Editorial: Two Little Words

Have you ever thought about the importance of "two little words"? We use a lot of them in our societies, and they mean a lot. They form the basis of many of our relationships and can make a difference in success and failure in all different parts of our lives. Just think about the following:

But, at this special time of the year as we celebrate our freedom this July 4th, the two important words are:

THANK YOU!!!

...to all those that are serving and that have served to make this a great nation!


Loyd V. Allen, Jr., PhD, RPh

Pharmacies Sue to Stop California Medicaid Cuts
Two Southern California independent pharmacies are among the plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed to set aside the state legislature's 10 percent across-the-board cut in payments to Medi-Cal (Medicaid) providers. At press time, the case was scheduled to be argued before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit. Another case involving eight independents was being argued in a local court in Sacramento.

The premise of the lawsuit filed in Superior Court on April 21st is that if the plaintiffs lose this lawsuit, hundreds of independent pharmacies could be forced out of business or would have to stop serving Medi-Cal patients if this 10 percent cut goes into effect July 1 as scheduled. Pharmacies, plaintiffs say, already earn less than 10 percent net profit, so the 10 percent cut would force them to serve Medi-Cal patients at a loss.
NCPA eCommunications; Tuesday, July 01, 2008.

Nation's Two Largest Electronic-prescription Networks to Announce Merger
The nation's two electronic prescription networks, SureScripts and RxHub, plan to announce...that they are merging in an effort to encourage the adoption of their technology by doctors and patients. "While SureScripts routes prescriptions to pharmacies...RxHub routes prescriptions to mail-order firms and provides information about insurance coverage. This arrangement requires companies that make the technology used by doctors to work with, and be certified by, both SureScripts and RxHub. This new network, SureScripts-RxHub, connects doctors, pharmacies and benefit payers, such as insurance companies."
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/30/AR2008063002072.html

MARTINDALE: Drugs Restricted in Sport 2008
London, UK; Chicago, IL: Pharmaceutical Press; 2008

This unique book is a guide to drugs and medicines that may be restricted in or out of competition in some or all sports, either in their own right, or because they are a derivative of a restricted substance or a member of a prohibited group.

This book is derived from MARTINDALE: The Complete Drug Reference and is based on the prohibited drug list of the World Anti-doping Code 2008. Individual athletes can petition for a Therapeutic Use Exemption if treatment for an illness or condition requires treatment with a drug contained in this prohibited list.

The book contains monographs covering over 450 drugs, according to drug name, and lists the sports in which they are banned and whether or not they are banned in and/or out of competition. The book is extremely well indexed so the drugs can be accessed by names used in various countries.

This book is a "must" for any compounding/dispensing pharmacist involved in working with patients involved in sports.

Available at: www.pharmpress.com

The legal authority to practice pharmacy is granted by the individual states through their professional practice acts. This includes the professions of medicine, pharmacy, nursing and many others. The states also establish state boards and enact laws governing the professions. The state boards can enact regulations governing the professions. The practice of pharmacy (including compounding) is under a state's jurisdiction. There is no federal agency overseeing the practice of pharmacy.

Freedom
Express your appreciation to those that have served and are currently serving in the military when you see them this July 4th weekend.