Drake University’s APhA-ASP Chapter attended the Midyear Regional Meeting (MRM) in Omaha, NE at the end of October. We had 17 students attend that were all excited to see what “policies” were going to be passed from our region. This was the first MRM for many of the attendees, but we were all pleasantly surprised that MRM was more than just policy debate. We were able to sit through workshops, discussions, and roundtables on how to be an effective leader, how to manage time, and how to get better chapter involvement on campus. I think it is safe to say that everyone that attended MRM will definitely be saving up for APhA Annual 2010! Also, since it was Halloween weekend there was a Friday night Halloween Social. So being the student pharmacists we are, our chapter dressed up as the periodic table of elements! We had costumes ranging from Einsteinium, Plutonium, Sodium, Chloride, and even Cesium! We all had a blast at this meeting and I think it is definitely one of those professional meetings that once you attend you are hooked! I hope that these 17 students that went can go tell other student pharmacists how it is important that our voice be heard and how fun and easy it is to get involved on a national level!
By: Jordan Ruestman and Tori Erxleben
Monday, November 23, 2009
Monofilament Testing: The Unknown Pharmacy Service
As a pharmacist, you are probably aware of the importance of daily foot care for those with diabetes. As diabetes progresses, peripheral neuropathy can occur and may lead to foot ulcers, infections, and (worst case scenario) amputation. Many pharmacists are trained in diabetic foot care and can assist patients with the following services:
-Diabetic foot exam to check for proper structure and presence of ulcers, calluses or wounds
-Diabetic shoe fitting and insole placement
-Education on proper foot care
Another service that many pharmacists are unaware of is monofilament testing. This test uses a 10-gauge nylon monofilament (looks like a small metal rod) to screen for peripheral neuropathy and proper blood flow.
How to perform the test:
Step 1: Place the monofilament tip on the patient’s hand so they are aware of what they should feel.
Step 2: Have patient remove shoes and socks and place the blindfold around their eyes.
Step 3: Gently, in a smooth motion touch the patient’s foot with the monofilament in each of the sites circled below. The touch should last for 1-2 seconds and enough pressure should be applied to make the monofilament bend. DO NOT place the monofilament on an ulcer, wound, callus or scar! Have the patient tell you each time they feel a touch. If a touch is felt, put a (+) in that circle on the diagram below. If the touch is not felt, put a (-) in that circle.
Currently, pharmacists are unable to bill for an individual monofilament test; however, it can be billed as an add-on service through some programs. You could also charge a small fee for the service. Another option would be to provide it as a free service in order to help boost diabetic shoe sales.
If you currently work at a pharmacy that is interested in starting this service, you may be eligible to receive 50 free monofilaments through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Program called the LEAP program. LEAP stands for Lower Extremity Amputation Prevention and can be accessed at www.hrsa.gov/leap.
Source: www.hrsa.gov/leap
-By Katie McDonald
-Diabetic foot exam to check for proper structure and presence of ulcers, calluses or wounds
-Diabetic shoe fitting and insole placement
-Education on proper foot care
Another service that many pharmacists are unaware of is monofilament testing. This test uses a 10-gauge nylon monofilament (looks like a small metal rod) to screen for peripheral neuropathy and proper blood flow.
How to perform the test:
Step 1: Place the monofilament tip on the patient’s hand so they are aware of what they should feel.
Step 2: Have patient remove shoes and socks and place the blindfold around their eyes.
Step 3: Gently, in a smooth motion touch the patient’s foot with the monofilament in each of the sites circled below. The touch should last for 1-2 seconds and enough pressure should be applied to make the monofilament bend. DO NOT place the monofilament on an ulcer, wound, callus or scar! Have the patient tell you each time they feel a touch. If a touch is felt, put a (+) in that circle on the diagram below. If the touch is not felt, put a (-) in that circle.
Step 4: Explain to the patient that this test does not diagnose peripheral neuropathy, but it does strongly indicate risk for development. If a (-) was marked down for any circle, advise the patient to see their physician for a more comprehensive evaluation. For all patients, emphasize the importance of continued foot care and benefits of playing an active role in their diabetes management.
Currently, pharmacists are unable to bill for an individual monofilament test; however, it can be billed as an add-on service through some programs. You could also charge a small fee for the service. Another option would be to provide it as a free service in order to help boost diabetic shoe sales.
If you currently work at a pharmacy that is interested in starting this service, you may be eligible to receive 50 free monofilaments through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Program called the LEAP program. LEAP stands for Lower Extremity Amputation Prevention and can be accessed at www.hrsa.gov/leap.
Source: www.hrsa.gov/leap
-By Katie McDonald
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Radon Awareness
With the end of October looming closer and closer, people's thoughts often stray towards Halloween and the fun to be had. Ghouls and ghosts are often the scary things people think of at this time. Not many even consider something you can't even see that can increase your risk for lung cancer. What is this invisible risk factor? It's elemental gas radon.
Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer in people who do not smoke. It is a radioactive, colorless, odorless gas that is found naturally in the environment. It comes from the natural decay of uranium that is in the soil. In an open air environment, it can easily disperse and the small amounts found in the air is not enough to significantly increase one's chance for lung cancer. The greater concern is the amount of radon that can build up in an individual's home. According to the EPA website, it is estimated that 1 out of 15 homes in the U.S. have elevated radon levels. To be considered elevated, the radon level would need to be equal or greater than 4 pCi/L.
In order to find out what the level in one's home is, a short-term radon testing kit should be purchased. These testing kits remain in the home anywhere from two days to 90 days, depending on the kit. Once the kit has been left in-place for the indicated amount of time, the kit should be sent in to the lab that is specified according to the package. A radon specialist can also be hired to measure the radon levels in one's home as well. If the results of the short-term test reveal the levels to be 4 pCi/L or greater, a follow-up test should be done. A follow-up test consists of either a short-term or long-term (greater than 90 days) testing kit. If results are needed quickly, a second short-term test would be warranted. For a more year-round average, a long-term test should be done. Should the results continue to be elevated with either of these, the home will need to be fixed. A radon mitigator should be hired to help reduce the levels of radon in the home. For those who reside in Iowa, you can check the Iowa Department of Public Health website for certified radon testers and laboratories: http://www.idph.state.ia.us/eh/radon.asp.
This week (October 18-24,2009) was Radon Action Week and while it may be too late to take action or raise awareness, it at least has been brought to your attention. January is National Radon Action Month and might be a time to actually take some action and raise awareness. You can think of this as a time for you to become aware of it and start planning out how you can help people when January rolls around. Wintertime is the ideal testing time since it is the time when levels are highest due to the fact that homes are often all closed up, so this is all the more reason to inform people about radon and how to test for it. It can be as simple as a handout or brochure informing people about radon and testing for radon, or it could be short program open to the public to inform them about radon. The skies the limit and I encourage you all to learn more about radon so you can spread the word on the importance of testing and taking action!
Sources:
~Radon Program. Iowa Department of Public Health. 2009. Available at: http://www.idph.state.ia.us/eh/radon.asp. Accessed October 22, 2009.
~Ionizing Radiation. World Health Organization. September 2009. Available at: http://www.who.int/ionizing_radiation/env/radon/en/index1.html. Accessed October 24, 2009.
~Radon. United States Environmental Protection Agency. October 20, 2009. Available at: http://www.epa.gov/radon/whereyoulive.html. Accessed October 24, 2009
Written by: Jasmine Cessna, PharmD Candidate 2011
Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer in people who do not smoke. It is a radioactive, colorless, odorless gas that is found naturally in the environment. It comes from the natural decay of uranium that is in the soil. In an open air environment, it can easily disperse and the small amounts found in the air is not enough to significantly increase one's chance for lung cancer. The greater concern is the amount of radon that can build up in an individual's home. According to the EPA website, it is estimated that 1 out of 15 homes in the U.S. have elevated radon levels. To be considered elevated, the radon level would need to be equal or greater than 4 pCi/L.
In order to find out what the level in one's home is, a short-term radon testing kit should be purchased. These testing kits remain in the home anywhere from two days to 90 days, depending on the kit. Once the kit has been left in-place for the indicated amount of time, the kit should be sent in to the lab that is specified according to the package. A radon specialist can also be hired to measure the radon levels in one's home as well. If the results of the short-term test reveal the levels to be 4 pCi/L or greater, a follow-up test should be done. A follow-up test consists of either a short-term or long-term (greater than 90 days) testing kit. If results are needed quickly, a second short-term test would be warranted. For a more year-round average, a long-term test should be done. Should the results continue to be elevated with either of these, the home will need to be fixed. A radon mitigator should be hired to help reduce the levels of radon in the home. For those who reside in Iowa, you can check the Iowa Department of Public Health website for certified radon testers and laboratories: http://www.idph.state.ia.us/eh/radon.asp.
This week (October 18-24,2009) was Radon Action Week and while it may be too late to take action or raise awareness, it at least has been brought to your attention. January is National Radon Action Month and might be a time to actually take some action and raise awareness. You can think of this as a time for you to become aware of it and start planning out how you can help people when January rolls around. Wintertime is the ideal testing time since it is the time when levels are highest due to the fact that homes are often all closed up, so this is all the more reason to inform people about radon and how to test for it. It can be as simple as a handout or brochure informing people about radon and testing for radon, or it could be short program open to the public to inform them about radon. The skies the limit and I encourage you all to learn more about radon so you can spread the word on the importance of testing and taking action!
Sources:
~Radon Program. Iowa Department of Public Health. 2009. Available at: http://www.idph.state.ia.us/eh/radon.asp. Accessed October 22, 2009.
~Ionizing Radiation. World Health Organization. September 2009. Available at: http://www.who.int/ionizing_radiation/env/radon/en/index1.html. Accessed October 24, 2009.
~Radon. United States Environmental Protection Agency. October 20, 2009. Available at: http://www.epa.gov/radon/whereyoulive.html. Accessed October 24, 2009
Written by: Jasmine Cessna, PharmD Candidate 2011
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Influenza Type A (H1N1)
Hand sanitizers in the buildings, signs advising proper hand washing, and numerous emails have infected our life at Drake all of which pertain to the new concern for the H1N1 influenza virus. Some people feel that these precautions are overreactions to just another form of flu; other people feel these precautions are well justified. Then there are yet others who don't know enough to take a side. What is H1N1? Where did it come from? Do I need to worry about it? These are just some questions you might be wondering and I will be gladly answering so that you, the reader, will be well informed. Knowledge on the H1N1 flu will not only benefit you, but should you ever be confronted by a patient concerning it, you will know better how to answer their questions.
The H1N1 virus, a new influenza virus, was originally referred to as the swine flu because many of the genes in the new virus were similar to an influenza virus that was normally found in pigs. It wasn't until further study that they discovered it differed greatly from the viruses found in North American pigs. It actually consists of genes from Asian and European swine influenzas, birds and humans. For this reason, the term “swine flu” should be avoided. It also is a common misconception that people will get it from pork products. Should a patient ever express this concern, make sure to reassure them that the virus has not been found to be transmissible to people from eating properly prepared pork products; eating pork will not cause them to get the H1N1 virus.
The H1N1 flu virus is passed from person to person through the same way the seasonal flu virus is spread, through coughing and sneezing of an infected person or by touching an object the contains the flu virus and then touching one's nose or mouth. For this reason, it is highly important to practice good hygiene and proper hand washing. It is highly contagious and it is strongly advised that people who suspect that they have the virus to stay home to avoid infecting other people. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an H1N1 pandemic and has issued guidance documents that can be found on its website (http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html).
How do you know if you might have it? You would display some of the following symptoms: fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and fatigue. The illness can vary from mild to severe and you should seek medical attention as necessary. Many people recover with no need for medical attention, but there are some high risk groups. These groups include people over 65 years of age, children younger than five years old, pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals and people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions (such as diabetes or heart disease). It is these groups of people who have the greatest risk of having serious flu-related complications. An adult should seek immediate medical attention should they experience the following: difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness, confusion, severe or persistent vomiting, or if flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worsening cough.
Finally you or your patients may be wondering about the vaccine for the H1N1 influenza virus. It is a separate vaccine from the usual seasonal influenza vaccine that comes out each year. The vaccine for the seasonal vaccine will not cover you for the H1N1 vaccine just as the H1N1 vaccine will not protect you from the seasonal influenza. The CDC recommends the following groups of people get the vaccine: pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old, and people ages of 25 through 64 years of age who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems. Should a person decide to get both vaccines they can be immunized at the same time. If someone is debating whether or not to get the vaccine, talk with them to find out the reasons why they would and would not get the vaccine and help answer any questions or concerns they may have.
If you have any more questions or concerns regarding the H1N1 influenza virus, I urge you to check out the CDC website for more information. Also if you are curious about the activity of the influenza, the CDC also has a FluView which gives a weekly synopsis of the activity of the flu virus. It can be found at the following website: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/.
Sources:
-2009 H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. September 18, 2009. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1FLU/. Accessed September 19, 2009.
-Joint FAO/WHO/OIE Statement on influenza A (H1N1) and the safety of pork. World Health Organization. May 7, 2009. Available at: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2009/h1n1_20090430/en/index.html. Accessed September 19, 2009.
-Pandemic (H1N1) 2009. World Health Organization. 2009. Available at: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html. Accessed September 19, 2009.
Written by Jasmine Cessna
PharmD Candidate 2011
The H1N1 virus, a new influenza virus, was originally referred to as the swine flu because many of the genes in the new virus were similar to an influenza virus that was normally found in pigs. It wasn't until further study that they discovered it differed greatly from the viruses found in North American pigs. It actually consists of genes from Asian and European swine influenzas, birds and humans. For this reason, the term “swine flu” should be avoided. It also is a common misconception that people will get it from pork products. Should a patient ever express this concern, make sure to reassure them that the virus has not been found to be transmissible to people from eating properly prepared pork products; eating pork will not cause them to get the H1N1 virus.
The H1N1 flu virus is passed from person to person through the same way the seasonal flu virus is spread, through coughing and sneezing of an infected person or by touching an object the contains the flu virus and then touching one's nose or mouth. For this reason, it is highly important to practice good hygiene and proper hand washing. It is highly contagious and it is strongly advised that people who suspect that they have the virus to stay home to avoid infecting other people. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an H1N1 pandemic and has issued guidance documents that can be found on its website (http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html).
How do you know if you might have it? You would display some of the following symptoms: fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and fatigue. The illness can vary from mild to severe and you should seek medical attention as necessary. Many people recover with no need for medical attention, but there are some high risk groups. These groups include people over 65 years of age, children younger than five years old, pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals and people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions (such as diabetes or heart disease). It is these groups of people who have the greatest risk of having serious flu-related complications. An adult should seek immediate medical attention should they experience the following: difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness, confusion, severe or persistent vomiting, or if flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worsening cough.
Finally you or your patients may be wondering about the vaccine for the H1N1 influenza virus. It is a separate vaccine from the usual seasonal influenza vaccine that comes out each year. The vaccine for the seasonal vaccine will not cover you for the H1N1 vaccine just as the H1N1 vaccine will not protect you from the seasonal influenza. The CDC recommends the following groups of people get the vaccine: pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old, and people ages of 25 through 64 years of age who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems. Should a person decide to get both vaccines they can be immunized at the same time. If someone is debating whether or not to get the vaccine, talk with them to find out the reasons why they would and would not get the vaccine and help answer any questions or concerns they may have.
If you have any more questions or concerns regarding the H1N1 influenza virus, I urge you to check out the CDC website for more information. Also if you are curious about the activity of the influenza, the CDC also has a FluView which gives a weekly synopsis of the activity of the flu virus. It can be found at the following website: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/.
Sources:
-2009 H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. September 18, 2009. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1FLU/. Accessed September 19, 2009.
-Joint FAO/WHO/OIE Statement on influenza A (H1N1) and the safety of pork. World Health Organization. May 7, 2009. Available at: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2009/h1n1_20090430/en/index.html. Accessed September 19, 2009.
-Pandemic (H1N1) 2009. World Health Organization. 2009. Available at: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html. Accessed September 19, 2009.
Written by Jasmine Cessna
PharmD Candidate 2011
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Summer Fun With Sunscreen
Summer is the time for fun in the sun, especially after the long cold Iowan winter. People tend to increase there time outdoors as well as expose more skin to soak up some rays while keeping cool. However with this increase in sun there is an increase in sunburn and, in the long run, an increase in the chance for skin cancer.
Sun exposure increases your risk for premature skin aging, skin cancer, and other dermatological effects. It’s these things that make it important that you wear sunscreen even if you are not someone who “burns easily.” Tans may protect you from sunburn, but they do not protect you from cancer or premature skin aging. It is important to wear sunscreen if you want to prevent the long term effects of sun exposure. The best method would be to stay inside away from the windows (not all windows protect against the sun’s ultraviolet rays) and never see the light of day, but we all know that no one would want to do this. Instead our next best option is clothing to cover skin or sunscreen.
If clothing is your choice of protection, make sure that it is opaque and sun can’t penetrate through it. Also if the clothes get wet, sunlight it more likely to penetrate, up to 50% in some articles of clothing. Hats with brims are also a good way to protect your face and neck, but it is not fool proof. Sunlight can be reflected off of concrete, windows, water, and more, so they only decrease the amount of sun exposed to the covered skin.
If sunscreen is your weapon of choice, make sure it is has a high substantivity (the ability of the sunscreen to remain effective through prolonged exercising, sweating, and/or swimming) and a broad spectrum. Ultraviolet A and B are the culprits for the negative effects of sunlight. Ultraviolet A (UVA) is often more responsible for skin aging where as ultraviolet B (UVB) is more responsible for sunburns. Both types are responsible for cancer, so it is important to protect yourself from both to decrease your chances of getting skin cancer later in life. The SPF of sunscreen only represents the ability to protect you against UVB so it is important to get a product that contains an ingredient that will protect you against UVA. Some UVA blocking ingredients to look for in sunscreens are avobenzone and ecamsule.
The kind of sunscreen you get is important, but proper application is just as important. You will want to apply it 15-30 minutes to dry skin before sun exposure to allow it to properly bind to your skin. Reapplication is another important aspect. No sunscreen is water or sweat proof and must be reapplied after a certain amount of time, depending on its substantivity. With very water resistant products, reapplication should happen at least every 80 minutes where as water resistant products should be reapplied every 60 minutes. Finally it is important to note that just because you have sunscreen on, that does not mean you can stay in the sun all day even if you apply it properly and as often as you should. The best way to determine the amount of time you can spend outside is multiply the time it would take you to turn pink by the SPF. As an example let’s say it takes you about 10 minutes to turn pink and you use SPF 30, you should only be outside for a maximum of 300 minutes. This may not seem like a long time, but it is a good rule to follow to decrease the chance of the sun’s long term effects such as cancer.
Now that you know the importance of sunscreen, what to look for in a product and proper application, I hope you will use this new knowledge and protect yourself. If you desire a tan, use a lower SPF sunscreen, or if you're one to burn to a crisp in the sun, make sure to wear a high SPF sunscreen. The more sunburns you have, especially severe ones, the greater your risk for cancer. So remember that sunscreen is your friend and will help prevent you from cancer in the future as well as help assure your skin stays youthful longer!
By Jasmine Cessna
Sun exposure increases your risk for premature skin aging, skin cancer, and other dermatological effects. It’s these things that make it important that you wear sunscreen even if you are not someone who “burns easily.” Tans may protect you from sunburn, but they do not protect you from cancer or premature skin aging. It is important to wear sunscreen if you want to prevent the long term effects of sun exposure. The best method would be to stay inside away from the windows (not all windows protect against the sun’s ultraviolet rays) and never see the light of day, but we all know that no one would want to do this. Instead our next best option is clothing to cover skin or sunscreen.
If clothing is your choice of protection, make sure that it is opaque and sun can’t penetrate through it. Also if the clothes get wet, sunlight it more likely to penetrate, up to 50% in some articles of clothing. Hats with brims are also a good way to protect your face and neck, but it is not fool proof. Sunlight can be reflected off of concrete, windows, water, and more, so they only decrease the amount of sun exposed to the covered skin.
If sunscreen is your weapon of choice, make sure it is has a high substantivity (the ability of the sunscreen to remain effective through prolonged exercising, sweating, and/or swimming) and a broad spectrum. Ultraviolet A and B are the culprits for the negative effects of sunlight. Ultraviolet A (UVA) is often more responsible for skin aging where as ultraviolet B (UVB) is more responsible for sunburns. Both types are responsible for cancer, so it is important to protect yourself from both to decrease your chances of getting skin cancer later in life. The SPF of sunscreen only represents the ability to protect you against UVB so it is important to get a product that contains an ingredient that will protect you against UVA. Some UVA blocking ingredients to look for in sunscreens are avobenzone and ecamsule.
The kind of sunscreen you get is important, but proper application is just as important. You will want to apply it 15-30 minutes to dry skin before sun exposure to allow it to properly bind to your skin. Reapplication is another important aspect. No sunscreen is water or sweat proof and must be reapplied after a certain amount of time, depending on its substantivity. With very water resistant products, reapplication should happen at least every 80 minutes where as water resistant products should be reapplied every 60 minutes. Finally it is important to note that just because you have sunscreen on, that does not mean you can stay in the sun all day even if you apply it properly and as often as you should. The best way to determine the amount of time you can spend outside is multiply the time it would take you to turn pink by the SPF. As an example let’s say it takes you about 10 minutes to turn pink and you use SPF 30, you should only be outside for a maximum of 300 minutes. This may not seem like a long time, but it is a good rule to follow to decrease the chance of the sun’s long term effects such as cancer.
Now that you know the importance of sunscreen, what to look for in a product and proper application, I hope you will use this new knowledge and protect yourself. If you desire a tan, use a lower SPF sunscreen, or if you're one to burn to a crisp in the sun, make sure to wear a high SPF sunscreen. The more sunburns you have, especially severe ones, the greater your risk for cancer. So remember that sunscreen is your friend and will help prevent you from cancer in the future as well as help assure your skin stays youthful longer!
By Jasmine Cessna
Monday, February 23, 2009
Healthcare Reform- Pharmacists Role
There is not a more exciting time to be involved in politics than right now! One of the hottest topics being debated and analyzed by our society is healthcare and how we can improve the quality, accessibility and cost effectiveness of the system. Currently Senator Jack Hatch of the Iowa State Senate is working to solve some of the issues facing our healthcare by restructuring some aspects of our healthcare system here in Iowa. At the Iowa Pharmacy Association’s Legislative Day students and pharmacists from around the state had the opportunity to listen to and discuss with State Senators and Representatives. Being healthcare providers and working to shift our own profession’s image from that of the dispensing pharmacist to one more focusing on our therapeutic drug knowledge and patient care skills, the current changing tides of healthcare are extremely important to the profession. Through working to reform healthcare it gives pharmacists the opportunity to voice our understanding of the healthcare system and what pharmacy’s role should be in a collaborative healthcare team.
Drew Roberts, a P2 at Drake University, and I are working on a very exciting and progressive bill that was drafted by Senator Hatch that will reform healthcare in Iowa. There is a large section of the bill that deals with pharmacy; in particular how pharmacists can contribute to the healthcare system to control the dollars being spent on healthcare by managing patient’s disease states through screenings and medication reviews. The bill also has a section dealing with bringing greater transparency to the reimbursement process between pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies.
I encourage you to take a look at the bill; it will have a very profound impact on pharmacy in Iowa if passed. I will keep you updated on the status of the bill in future blog posts- stay tuned!
The bill is entitled SF48 (SF stands for Senate File). Section VII is the section relating to pharmacy. Please feel free to post opinions/comments here on the blog!
http://coolice.legis.state.ia.us/Cool-ICE/default.asp?Category=billinfo&Service=Billbook&menu=false&hbill=SF48
By Steph Swain, APhA-ASP President 2008-2009
Drew Roberts, a P2 at Drake University, and I are working on a very exciting and progressive bill that was drafted by Senator Hatch that will reform healthcare in Iowa. There is a large section of the bill that deals with pharmacy; in particular how pharmacists can contribute to the healthcare system to control the dollars being spent on healthcare by managing patient’s disease states through screenings and medication reviews. The bill also has a section dealing with bringing greater transparency to the reimbursement process between pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies.
I encourage you to take a look at the bill; it will have a very profound impact on pharmacy in Iowa if passed. I will keep you updated on the status of the bill in future blog posts- stay tuned!
The bill is entitled SF48 (SF stands for Senate File). Section VII is the section relating to pharmacy. Please feel free to post opinions/comments here on the blog!
http://coolice.legis.state.ia.us/Cool-ICE/default.asp?Category=billinfo&Service=Billbook&menu=false&hbill=SF48
By Steph Swain, APhA-ASP President 2008-2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Legislative Day
This year’s legislative day was well attended by Drake including Professors and Students. The Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal gave the Keynote address talking about important bills being discussed in the Iowa legislature. In particular SF48 proposed by Senator Jack Hatch was the topic of discussion. The 2009 Health Care Reform Bill includes provisions that would let cities, small businesses, and nonprofit corporations, among others buy into the state employee health insurance. This would not only provide more Iowans with good insurance opportunities, it would also decrease the cost of insuring state employees by expanding the insurance pool.
The part of the bill that is of most interest to pharmacy is section VII providing an easier way for pharmacist to bill for Medication Therapy Management (MTM) services. It would also force Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) to be more transparent about their business practices. This might help explain why in some cases only the brand name drug is covered and not the cheaper generics. The bill also provides pharmacist the opportunity to do Academic or Counter Detailing to physicians after Drug Representatives are done talking to them.
Senator Hatch also spoke at Legislative Day about his impact on health care in Iowa, and while Senator Granstal talked a lot about the bill, Senator Hatch spoke about how he was going to get the bill passed. One way he plans to do this is by having aides/interns for each section of the bill educate his colleagues in the Iowa Legislature. While this is a tried and true method, one change was to have student pharmacist do this instead of law students for section VII. Our own Stephanie Swain and Drew Roberts were hired as interns for this purpose. They also talked about their experience so far in the student section.
The student section of legislative day was filled by two new legislators, Representatives Erik Helland and Nate Willems. They talked about the importance of one on one contact with representatives and how much impact it has on them. They also explained how much faster you can get their attention when you let them know you are a constituent. These are important lessons to remember as we try to influence legislators regarding the practice of pharmacy.
The legislative reception was not well attended by students though they were invited to it. This is unfortunate because it was an excellent opportunity to possibly meet your legislator and make a big impact for pharmacy in Iowa. Not only were there numerous legislators but the Governor also made an appearance for about 45 minutes. Hopefully next year more students will attend and continue to make Legislative Day a successful endeavor.
Al Abrahamsen
APhA SPAN Co-Chair
IPA Liaison
The part of the bill that is of most interest to pharmacy is section VII providing an easier way for pharmacist to bill for Medication Therapy Management (MTM) services. It would also force Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) to be more transparent about their business practices. This might help explain why in some cases only the brand name drug is covered and not the cheaper generics. The bill also provides pharmacist the opportunity to do Academic or Counter Detailing to physicians after Drug Representatives are done talking to them.
Senator Hatch also spoke at Legislative Day about his impact on health care in Iowa, and while Senator Granstal talked a lot about the bill, Senator Hatch spoke about how he was going to get the bill passed. One way he plans to do this is by having aides/interns for each section of the bill educate his colleagues in the Iowa Legislature. While this is a tried and true method, one change was to have student pharmacist do this instead of law students for section VII. Our own Stephanie Swain and Drew Roberts were hired as interns for this purpose. They also talked about their experience so far in the student section.
The student section of legislative day was filled by two new legislators, Representatives Erik Helland and Nate Willems. They talked about the importance of one on one contact with representatives and how much impact it has on them. They also explained how much faster you can get their attention when you let them know you are a constituent. These are important lessons to remember as we try to influence legislators regarding the practice of pharmacy.
The legislative reception was not well attended by students though they were invited to it. This is unfortunate because it was an excellent opportunity to possibly meet your legislator and make a big impact for pharmacy in Iowa. Not only were there numerous legislators but the Governor also made an appearance for about 45 minutes. Hopefully next year more students will attend and continue to make Legislative Day a successful endeavor.
Al Abrahamsen
APhA SPAN Co-Chair
IPA Liaison
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
A Look into the Diagnosis and Stages of Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is a common cancer among women. Many have probably heard of it especially since the cervical cancer vaccine Gardasil was advertised on television not long ago. However, the commercials always failed to explain the cancer or how it is diagnosed. Hopefully after reading this article one will better understand the diagnosis and stages of the cancer itself.
The best prevention for cervical cancer is a yearly Papanicolaou tests (also called Pap smears or Pap tests) from a gynecologist. A pap smear is a test that involves gathering some cervical cells from the outside of the cervix and inspecting them under a microscope to look for any abnormal cells. The grading system consists of five classes to describe the results of the test. Class I is the result when cells are normal and have no signs of malignancy. If atypical cells are found, this does not mean an individual has cancer nor is it a precursor to cancer. Abnormal cells can be caused by infections and are often temporary. In this case, the result would be a considered class II. If the result is considered class III, there are abnormal cells that are not invasive but they could also change back to normal. Class IV also consists of abnormal cells that are less likely to change back to normal than the class III cell types. Class V is the result when the individual has invasive cancer. If a pap test ever shows abnormal cells, the gynecologist may recommend retesting in a few months to assure that the abnormal cells are not due to an infection. If the test once more proves that the cervix has abnormalities, then the gynecologist may want to look at the tissue of the cervix with a colposcope. In this procedure, the doctor will also biopsy a portion of the irregular tissue to send to a pathologist to examine. If it is found that the tissue is indeed cancerous, then treatment will be started.¹
Treatment and prognosis are dependent on the extent of the cancer. Cervical cancer has different stages defined the American Joint Committee on Cancer’s (AJCC) TNM classification. TNM classification system has three parts to it. The T represents the size of the tumor; N describes lymph node involvement, and M stands for distant metastasis (spread of cancer to other parts of the body). Within in each part there are different numbers that represent the assessment of the tumor, nodes, or metastasis. The AJCC’s definition of the cancer stages involve each of the three parts of the TNM classification and have stages 0-IV. If you desire to know exactly what each are, go to the National Cancer Institute’s website at the following web address: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/cervical/HealthProfessional/page4. ²
The most important part of preventing cervical cancer is annual Papanicolaou tests from a gynecologist. This assures that any abnormalities are caught early and watched for development to allow for a better prognosis for the individual.¹ It’s also encouraged that females 9 to 26 years of age get the Gardasil vaccine to help improve chance of avoiding cervical cancer.³
By: Jasmine Cessna
References:
1. Minkin, Mary Jane, and Carol Wright. The Yale Guide to Women’s Reproductive Health. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2003.
2. National Cancer Institute. 16 May 2008. National Cancer Institute. 24 January 2009.
3. Gardasil. 2008. Merck & Co., Inc. 24 January 2009
The best prevention for cervical cancer is a yearly Papanicolaou tests (also called Pap smears or Pap tests) from a gynecologist. A pap smear is a test that involves gathering some cervical cells from the outside of the cervix and inspecting them under a microscope to look for any abnormal cells. The grading system consists of five classes to describe the results of the test. Class I is the result when cells are normal and have no signs of malignancy. If atypical cells are found, this does not mean an individual has cancer nor is it a precursor to cancer. Abnormal cells can be caused by infections and are often temporary. In this case, the result would be a considered class II. If the result is considered class III, there are abnormal cells that are not invasive but they could also change back to normal. Class IV also consists of abnormal cells that are less likely to change back to normal than the class III cell types. Class V is the result when the individual has invasive cancer. If a pap test ever shows abnormal cells, the gynecologist may recommend retesting in a few months to assure that the abnormal cells are not due to an infection. If the test once more proves that the cervix has abnormalities, then the gynecologist may want to look at the tissue of the cervix with a colposcope. In this procedure, the doctor will also biopsy a portion of the irregular tissue to send to a pathologist to examine. If it is found that the tissue is indeed cancerous, then treatment will be started.¹
Treatment and prognosis are dependent on the extent of the cancer. Cervical cancer has different stages defined the American Joint Committee on Cancer’s (AJCC) TNM classification. TNM classification system has three parts to it. The T represents the size of the tumor; N describes lymph node involvement, and M stands for distant metastasis (spread of cancer to other parts of the body). Within in each part there are different numbers that represent the assessment of the tumor, nodes, or metastasis. The AJCC’s definition of the cancer stages involve each of the three parts of the TNM classification and have stages 0-IV. If you desire to know exactly what each are, go to the National Cancer Institute’s website at the following web address: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/cervical/HealthProfessional/page4. ²
The most important part of preventing cervical cancer is annual Papanicolaou tests from a gynecologist. This assures that any abnormalities are caught early and watched for development to allow for a better prognosis for the individual.¹ It’s also encouraged that females 9 to 26 years of age get the Gardasil vaccine to help improve chance of avoiding cervical cancer.³
By: Jasmine Cessna
References:
1. Minkin, Mary Jane, and Carol Wright. The Yale Guide to Women’s Reproductive Health. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2003.
2. National Cancer Institute. 16 May 2008. National Cancer Institute. 24 January 2009
3. Gardasil. 2008. Merck & Co., Inc. 24 January 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Top 10 Patient Counseling Competition Winners
Congratulations to the Top 10 Patient Counseling Competition Winners!
Top 3 winners of the Drake APhA-ASP Patient Counseling Competition:
1. Randi Ridgeway
2. Ashley Weisensel
3. Annelise Nelson
Remaining 7 in no particular order
Lisa Koselke, Daphne Pearson, Laura Kingkade, Kristen Zorich, Austin Ewing, Archana Jhawar, Erin McCleeary
Randi will be representing Drake's APhA-ASP chapter in the National Patient Competition at the APhA Annual Meeting in San Antonio Texas. Annual Meeting is being held over April 3 - 6th.
Congratulations!
Top 3 winners of the Drake APhA-ASP Patient Counseling Competition:
1. Randi Ridgeway
2. Ashley Weisensel
3. Annelise Nelson
Remaining 7 in no particular order
Lisa Koselke, Daphne Pearson, Laura Kingkade, Kristen Zorich, Austin Ewing, Archana Jhawar, Erin McCleeary
Randi will be representing Drake's APhA-ASP chapter in the National Patient Competition at the APhA Annual Meeting in San Antonio Texas. Annual Meeting is being held over April 3 - 6th.
Congratulations!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)