| ASCP Advocacy Center Send a message to your elected representatives! Maryland Pharmacists: Please Act - Keep Pharmacy's Voice Heard In Assisted Living Regulations! The Maryland Chapter of ASCP Chapter is asking you to send an important letter to your State Delegates and State Senators. We are asking this to be sure that our Pharmacy voice is heard! Pharmacy reviews need to remain in the Assisted Living Regulations, as more than 50% of assisted living residents are currently receiving regular reviews. We want the opportunity to show that these reviews will improve patient care and save money. Please click here to visit our Legislative Alert page, enter your zipcode, and send an e-mail to your legislators! You can also choose to print out the letter, sign it, and send it via regular mail. Contact Your Maryland State Legislators Today! Time is of the essence! Please respond by December 1, 2008! Thank you for supporting our efforts. Mayer Handelman MD-ASCP Secretary & Treasurer Visit ASCP's Legislative Alert page by clicking here! Maryland: Pharmacists And Assisted Living – Comments Needed By September 15, 2008! (Click here to read ASCP's comments, with facts and research data.) The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has proposed new regulations for assisted living programs. Among other changes, the proposed regulations require: The assisted living manager must arrange for a licensed pharmacist to conduct an on-site review of physician’s prescriptions, physician orders and resident records at least every 6 months for any resident receiving nine or more medications, including over the counter and PRN medications. The purpose of the review is to promote the safe, effective use of medication, reduce medication costs, and to identify untreated indications, inappropriate drug dosage and other medication-related problems. The proposed on-site medication review is in addition to the review that must be done for new residents (who do not self-administer) within 14 days of admission. This review may be conducted by: a licensed physician, certified registered nurse practitioner or nurse midwife, a registered nurse, who may be a delegating nurse, or a licensed pharmacist. These proposed regulations are generating negative comments including:
1. Clarify the difference between DUR at the pharmacy and a medication review by a clinical pharmacist. 2. Provide evidence of the costs associated with medication related problems (MRPs) in the elderly and the value of pharmacist interventions in reducing MRPs and associated costs. 3. Offer recommendations for cost-effective implementation. Please send your comments to Michele Phinney, Director, Office of Regulation and Policy Coordination, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 201 West Preston Street, Room 512, Baltimore, MD 21201, or email them to regs@dhnh.state.md.us, or fax to 410-333-7687. You can also use ASCP's online Advocacy Alert Center by clicking here. ATTENTION!!! All California Pharmacists and Pharmacy Students PHARMACISTS MATTER! America is on the brink of a major healthcare crisis. As recently highlighted by the Institute of Medicine’s report, Retooling for an Aging America: Building the Health Care Workforce, we face a critical shortage of geriatric specialists in the health care field, including pharmacists. In just a few years, the health care workforce will be too small in number and not adequately prepared in training to meet the needs of a growing population of older adults. The Caring for an Aging America Act of 2008 (S. 2708), introduced by Senator Barbara Boxer, attempts to reduce these critical workforce shortages in geriatric practice by establishing a loan repayment program for doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, social workers, and other health care professionals who pursue specialized geriatric training. Unfortunately, pharmacists are not included in Senator Boxer’s bill! Pharmacists play a vital role in reducing medication errors and promoting appropriate medication use in the elderly. Please let Senator Boxer know, pharmacists matter! Join ASCP in asking Mrs. Boxer to amend her legislation to address the critical shortage of pharmacists who specialize in managing pharmaceutical care for our nation’s seniors. CLICK HERE Contact Congress All ASCP Members: Click here to send your message to the U.S. Congress! |
