In This Issue

July 2, 2021

Dear <<First Name>>, Welcome to this week's issue of the California Pharmacists Association's CEO Message.

IN THIS ISSUE

Celebrating July 4th? Thank Your Pharmacist. Thank you to America’s pharmacy teams for helping to make 2021’s July 4th celebrations just that – true celebrations! Through their leadership in the COVID vaccination initiative, the people of pharmacy are helping families and friends pick up where they left off. Bands in this year’s parades will find new spring in their steps. And fireworks grand finales will symbolize new beginnings. [Read Article]

Pfizer and Moderna Vaccines Likely to Produce Lasting Immunity, Study Finds The vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna set off a persistent immune reaction in the body that may protect against the coronavirus for years, scientists reported on Monday. The findings add to growing evidence that most people immunized with the mRNA vaccines may not need boosters, so long as the virus and its variants do not evolve much beyond their current forms — which is not guaranteed. [Read Article]

COVID-19 Shines a Spotlight on the Importance of Preserving Local Pharmacies Over the past 15 months since the COVID-19 pandemic became a national emergency, pharmacies across the country have played a vital role supporting the health and well-being of Americans in the face of the rapidly spreading SARS-CoV-2. [Read Article]

Meet the Unsung Heroes Behind 450,000 COVID-19 Vaccines For 16 months, doctors and nurses have been the face of the pandemic fight. Behind the scenes, pharmacists are the unsung heroes that took their work to the medical frontlines. As all aspects of the medical field stepped up during an unprecedented event, the combination helped. [Read Article]

Finding an Opportunity to Advance Pharmacy Practice During a Pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant innovation, which presents a unique opportunity for pharmacists to advance pharmacy practice by serving as the integral drug monitoring experts of the health care team. [Read Article]

L.A. County Urges Everyone to Wear Masks Indoors as Delta Variant Spreads With the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus continuing to spread statewide, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is recommending that all residents wear masks in public indoor spaces — regardless of whether they’ve been vaccinated for COVID-19. [Read Article]

With the More Contagious Delta variant, Some Officials are Issuing New Mask Guidance The variant is expected to become the dominant coronavirus strain in the US, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. And with half the US still not fully vaccinated, doctors say it could cause a resurgence of Covid-19 in the fall -- just as children too young to get vaccinated go back to school. [Read Article]

Why No One is Sure if Delta is Deadlier The coronavirus is on a serious self-improvement kick. Since infiltrating the human population, SARS-CoV-2 has splintered into hundreds of lineages, with some seeding new, fast-spreading variants. [Read Article]

Calls Rise for FDA to Fully Approve COVID-19 Vaccines Calls are rising from some experts for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to move faster to fully approve the COVID-19 vaccines, in what could be a key step to address vaccine hesitancy. [Read Article]

COVID’s Lingering Effects Can Put the Brakes On Elective Surgeries Even after recovering from COVID, many patients experience respiratory or other problems and, since this effect of the virus is so unpredictable, medical experts aren't sure when it is safe to undergo elective surgery. But medical experts are setting up guidelines. [Read Article] Vaccine Mix Study Suggests Combinations Safe and Effective Alternating a dose of Covid-19 vaccine made by Pfizer Inc. with one from AstraZeneca PLC is safe and provides a strong immune response against the disease, a new study shows. [Read Article]

12 Lessons COVID-19 Taught Us About Developing Vaccines During a Pandemic The extraordinary drive to develop COVID-19 vaccines was like a moonshot — and like that fabled acceleration of space exploration science, it delivered. Just a little over six months after the first Covid vaccines were authorized for use, nearly 3 billion vaccine doses have been administered around the globe. [Read Article]

Kids’ Hospitalization Rates for Type 2 Diabetes More Than Doubled During Pandemic, Study Shows Kids' hospitalization rates for new Type 2 diabetes more than doubled amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to data analyzed at a Louisiana hospital. [Read Article]

How a Focus On Prevention Can Improve the Nation’s Health in the Wake of the Pandemic It’s a well-known fact that we do not appreciate our health until we’re unwell – or, perhaps, until we’re confronted with a once-in-a-generation global pandemic. With our busy pre-lockdown diaries, it often seemed easier to react to symptoms after they emerged – taking a quick trip to the pharmacy for painkillers, gel to ease aching muscles or something to soothe an upset stomach. [Read Article]

Pandemic Worsens Continual Medication Shortage for Pharmacies For more than three decades, Centra Health has helped people get the medication they need. However, it’s been more difficult this year. “If you don’t have a med, that could be life or death for some patients,” Sr. Director of Pharmacy Dr. Randall Puckett says. “We definitely don’t want to run out of medication.” [Read Article]

Tabula Rasa HealthCare Inks Agreements with 12 State Pharmacy Associations to Bring MedWise® Medication Risk Mitigation to Members Tabula Rasa HealthCare, Inc (TRHC) (NASDAQ: TRHC), a leading healthcare technology company advancing the safe use of medications, is collaborating with four more state pharmacy associations to bring TRHC's MedWise® technology to association members. MedWise medication decision support tools identify simultaneous, accumulative, multi-drug interactions, enabling pharmacists to improve medication safety, efficacy, and adherence. [Read Article] Attempts to Reform Drug Middlemen Surge In Nearly Every State Secretive companies that mediate between drug manufacturers, payers and pharmacies have been drawing heavy scrutiny for at least four years. Now efforts to change the way those companies do business have resulted in 100 bills introduced in 42 separate states, according to a report published Wednesday by the influential Kaiser Health News. [Read Article]

PBM Reform Ensures Patient Choice and Access to Community Pharmacies It has always been my passion to help people, which is why I pursued a career in pharmacy. Now, I am fortunate to serve Flower Mound, focusing on the health and wellness of my neighbors and community, and the entire Denton County community. However, growing administrative burdens continue to make it increasingly difficult to care for patients. [Read Article]

The Future of Pharmaceuticals and the FDA Pipeline Pharmacy Times spoke with Chad Landmon, attorney and chair of Axinn’s Intellectual Property and FDA Practice Groups, about key events in the FDA pipeline, such as Emergency Use Authorizations during COVID-19 and the future of narrowed approvals. [Read Article]

Extreme Temperatures Have An Effect On Your Packages, Mail-Order Medication Extreme heat means pretty much everything is hot right now. Packages delivered to your mailbox or front door are included, and prescription medication is at risk during this warm weather. [Read Article]

Shingles Vaccination Rate Surpasses US Target Goal Although COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination rates have received a lot of attention recently, it’s worth noting that there are numerous other vaccines recommended by the CDC in its Adult Immunization Schedule. [Read Article]

Misinformation On Adverse Effects a Factor in HPV Vaccine Refusal More than 25% of parents in 2019 who refused the human papillomavirus vaccine for their child cited concerns of safety or adverse effects, a study in JAMA Pediatrics shows. [Read Article]

J&J to Stop Selling Opioids, Agrees to $230M Settlement with N.Y. Johnson & Johnson has agreed to pay $230 million to New York state to settle claims that the pharmaceutical giant helped fuel the opioid crisis, Attorney General Letitia James said on Saturday. [Read Article]

New Position Statement on the Importance of Sleep to Health and Well- Being An American Academy of Sleep Medicine position statement published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine focused on the importance of sleep to health and provided several recommendations and objectives to improve health, productivity, well-being , quality of life, and safety by maintaining adequate sleep duration, quality, timing and regularity. [Read Article]

Few Adults are Aware of Hospital Price Transparency Requirements As of January 1 of this year, hospitals are required to post prices of common health services on their websites via consumer-friendly tools for patient use. [Read Article]

Cancer Patients May Need Double Treatment of Immunotherapies New research from La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) and the University of Liverpool indicates that initiating treatment of patients with cancer with drugs to deplete T follicular regulatory (Tfr) cells may prep the body to respond to subsequent anti-PD-1 therapies and increase overall survival. [Read Article]

FDA Approves Nasal Antihistamine to Treat Allergy Symptoms There is some hopeful news for the millions of people in the United StatesTrusted Source experiencing allergy symptoms. They can now get an antihistamine nasal spray for adult and childhood seasonal allergies. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the over-the- counter use of Astepro (azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray, 0.15 percent) last week. [Read Article]

CDC Advisory Panel Backs Use of Dengue Vaccine In High-Risk Areas, Despite Delivery Challenges An expert panel voted Thursday to advise that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend use of a controversial dengue vaccine, despite the fact that it can only be given to a small fraction of U.S. children and requires a pre-vaccination test in order to be used safely. [Read Article]

The Fine Print of Dietary Supplements Thanks in part to the COVID-19 pandemic, dietary supplements are more popular than ever. Three out of four Americans—including one in three children—use the products to improve health, boost fitness, lose weight or enhance sexual performance, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. [Read Article]

Assessment Tool Helps Future Pharmacists Prepare for Work in the Community A recent University of Arizona College of Pharmacy study suggests that Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) may be a valuable means of assesing clinical skills while providing learning experiences for pharmacy students in community pharmacy settings. [Read Article]

Submit your Policy Topics to be Considered by the CPhA House of Delegates Turn your ideas into CPhA policy! You can submit your policy ideas for consideration by the CPhA Policy Committee and House of Delegates. Today is the LAST DAY to submit! [Submit Here]

Rx Alert: Urge your Assemblymember to Support SB 362 (Newman)! July 2, 2021 The California Pharmacists Association (CPhA) is co-sponsoring SB 362 (Newman) that would prohibit the practice of imposing business quotas intended to increase profit margins on pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. SB 362 is set to be heard Assembly Business and Professions Committee on Tuesday, July 6, 2021. [Read Alert]

Rx Alert: SB 524 (Skinner) is scheduled to be heard in Assembly Business and Professions Committee on Tuesday, July 6. Contact your representative today to urge their support! July 2, 2021 SB 524 is set for a hearing in Assembly Business and Professions Committee on Tuesday July 6, 2021. There continues to be substantial opposition to this bill, including from the California Chamber of Commerce, the PBM lobby and the health plans. [Read Alert]

SIG Alert: Community Pharmacy SIG meeting on Tuesday, July 27 at 7 PM July 1, 2021 On behalf of the Chair of the CPhA Community Pharmacy SIG, Dr. Dawn Enzweiler and Chair-Elect Dr. Sanjay Patel, CPhA would like to invite you to a meeting of the Community Pharmacy SIG on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at 7 PM. [Read Alert]

SIG Alert: Compounding SIG Meeting on Wednesday, July 14 2021 June 30, 2021 The next Compounding SIG meeting will take place on Wednesday, July 14, 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. [Read Alert]

COVID-19 Resources CPhA understands that it is very difficult to keep up with the various news and resources pertaining to COVID-19. As such, we have created a valuable resources page and a COVID-19 Taskforce that is preparing recommendations and guidelines to ensure the health of all pharmacy professionals. [Resources, Taskforce Recommendations. Counties Vaccination Information]

COVID-19 On-Demand Continuing Education

Establishing CLIA Waived Lab Services in Community Pharmacy Basics of COVID-19 & Pharmacotherapy Considerations Understanding the Validity of COVID-19 Test Results What is an Emergency Use Authorization? Clinical Utility of Diagnostic & Serological COVID-19 Testing

CPhA Education Opportunities

On-Demand: Providing PrEP and PEP in a Pharmacy To meet the Board of Pharmacy regulatory requirements the learning objectives for the 1.5 hour required training. [View Course]

Virtual Pharmacy Law & Practice Conference This event serves as an opportunity to connect and collaborate with legal leaders to discuss critical and emerging pharmacy legal issues and get a fresh perspective on law and legal pharmacy education. You will have direct access to dynamic presentations that focus on current and emerging trends around pharmacy law and practice. [Register Here]

October 30 Virtual via Zoom 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Certificate Training Programs

Advanced Practice Pharmacist The California Pharmacists Association (CPhA) and National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) are proud to offer the new Advanced Practice Pharmacist certificate training program. The program, which is open to pharmacists from all practice settings, provides one of the approved pathways for pharmacists looking to become an advanced practice pharmacist and meets one of the Board of Pharmacy's licensing criteria. [View Program]

July 24 Virtual via Zoom September 18 Virtual via Zoom December 11 Virtual via Zoom

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Management APhA’s Pharmacy-Based Cardiovascular Disease Risk Management certificate training program explores the pharmacist’s role in cardiovascular disease risk management. [View Program]

August 21 Virtual via Zoom

Diabetes Care APhA's Pharmacist and Patient-Centered Diabetes Care Certificate Training Program gives participants experience evaluating and adjusting drug therapy regimens for patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, counseling patients about lifestyle interventions, analyzing and interpreting self-monitoring of blood glucose results, and assessing the overall health status of patients to identify needed monitoring and interventions. [View Program]

November 13 Virtual via Zoom

Immunization Delivery APhA’s Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery certificate training program provides pharmacists with the skills necessary to become primary sources for vaccine advocacy, education, and administration. [View Program]

August 7 Virtual via Zoom October 2 Virtual via Zoom

Medication Therapy Management Services APhA’s Delivering Medication Therapy Management Services certificate training program explores the pharmacist’s role in providing MTM services to patients. [View Program]

August 21 Virtual via Zoom

Pharmacy-Based Immunization Administration by Pharmacy Technicians Originally developed by Washington State University (WSU) and recently revised through a partnership between WSU and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the APhA/WSU Pharmacy-Based Immunization Administration by Pharmacy Technicians training program explores the expanding role of the pharmacy technician by providing additional skills training to administer immunizations. [View Program]

July 17 Virtual via Zoom View the entire calendar of events of educational opportunities. [Click Here]

Local Association Events

Join SVPhA for their Virtual Wine Tasting Event! Sacramento Valley Pharmacists Association would like to invite you to a special Virtual Wine Tasting Fundraiser and Social Event hosted by Turkovich winery!

To register for this event you will be asked to select a minimum of 2 wines to enjoy during the virtual Turkovich wine tasting. Event costs include the cost of two wines that may be picked up at CPhA headquarters on Saturday, July 10th, from 10am-12pm or can be shipped directly to your door prior to the event. Don’t open the wines early, save them to enjoy with your colleagues during the wine tasting fundraiser and social event. Once you have made your purchase we will send you the Zoom link to this event. [Learn More & Register]

July 17 Virtual via Zoom 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm The deadline to register is Wednesday, July 7th!

Partner Education Opportunities

Free On-Demand CPE on Medication Abortion Pharmacists interested in learning more about medication abortion can now earn continuing pharmacy education (CPE) credit through a new course: Pharmacists’ Roles in Medication Abortion. This online program is designed to provide pharmacists with this opportunity to learn more about the provision of evidence-based medication abortion care, as well as the current and future roles for pharmacists. The course was developed by Drs. Daniel Grossman at UCSF, Sally Rafie at UCSD & Birth Control Pharmacist, and Brooke Griffin at Midwestern University. Link to more information, complete the online home study course, and earn 1-hour of CPE at no cost. [View Course]

I had an amazing time at WPE 2021 and I was wondering, are there dates and a location set for WPE 2022?

Troy Hummel, PharmD Butte, CA

Dear Dr. Hummel,

We are so glad to hear you enjoyed WPE 2021 in Indian Wells. We are happy to announce that WPE 2022 will be held April 22-24, 2022 in Las Vegas!

For all attendees of WPE 2021, both virtual and in-person, please lookout for an email with a link to our post-conference evaluation form (which will give you a chance to win a free registration to WPE 2022 once completed). You should have also received an email with details on using the on- demand CE bundle from WPE 2021 (good through the end of this year). We can't wait to see you next year in Las Vegas!

Best,

Susan A. Bonilla Chief Executive Officer

Submit your Dear Susan question for a chance for your question to be answered in future newsletters. [Submit Question]

The California Pharmacists Association (CPhA) is the largest statewide professional association for pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians in the country. CPhA represents the pharmacy profession in all practice settings and promotes the health of the public through the practice of pharmacy. For more information, visit cpha.com.

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