The Official Publication Of The Florida Pharmacy Association JUNE 2021
VACCINATE! DON’T HESITATE
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florida PHARMACY TODAY Departments 4 Calendar 4 Advertisers 5 Executive Insight 6 Call for Resolutions
VOL. 84 | NO. 6 JUNE 2021 THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE FLORIDA PHARMACY ASSOCIATION
Features
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Vaccinate! Don't Hesitate Using Care and Compassion to Respond to Vaccine Hesitancy College of Pharmacy NOVA Southeastern University What Has the Mexican Yam To Do with Steroids?
ALS Biorepository Aids Research into Disease
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FPA Calendar 2021
Mission Statements: Florida Pharmacy Today Journal
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JULY 1
Budget and Finance Committee Conference Call
5
FPA Office Closed for Independence Day
7-11
131st Annual FPA Meeting and Convention Ponte Vedra AUGUST
1-4
38th Annual SE Gatherin, Henderson Beach Spa and Resort Destin
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FPA/APhA Immunization Program via Zoom
21
Budget and Finance Committee Conference Call
FPA Board of Directors Meeting
25-26 Board of Pharmacy Meeting Tampa SEPTEMBER 6
Labor Day FPA Office Closed
11-12 FPA Regulatory and Law Conference via Zoom 23
FPA/APhA Immunization Program via Zoom
30
Florida pharmacist licensure renewals due
FOR A COMPLETE CALENDAR OF EVENTS GO TO WWW.FLORIDAPHARMACY.ORG
Events calendar subject to change
CE CREDITS (CE cycle) The Florida Board of Pharmacy requires 10 hours’ LIVE continuing education as part of the required 30 hours’ general education needed every license renewal period. There is a two-hour CE requirement for pharmacists on the dispensing of controlled substances effective this biennial renewal period. Pharmacists should have satisfied all continuing education requirements for this biennial period by Sept. 30, 2021, or prior to licensure renewal. Consultant pharmacists and technicians will need to renew their licenses and registrations by Dec. 31, 2022. For the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board application, exam information and study materials, please contact the FPA office. For more information on CE programs or events, please contact the Florida Pharmacy Association at (850) 222-2400 or visit our website at www.floridapharmacy.org CONTACTS FPA — Michael Jackson (850) 222-2400
FSHP — Tamekia Bennett (850) 906-9333 UF — Emely McKitrick (352) 273-5169
Note: The views of the authors do not necessarily represent the views or NSU — Carsten Evans (954) 262-1300 opinions of the Florida Pharmacy Association, Florida Pharmacy Today or any related entities. DISCLAIMER Articles in this publication are designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with respect to the subject matter covered. This information is provided with the understanding that neither Florida Pharmacy Today nor the Florida Pharmacy Association is engaged in rendering legal or other professional services through this publication. If expert assistance or legal advice is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. The use of all medications or other pharmaceutical products should be used according to the recommendations of the manufacturers. Information provided by the maker of the product should always be consulted before use. FAMU — Dr. Selika Sampson (850) 599-3301
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FLORIDA PHARMACY TODAY
The Florida Pharmacy Today Journal is a peer-reviewed journal which serves as a medium through which the Florida Pharmacy Association can communicate with the profession on advances in the sciences of pharmacy, socio-economic issues bearing on pharmacy and newsworthy items of interest to the profession. As a self-supported journal, it solicits and accepts advertising congruent with its expressed mission.
Florida Pharmacy Today Board of Directors The mission of the Florida Pharmacy Today Board of Directors is to serve in an advisory capacity to the managing editor and executive editor of the Florida Pharmacy Today Journal in the establishment and interpretation of the Journal’s policies and the management of the Journal’s fiscal responsibilities. The Board of Directors also serves to motivate the Florida Pharmacy Association members to secure appropriate advertising to assist the Journal in its goal of self-support.
Advertisers APMS..................................................................... 7 EPIC..................................................................... 16 KAHAN............................................................... 16 MICRO MERCHANTS........................................ 2 PQC...................................................................... 20 PHARMACISTS MUTUAL.............................. 17 TOBACCO FREE FLORIDA............................. 14
EMAIL YOUR SUGGESTIONS/IDEAS TO dave@fiorecommunications.com
Executive Insight BY MICHAEL JACKSON, RPH MICHAEL JACKSON, BPHARM, EVP & CEO, FLORIDA PHARMACY ASSOCIATION
F
Time for Bold Political Action
rom the report shared with our readers in last month’s issue of Florida Pharmacy Today, we find that the Florida House and Senate have failed to address reforming the pharmacy benefit manager industry. In years past, we marched up to the Capitol with serious concerns over how PBM poli-
working with one PBM. There was even an acknowledgement of some spread pricing tactics that were going on. Over the years, your association has worked to address growing concerns with how patients’ prescriptions are covered. We found evidence of unfair audits and lack of consistency with how
Over the years, your association has worked to address growing concerns with how patients’ prescriptions are covered. We found evidence of unfair audits and lack of consistency with how community pharmacy prescription claims are paid. cies are affecting patient care, access and quality. We were told that there is little evidence that what PBMs are doing is an issue. The FPA worked with 3Axis Advisors on a massive comprehensive review of the Florida Medicaid program, examining over 350 million prescription drug claims. The findings from that review resulted in the publication of a 203-page report describing in clear detail what was going on in this state. Well, we were told that this was an industry study and could be biased. The State engaged its own consultants who reviewed the Medicaid program and, interesting enough, it published its own 47-page analysis that drew strikingly similar conclusions.1 This independent study even recommended that the State should consider
community pharmacy prescription claims are paid. We were successful in getting fair audit standards inserted into Florida laws and requiring PBMs to register with the office of insurance regulation. While these are good provisions, it’s not enough. We needed to find a way to get some enforcement in place, which was the focus of our legislative campaign for 2021 with our pharmacy coalition partners. This year, Florida adopted a $101 billion budget. Over $44 billion of that budget was to cover the costs of Health and Human Services. To put that into perspective, consider the state’s budget back in 1997, when yours truly started his assignment as your CEO. The budget to run the entire state of Florida was about $39 billion. It doesn’t take a math genius to figure out that healthcare is
Michael Jackson, B.Pharm
a huge cost-driver in this state. Policy makers can no longer afford to look the other way when relevant information is shared that is worthy of review. The 2021 legislative session starts in about seven months. Let us all get bold and have frank conversations with members of the Florida House and Senate before they return to Tallahassee in January. n
1 Milliman Report: https://www.floridapharmacy.org/page/2021-Legis-Resources
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FPA Officer and Director Nominations FPA STAFF FPA Officer and Director Nominations FPA Officer and Director Nominations FPA OFFICER AND DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS FPA Candidate Nomination Form
Although we have just finished the election for a President-Elect and Directors for the odd-numbered regions who were installed the 2019 INFORMATION annual meeting, is totime to start about nomHANDBOOKat OF ASSOCIATION Information youitneed participate and takethinking advantage of your FPA membership. inees for the election, since the is September of this year As the Although we2020 have just finished thenomination election fordeadline a President-Elect and 1Directors for(9/1/19). the odd-numform indicates, this year weatwill needannual candidates for President-Elect, and Direcberedbelow regions who were installed the 2019 meeting, it is time to startTechnician thinking about nomExecutive Vice President/CEO tors for the even-numbered regions. Please note that you may nominate yourself. inees for the 2020Jackson election, since the nomination deadline is September 1 of this year (9/1/19). As the Michael Although we have just finished the election for a President-Elect and Directors for theand odd-num(850) 222-2400, ext. 200 form below indicates, this year we will need candidates for President-Elect, Technician Direcbered regions who were installed at the 2019 annual meeting, it is time to start thinking about nomDirector of Continuing Education CALL FOR FPA OFFICER AND tors for the even-numbered regions. Please note that you may nominate yourself. Tian Merren-Owens, ext. 120 DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS for inees for the 2020 since the is September of this year As the Although we haveelection, just finished thenomination election fordeadline a President-Elect and 1Directors for (9/1/19). the odd-numContinuing Education Coordinator 2020 Elections form below indicates, this year we needannual candidates for President-Elect, and Direcbered regions who were installed at will the 2019 meeting, it is time to startTechnician thinking about nomStacey Brooks , ext. 210 CALL FOR FPA OFFICER AND tors the even-numbered regions. Please notedeadline that youismay nominate yourself. DIRECTOR for inees for theNOMINATIONS 2020 election, since the September 1 of this year (9/1/19). As the Coordinator of Membership The for FPA bylaws specify that any subdivision or nomination Christopher Heil, ext. 110nominate one 2020 Elections any member in good standing may I AM PLEASED TO SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING form below indicates, this year we will need candidates for President-Elect, Technician and Direcperson for the office of President-Elect and one perI AM PLEASED TO SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING NOMINATION: NOMINATION: CALL FOR FPA OFFICER AND tors the even-numbered regions. Please note that you may nominate yourself. son forfor the office of Treasurer. A President-Elect shall FLORIDA PHARMACY TODAY BOARD The FPA bylaws specify that any subdivision or DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS for be elected every year and shall assume the duties of Chair............................... Carol Motycka, Augustine any member in good standing maySt.nominate one Vice Chair. ........................Cristina Hollywood the President on the of lastPresident-Elect day ofMedina, the annual meeting person for the office and one per2020 Elections Treasurer.................................... Eric Gainesville CALL FPA OFFICER AND shall of the following election as President-Elect. The son foryear theFOR office of Treasurer. A Jakab, President-Elect Secretary............................. Julie Burger, Pensacola Treasurer shall serve a two-year term and may sucDIRECTOR NOMINATIONS for be elected every year and shall assume the duties The FPA bylaws specify that anyJacksonville subdivision of or Member.........................Michael Finnick, ceed to oneElections consecutive term in thatmeeting capacithe President on the last day of office the annual 2020 any member in good standing may nominate Member.............David Mackarey, Boynton Beach one ty. Nominees must beelection Florida registered pharmacists of the year as Schneller, President-Elect. person forfollowing the office of President-Elect and one The perTampa Member....................................... Matt in good standing with the Florida Pharmacy AssociTreasurer shall serve a two-year term and may sucMember............................Teresa Tomerlin, Rockledge son for FPA the office of Treasurer. A President-Elect shall The bylaws specify that any subdivision or ation and the Florida ofofPharmacy. Nominees ceed to one consecutive term office that capaciGreta Pelegrin, Hialeah beMember...................................... elected every yearBoard and shall assume the duties of any member in good standing may in nominate one for President-Elect should have athe good understandty. Nominees be Florida registered pharmacists Member..........Julie Pensacola theTechnician President on the last day ofBurger, annual meeting person for themust office of President-Elect and one pering of how the Association functions and should be Executive Editor.......Michael Jackson, Tallahassee in standing with the Florida Pharmacy Associofgood the following election asPresident-Elect President-Elect. The son foryear the office of Treasurer. A shall Managing Editor. ..................Dave Fiore, Tallahassee current onthe the issues impacting pharmacy. Nominees ation and Florida Board of Pharmacy. Treasurer shall serve a two-year term and may sucbe Journal elected every year and shall Dr. assume theRuble duties of Reviewer........................... Melissa Treasurer should haveterm good skills and for President-Elect should have athe good ceed to one consecutive ofanalytical office inunderstandthat capacithe President on the last day of annual meeting Journal Reviewer....................................Dr. Angela Hilland experience and ability in financial management ing of how the Association functions and should be ty. Nominees must be Florida registered pharmacists of the year following election as President-Elect. The budget preparation. current on the issues impacting pharmacy. Nominees in good standing with the Florida Pharmacy AssociTreasurer shall serve a two-year term and may sucThisare is nine a peer-reviewed publication. There regional Board Directors. skills who shall for Treasurer should have good analytical and ation the Florida Board ofof Pharmacy. Nominees ceed toand one consecutive term office in INC. that capaci©2021 FLORIDA PHARMACY JOURNAL, serve two-year terms. A nominee must be a Florida experience and ability in financial management and for President-Elect should have a good understandty. ARTICLE Nominees must be Florida pharmacists ACCEPTANCE: Theregistered Florida Pharmacy registered pharmacist in good standing withshould the Florbudget preparation. ing of how Association functions and be in good standing with thethat Florida Pharmacy AssociToday is athe publication welcomes articles ida Pharmacy Association and the Floridawho Board of There are nine regional Board Directors shall current on the issues pharmacy. Nominees ation and the Board of Pharmacy. Nominees that have aFlorida directimpacting pertinence to the current Pharmacy. Additionally, each Board Director must serve two-year terms. A nominee must be a Florida forpractice Treasurer have good skills and of should pharmacy. Allhave articles areunderstandsubject for President-Elect should aanalytical good be a member of at least one the FPA Unit Associaregistered pharmacist in good standing with the Florexperience and ability in financial management and toofreview by the Publication Review Committee, ing how the Association functions and should be tions within their region. Board Directors’ terms ida Pharmacy Association and the Florida Boardare of budget preparation. editors and other outside referees. Submitted current on the issues impacting pharmacy. Nominees staggered such thatregional even-numbered regions shall be Pharmacy. Additionally, each Board Director must are received with the understanding There are nine Board Directors who shall forarticles Treasurer should have good analytical skills and elected in even-numbered years odd-numbered be a member ofability at least the and FPA Unit that they are not being considered by another serve two-year terms. Aone nominee must be Associaa Florida experience and in financial management and regions shall beAllelected in odd-numbered years. All tions within their region. Board Directors’ terms are publication. articles become the property registered pharmacist in good standing with the Florbudget preparation. newly elected Board of Directors Regional Directors staggered such that even-numbered regions shall be of the Florida Pharmacy Today and may not idaThere Pharmacy Association and the Floridawho Board of are nine regional Board Directors shall shall take office on the last day of the annual meeting, elected in even-numbered years and odd-numbered be published without written permission from Pharmacy. Additionally, each Board Director must serve two-year terms. A nominee must be a Florida and continue office until the lastPharmacy dayyears. of annuthe author and the Florida regions shall beofelected odd-numbered All beboth ashall member atinleast one the FPA Unit Associaregistered pharmacist in in good standing with the Floraltions meeting of the second ensuing year. Today. The Florida Pharmacy Association asnewly elected Board of Directors Regional Directors within their region. Board Directors’ ida Pharmacy Association and the Florida terms Boardare of sumes responsibility for statements and shall take no office on theeven-numbered last each daythe ofBoard the annual meeting, staggered such that regions shall be Pharmacy. Additionally, Director must opinions made by the authors tolast the Florida and office until day of annuelected incontinue even-numbered years and odd-numbered be ashall member of atinleast one thethe FPA Unit AssociaPharmacy Today. al meeting of their the year. regions shall be second elected inBoard odd-numbered years. are All tions within region.ensuing Directors’ terms The Journal of the Florida Pharmacy newly elected Board of Directors Regional Directors staggered such does that even-numbered shall be Association not accept forregions publication shall take office on the last day of and the annual meeting, elected in even-numbered years odd-numbered articles or letters concerning religion, politics and shall continue in officeodd-numbered until the last day of annuregions shall be elected years. All or any other subjectinthe editors/publishers al meeting of the second ensuing year. newly elected Board for of Directors RegionalofDirectors deem unsuitable the readership this shall take office on the last dayJournal of the annual journal. In addition, The does meeting, not and shall continue in office until the last day of annuaccept advertising material from persons al meeting the second ensuing year.association. who areof running for office in the The editors reserve the right to edit all materials submitted for publication. Letters and materials submitted for consideration for publication may be subject to review by the Editorial Review Board.
FLORIDA PHARMACY ASSOCIATION
610 N. Adams St. • Tallahassee, FL 32301 850/222-2400 • FAX 850/561-6758 Web address: www.floridapharmacy.org.
FPA Candidate Nomination Form FPA Candidate Nomination Form FPA Candidate Nomination Form I AM PLEASED TO SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING NOMINATION: NAME: I AM PLEASED ADDRESS: NAME:
NOMINATION:
TO SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING
I AM THE PLEASED TO SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING FOR FOLLOWING OFFICE: ADDRESS: (Nomination deadline: September 1, 2019) NOMINATION: NAME:
President-Elect FOR THE FOLLOWING OFFICE: FOR THEDirector FOLLOWING OFFICE: ADDRESS: (Nomination deadline: September 1, 2019) Board NAME: (Nomination Region 2 deadline: Sept. 1, 2021) President-Elect Region 4FOLLOWING OFFICE: FOR THEDirector ADDRESS: Board President-Elect (Nomination Region Region 26deadline: September 1, 2019) Region 82 Region President-Elect Region 4 FOR THE FOLLOWING OFFICE: Technician Region 4 (Nomination Region Board Director 6deadline: September 1, 2019) Region 6 Region Region 82 President-Elect Region 84 NOMINATED BY: Technician RegionDirector Board Technician Region Region 26 NAME: Region RegionBY:48 NOMINATED Region Technician 6 DATE SUBMITTED: NAME: Region 8
NOMINATED BY: Technician
SIGNATURE: DATE SUBMITTED: NAME: NOMINATED BY: SIGNATURE:
MAIL NOMINATIONS TO: Election Nominations, Florida Pharmacy Association, 610 N. Adams St., Tallahassee, FL 32301 (850) 222-2400 FAX (850) 561-6758 MAIL NOMINATIONS TO: Election Nominations, Florida Pharmacy SIGNATURE: DATE SUBMITTED: Association, 610 N. Adams St., Tallahassee, FL 32301 DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS IS SEPTEMBER 1, 2019 (850) 222-2400 FAX (850) 561-6758 DATE SUBMITTED: NAME:
SIGNATURE:
MAIL NOMINATIONS TO: Election Nominations, Florida Pharmacy DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS IS SEPTEMBER 1, 2019 Association, 610 N. Adams St., Tallahassee, FL 32301 (850) 222-2400 FAX (850) 561-6758 J U L Y 2 0 1 9 | 15 MAIL NOMINATIONS TO: Election Nominations, Florida Pharmacy Association, 610 N. Adams St., Tallahassee, FL 32301 DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS IS SEPTEMBER 1, 2019 (850) 222-2400 FAX (850) 561-6758 J U L Y 2 0 1 9 | 15 DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS IS SEPTEMBER 2019 DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS IS SEPT. 1,1,2021 JULY 2019
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Vaccinate - Don’t Hesitate! By Dr. Thomas G. Baumgartner, Pharm.D., M.Ed., B.S., B.Ph., R.Ph., R.CPh., FASHP President and CEO of Consultant Pharmacists of America, Inc.
Pharmacists have once again garnered the trust of patients with Covid-19 vaccination collaboration. The next giant step now is to reverse the antivax propaganda and gain herd immunity. If you are 12 years or older, run don’t walk - to the nearest vaccination provider. Dr. Thomas G. Why? Because vaccines are likely the Baumgartner, Pharm.D., M.Ed., B.S., greatest advancement in medicine ever! B.Ph., R.Ph., R.CPh., One might challenge this exclamation FASHP with equally important breakthroughs such as intravenous/enteral nutrition (macro and micro substrates), microbiome genome projects, induced pluripotent stem cells, targeted cancer therapies and the list goes on… Nevertheless, the recent importance of vaccines with respect to bringing this Covid-19 pandemic to its knees pro8 |
FLORIDA PHARMACY TODAY
vides sobering proof of their effectiveness and safety. There is no question that home sheltering, along with disinfected deliveries for the last 15 months, may indeed have been the best way to avoid any viral, bacterial or fungal infection. However, the emotional and social well-being attack may not be for the faint of heart. To truncate this kind of cruel isolation, there is now compelling proof that Covid-19 vaccinations will protect against severe hospitalization and death. It is science that should immediately drive one to an arm jab. Do not hesitate! The truth is that immunization prevents millions of deaths every year. Without vaccines, global eradication of smallpox and poliomyelitis, as well as measles in extreme parts of the world, would have been impossible. New, improved vaccines are now available for individuals of every age, race and socioeconomic status. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
THE TRUTH IS THAT IMMUNIZATION PREVENTS MILLIONS OF DEATHS EVERY YEAR. WITHOUT VACCINES, GLOBAL ERADICATION OF SMALLPOX AND POLIOMYELITIS, AS WELL AS MEASLES IN EXTREME PARTS OF THE WORLD, WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE. NEW, IMPROVED VACCINES ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR INDIVIDUALS OF EVERY AGE, RACE AND SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS. provide the latest vaccination recommendations (CDC.gov/ vaccines) to guide all age populations. For example, the elderly should receive pneumococcal (both Pneumovax 23 and 13 strains), high dose flu and shingles vaccines; younger populations should receive human papilloma vaccines (HPV) and meningiococcal vaccines; and newborns, infants, and toddlers must receive all scheduled vaccines that are listed by the CDC. Unfortunately, not all diseases are preventable with vaccinations. In addition to the vigilant manufacture of vaccines for coronaviruses and flu, vaccines are being developed for sickle cell, malaria, HIV, Ebola, Zika etc. The implementation of viral vector vaccines, which teach our cells how to make a protein (or piece of a protein) and provide an immune response to the antigen or invader, promises to open still other doors to even richer research. Avoiding vaccinations may result in the occurrence of insidious outcome so tragic that even pertussis (whooping cough) may cause death. Babies have, in fact, caught pertussis from someone (parent, sister or brother, grandparent, or baby-sitter) in the home that never received or had lost immune response to a prior pertussis vaccination. Since there are approximately 10 billion antibodies present in the human, there is no problem with initiating immunity with multiple vaccinations (i.e., flu and Covid-19) at the same time. One must, however, stay vigilant with regard to viral mutations and variants. The number of people participating in an activity, the location of the activity (outdoor or indoor) and the nature of the community spread will influence safer activities. Using a mask or double mask, with or without glasses or a shield at a distance of six feet or more, will be prudent but not universally mandated. Remember that fully vaccinated people can participate in some indoor events safely and without as much risk as unvaccinated individuals. Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson&Johnson (J&J) vaccines will all prevent severe hospitalization and death.
# DAYS SHOTS APART
BRAND
AGE
IMMUNE RESPONSE
Pfizer
12 yr & older
2
21
14 days after 2nd shot*
Moderna
18 yr & older
2
28
14 days after 2nd shot*
J&J
18 yr & older
1
14 days after shot
* 2nd shot may be given up to 42 days
The most important message here is to get any Covid-19 vaccine as soon as possible and be open to booster vaccinations that may be needed in the future. The CDC also has recommendations for travel protection that include a number of non-routine vaccinations, such as adenovirus, anthrax, cholera, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, smallpox, tuberculosis, typhoid fever and yellow fever. Remember that there are no significant safety risks in the Covid-19 vaccinations and no scientific evidence that the low levels of vaccine additives (formaldehyde, ethylmercury or aluminum) are harmful. Finally, please consider vaccinations to help protect you, your family and all those around you (at least for six feet). Continue to do good for all of us...
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Using Care and Compassion to Respond to Vaccine Hesitancy By Bruce Berger, PhD, President at Berger Consulting, LLC, Motivational Interviewing Training and Professor Emeritus, Auburn University
It’s such a critical time for healthcare professionals to be able to show empathy and respect for vaccine-hesitant patients. The focus should not be on convincing patients to take the coronavirus vaccine, on listening to their fears, thoughts, and opinions (no matter how unsubstantiated) by using kindness and respect and then exploring further before offering education. Rather than saying to a concerned patient who worries you can get coronavirus from the vaccine, “No, you can’t get coronavirus from the vaccine,” it is more powerful to say, “You’re worried that you’ll get coronavirus from the vaccine, and that makes you reluctant to take it.” Next, ask if you can share some thoughts or information for them to consider: “Would you mind if I shared some thoughts with you and you tell me what you think?” The same approach may be taken with a patient who says, “I don’t trust these people. They don’t know enough about what the vaccine’s going do to us.” Rather than immediately countering with any education/information that would dispute this claim, first say, “You don’t feel comfortable that enough testing has been done to uncover potential problems.” Let the patient know you care and understand before you show them how much you know. We have to build a relationship of trust, not confrontation, if any education we do has a chance of sticking or hav i ng a n impact.
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When you are ready to educate the patient after listening and demonstrating understanding, the education must be clear, simple, to the point and done with confidence. I have been amazed at how much differently people view the vaccine when I have explained to them how these new vaccines work. That is, a dead virus is NOT being injected (like is the case with the flu vaccine) with these messenger RNA vaccines. I have explained it the following way: Information about a small, but important, part of the virus (the spike protein) is being injected, which causes our body to build many of these spike proteins. Our body then builds antibodies to these so that when our body sees that protein again on the actual coronavirus, it is ready to fight it with the antibodies we have built. Because what is being injected is not the virus (and only information about a protein part of the virus), we cannot get Covid-19 from it, even though we can build antibodies for the actual coronavirus with that protein. I have explained that the first shot is to start this process and the second shot is to “boost” the antibodies to provide better and longer-term protection. This explanation really helps people feel better about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine. If they ask, I also tell them that I would be first in line to take the vaccine if I could. Of course, you will
RATHER THAN SAYING TO A CONCERNED PATIENT WHO WORRIES YOU CAN GET CORONAVIRUS FROM THE VACCINE, “NO, YOU CAN’T GET CORONAVIRUS FROM THE VACCINE,” IT IS MORE POWERFUL TO SAY, “YOU’RE WORRIED THAT YOU’LL GET CORONAVIRUS FROM THE VACCINE, AND THAT MAKES YOU RELUCTANT TO TAKE IT.” have to find your own ways to talk with patients about getting vaccinated. I encourage you to be kind, patient and not feel like your objective is to convince your patients to be vaccinated. Rather, explore how they are thinking about it, offer education, then re-explore after they receive this new information (elicit - provide - elicit). Even if they say, “This whole thing is a hoax” resist the temptation to say verbally or nonverbally, “You gotta be kidding me!” Instead, explore that with the patient. Calmly and kindly say something like, “Tell me more about that. What’s got you thinking it’s a hoax?” Listen carefully, reflect it back, and then ask, “What might make you change your mind? What would you need to learn or find out that would make you say, ‘I really do need to get this vaccine?’” They might say, “Nothing.” There are going to be people who just won’t be vaccinated. You cannot save them. But you don’t want to burn any bridges. Some may go home and think about it - IF they don›t feel confronted or criticized. Let me know your thoughts about all this. I want to hear from you. What questions do you have about how to respond to patient challenges? Let’s have a forum for a discussion about this. It’s so important.
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F L O R I D A' S C O L L E G E S O F P H A R M A C Y
College of Pharmacy NOVA Southeastern University
Nova Southeastern University (NSU) College of Pharmacy has worked diligently over the past year to ensure our students have had a positive experience while adapting to the many changes taking place since the COVID-19 pandemic was officially recognized in the U.S. In March 2020, the College quickly adapted to an online delivery format of didactic course material and worked with our hospital and community partners to ensure all students continued to have the required IPPE and APPE experiences. As we plan for fall 2021, the College will continue to follow the Center for Disease Control and NSU guidelines when we anticipate welcoming students’ ability to return to campus and participate in lectures, labs, and co-curricular activities with their peers and faculty. Michelle A. Clark, Ph.D. Dean
THE COLLEGE OF PHARMACY IS INVESTED IN THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY AND IS PROUD TO HELP PROFESSIONALS ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS WHILE MEETING THE COLLEGE’S VISION OF SERVICE TO ADVANCE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITIES. 12
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College of Pharmacy at the Forefront of COVID-19 Immunization Initiative
The College of Pharmacy is invested in the health of the community and is proud to help professionals achieve their goals while meeting the College’s vision of service to advance the health and well-being of our communities. NSU College of Pharmacy faculty train students and pharmacists to be certified immunizers under the APhA Immunization Certification program. Since January 2021, over 250 pharmacists, in-
F L O R I D A' S C O L L E G E S O F P H A R M A C Y
cluding retired pharmacists from Florida and around the U.S and the Bahamas, have completed the certified immunizer training offered at NSU. In March 2021, NSU was designated a closed point of distribution by the Broward County Department of Health for the COVID-19 vaccine. The College of Pharmacy, in collaboration with the Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing, began vaccinating eligible individuals in the NSU Community, initially with the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine and later with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Faculty, staff, and students volunteered to man the daily appointment schedule and ensure a smooth operation. More than 8,000 vaccines were administered.
THE CHALLENGES OF THIS PAST YEAR DID NOT PREVENT NSU COLLEGE OF PHARMACY FROM CONTINUING ITS TRAINING OF PHARMACISTS AND PHARMACY TECHNICIANS. College Provides Certifications and Continuing Education (CE) Training
The challenges of this past year did not prevent NSU College of Pharmacy from continuing its training of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. In addition to promoting APhA’s Medication Therapy Management Services and Certified Immunizer certificate training, CE programs were offered in Consultant Licensure, and Lab Order and Monitoring for Pharmacists. Faculty and students at the Puerto Rico Regional Campus in San Juan participated in COVID-19 vaccination drives at Farmacia San Martin 3 in Manati and at the Department of Health site in Naguabo. Several students from Puerto Rico travelled to the Fort Lauderdale/Davie campus to participate in the on-campus vaccination clinic. In addition, students and faculty were eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccinations at the NSU designated vaccination locations, including the Puerto Rico Regional Campus.
Pharm.D. Students Reconstitute the First Syringes of the COVID-19 Vaccine in South Florida
On the first day the COVID-19 vaccine became available, two NSU College of Pharmacy students, Ashley Dabalsa (’22) and Laura Perez-Gutierrez (’22) had the experience of a lifetime - they were involved in reconstituting for administration the COVID-19 vaccine at Memorial Healthcare System in Miramar, Florida, which was the first institution that started providing the vaccines in South Florida.
New Partnership with University of Puerto Rico Aguadilla
The College of Pharmacy is pleased to announce its newest partnership with University of Puerto Rico Aguadilla. The dual-degree program will join our other partnerships with NSU Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico, and Universidad Central de Bayamon, for a select number of highly motivated, qualified students to obtain their B.S. in Biology and Pharm.D. degrees in a period of six to eight years. Eligible students must apply from high school to one of the listed schools as dual degree students and maintain requirements for admittance. To learn more about our dual-degree program, contact us at nsupharmacyinfo@nova.edu.
NSU College of Pharmacy Receives NACDS Foundation Scholarship
NSU College of Pharmacy is one of five colleges of pharmacy in the U.S. to receive the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation Scholarship for excellence in education to advance patient care through pharmacy education. The College will utilize telemedicine to provide medication therapy management and transitions of care interventions for patients who are post-hospital discharge to help improve outcomes and prevent hospital readmissions.
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F L O R I D A' S C O L L E G E S O F P H A R M A C Y
Student and Faculty Advocate for the Profession in Tallahassee
Each year, student pharmacists and faculty from the Florida Pharmacists Association and the Florida Society of Health-System Pharmacists meet with state legislators in Tallahassee to discuss pharmacists’ support or opposition to pharmacy-related bills. This year, under the direction of faculty member Genevieve Hale, Pharm.D. (’13) and NSU College of Pharmacy faculty members, 50 student pharmacists met virtually for 10 weeks from March 2, 2021 to April 30, 2021 to endorse the legislative agenda, which included promoting continued expansion of pharmacists’ immunization responsibilities, more regulation of Pharmacy Benefit Manager practices and drug pricing, and opposing remote dispensing pharmacies.
Student Innovators Create Health Care Media Platform
Nima Ataei, M.S., Founder
Aaron Johnson, B.S., Founder
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Fourth year Pharm.D. students Aaron Johnson (’22) and Nima Ataei (’22) created the healthcare media platform, Hour Invite, to educate society on healthcare related factors across multiple disciplines. Since its inception in November 2019, Hour Invite has reached national and international audiences through podcasts and webinars with prominent health care professionals in a wide range of topics from professional development to facial plastic surgery and why primary teeth are important. Guest speakers from a variety of disciplines have presented at Hour Invite including the Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine 2005, Barry J. Marshall, B.S.; M.B.; Patricia Flatley Brennan, R.N., Ph.D., Director, National Library of Medicine; leaders in the pharmacy field such as Christopher Fortier, Pharm.D., Chief Pharmacy Officer, Massachusetts General Hospital; Scott Knoer, M.S. Pharm.D., CEO of the American Pharmacists Association; and renowned author Joseph DiPiro, Pharm.D. Through Hour Invite, Johnson and Ataei continue to mentor students nationally and internationally via their webpage, podcasts, newsletters, and webinars.
FLORIDA PHARMACY TODAY
Ph.D. Candidate Secures Internship with Medidata Solutions
Shimone Parmar, Ph.D. candidate in the Social and Administrative Pharmacy sequence, secured a summer internship with Medidata Solutions, a leading company in the digital transformation of life sciences with platforms for clinical development, commercial, and real-world data. Parmar will spend several months working on scientific research sponsored by the Medidata Institute, Acorn AI and Medidata’s thought leadership forum.
Graduates Achieve Their Goal Two hundred and fifty-one graduates of the Pharm.D. Class of 2021 completed their academic requirements and celebrated their commencement at the Hard Rock Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Fifty applicants were matched into PGY-1 residency positions and 20 alumni in PGY-2 match. Areas of PGY-2 specialization include Cardiology, Infectious Disease, Psychiatry, Pediatric, Critical Care, Oncology, Ambulatory Care, and Internal Medicine. In addition, six students obtained fellowship positions in the following areas: Regulatory Affairs, Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Medical Affairs, and Association Leadership and Management. The College also graduated four Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, five M.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, and nine M.S. in Pharmaceutical Affairs.
F L O R I D A' S C O L L E G E S O F P H A R M A C Y
Alumni Inclusive Leaders Impact the Community
Our alumni continue to make us proud of their many successes. Some notable achievements include: ■ Dave Lacknauth, Pharm.D. (‘02), Executive Director of Pharmacy Services and System Integration at Broward Health, was recognized by the South Florida Business & Wealth magazine as the 2021 Excellence in Healthcare honoree. ■ John M. O’Brien, M.P.H., Pharm.D. (’00) was appointed to the National Pharmaceutical Council (NPC) as President and CEO. O’Brien will be responsible for overseeing NPC’s policy research and communications capacity, partnerships with other health care organizations, and strategic vision. ■ Melissa Ortega, M.P.H., Pharm.D., (‘10) will chair the ASHP’s Section of Community Pharmacy Practitioners Executive Committee. Ortega brings to the role her experience as Past President at Massachusetts Society Health System Pharmacists. ■ Richard Ashworth, M.B.A., Pharm.D. (‘99), President, CEO, and Board Member at Tivity Health, was appointed board member at the American Society on Aging. Ashworth will work with fellow board members to champion issues and initiatives that enable older adults to thrive. ■ Dorinda Segovia, Pharm.D. (’92) was appointed to the Florida Board of Pharmacy by Governor Ron DeSantis. Segovia is vice president of pharmacy services at Memorial Healthcare system in Miramar. Segovia is actively involved in combating the opioid epidemic by educating our youth and serves as vice chair in FSHP’s legal and regulatory counsel. ■ Jorge J. García, M.B.A., Pharm.D. (‘10) was appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Association of Community Cancer Centers. Garcia serves as an assistant vice president at Baptist Health South Florida with responsibility
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for system-wide oncology pharmacy services, primarily at the Miami Cancer Institute, the Lynn Cancer Institute, and inpatient oncology pharmacy services at several acute hospitals. Fernando Lopez, Ph.D. (‘18) was appointed assistant secretary for the Office of Aging and Adult Services at the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH). Lopez joins LDH at a critical time, as the ongoing pandemic hits older adults particularly hard. He is a passionate and innovative public health professional with skills centered around vulnerable population health. Lopez completed his Ph.D. with a concentration in Social and Administrative Pharmacy.
Looking Ahead
As we end one academic year and look forward to the start of another, we stand in unity remembering the many friends and family members lost, and those whose lives have been altered, not only by COVID-19 but by the many social and economic changes 2020 has brought. The College of Pharmacy pharmily will continue to educate and develop inclusive leaders in the science and practice of pharmacy who will improve health through discovery, innovation, advocacy, and the delivery of optimal patient care. For more information on our College, visit us online at pharmacy.nova.edu. Fins Up!
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Learn more about how you can team up with Tobacco Free Florida to help your patients quit at tobaccoflorida.com/healthcare.
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What Has the Mexican Yam To Do with Steroids? By William Garst, Pharm.D., Consultant Pharmacist
The history of the development of the class of chemicals we call “steroids” goes back several decades. There are a couple of interesting stories regarding this history I William Garst, would like to relate to Pharm.D. the reader. Consultant The first story is Pharmacist about the earliest documented clinical use of the hormone cortisol obtained from the adrenal glands of animals. At the time cortisol was known as “Compound E” because scientists did not know the actual chemical structure but knew there was a powerful substance produced by these glands. On September 21, 1948, Dr. Charles Slocumbe and Dr. Philip Hench injected 50mg of Compound E into a young woman suffering from acute rheumatoid arthritis. The same injection was repeated twice the next day. Remarkably, the patient improved so much that she went into remission and was discharged home. It is said that the patient felt so good she was able to immediately go shopping. News of this treatment spread quickly and the demand for this substance increased greatly. Shortly after this occurred, the chemical structure for cortisol was discovered. Also, at this time many other hormone structures were discovered and found to be similar, though how they act on the body varied significantly. The production of these steroids took several tons of animal glands and was costly to produce; so costly that it was too expensive to be used routinely. Soon another production process was found that took the bile from an ox to make the different steroids. However, even 18
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THE FIRST STORY IS ABOUT THE EARLIEST DOCUMENTED CLINICAL USE OF THE HORMONE CORTISOL OBTAINED FROM THE ADRENAL GLANDS OF ANIMALS. this was too expensive, complicated, and impractical. During this time, it was discovered that certain female hormones (also steroids) could prevent pregnancy. A determined search for a less costly process to produce steroids was undertaken by the pharmaceutical industry because of the demand for cortisol-like compounds, but also the female hormones which promised to make oral contraception a reality. Prior to these events, it was known that plants produced chemicals called sterols, structurally similar to steroids. A scientist named Russell Marker discovered that the Mexican Yam (Dioscorea mexicana) produced a high quantity of a chemical, diosgenin, which could easily be converted to the basic steroid structure. He started a company in Mexico called Syntex to produce steroids. Because of the discovery of a relatively inexpensive way of producing steroids the price of these medications dropped so much that they became commonly used. In fact, it is thought that the hormones estrogen and progesterone (both steroids) are the most used medications in the history of medicine. However, it was the discovery of the Mexican Yam as a source of the basic building block chemical that made the production of steroids affordable to the world. Stay informed and stay healthy.
William Garst is a consultant pharmacist who resides in Alachua, Florida. He received his bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Auburn University in 1975. He earned a master’s degree in pharmacy from the University of Florida in 2001. In 2007, he received his doctor of pharmacy from the University of Colorado. Dr. Garst is a member of many national professional associations as well as the local Alachua County Association of Pharmacists. He serves on the Alachua County Health Care Advisory Board. He works part-time at the UF Health Psychiatric Hospital and retired from the VA in 2016. Dr. Garst enjoys golf, reading (especially history) and family. He writes a blog called The Pharmacy Newsletter (https:// thepharmacy newsletter.com). He can be contacted at communitypharmacynewsletter@gmail.com.
ALS Biorepository Aids Research into Disease From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The National ALS Biorepository is a component of the National ALS Registry that will increase the number of biological samples from persons with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis available for research. These samples, along with the extensive data collected by the National ALS Registry, are a valuable resource in the fight to identify the causes of ALS. The National ALS Biorepository collects, processes, stores and distributes a variety of biological specimens such as blood, urine and tissue from a sample of persons with ALS enrolled in the National ALS Registry who agree to take part in the biorepository. The National ALS Biorepository is different from other biorepositories because it collects specimens from a geographically representative sample of people with ALS that is not tied to a specific clinic or location. Data for Researchers Researchers can obtain complementary linked epidemiological data which are not usually collected by a biorepository; e.g., military history, family history and occupational history. Samples are accessible to researchers around the globe regardless of institutional affiliation. In addition, unlike some biorepositories, the cost of collection and storage of samples is not passed on to researchers requesting samples. However, researchers can expect to incur a nominal per sample retrieval cost, along with shipping costs to deliver samples. The National ALS Registry website includes information about the National ALS Biorepository as well as an application form for researchers who wish to request samples. Research proposals are reviewed to ensure that access to National ALS Biorepository resources is restricted to ALS research projects with appropriate oversight and protection of human subjects. Ongoing Studies Using Samples from the ALS Biorepository Studies are using samples from the biorepository for research that contribute to the understanding of potential risk factors for ALS. In addition, the biorepository is in the process of reviewing several additional requests for samples. Being able to link biological samples with the extensive epidemiological data in the registry as well as having the genetic profile of those taking part in the biorepository, makes the samples a unique resource. The variety of studies already using biorepository samples illustrates its contribution to ALS research.
Description of Studies Using Samples from the Biorepository Description of Project RNA-Sequencing Based Drug In ALS
Group Conducting Analysis Cerevance Inc.
# of Samples Requested Serum, brain, spinal cord
Biomarkers for ALS Progression
Center for Neurologic Study UCLA
Biomarkers and Disease Progression in ALS
Columbia University Medical Center
Protein Response Pathway Potential Environmental Risk Factors
Dartmouth College
Serum Whole blood, plasma, brain and spinal cord Fingernails
University of Pittsburgh
Blood
University of Utah
Human Primary Cells
Assessment of ALS Plasma
Targeting Ataxin-2 In ALS Genotyping Metals analysis
National Institutes of Health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National ALS Registry
Plasma
DNA Whole blood, serum, urine
About the National ALS Registry The National ALS Registry, maintained by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, is a congressionally mandated registry for persons in the U.S. with ALS. The National ALS Registry is the only population-based registry in the U.S. that collects information to help scientists learn more about who gets ALS and its potential causes. To learn more, visit the ALS Registry website. What is ALS? Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disorder that causes the loss of motor neurons, typically resulting in paralysis, respiratory failure and death within 2-5 years of symptoms appearing. Despite ALS being initially identified in 1869, the actual pathogenesis and cause remain unknown and there is no cure. The most consistently known risk factors for sporadic cases are being male, Caucasian, and older. An estimated 5–10 percent of cases are attributed to heredity, while the remaining 90–95 percent are of unknown etiology. For these latter “sporadic” cases, many potential risk factors have been explored such as smoking and alcohol consumption; exposures to heavy metals, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds; head trauma; and occupational exposures.
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“I’M ALWAYS WATCHING OUT FOR MY PATIENTS, BUT WHO’S WATCHING OUT FOR ME?”
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