Mountain State Pharmacist: Recent Episodes
West Virginia Pharmacists Association
Talking about issues that matter to pharmacies , pharmacists, and their staffs and showcasing the best that WV Pharmacy has to offer!
WVPA's Pharmaceutical Crime Correspondent, Shabbir Safdar, from the Partnership for Safe Medicines, provides updates on the Aminov case (check out previous podcast episode for more information) and discusses recent trends in botox and semaglutide counterfeiting. We have a candid, funny discussion about why one should not purchase medications from ETSY - you don't want to miss this episode packed with interesting updates in the world of counterfeiting.
Join us as we talk to Tommy Pile, PharmD, Monis Ali, and Lexi Atkinson from MUSOP about PBM Reform and how states are regulating pharmacy benefit managers in different ways.
See MUSOP Poster Presentation here:
Prescription for Reform: A Comparative Study of State Level Regulations on Pharmacy Benefit Managers by MUSOP (under Reimbursement)
Check out other reports and resources around PBM Reform here:
Trends in Profitability and Compensation of PBMs and PBM Contracted Entities by Nephron Research
Unraveling The Drug Pricing Blame Game by 3 Axis Advisors
Pharmacists United For Truth and Transparency
PBM Accountability Project
We sit down with Shabbir Safdar, Executive Director of Partnership for Safe Medicine, a public health group committed to the safety of prescription drugs and protecting consumers against counterfeit, substandard or otherwise unsafe medicines.
Shabbir will be a regular guest on our podcast throughout 2024 sharing stories of pharmaceutical counterfeiting and how we can prevent unsafe medicines from getting in our pharmacies and in the hands of our patients.
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/buying-using-medicine-safely/counterfeit-medicine
US vs. Aminov Indictments
Beginning July 1, 2021, people interested in a pharmacy technician career can receive their training through the West Virginia University School of Pharmacy. The School of Pharmacy’s Pharmacy Technician Education Program is open to those 18 years of age and older. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED and pass a drug screening and background check.
The program is recognized by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the West Virginia Board of Pharmacy. The majority of the program content is online, with an additional 120 hours of externship. Even though the course content is housed online, the student has the advantage of creating a personal connection with the instructor via text or email, in addition to instructor feedback on all homework assignments. Experienced pharmacist and pharmacy educator, Judith Riffee, is the instructor. Riffee has had over 10 years of experience in teaching pharmacy technicians.
The course is self-paced and designed for the didactic portion to be completed in 20 weeks, although students may finish earlier. The School’s Pharmacy Technician Program comprises six modules consisting of recorded video, assessments, and homework. Included in the course assessments are competencies in mastering the Top 200 drugs within their study of therapeutic categories.
The externship portion of the course is coordinated through the Office of Experiential Learning of the WVU School of Pharmacy, utilizing preceptors who evaluate students in the workplace according to defined competencies.
Upon satisfactory completion of both the online and experiential portion of the course, students receive a certificate of completion through the WVU School of Pharmacy Office of Continuing Education. Should students desire to add to their credentials, they would be qualified to prepare and sit for the PTCB Certification Exam. Satisfactory completion at this level yields a nationally recognized certification for practice as a pharmacy technician and the opportunity to attain various specialty practice certifications via several PTCB specialty certification exams.
If interested in learning more about the Pharmacy Technician Education Training program, please contact Pharmacy Technician Enrollment Coordinator Brian Taylor, btaylor@rvhsolutions.com or 800-671-0331, or the School of Pharmacy’s Director of Continuing Education Dr. Ginger Scott, vscott@hsc.wvu.edu or 304-293-1553, or lead instructor Judy Riffee at Judy.Riffee@gmail.com.
Allison Given is a P2 student at the University of Charleston School of Pharmacy. In October 2022, she won our American Pharmacy Month contest asking for essay submissions on what the APhM theme of "Improving Health, Increasing Access", meant in their own words. We sat down many months later to discuss her essay, her experiences so far in pharmacy, and how as pharmacists we wrestle with access issues more than many other healthcare professionals because we see it in the billing and have face-to-face encounter with people at the point of sale. In rural West Virginia, the issue of access is even more concerning with transportation concerns in pharmacy deserts.
May 22nd is Infectious Diseases Pharmacists Day to recognize Infectious Disease Pharmacists and their impact on patient care and contributions to the health care team. Dr. Jen Sparks, PharmD with Marshall School of Pharmacy shares a little about the career path of infectious disease pharmacy and why Infectious Disease Pharmacists Day is such an important day to raise awareness of antibiotic resistance and antimicrobial stewardship, especially in the Mountain State.
Antibiotic Use | CDC
IDSA Home (idsociety.org)
Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (pids.org)
Infectious Diseases, Education & Pharmacists | IDStewardship
Antimicrobial Stewardship (contagionlive.com)
Home (sidp.org)
CDC Antibiotic Use Per Capita Map (2021)
WV Office of Epidemiology and Prevention Services
Jake Nichols, President and CEO of Renovo Health in Natick, MA, has dedicated his life's work to helping others with opioid use disorder after his own struggles over 12 years ago. His book, Unfit for Recovery, tells his story of a 15-year struggle and how he became an advocate for stigma reduction and evidence-based addiction treatment. WVU APhA-ASP Student Pharmacists Yohanna Berhanu and Brittany Davis have a conversation with him about how to break the stigma that is very prevalent in healthcare and society.
Jake Nichols, President and CEO of Renovo Health in Natick, MA, has dedicated his life's work to helping others with opioid use disorder after his own struggles over 12 years ago. His book, Unfit for Recovery, tells his story of a 15-year struggle and how he became an advocate for stigma reduction and evidence-based addiction treatment. WVU APhA-ASP Student Pharmacists Yohanna Berhanu and Brittany Davis have a conversation with him about how to break the stigma that is very prevalent in healthcare and society.
Title: "Breaking the Stigma surrounding HIV/AIDs" Hosts: Yohanna Berhanu, Elaine Zhang, and Maddie Henderson Special Guest: Dr. A. Christine Teague, PharmD, MPH, AAHIVP Guest Contact/Resources: E-mail: christine.teague@camc.org Guest Info: Dr. Teague serves as a Clinical Pharmacist Specialist in Infectious Diseases and Ryan White Part C Program Director at Charleston Area Medical Center. Episode Info: In this episode with Dr. Teague, we discuss the stigma surrounding HIV status, PrEP, and climbing over the hurdle of getting antiretroviral treatment for HIV/AIDs. This episode was produced by the WVUSOP APhA-ASP chapter.
Melisa Sigley and Monisha Prakash, Medical Science Liaisons from AstraZeneca, join us to talk about a long-acting monoclonal antibody for pre-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 for specific individuals, known as EVUSHELD™ (tixagevimab co-packaged with cilgavimab). Please click on the link below to refer to the EVUSHELD™ Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers for up-to-date and further product information. For any medical information requests and access to other AstraZeneca resources, please contact Melisa Sigley or visit AZmedical.com.
https://www.azpicentral.com/pi.html?product=evusheld_hcp_fact
Yanick Hicks has his doctorate degree in Pharmacy from Marshall University and licensed pharmacist in the state of Arizona. As an Executive director and president advisory council member of The Maxwell leadership Team, Yanick Hicks is certified to facilitate, speak, train and coach individuals and groups in the areas of leadership development, communication, teamwork and personal growth. He has experience speaking at the Arizona Pharmacy association conference, Arizona fire district association conference, Arizona charter schools association conference and several other organizations etc.. He is passionate about helping leaders develop leaders but most importantly themselves. He is also active in coaching youth soccer, traveling and spending time to family and friends.
Matt sits down with Razan Khan, Marshall University School of Pharmacy Class of 2019 Graduate, to talk about his career as a medical copywriter, his hobbies including cooking, and a discussion about imposter syndrome and how he has found ways to overcome it.
Dr. Razan Khan is a Toronto-based pharmacist with a passion for education, writing, and telling stories. He has a demonstrated history of leading and working in teams, proven interest in scientific and creative writing, novel pharmacy ideas, promotion of pharmacy policy, and an extensive background in the retail pharmacy industry.
With over four years of experience as a writer and over a decade in the world of pharmacy, Dr. Khan has amassed a diverse body of work. He has worked as a freelance copywriter, subject matter expert, and health & medical consultant for firms like Lampyon Health Communications Agency and Kiritsu Design & Technology. He’s helped create engaging content for brands and organizations like P&G, Bayer, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Ascensia Diabetes Care, Pharmasave, the Province of Ontario, Shoppers Drug Mart, the American Pharmacists Association, and more.
He received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Marshall University School of Pharmacy in West Virginia where he also helped shape several programs for learning, serving the community, collaboration and leadership, and ultimately becoming the chosen speaker at his own commencement in 2019.
Dr. Khan also enjoys speaking in front of all kinds of audiences to promote healthcare literacy and healthcare equality for patients and providers. In his free time, he moonlights as an actor, television personality, and food blogger.
A healthy pharmacist-patient relationship can be difficult when cognitive decline, dementia, or Alzheimer’s Disease impact our ability to communicate and understand. In honor of National Alzheimer’s Month, join us for a special conversation with an expert panel who offer insight in how to maintain that relationship and offer the best care for patients and their caregivers. PLEASE NOTE: There's a little sound interference at the beginning, but the sound quality gets better after a couple minutes. We had some problems with unmuted attendees.
Featured panel:
Jane Marks, Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP), is the creator of SandwichCaring.com and former executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association WV chapter for 12 years
JT Hunter, Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP), is a Care Partner Coach, and President and CEO of REMT Care Partner Coaching
Michaela E. (Leffler) Huddleston, PharmD, BCPS, BCGP is an Assistant Professor, Pharmacy Practice Department at University of Charleston School of Pharmacy and an Inpatient Psychiatry Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
Host: Sean Douglass, RPh
Amanda Cummins PA -C graduated from Alderson-Broaddus in 2008 and served 11 years at Wheeling Health Right free/charitable clinic in primary care. She began FARMacy, a prescription for produce program, in collaboration with Dr Carol Greco and Grow Ohio Valley in 2016. Since then, FARMacy has expanded to 28 sites in WV.
She has had the honor of lecturing at the APHA annual conference, the national free clinic conference, WV Physician Assistant Association, WVSOM Annual Conference and was awarded WV’s 40 under 40 award in 2014 for work with marginalized, chronic disease patients.
In this new mini-series, Student Perspectives, students are taking over the MSP Podcast and lending their voice to the conversation!
This episode was planned and created by students at WVU School of Pharmacy APhA-ASP Chapter! Some of their P4 students have unique APPE experiences on various rotations stationed in South Africa and Alaska, and they share their stories and experiences as well as give some advice based on these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.
Hosted by: Miranda Moser
Speakers include: Molly Swartzmiller, Sarah Ayers, Dixie Shahan, Alex Weaver, Andi Weaver, Allison Morris, and William Gu
If you are a student and wish to participate in the creation of the podcast, email us at info@wvpharmacy.org. Whether you have an idea or just want to work in the WVPA media, we want to hear from you!
Veterinary Pharmacist and WVUSOP Graduate, Jenna Boram, joins us to talk about her passion for veterinary pharmacy! She provides insight on how she arrived at this career path, what references she uses in her job as a veterinary pharmacist, and some great stories about some less traditional patients!
Plumb's Veterinary Pharmacy - https://plumbs.com/
Pharmacy technicians are the backbone of pharmacies throughout the country, and in West Virginia, we celebrate the critical role they play in meeting the needs of our patients! Featured guest Dr. Kenneth Hohmeier, Associate Professor, Director of Community Affairs, and Directorof PGY-1 Community-based Residency Program at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, will detail the national trends in pharmacy technicians elevating their skill sets to meet the changing patient needs and business demands for pharmacies. Nationally-certified technicians Kala Gault and Logan Wright will join us to talk about how they support their pharmacies and find fulfillment doing expanding services. Host: Aubrey LeMasters
Part 2 of a 2-part conversation with state and national leaders in the battle against Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and their predatory practices which are harming patients and pharmacies throughout the country, especially in rural areas such as West Virginia! Panelists Include: Douglas Hoey, CEO of National Community Pharmacists Association Antonio Ciacca, CEO of 46brooklyn Research and APhA - American Pharmacists Association Joni Cover ,VP of Strategic Initiatives at National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA) Lynne Fruth, President and Chairman of Fruth Pharmacy Heidi Romero, Pharmacist and Advocate at Griffith & Feil Pharmacy in Kenova, WV
Resources for more education: PBM Accountability Project pbmaccountability.org How PBMs Make Money: PBM Practices & Profits https://info.rxsafe.com/blog/pbms-make-money-infographic
Pharmacy Benefit Manager: Market Landscape and Strategic Imperatives https://www.hirc.com/system/files/public/MM_PBM%20Landscape_2022.pdf
Getting to the Root of High Prescription Drug Prices July 10, 2017 https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2017/jul/getting-root-high-prescription-drug-prices
Pharmacy Times White Paper: DIR Fees Simply Explained October 25, 2017 https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/white-paper-dir-fees-simply-explained
Pharmacy Benefit Managers and Their Role in Drug Spending April 22, 2019 https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/explainer/2019/apr/pharmacy-benefit-managers-and-their-role-drug-spending
How Have Diabetes Costs and Outcomes Changed Over Time in the US? November 15, 2019 https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/chart-collection/diabetes-care-u-s-changed-time/#health-spending
From Benefit Cards to Billions in Profits: The Evolution of the Modern PBM March 17, 2020 https://www.withmehealth.com/newsroom/from-benefit-cards-to-billions-in-profits-the-evolution-of-the-modern-pbm
How State Medicaid Programs Are Managing Prescription Drug Costs Pharmacy Benefit Administration 2019 April 28,2020 https://www.kff.org/report-section/how-state-medicaid-programs-are-managing-prescription-drug-costs-pharmacy-benefit-administration/
Drug Channels: August 11, 2020 Five Top Drugmakers Reveal List vs. Net Price Gaps (Plus: The Trouble With Insulin Prices) https://www.drugchannels.net/2020/08/five-top-drugmakers-reveal-list-vs-net.html
Promarket: February 19,2021 How the FTC Protected the Market Power of the Pharmacy Benefit Managers https://www.promarket.org/2021/02/19/ftc-market-power-pharmacy-benefit-managers/
NCPA: June 3, 2021 It’s not a Typo: 91,500% Increase in Fees Heaped on Pharmacies https://ncpa.org/newsroom/news-releases/2021/06/03/its-not-typo-91500-increase-fees-heaped-pharmacies
Pharmaceutical Spending Up 77% Over 10 Years, Yet Out-of-Pocket Prescription Drug Costs Have Fallen in Same Period February 28, 2022 https://www.valuepenguin.com/pharmaceutical-spending-study#:~:text=According%20to%20data%20from%20the,to%20%2452%20billion%20in%202015
Viatris' biosimilar insulin isn't as cheap as you thought. https://www.axios.com/2021/11/17/the-new-generic-insulin-isnt-as-cheap-as-you-thought
Part 1 of a 2-part conversation with state and national leaders in the battle against Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and their predatory practices which are harming patients and pharmacies throughout the country, especially in rural areas such as West Virginia!
Panelists Include:
Douglas Hoey, CEO of National Community Pharmacists Association
Antonio Ciacca, CEO of 46brooklyn Research and APhA - American Pharmacists Association
Joni Cover ,VP of Strategic Initiatives at National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA)
Lynne Fruth, President and Chairman of Fruth Pharmacy
Heidi Romero, Pharmacist and Advocate at Griffith & Feil Pharmacy in Kenova, WV
Resources for more education:
PBM Accountability Project pbmaccountability.org
How PBMs Make Money: PBM Practices & Profits https://info.rxsafe.com/blog/pbms-make-money-infographic Pharmacy Benefit Manager: Market Landscape and Strategic Imperatives https://www.hirc.com/system/files/public/MM_PBM%20Landscape_2022.pdf Getting to the Root of High Prescription Drug Prices July 10, 2017 https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2017/jul/getting-root-high-prescription-drug-prices Pharmacy Times White Paper: DIR Fees Simply Explained October 25, 2017 https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/white-paper-dir-fees-simply-explained Pharmacy Benefit Managers and Their Role in Drug Spending April 22, 2019 https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/explainer/2019/apr/pharmacy-benefit-managers-and-their-role-drug-spending
How Have Diabetes Costs and Outcomes Changed Over Time in the US? November 15, 2019 https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/chart-collection/diabetes-care-u-s-changed-time/#health-spending
From Benefit Cards to Billions in Profits: The Evolution of the Modern PBM March 17, 2020 https://www.withmehealth.com/newsroom/from-benefit-cards-to-billions-in-profits-the-evolution-of-the-modern-pbm How State Medicaid Programs Are Managing Prescription Drug Costs Pharmacy Benefit Administration 2019 April 28,2020 https://www.kff.org/report-section/how-state-medicaid-programs-are-managing-prescription-drug-costs-pharmacy-benefit-administration/ Drug Channels: August 11, 2020 Five Top Drugmakers Reveal List vs. Net Price Gaps (Plus: The Trouble With Insulin Prices) https://www.drugchannels.net/2020/08/five-top-drugmakers-reveal-list-vs-net.html Promarket: February 19,2021 How the FTC Protected the Market Power of the Pharmacy Benefit Managers https://www.promarket.org/2021/02/19/ftc-market-power-pharmacy-benefit-managers/ NCPA: June 3, 2021 It’s not a Typo: 91,500% Increase in Fees Heaped on Pharmacies https://ncpa.org/newsroom/news-releases/2021/06/03/its-not-typo-91500-increase-fees-heaped-pharmacies Pharmaceutical Spending Up 77% Over 10 Years, Yet Out-of-Pocket Prescription Drug Costs Have Fallen in Same Period February 28, 2022 https://www.valuepenguin.com/pharmaceutical-spending-study#:~:text=According%20to%20data%20from%20the,to%20%2452%20billion%20in%202015
About Nalox(ONE) West Virginia
Purpose: The purpose of the project is to educate West Virginians about the dangers of opioids in the home and prevent overdose deaths.
Reach: The Nalox(ONE) Program will reach over 10,000 patients with opioid prescriptions in one year’s time in more than six at-risk WV counties in 20+ independent pharmacies (identified by Fruth Pharmacy, PursueCareRx, and the Community Pharmacy Enhanced Services Network West Virginia).
Training: Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians at these locations will undergo an online, asynchronous training designed by North Dakota State University School of Pharmacy (adapted and branded for the Nalox(ONE) WV project). Continuing Education Units (CEU) along with a small stipend will be provided upon completion of this training.
Opioid Screening, Naloxone, and Medication Disposal: Pharmacists will utilize a clinical opioid screening tool using DocStation to determine if naloxone should be dispensed with the opioid prescription along with counseling. Pharmacy technicians will conduct follow-up calls.
Additional Components:
- Students and faculty from the University of Charleston School of Pharmacy will assist in supporting this work as “academic detailers”
- With the support of Murphy Media, LLC, the WV DII will produce and disseminate a joint public education campaign (media) targeted in the areas of pilot stores
- DisposeRx® medication disposal packets will be dispensed with each opioid fill at participating pharmacies
- Program evaluation will be conducted by WV DII, NDSU SOP, and DocStation.
The ONEbox is a unique and first-of-its-kind, all-in-one, emergency naloxone rescue kit designed to be placed in buildings including workplaces, schools, universities, sports arenas, and anywhere the public gathers. The box contains gloves, two doses of intranasal naloxone (upon request in WV), personal protective equipment (gloves, sanitary wipes, a CPR mask), a naloxone training device, screws for mounting, and zip ties to secure the contents of the box.
Not only does the box assist in the case of overdose emergency with an instantaneous 60-second video talking the responder through the process, it also contains an instruction sheet and a QR code that will allow the responder to take the instructions with them should the person needing assistance be several feet away. Redundancy is key in order to ensure quick and efficient response to an overdose emergency. The on-the-spot video is delivered by Jan Rader, former City of Huntington Fire Chief who is currently serving as the Director of the Mayor’s Council on Public Health and Drug Control Policy for the City of Huntington (Cabell County).
ONEbox has a clean and simple interface that’s easy to use and understand when an overdose occurs. Visual and multilingual voice instructions guide you through the entire process, from the moment you determine that help is needed, administering Naloxone, all the way through rescue breathing and briefing emergency officials. Again, this training is delivered instantaneously. The ONEBox also contains a training (video) mode using the same information required by the State of West Virginia for persons administering naloxone under the State’s standing order. This allows businesses and schools to train all persons in a building on-demand on how to respond to an overdose.
The ONEBox also contains a training (video) mode using the same information required by the State of West Virginia for persons administering naloxone under the State’s standing order. This allows businesses and schools to train all persons in a building on-demand on how to respond to an overdose. Press the training button to activate ONEbox’s training mode which includes eight different emergency scenarios and includes a naloxone trainer. Prompts are repeated or rephrased, in other languages if needed and can be customized. The ONEBox also contains a training (video) mode using the same information required by the State of West Virginia for persons administering naloxone under the State’s standing order. Additional training and information on Naloxone administration is also available on the WV DII website (www.wvdii.org).
A short video explaining the ONEBox and this project can be found at: www.wvdii.org/onebox.
The ONEbox was created by Murphy Media, Inc. The ONEbox is managed by the West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Charleston, West Virginia.
This quick 5-min teaser will give you the basic foundation of WV Pharmacists Association and our brand new podcast series, Mountain State Pharmacist, that brings the best in education, advocacy, and entertainment in WV Pharmacies to the forefront by giving our superhero pharmacists, their staffs, and students a place to tell their story that is part of the WV Pharmacy landscape. We'll talk to people just like you with similar challenges in practice and those who are doing some incredible things we never thought possible in the pharmacy profession. Follow us wherever you get your podcasts. We Are Stronger Together!