetails as the time nears. Make your plans now to attend.


Welcome to GPhA!The following is a list of new members

who have joined Georgiaʼs premierprofessional pharmacy association!Amy S. Abernathy, C.P.T. Tucker

Julie Albright, B.S., R.N. StatesboroJerrell S. Bailey Douglas

Ann M. Burnett, C.Ph.T. AcworthNekia L. Campbell, J.D., Pharm.D. Atlanta

John B. Carroll, R.Ph. AmericusChristopher E. Cook Bremen

Kelly C. Cravey, Pharm.D. HawkinsvilleKamila A. Curry, Pharm.D. AtlantaAmy C. Grimsley, Pharm.D. Macon

Brian Johnson AtlantaJuliet Lima Warner Robins

Don K. Richie, R.Ph. Dade CityLauren Riley Atlanta

Natalya A. Rozenberg LawrencevilleJohn Joseph Small AtlantaShirley T. Travillian Marietta

Financial Planningfor Georgia’s Pharmacists

Michael T. Tarrant

Independent Strategies andCustomized Solutions for

Building Wealth & Security

Financial Network Associates1117 Perimeter Center West, Suite N-307

Atlanta, GA 30338 • [email protected] www.fnaplanners.com

Securities, certain advisory services and insurance productsare offered through INVEST Fi nanci al Co rpo rati o n(INVEST), member FINRA/SIPC, a federally registeredInvestment Adviser, and affiliated insurance agencies.INVEST is not affiliated with Financial Network Associates,Inc. Other advisory services may be offered through FinancialNetwork Associates, Inc., a registered investment adviser.

50 Lenox Pointe, NEAtlanta, GA 30324


Do you knowa future

leader?

The 2008 New Practitioner Leadership Conference is an exceptional opportunity for new practitioners in Georgia tospend time together in a retreat setting to develop organizational skills that will enable both personal and professionalgrowth. A select group of 20 practitioners will be chosen to attend the Conference.Any pharmacist who is in his/her first 10 years of professional practice is eligible to apply for participation in theConference. Applicants need not be members of GPhA to apply. Participants are selected by GPhAʼs ExecutiveCommittee based on the following criteria:(1) Leadership potential; (2) Involvement in college student activities and/or professional organizations;(3) Community activities; (4) Clarity and vision in response to application questions.I would like to nominate the following individual to attend the 2009 New Practitioner Leadership Conference:Name: ___________________________________________________________ Designation: ________________

(R.Ph., Pharm.D., etc.)Works for: ____________________________________________________________________________________Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________[ ] Home or [ ] Work _____________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________ State: ______ ZIP: _____________Telephone: (Work) (_____) __________________ (Home) (_____) _____________________

(Fax) (_____) ____________________ E-mail: __________________________________________Nominaed by: _______________________________________________________ Designation: _______________Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________State: _______ Zip: ________Tel. (______) ____________________ E-mail: _______________________________________________________

NOMINATION FORM FOR THE 2009 GPhANEW PRACTITIONER LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

April 17-19, 2009Sea Palms Golf & Tennis Resort, St. Simons Island, GA

Please return this Nomination Form to: GPhF, New Practitioner Leadership NominationAttention: Regena Banks50 Lenox Pointe, Atlanta, GA 30324

Or, you may FAX this Nomination Form to: 404.237.8435If you have questions, please contact Regena Banks at GPhF:Direct # 404.419.8121 • Email: [email protected] you in advance for your assistance.

PLEASE RETURN BYJANUARY 30, 2009

16thYEAR

U P C O M I N G E V E N T S


U P C O M I N G E V E N T S


P H A R M A C Y P R O F I L E I N L E A D E R S H I P

Lee Jack Dunn, Jr., R.Ph., Second Vice President of the Georgia Pharmacy Association

What type of pharmacy do you practiceand where?I am an independent community pharmacist in the NorthGeorgia Mountains, 60 miles north of Atlanta. Mypharmacy’s name is Jasper Drug Store.

Who is your role model/mentor?My role model is my father. He opened the pharmacy on July3, 1952.

What do you enjoy most about your job?I enjoy helping those people who have to fight for theirmedical treatment and cannot get help. My staff and I helppatients solve their problems. Patients who walk out our doorwith a smile show us that we have done what we have beentaught as pharmacists.

What is the hardest part of your job?Telling a patient their insurance is not willing to help them,and I cannot help them with their problem either. Saying tothem that their problem is between them and their insurancecompany is unfair and unfortunate.

What advice can you offer someonecoming into this profession?You get out of this profession what you put into it. If you wantto count pills and become a robot you can. If this is not whatyou want communicate with your patients about their healthand medication, the result will be a shining example of whatthe profession of pharmacy is and should be. It is a hard roadright now, but times will change, and if pharmacists cometogether and represent their profession it will grow and shine.

Why would you recommend thatsomeone join GPhA?GPhA is an organization that is helpingresolve issues that are before pharmacistseveryday, but it is also helping makepharmacies strong by providing insuranceand other helpful benefits for pharmacistsand their staffs. GPhA also providesopportunities for networking and sharingof best pharmacy practices.

On a sunny day, how do you spend afree afternoon?I am usually playing golf. I also enjoy working in my yard. Ihave natural rhoderdon and honeysuckle on my property andspend a great deal of time maintaining them.

What accomplishment are you mostproud of?I have a lot to be proud of. When I was in high school, I wastold I could not play football after making All-State as alinebacker in Class AA. That same year I went to state in golf.I was also my senior class president, and I thoroughly enjoybringing everybody together every five years. I wasOutstanding Athlete at Reinhardt College. I was fraternitypresident at Reinhardt College. I got the Most ImprovedPharmacist in my senior year at Mercer University’s SouthernCollege of Pharmacy. I was given an award by my highschool for helping students and athletes at Pickens HighSchool, but I guess the best accomplishment is helping thosepeople in my hometown who have no concept about theirdisease states. They have someone to talk to about theirdiseases and treatments. If I ever feel unwilling to help thosefolks I need to get out of this profession.


If you could meet anyone (dead orliving) who would it be and what wouldyou ask them?Michael Jordan or Jack Nicklaus, but not for the reasons youmight think. I would not talk to them about sports, but I wouldask them, “With all of your achievements how can you dealwith the ups and downs of your family life?” Then I wouldtalk to the young people of today about how to achieve goals.Many young people today cannot handle it when they do notachieve their goals. Society today is obsessed with achievingquickly and not working hard until goals are met. Peopleforget that the path to achievement is long and the time ittakes to travel that path varies from person to person. Theachievement is not the prize at the end of the path, but thecurves and bumps that it took to get us to the next choice.

What do you think has been the mostsignificant change/advancement inpharmacy?The patient/pharmacist relationship has come a long wayfrom the days of count and pour. I believe we have to do morepatient counseling and move away from insurance issues.The involvement of compounding pharmacy is another issuewhich gets pharmacists out of their comfort zone and makespharmacy more rewarding. Robert Bowles and I have beentalking about going to industry in our hometowns andproviding something like the Asheville Project. We have juststarted talking about this. Hopefully we can get this projectstarted and provide something for our communities andsomething to retool our thinking about pharmacy.

What five adjectives best describe you?Dedication, Diligence, Commitment, Passion andDetermination.

Professionally, if you could changesomething, what would it be?I would not have to deal with insurance.

When was the last time you did somethingfor someone else and what was it?A lady came into my pharmacy and said she had been tothree doctors and that she had been told by all of them thatshe had a mental problem. Another lady, who I had helped,told her about me. I received the call and agreed to sit downwith this lady for about 30 minutes. The lady was happybecause she said nobody would listen to her story, and Ilistened to what she had to say. I told her about her body andwhy she was having the problems she was having. I made

some recommendations and told her about a doctor in townwho I thought I could recommend. Four days later she cameback to see me with a big smile and said “thank you.” I toldher that this was just the beginning, and she was going tocontinue to get better, but that it was going to take time.I also had a lady who came in to my pharmacy right at the endof the day. Her government check had been stolen and she hada bottle which had been filled at Kroger for $4.00, but she hadno money for the prescription or to get home. I gave her themedication and some money to get home. She said she wouldsee me on the 10th of the month and pay me, but I told her notto worry.

P H A R M A C Y P R O F I L E I N L E A D E R S H I P

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 Registered Pharmacistfor 34 years. He has been a practicing attorney for 25years and has represented numerous pharmacists andpharmacies in all types of cases. Collectively, he has

saved his clients millions of dollars.

Toliver and Gainer, LLP942 Green Street, SW

Conyers, GA [email protected]

770.929.3100

These are my achievementsand they are not trophies.


S A V E T H E D A T E

December CE Catch-Up

Georgia Pharmacy Association is accredited by the AccreditationCouncil for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuingpharmacy education.

8 Hours of Live CE Take advantage of this last opportunity for live CE from GPhA in 2008.

Session topics including Smoking Cessation, HIV/AIDS, Medicare Part D, and Medication Errors.

December 14, 2008Ramada Plaza108 First Street, Macon, GA 32101

For room reservations call 478.746.1461.

For details on event programming, speakers, andregistration, visit www.gpha.org.

50 Lenox Pointe, NE, Atlanta, GA 30324Phone: 404.419.8116 Fax: 404.237.8435 E-mail: [email protected]

Need CE Now – We Have It! Time is running out on the renewal licensure year.


G P h A U P D A T E

Hugh Chancy Named 2008 NCPAWillard B. Simmons Independent

Pharmacist of the YearGeorgia pharmacist, Hugh Chancy has been named The 2008 NCPA Willard B. Simmons Independent

Pharmacist of the Year by the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA). Theannouncement was made at the Second General Session of the

association’s 110th Annual Convention and Trade Expositionheld October 11-15 in Tampa, Florida.

The Independent Pharmacist of the Year awardrecognizes an independent pharmacist forexemplary leadership and commitment toindependent pharmacy and to thecommunity. The award is named in honorof Willard B. Simmons, a former NCPA(then the National Association of RetailDruggists) executive secretary andlong-time NCPA Foundation trustee,who exemplified these qualities.

“Hugh Chancy is a verydeserving recipient of the 2008Willard B. Simmons IndependentPharmacist of the Year,” saidStephen L. Giroux, R.Ph., NCPAPresident and an upstate NewYork pharmacy owner. “Hesomehow finds time to serve inleadership capacities withnumerous pharmacy organizations,while also owning three highly-successful pharmacies that offer awide variety of niche services fromcompounding to immunizations. Hisefforts are widely respected by bothhis patients and his colleagues.”

Chancy owns three pharmacies insouth central Georgia, near the

Florida line. Currently, he is serving as the Presidentof the Council of Presidents of the Georgia PharmacyAssociation. He has also served the Georgia PharmacyAssociation as president, chairman of the board, andas a regional president. Chancy also served on theexecutive committeefor the Academy ofIndependent Pharmacy.He has been honorednumerous times for hiswork in independentpharmacy includingPharmacist of the Yearfrom the GPhAAcademy ofIndependent Pharmacy,Innovative PharmacyPractice Award from theGeorgia PharmacyAssociation, the PharmacyLeadership award from NCPA, andthe McKesson Leadership Award.

“Hugh brought an incrediblepassion for pharmacy and theassociation during his five yearson the Executive Committee. His innate ability tobreak things down to the basics was always insightfuland thought provoking,” said Robert Bowles, currentpresident of the Georgia Pharmacy Association. “Wecould always count on some saying coming from him.We have characterized these sayings as ‘Hughisms.’One of these that stands out in my mind was ‘I havealready told you more than I know.’ Hugh has beeninvolved in GPhA for many years and will continue tobe a resource for others in the future.”

One thing that his peers and friends are especiallyproud of is that Chancy sat on a panel presentation todiscuss Medicare Part D with President Bush.Following that panel in July 2005, Chancy spent therest of the fall giving seminars and presentations onMedicare Part D.

Locally, Chancy has been involved with theLowndes County Chamber of Commerce, the HahiraLion Club, the Hahira United Methodist Church, andthe Leadership Lowndes Association.



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

Pharmacy Schools’ NewsSouth’s News:

South University CelebratesAmerican Pharmacists Month

With October being American Pharmacists Month,South University’s GPhA chapter has been quite busy.We started off the month with a Student OutreachMeeting featuring guest speaker Keith Marciniak,APhA’s Group Director of Student and NewPractitioner Development. We received great advicefrom Marciniak regarding school, our careers, andinformation about the profession of pharmacy ingeneral. He was also kind enough to give our growingchapter tips for improvement. Thank you Keith!

The next day, on October 2, faculty and studentsof South University attended GPhA’s Fall RegionalMeeting at Savannah Quarters Country Club, wherethey met local area pharmacists. Speaking of which,we also had a Pharmacist Appreciation Day on

October 10. Eighteen students volunteered to deliverdoughnuts to 56 pharmacies in Savannah andsurrounding areas to express our appreciation for alltheir hard work. South University students andfaculty spread out around the city again the next dayto participate in a city-wide Health Screening. Atseven different pharmacies, we provided bloodpressure, blood sugar, and BMI screenings in additionto immunization and heartburn awareness to 180patients while promoting the theme of AmericanPharmacists Month to "Know Your Medicine, KnowYour Pharmacists."

Our latest activity was the American DiabetesAssociation’s Walk on the Wild Side on October 18.South University pharmacy students raised anddonated over $500 for ADA. Volunteers also providedscreenings to the public and participated in the walkto support the fight against diabetes.

As busy as we were this month, we were not allwork and no play thanks to Carter’s Pharmacy,


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

Compounding Solutions of Savannah, and Fred’sPharmacy who sponsored two social events open tothe School of Pharmacy. Movie Night was an eventwhere students could sit back and relax with a fewsnacks and Iron Man. Trivia Night was full of gameswith pharmacy related trivia where winners receiveda $50 gift certificate from Olive Garden and a doorprize for a free APhA membership.

We plan to end American Pharmacists Month witha big showing in Ft. Lauderdale at APhA’s MidyearRegional Meeting. See you there!

UGA’s News:

Dawgtoberfest is Huge Success

Elaine Mebel, center, president of the Academy ofStudent Pharmacists, shows the Dawgtoberfest ad fromthe Red and Black student newspaper torepresentatives of Walgreens, sponsors of the event.

More than 700 people from the University ofGeorgia and the Athens community attended thisyear’s Dawgtoberfest: Rx for Good Health event,which took place to mark October as AmericanPharmacists Month. Organized by students at theCollege of Pharmacy and sponsored by Walgreens, thehealth fair included more than 30 exhibits pertainingto health care, ranging from information on HIV-AIDSand breast cancer to cholesterol and blood glucosescreenings. Free flu shots also were available to thefirst 300 people to register.

This year’s event was the largest health fair heldsince its beginning in 2003.

Mercer’s News:

Mercer Celebrates AmericanPharmacists Month

October was exciting for the Mercer APhA-ASPchapter as we celebrated American PharmacistsMonth. The students knew how to celebrate bykicking off the month with a glucose screening atMercer. The biggest project this month involvedOperation Immunization. The committee hascollaborated with The Medicine Shoppe of Dunwoodyto hold immunization clinics through November. ASPwalked all over Atlanta for several causes this monthincluding the Alzheimer’s Associations Memory Walkand Atlanta AIDS Walk. The Patient EducationCommittee was busy with holding their annualPatient Counseling Competition. It was a success with16 students competing, of which the winner willrepresent Mercer nationally. A new way that studentspromoted the profession of pharmacy was by holding“Meet Your Pharmacist” events for patients atseveral Kroger locations. Lastly, ASP held a specialevent to educate students about substance abuse. Wehad the pleasure of hosting Dr. Glen Hansen as hegave the students of Mercer a lecture about thedisease model of addiction.


Pharmacy Time Capsules2008 (4th Quarter)

1983—Twenty-five years ago:• Orphan Drug Act supporting research and approval of medicines for rare conditions was passed• D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) was founded in Los Angeles.• 94 NDAs were approved; 14 were new chemical entities.

1958—Fifty years ago• 280 NDAs were approved, 20 were new chemical entities.• First list of substances generally recognized as safe (GRAS) was published in the Federal Register.

1933—Seventy-five year ago• The 1933 Lilly Digest reported that 27% of the reporting 402 pharmacies were operating at a loss;

41% reported net profit of 5% or more.• Prohibition was repealed under the Blaine Act

1908—One hundred years ago• Paul Ehrlich, discoverer of Salvarsan (606 or arsphenamine) the first modern chemotherapeutic agent,

received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.• Boys Scouts formed. First group in the United States was formed in 1910.

By: Dennis B. Worthen, Lloyd Scholar, Lloyd Library and Museum, Cincinnati, OH

One of a series contributed by the American Institute of the History of Pharmacy, a unique non-profit societydedicated to assuring that the contributions of your profession endure as a part of America’s history.

Membership offers the satisfaction of helping continue this work on behalf of pharmacy, and brings five ormore historical publications to your door each year. To learn more, check out: www.aihp.org

PRESS RELEASEOctober 29, 2008For Immediate Release

John T. Sherrer Elected to the Executive Committee of theNational Community Pharmacists AssociationGeorgia pharmacist John T. Sherrer, R.Ph., has been elected tothe 2008-2009 Executive Committee of the National CommunityPharmacists Association (NCPA). The announcement wasmade at the associationʼs 110th Annual Convention and TradeExposition held October 11-15 in Tampa, Florida.NCPAʼs Executive Committee represents pharmacists all over

the country in matters impacting pharmacists and their patients.Sherrer is a former president of the Georgia PharmacyAssociation, a member of National Community PharmacistsAssociation, America Pharmacists Association, Georgia Society

of Health-System Pharmacists and the Cobb County PharmaceuticalAssociation. He is an avid supporter of GPhAʼs Pharm PAC, chairman of the

Georgia Pharmacy Foundation, and vice-chairman of the Board of Directors of

the Insurance Trust. He also served from 1993-2003 as a member of the

Georgia State Board of Pharmacy.“When John T. Sherrer was born he must have known that he wanted to be a

pharmacist. He possesses a passion and a vision, especially for independent

pharmacy, that is unsurpassed,” said GPhA President Robert Bowles, Jr.,

R.Ph., CDM, CFts. “John has been a distinguished leader in the state of

Georgia and has exhibited the same leadership across the United States.

Independent pharmacy is in good hands as John continues to move through

the ranks of leadership in NCPA.”John graduated from Mercer Universityʼs Southern School of Pharmacy and

received his B.S. in Pharmacy in 1977. He is a community and independent

pharmacy owner working primarily out of Kenmar Pharmacy in Marietta.

His wife, Sharon Sherrer, Pharm.D., CDM, is a community andconsultant pharmacist at Howell Mill Pharmacy in Atlanta. They have

2 children, Lindsey and Thomas.



D I S E A S E S T A T E A W A R E N E S S

DECEMBER

December is Colorectal Cancer AwarenessMonth. The CDC's Colorectal Cancer Preventionand Control Initiative raises public awarenessthrough the "Screen for Life" campaign, whichcommunicates the importance of regularscreening for adults aged >50 years, and "A Call toAction," an education program designed to raisehealth-care providers' awareness and knowledgeabout prevention and early detection. CDC alsoworks with partners to support the NationalColorectal Cancer Roundtable, a coalition oforganizations that educates health-care providersand the public about screening. Finally, CDC funds

comprehensive cancer control programs tointegrate a full range of cancer control activities,improve community-based education and healthpromotion, and target at-risk populations.

Additional information about colorectal cancerawareness and provider training materials areavailable from CDC at http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/screenforlife and http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorctl/calltoaction.

December is AIDS Awareness Month. Forinformation about HIV/AIDS Prevention andtreatment visit http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/basic/index.htm.

December is National Seasonal DepressionAwareness Month. Although the holiday season isusually ripe with joy and excitement, for the halfmillion people suffering from SAD (SeasonalAffective Disorder), this time of the year isanything but happy.

The origins of SAD lie in the hypothalamus.There, the shortening of daylight hours and lack ofsunlight in winter causes a biochemical imbalancethat causes severe depression. Without proper

In an effort to encourage patient awareness among your patients, GPhA has compiled alist of awareness opportunities for you and your pharmacies. All of these links will takeyou to pages containing information and resources free of charge for your utilizations inyour settings and with your patients. If you need any help accessing these links please feelfree to call Kelly McLendon at 404.419.8116.

CelebratingDisease State Awareness

with Your Patients


medical treatment, many of those suffering fromSAD are not able to carry out their day-to-dayfunctions.

Organizations like the SAD Association work toincrease public awareness about the disorder.They seek out those suffering from SAD and offerthem counseling, information, and support.

For information about this disorder visithttp://www1.nmha.org/infoctr/factsheets/27.cfm.

JANUARYJanuary is National Blood Donor Month.

Blood is traditionally in short supply during thewinter months due to the holidays, travelschedules, inclement weather, and illness.January, in particular, is a difficult month forblood centers to collect blood donations. Areduction in blood donations can put our nation’sblood inventory at a critical low.

There are ways you can help to increase theblood supply this winter:

• Give Blood• Organize a Blood Drive• Volunteer at Your Local Blood Center

For more information, visit the AmericanAssociation of Blood Banks athttp://www.aabb.org/content or contact the

American Red Cross athttp://www.redcross.org/.

January is Poison Prevention Month. Forinformation to share with your patients visithttp://www.poisonprevention.org/materials.htm.

January is Cervical Cancer AwarenessMonth. Cervical cancer affects approximately10,000 women in the United States each year.Cervical cancer is the second most common typeof cancer for women worldwide, but because itdevelops over time, it is also one of the mostpreventable types of cancer. Deaths fromcervical cancer in the United States continue todecline by approximately 2 percent a year. This decline is primarily due to the widespreaduse of the Pap test to detect cervicalabnormalities and allow for early treatment.Most women who have abnormal cervical cellchanges that progress to cervical cancer havenever had a Pap test or have not had one in theprevious three to five years.

For patient information visithttp://www.nccc-online.org/patient_info/cervical_cancer.html.


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

Susan Kane Receives DistinguishedAlumnus Award From the Universityof Georgia

GPhA member Susan McMillan Kane of Jacksonville,Florida, has been named the Distinguished Alumnus ofthe University of Georgia College of Pharmacy for 2008by the University of Georgia.

Susan has been an active and enthusiastic supporterof the College since her graduation, giving generously ofher time and resources. She has been a member of theAlumni Council since 1998 and was President in 2002and has been a regular participant at White Coat Day,the Pinning Ceremony and Homecoming. She has alsoserved on the VisionPlus Board since 2000 and is aPresidents Club member, a Heritage Society memberand founder of the Susan McMillan Kane ProfessionalEnhancement Fund.

She has also been active in the Georgia PharmacyAssociation, as a member of the Board of Directors,Chair of the Committee on Student and AcademicAffairs and member of the Government AffairsCommittee, the Public Affairs Committee, the StudentTrack Programming Committee for the GPhA ConventionPlanning Committee, the Membership Committee andthe Team GPhA Membership Drive. She has beenPresident and member of the Board of Directors of theAcademy of Employee Pharmacists, a PharmPACSupporter and a GPhA/APhA career exhibitor.

She was named Academy of Employee PharmacistsOutstanding Member of the Year for 2000 and GPhADistinguished Young Pharmacist for 2002.

During college she was President of the Academy ofStudent Pharmacists, President and Vice President ofLambda Kappa Sigma and an active member of Phi

Lambda Sigma. After graduation she became apharmacist with Publix Supermarkets, serving in variouscapacities including her current position as pharmacymanager, pharmacy territory pharmacy supervisor from1999-2007 and liaison with three pharmacy schools. Sheis a member of the American Pharmacy Association’scertified Train the Trainer Immunization Program and iscertified in immunizations, cholesterol screening andbone density screening.

Susan will be Grand Marshal for the College’scommencement on May 2, 2009.

Pharmacotherapy Principles & Practice, edited byMarie Chisholm-Burns, received the American MedicalWriters Association Distinguished 2008 Medical BookHealthcare Professionals Award. Chapter authorsinclude: Beth Phillips, Brad Phillips, Dianne Williams,J. Russell May, Tommy Johnson and Bill Wade.

Azza El-Remessy, Assistant Professor at theUniversity of Georgia, published a book chapter,“Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of RetinalAngiogenesis” in Retinal and Choroidal Angiogenesis,edited by John S. Penn, Ph.D., and published bySpringer.

Tommy Johnson, Clinical Associate at theUniversity of Georgia, invited lecturer at KennesawState University for the Getting into Diabetes Educationcontinuing education program, “Medications andDiabetes,” invited lecturer for “Diabetes 101 Program –Type 1 Medications” in Gainesville, Georgia and invitedto present the “Pharmacist/Certified DiabetesEducator’s Prospective on Gaps in Care” at the NationalQuality Forum Diabetes Workshop in Washington DC.

Keith Herist, Clinical AssociateProfessor at the University of Georgiapassed the credentialing exam for theAAHIVE designation. This is a newcredentialing program enabling HIV-specialized Pharm.D.s. Physicians,nurse practitioners, and physicianshave always been eligible in prior

years and they earn AAHIVS, which stands for “HIVSpecialist.” This new AAHIVE designation, for Pharm.D.sonly, is from the American Academy of HIV Medicine, andstands for “HIV Subject Matter Expert.” The credentialis valid for calendar year 2009 and 2010.

Susan Kane receivesDistinguishedAlumnus Award fromDean Svein Øie.


Goal. The goal of this lesson is toexplain autism with focus on itspathogenesis, clinical characteristicsand confirmation, and treatment.

Objectives. At the conclusion ofthis lesson, successful participantsshould be able to:

1. recognize historical eventsconcerning autism, and differentiate

each component of the autismspectrum disorders from oneanother;

2. select important principlesthat characterize autism and theprinciples that govern its clinicalconfirmation and management; and

3. identify specific nonpharma-cologic and pharmacologic measuresthat are reported to modify signs andsymptoms of autism.

Autism (autistic disorder) is acomplex, chronic and seriousneurodevelopmental disorder thataffects normal functioning of thebrain, impacting development in theareas of social interaction andcommunication skills. The mostcommon of the pervasivedevelopmental

disorders, autism affects anestimated one in 150 births in the

United States. With the numbergrowing at a startling rate of 10 to 17percent per year, its prevalencecould reach four million Americanswithin a decade. Occurring in allracial, ethnic and socioeconomicgroups, autism is four times morelikely to occur in males than infemales. Additional information onautism can be found in the onlineresources listed in Table 1.

BackgroundIn 1943, child psychiatrist Leo

Kanner of the Johns Hopkins Hospitalpublished the first description of“autistic disturbances of affective

contact.” Kanner thus introduced theterm infantile autism, or autism intothe English language, which definedthree symptom patterns:

(1) abnormal development ofsocial reciprocity; (2) failure to uselanguage for communication; and (3)desire for sameness, as seen inrepetitive rituals or intensecircumscribed interests – symptomsthat were later termed Kanner’striad. About this same time, Austrianpediatrician Hans Asperger, based onhis study of 400 children, described amilder form of the disorder thatbecame known as Asperger’sDisorder (Asperger Syndrome).

Gossel Wuest

Thomas A. Gossel, R.Ph., Ph.D.Professor EmeritusOhio Northern UniversityAda, Ohio

J. Richard Wuest, R.Ph., PharmDProfessor Emeritus

University of CincinnatiCincinnati, Ohio

Autism and Its Treatment:A Primer for Pharmacists

Volume XXVI, No. 7

Table 1Representative sources for information on autism

The American Academy of Pediatrics www.aap.orgThe Autism Society of America www.autism-society.orgAutism Speaks, Inc. www.autismspeaks.orgFirst Signs, Inc. www.firstsigns.orgThe Organization for Autism Research www.researchautism.orgNational Library of Medicine www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/print/and the National Institutes of Health autism.htmlNational Institute of Mental Health www.nimh.nih.govNational Institute of Child Health and www.nichd.nih.govHuman Development


Autism is listed in the AmericanPsychiatric Association’s Diagnosticand Statistical Manual of MentalDisorders, fourth edition, textrevision (DSM-IV-TR), the primarydiagnostic reference for mentalhealth professionals in the UnitedStates. It is one of the five pervasivedevelopmental disorders (PDDs),more commonly referred to as autismspectrum disorders (ASDs). Eachdisorder is characterized by varyingdegrees of impairment in socialinteractions, communication skillsand restricted, repetitive andstereotyped patterns of behavior.(Table 2) It is not uncommon formore than one of these disorders tocoexist in the same family.

PathogenesisAlthough there is no known single

cause for autism, it is generallyaccepted that it follows someabnormality in brain structure orfunction. Brain scans revealdifferences in the shape andstructure of the brain in childrenwith autism compared to thosewithout.

Research is ongoing ininvestigating possible links betweenheredity, genetics and medicalpathology. There appears to be apattern of autism or relatedneurological disabilities in manyfamilies.

Medical researchers haveidentified a variation in a gene thatmay increase the risk for developingautism, especially when the variant isinherited from mothers rather thanfathers. The gene, CNTNAP2,encodes a protein that facilitatescommunication between brain cellsthrough chemical signals and appearsto play a role in brain celldevelopment. Inheriting the genevariant does not imply that a childwill inevitably develop autism;rather, it means that a child may bemore vulnerable to developing thedisease.

Other research suggests that acluster of unstable genes mayinterfere with normal braindevelopment, resulting in autism.

Pregnancy or delivery problems andenvironmental factors (e.g., viralinfections, metabolic imbalances andexposure to environmental chemicalsduring pregnancy) are also beingstudied.

Is there a causative role forvaccines? Many studies over theyears have looked at the possibilitythat vaccines are a cause of autism.Autistic characteristics have beendescribed in some children within afew weeks of receiving a vaccine.Until 1999, vaccines intended forinfants to protect them againstdiphtheria, tetanus, pertussis,Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib),and hepatitis B contained thimerosal(a mercury-based preservative).

Today, with exception of someinfluenza vaccines, none of thepreparations used in the UnitedStates to protect preschool-agedchildren against 12 infectiousdiseases contain thimerosal. TheMMR (measles, mumps, rubella)vaccine, varicella (chickenpox),inactivated polio, and pneumococcalconjugate vaccines do not and neverdid contain thimerosal.

The U.S. Institute of Medicine(IOM) conducted a thorough reviewon the issue of identifying a possiblelink between thimerosal and autism.The IOM report, released in May2004, stated that there was no link.At this time, there is no conclusivescientific evidence that anycomponent of a vaccine orcombination of vaccines causesautism.

CharacteristicsCharacteristics (i.e., signs/

symptoms) of autism may be evidentas early as four months of age. In afew cases, after developing normally,a child regresses into autism.Clinically, neurological abnormalitiesusually dominate the symptom-atology. At the same time, it isemphatically true that intelligencediversity is a major aspect of autism.It has been reported that whileapproximately three-fourths ofpatients with autism may be mentallyretarded, the IQs of persons with

autism may range from severeimpairment to intellectually gifted.

Impaired social interaction is thehallmark feature of autism. Table 3lists common characteristics.

Parents are usually the first tonotice symptoms of autism. Early ininfancy, a baby with autism may beunresponsive to people or focusintently on one item to the exclusionof others for long periods of time. Achild with autism may appear todevelop normally for a period, onlyto withdraw and become indifferentto social interaction.

They may fail to respond to theirname and often avoid eye contactwith other people. They havedifficulty interpreting what othersare feeling because they don’tunderstand social cues, such as toneof voice or facial expressions, andthey don’t watch other people’sfaces for clues about appropriatebehavior. They lack empathy towardothers.

Many children with autismengage in repetitive movements suchas rocking their head or torso andtwirling their hair between fingers,or in self-abusive behavior such asbiting or head-banging. They alsotend to start vocalizing later thanchildren without autism. Some speakin a high-pitched, or flat, robot-likevoice, or in “sing-song” fashion(regular or monotonous rising andfalling intonation) about a narrowrange of favorite topics.

Many children with autism havean increased threshold to pain, butare abnormally sensitive to sound,touch, or other sensory stimulation.These reactions may contribute tobehavioral symptoms such asresistance to being cuddled orhugged.

Children with autism appear tobe at higher risk for certain comorbid(concomitant but unrelated)conditions, including fragile Xsyndrome (the most commoninherited form of mental retardation)and tuberous sclerosis (a rare,genetic disorder that causes benigntumor growth in the brain and othervital organs), as well as epileptic

Volume XXVI, No. 7


seizures, Tourette syndrome(characterized by presence ofmultiple physical [motor] tics and atleast one vocal [phonic] tic), learningdisabilities, and attention deficitdisorder. For reasons that remainunclear, about one-third of childrenwith autism develop epilepsy by thetime they reach adulthood. Whilepersons with schizophrenia may showautistic-like behavior, symptomsusually do not appear until their lateteens or early adulthood. Mostpersons with schizophrenia alsoexperience hallucinations anddelusions, neither of which areassociated with autism.

Autism symptoms often improvewith treatment and with age. Someautistic children can lead normal ornear-normal lives as they grow older.Children whose language skillsregress early in life, usually beforethree years of age, appear to be atrisk of developing epilepsy or seizure-like brain activity. Some childrenwith autism may become depressedor experience behavioral problemsduring adolescence.

Persons with autism scoreconsistently low on instruments thatmeasure life skills. The life outcomesof autistic adults range fromcomplete dependence on others to(rarely) successful employment.People with autism typically dieearly, with death most often comingfrom seizures, nervous systemdysfunction, drowning or suffocation(at a rate exceeding three times thegeneral population). As mentionedearlier, epilepsy occurs in at leastone-third of persons with autism. Thedeath rate due to epilepsy isapproximately 24 times higher thanthat of epileptic patients withoutautism.

Confirmation of AutismThere is no medical test for

autism. Physicians rely on a coregroup of behaviors to diagnoseautism:• difficulty in making friends withpeers;

• inability to initiate or sustainconversation with others;

• impairment or absence ofimaginative and social interaction;

• unusual, stereotyped or repetitiveuse of language;

• patterns of interest that areabnormal in intensity or focus;

• preoccupation with a particularobject or subject; and

• rigid adherence to establishedroutines or rituals.While some screening

instruments rely solely on parental(or caregiver’s) observations, othersrely on a combination of notes fromboth parent and physician. Sinceautism is a complex disorder, acomprehensive evaluation requires amultidisciplinary team including aneurologist, psychiatrist,psychologist, speech therapist andother professionals who haveexperience in diagnosing childrenwith ASDs. Team members willconduct a thorough neurologicalassessment and in-depth cognitiveand language testing.

Autism can often be detected asearly as 18 months. Increases in thenumber of autism cases in the UnitedStates may be the result of improveddiagnosis and changes in diagnosticcriteria.

Differential Diagnosis. Childrenwith some symptoms suggestive ofautism, but neither qualitatively norquantitatively sufficient to permit adiagnosis of classical autism, may bediagnosed with pervasivedevelopmental disorder-nototherwise specified (PDD-NOS) (Table2). Children with autistic behaviorswhose language skills are welldeveloped may be diagnosed withAsperger’s disorder. Children whodevelop normally, and then suddenlydeteriorate between three and 10years of age and show markedautistic behaviors, may be diagnosedwith childhood disintegrativedisorder (CDD). Girls with autisticsymptoms may be suffering from Rettsyndrome, a gender-linked geneticdisorder characterized by socialwithdrawal, regressed language skillsand hand wringing.

TreatmentAlthough treatment has improved

greatly over the past severaldecades, there is neither a cure forautism nor single approach totherapy. The primary goals are tominimize the core features andassociated deficits, maximizefunctional independence and qualityof life, and alleviate family distress.Options may include behavioral andcommunication measures, drugtherapies and complementaryapproaches.

Behavioral and CommunicationMeasures. Numerous programs targetthe range of behavioral, social andlanguage difficulties characteristic of

Volume XXVI, No. 7

Table 2Common characteristics of

persons with autism

A child or adult with autism might:• not play “pretend” games• not look at objects when anotherperson points at them

• not have an interest in others• avoid eye contact• want to be alone• have trouble understanding otherpeople’s feelings or talking abouttheir own feelings

• prefer not to be held or cuddled • appear to be unaware when otherpeople talk to them but respond toother sounds

• be very interested in people, butnot know how to relate to them

• repeat or echo words or phrases• have trouble expressing their needsusing words or motions

• repeat actions over and over• have trouble adapting to a changingroutine

• have unusual reactions to the waythings smell, taste, look, feel orsound

• lose skills they once mastered

Adapted from www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/actearly/autism.html


The overwhelming view, however, isthat if antipsychotic drugs are usedappropriately, they can have apositive role in the management ofaggression associated with autism.

Complementary Approaches. Inthe absence of specific medicalinterventions for autism, parents andsome healthcare professionals maychoose complementary (i.e.,alternative) therapies, such as art ormusic therapy; dietary restrictionsincluding the elimination of gluten,sugar, chocolate, preservatives andfood coloring; vitamin and mineralsupplements; herbal remedies; orsensory integration, which focuses onreducing a child’s hypersensitivity totouch or sound. Almost one-third ofautistic children regularly receive acomplementary therapy. Varioussurveys indicate that only 36 to 62percent of caregivers who treatedtheir autistic children withcomplementary therapies hadinformed the child’s primary carephysician.

Parents and caregivers should beencouraged to seek additionalinformation when they encounterclaims such as:• treatments based on overlysimplified scientific theories, andthose supported primarily by casereports or anecdotal data ratherthan carefully designed studies;

• therapies claimed to be effectivefor multiple different, unrelatedconditions or symptoms;

• claims that children will responddramatically and some will becured; and

• treatments that are said to have nopotential or reported adverseeffects.

Early Treatment. Individualswith autism won’t outgrow it, butthey can learn to function within theconfines of the disorder, especially iftreatment begins early. Earlyintervention is defined as treatmentprovided to children from birth toage three years. Research has clearlyshown that early treatment, whichconsists of intensive, individualized

Volume XXVI, No. 7

autism. Some focus on reducingproblem behaviors and teaching newskills. Others focus on teachingchildren how to communicate moreeffectively with other people or howto act appropriately in socialsituations.

Drug Therapies. At present,there is no medication that directlyimproves the core signs of autism.However, some can help controlindividual symptoms. Agents mostcommonly employed in autisminclude antidepressants (especiallySSRIs), used in 20 to 25 percent ofpatients; neuroleptics (especiallysecond-generation antipsychotics),10 to 15 percent; stimulants, 10 to 15percent; alpha agonists, 10 percent;and anticonvulsants, 5 to 10 percent.

Risperidone. The FDA approvedrisperidone (Risperdal) for thesymptomatic treatment of irritabilityin autistic children and adolescents.The targeted behaviors under thegeneral heading of irritability includeaggression, deliberate self-injury,temper tantrums and quicklychanging moods. No restrictions onprescribing or use in autism havebeen put into place to-date.

Risperidone’s effectiveness inthe symptomatic treatment ofirritability associated with pediatricautistic disorders was established intwo eight-week placebo-controlledtrials in 156 patients aged five to 16years of age. Outcomesdemonstrated that children onrisperidone achieved significantlyimproved scores for specificbehavioral symptoms of autismcompared to children on placebo.The most common side effectsincluded drowsiness, constipation,fatigue and weight gain.

While efficacy has beendemonstrated, concern remainsabout the misuse potential ofrisperidone and other antipsychoticdrugs as a form of long-termchemical sedation, particularly withthe most intellectually disabledchildren who may be the most likelyto experience adverse drug effects.

behavioral interventions, can have adramatic impact on reducing thesymptoms of autism. Sadly, it isestimated that only 50 percent ofautistic children are diagnosedbefore kindergarten.

Summary and ConclusionsAutism is a lifelong neurobiologic

disorder that adversely affectsquality of life. Early diagnosis ofautism is often elusive. Its imprint onafflicted young people is so uniquethat the course of the disorder isdifficult to predict in individualpatients. In view of anticipatedpatterns of earlier identification andmore proactive treatment of autismin years to come, the burden ofautism on the health care system willcontinue to increase.

The content of this lesson wasdeveloped by the Ohio PharmacistsFoundation, UPN: 129-000-08-007-H01-P. Participants should not seekcredit for duplicate content.


1. In the U.S., autism affects an estimated one in:a. 150 births. c. 15,000 births.b. 1500 births. d. 150,000 births.2. The term autism has been defined as all of the following symptompatterns EXCEPT:a. abnormal development of social reciprocity.b. failure to use language for communication.c. desire for sameness.d. inability to perform mathematical tasks.3. According to the Table listing Major characteristicsof pervasive developmental disorders, autistic disorder has an onset of:a. <12 months of age. c. <36 months of age.b. <24 months of age. d. <48 months of age.4. The U.S. Institute of Medicine has stated that:a. there is a link between thimerosal and autism.b. there is no link between thimerosal and autism.5. It has been reported that approximately three-fourths of patients withautism may be:a. intellectually gifted. b. mentally retarded.6. By the time they reach adulthood, about one-third of children withautism develop:a. schizophrenia. c. epilepsy.b. hallucinations. d. delusions.

QuizAutism and Its Treatment:

A Primer for Pharmacists

The Georgia PharmacyAssociation is accredited by theAccreditation Council for

Pharmacy Education as a provider ofcontinuing pharmacy education.Autism and Its Treatment: A Primerfor PharmacistsVolume XXVI, No. 7GPhA Code J08-11Program Number: 142-999-08-007-H01-PCE Hours: 1.5 (0.15 CEUs)Release Date: 11/5/2008Expiration: 07/15/2011

1. Select one correct answer per question and circle theappropriate letter below using blue or black ink (no red inkor pencil).

2. Members submit $4, Non-members must include $10 tocover the cost of grading and issuing statements of credit.Please send check or money order only. Note: GPhAMembers will receive priority in processing CE.Statements of credit for GPhA members will be mailedwithin 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

Mail completed quiz to: GPhA, 50 Lenox Pointe NE, Atlanta, GA 30324A passing grade of 70% is required for each examination. A person who fails the exam may resubmit the quiz only once at noadditional charge.

Please check here if you are indicating a change of address ______ Phone # __________________Name ________________________________________ License Number(s) and State(s) ____________Address _____________________________________________________________________________City ____________________________________________________ State __________ Zip __________How long did this program take to complete? ________________________________________________

7. All of the following are included in the core group of behaviorsphysicians use to diagnose autism EXCEPT:a. difficulty feeding and dressing oneself.b. inability to sustain conversation with others.c. preoccupation with a particular object.d. rigid adherence to established routines.

8. Girls with some autistic symptoms who also exhibit socialwithdrawal, regressed language skills, and hand wringing are mostlikely suffering from:a. Asperger’s disorder.b. childhood disintegrative disorder.c. pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified.d. Rett syndrome.

9. The most common therapeutic agents employed to treat autism arethe:a. neuroleptics. c. stimulants.b. anticonvulsants. d. antidepressants.

10. Common characteristics of persons with autism include all of thefollowing EXCEPT:a. avoiding eye contact.b. begging to be held or cuddled.c. having trouble adapting to a changing routine.d. repeating actions over and over.


The Georgia Pharmacy Journal

Editor: Jim [email protected]

Managing Editor: Kelly [email protected]

The Georgia Pharmacy Journal® (GPJ) is the officialpublication of the Georgia Pharmacy Association, Inc. (GPhA).Copyright © 2008, Georgia Pharmacy Association, Inc. Allrights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproducedor transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic ormechanical including by photocopy, recording or informationstorage retrieval systems, without prior written permissionfrom the publisher and managing editor.

All views expressed in bylined articles are the opinions of theauthor and do not necessarily express the views or policies ofthe editors, officers or members of the Georgia PharmacyAssociation.

ARTICLES AND ARTWORKThose who are interested in writing for this publication areencouraged to request the official GPJ Guidelines for Writers.Artists or photographers wishing to submit artwork for use onthe cover should call, write or e-mail the editorial offices aslisted above.

SUBSCRIPTIONS AND CHANGE OF ADDRESSThe Georgia Pharmacy Journal® (GPJ) (ISSN 1075-6965) isdistributed as a regular membership service, paid for throughallocation of membership dues. Subscription rate for non-members is $50.00 per year domestic and $10.00 per singlecopy; international rates $65.00 per year and $20.00 singlecopy. Subscriptions are not available for non-GPhA memberpharmacists licensed and practicing in Georgia.

The Georgia Pharmacy Journal® (GPJ) (ISSN 1075-6965) ispublished monthly by the GPhA, 50 Lenox Pointe NE, Atlanta,GA 30324. Periodicals postage paid at Atlanta, GA andadditional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes toThe Georgia Pharmacy Journal®, 50 Lenox Pointe, NE,Atlanta, GA 30324.

ADVERTISINGAdvertising copy deadline and rates are available atwww.gpha.org upon request. All advertising and productionorders should be sent to the GPhA headquarters as listedabove.

GPhA HEADQUARTERS50 Lenox Pointe, NEAtlanta, Georgia 30324Office: 404.231.5074Fax: 404.237.8435 http://www.gpha.orgDesign & Print: Landmark Communications, Inc. - 770.813.1000

2008 - 2009 GPhA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Name PositionSharon Sherrer Chairman of the BoardRobert C. Bowles PresidentEddie Madden President ElectDale Coker First Vice PresidentJack Dunn Second Vice PresidentJim Bracewell Executive Vice President/CEOBurnis Breland State at LargeHugh Chancy State at LargeJudy Gardner State at LargeKeith Herist State at LargeJohn McKinnon State at LargeAndy Rogers State at LargeTommy Whitworth State at LargeAlex Tucker Region OneTony Singletary Region TwoRenee Adamson Region ThreeBill McLeer Region FourShobhna Butler Region FiveBobby Moody Region SixPam Marquess Region SevenLarry Batten Region EightAlissa Rich Region NineChris Thurmond Region TenMarshall Frost Region ElevenKen Eiland Region TwelveRusty Lee ACP ChairmanLiza Chapman AEP ChairmanDebbie Nowlin AHP ChairmanTim Short AIP ChairmanMichelle Bishop APT ChairmanHillary Volsteadt ASA ChairmanJohn T. Sherrer Foundation ChairmanMichael Farmer Insurance Trust ChairmanPat McPherson Ex Officio - President, GA

Board of PharmacyCynthia Pangburn Ex Officio - Chairman, GSHPGina Ryan EX Officio MercerMeagan Spencer Ex Officio Mercer ASPRusty Fetterman Ex Officio South Rebecca Cubbedge Ex Officio South ASPBrian Buck Ex Officio UGAWalter Williams Ex Officio UGA ASP


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