Tag: community pharmacists

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A majority of pharmacists that specialize in long-term care worry that CVS and Walgreens don’t understand the nursing home environment and aren’t prepared to deliver the COVID-19 vaccine without major challenges, according to a new survey from the National Community Pharmacists Association and the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists. Long-term care facilities like nursing homes require specialized services that cater to the unique needs of older...

WASHINGTON - The Department of Health and Human Services has authorized licensed pharmacists to order and administer COVID-19 vaccinations to persons ages 3 or older, subject to certain requirements. The guidance is issued under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act). A recent survey by the National Community Pharmacists Association found that 86% of community pharmacists they plan to offer the COVID-19 vaccines when they become available. “NCPA appreciates steps the...

YARMOUTH, Maine - In many parts of the country, community pharmacists are often the most accessible health care providers, says the National Community Pharmacists Association. That's a big reason why the association was recently awarded a contract by the Centers for Disease Control to help independent pharmacies prevent Type 2 diabetes, says John Beckner, NCPA's senior director of strategic initiatives.“We really felt like our members were in a great position to offer this, particularly those...

SAND SPRINGS, Okla. - Jim Spoon,owner of Spoon Drug in Sand Springs, Okla., has been named the 2018 Willard B. Simmons Independent Pharmacist of the Year. The award, presented at the National Community Pharmacists Association's annual convention in Boston, recognizes independent pharmacists for exemplary leadership, commitment to independent pharmacy and service to the community. HME News recently spoke with Spoon, who began his pharmacy career at age 14 delivering prescriptions...

YARMOUTH, Maine - Hospital readmissions could be reduced by 20% if high-risk patients received counseling and medication management from a community pharmacist, according to a new study from the University of Cincinnati's James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy. The ongoing study seeks to pair 1,000 high-risk patients with community pharmacists. Researchers will focus on patients with heart failure, COPD, pneumonia, myocardial infarction or diabetes.

INDIANAPOLIS - Prior authorization requests submitted as part of the PMD demo are being denied because of conflicting information in face-to-face exams and other medical records, and insufficient face-to-face exam information, National Government Services (NGS) announced in a recent bulletin. The list of reasons covers denials as of Oct. 24. NGS says face-to-face exams often do not specify: how a PMD will sufficiently improve the beneficiary's daily life; what are the beneficiary's mobility limitations...

OXFORD, England - COPD patients working with community pharmacists stick with their medications and have improved inhalation techniques, a recent study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology suggests. Patients in the study's intervention group learned about their disease, medication and how to use inhalers. They also discussed disease management, quitting smoking and adherence. “This trial should encourage community pharmacists to engage in COPD care aiming to sustain an...

With issues like competitive bidding, diabetes mail order and reimbursement cuts posing threats to community pharmacists, it's a challenging time to take on the job of executive vice president and CEO of the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA). But Kathleen Jaeger, who did just that in November, saw only a "wonderful opportunity." Jaeger, a pharmacist and lawyer by training, spoke with HME News recently about the future she sees for independent pharmacists. HME News: Where do pharmacists...