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FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012
Vol. CXXIII, No. 160
OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE CITY OF TACOMA Devoted to the Courts, Real Estate, Finance, Industrial Activities, and Publication of Legal Notices
Published Since 1890
New tracking system assists pharmacists in curbing meth ingredient sales A new statewide tracking system that monitors over-the-counter ingredients used to make methamphetamine blocked more than 13,300 sales in the last nine months. Three ingredients—pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine—are used as directed to help millions of people treat colds and allergies. A few people buy medications with these ingredients to make the illegal and very dangerous drug commonly called "meth." The Washington State Board of Pharmacy oversees the new system—a key tool to stop meth production and sideline meth abuse. The National Precursor Log Exchange was activated in October; Washington was among the first states to create a statewide tracking system. From Oct. 15, 2011, through the end of July 2012, the system logged 1,023,929 purchases and blocked the sales of 13,391 meth ingredients—the equivalent of 82 pounds (37,172 grams). The number of blocked sales has grown monthly. "Our state was once called 'the poster child for the meth epidemic,' and we're now recognized as a success story," said Secretary of Health Mary Selecky. "A decade ago, there were thousands of meth labs and dumps in our state. We can thank community action and legislation, including the new rules that created our tracking system, for turning the tide." The tracking system records the buyer's identification, such as a driver's license, along with the type and amount of product. Real-time information shows the cashier if the buyer has exceeded the allowed quantity of medication. The system also flags drug purchases made in another state. Information about buying medication over the legal limit is instantly added to a database that's available to law enforcement. Regular customers still have access to cold, flu, and allergy products without a prescription. All pharmacies and retail locations that sell these medications must be certified by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and enter transaction data into the tracking system. Washington law (RCW 69.43.110) requires pharmacies and other retailers to keep these products where customers don't have access to them, either behind the counter or in a locked case. The retailer must record the name and address of the buyer with a description of the product sold; customers sign a transaction record. Sales are restricted to 3.6 grams per purchase, and no more than nine grams during a 30-day period. The system then tracks each pur-
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New leader at state Health Care Authority
Gov. Chris Gregoire has appointed MaryAnne Lindeblad as director of the Washington State Health Care Authority. Lindeblad, who is currently the assistant secretary of the Aging and Disability Services Administration at the Department of Social and Health Services, succeeds outgoing director Doug Porter. "MaryAnne has the unique skill and experience necessary to walk into this role seamlessly, and continue the tremendous success of this agency," said Gregoire. "She brings an impressive background, including leading one of the largest divisions at DSHS, even larger than the Health Care Authority. Her career has focused on safeguarding the integrity of the health care system and Medicaid, while ensuring that the citizens of Washington state are protected and provided with the best service possible. I welcome MaryAnne to this role, and am confident she will continue to serve Washingtonians well." "I've spent my career focused on improving our health care systems, and look forward to serving Washingtonians in this new role," said Lindeblad. "This position no doubt brings new challenges, including the expansion of Medicaid over the next few years. I am committed to bringing the same heart and passion that I've always shown, and ensuring Washingtonians continue to have access to the quality and affordable health care they deserve." Lindeblad has spent much of her career at DSHS, serving in a variety of leadership positions. Prior to her current role, Lindeblad served as director of the Division of Health Care Services in the former Health and Recovery Services Administration at DSHS. She has also served as director of the Division of Healthcare Services for the Medicaid Purchasing Administration, and as assistant administrator of the Public Employees Benefits Board for the Washington Health Care Authority. Lindeblad also has experience as the director of operations for Unified Physicians of Washington. As an active member of the healthcare community, Lindeblad currently serves as chair of the Medicaid Managed Care Technical Advisory Group, is a member of the executive committee for the National Academy for State Health Policy, and chairs their Long Term and Chronic Care subcommittee. She currently chairs the
board of the Olympia Free Clinic, a position she has held since 2010. Lindeblad holds a bachelor of science in nursing from Eastern Washington University and a master's in public health from the University of Washington. In 2010, Gregoire announced her intent to merge the existing Health Care Authority and Medicaid, putting the director also in charge of the state's other large health care purchasing program, the Public Employees Benefits Board. These transitions helped streamline and standardize state healthcare programs as well MaryAnne Lin- as bend the health deblad has been cost curve, helping appointed director restrain annual medof the Washington ical cost inflation to State Health Care less than four percent Authority. Linde- by eliminating waste blad, who is current- and inefficiencies. Gregoire said Porly the assistant secter's experience and retary of the Aging leadership would be and Disability Sermissed. vices Administration "Health care has at the Department been a priority conof Social and Health cern of my adminisServices, succeeds tration from the beoutgoing director ginning, and many Doug Porter. significant improvements -- Apple Health for Kids, the move to evidence-based medicine, and the state's leadership in health care reform -- would not have been possible without the support of the Medicaid program and Director Doug Porter," said Gregoire. "Doug's stewardship and prioritization of health care initiatives and reform at the helm of the Washington state Health Care Authority for the past decade have improved lives and provided a more healthy future for Washingtonians," said Gregoire. "I thank him for his commitment and service."
chase, and information is available to other pharmacies, retailers, and law enforcement. Information about methamphetamine topics— including info on meth labs, facts about drug abuse
from the National Institutes of Health, facts about meth laws from the state Attorney General's Office, and the work of the Washington State Methamphetamine Initiative—is available online at doh.wa.gov.