Editorial: Changes in Compounders' Network List

The International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding would like to remind everyone of changes in the operation of the Compounders' Network List (CNL) and the new opportunities for participation in the weekly CompoundingToday.com newsletter.

Compounders' Network List
Beginning January 1, 2011, participation in the CNL will be a benefit of subscribing to our journal, International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding (IJPC), the CompoundingToday.com subscription website (individual subscription or site license), and to those that support IJPC, including advertisers (advertising at least three times in the previous year or a current similar contract). This will be phased in over the first two weeks of January, 2011.

The CNL is the most active pharmacy list serve in pharmacy compounding with participants from throughout the world. Students enrolled in a college of pharmacy that subscribe can continue to "read" but not "post" on the CNL. All other aspects of the CNL will remain unchanged.

If you are not a subscriber, please go to: www.ijpc.com or www.CompoundingToday.com to subscribe and continue participating in the CNL.

Classified Ads in this Weekly Newsletter
Don't forget, classified ads can be posted in this weekly newsletter beginning January 1, 2011. This free newsletter is widely read and distributed each week to pharmacists and pharmacy personnel in all practice sites.

Rates are as follows:

• $25 for items being sold up to $500
• $50 for items being sold over $500
• $25 for items of any value desiring to buy.

Ads are limited to 25 words and are for practitioners only; no commercial vendors. The contacts between buyer and seller will be offline by e-mail, telephone, etc. Examples of items that can be listed include used equipment, excess supplies, etc. To place an ad, please contact Lauren Bernick at lbernick@ijpc.com or at 405-513-4236. Emergency requests for items can still be posted on the CNL.

We hope this will benefit compounding pharmacists and make more efficient use of your time.


Loyd V. Allen, Jr., Ph.D., R.Ph.
Editor-in-Chief

PCAB Executive Stepping Down
PCAB Executive Director Tom Murry, PharmD, Esq, is stepping down effective December 31, 2010. Tom Murry won election to a seat in the North Carolina State House and will be a part-time owner of a community pharmacy in Raleigh, North Carolina. During the past 3 years, PCAB has nearly doubled, now has 100 accredited pharmacies, and that number is increasing.

PCAB is a not-for-profit corporation formed by eight national pharmacy organizations recognizing the need for a national standards organization for compounding pharmacies. More information can be obtained at: http://www.pcab.org

India and China Pharmaceutical Industry to Cooperate to Increase Generic Drugs Supply in World
Aiming to become major global pharma players, Indian and Chinese pharmaceutical industries have agreed to collaborate in supplying generic drugs to the world. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) is scheduled to be signed between Indian Drug Manufacturer's Association (IDMA) and China Pharmaceutical Industry Association (CPIA) in Mumbai on January 7.

The purpose of the MOU is to provide information, data, and guidance to each other's members regarding topics such as regulations, registration, importation, distribution, marketing, and administration of drugs and medicines. This collaboration will give an edge over the developed countries, and together they have stated they can meet the generic drugs requirements of the world.
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/india-china-pharma-bodies-to-sign-cooperation-pact/119335/on

FDA Issues New Warning on Illegal Supplements
The FDA has issued a new warning about some dietary supplements and bodybuilding and sexual enhancement products in a letter asking manufacturers and trade groups to help police the growing industry.

In recent years, the FDA has issued nearly 300 alerts about dietary supplements alone, including those containing sibutramine, the active ingredient in the drug Meridia (which was withdrawn from the market by Abbott Laboratories in October due to heart attack and stroke risks).

Dietary supplements do not have to be approved by the FDA for safety or effectiveness before marketing, and the manufacturers can make general claims about health or well-being; however, they are not supposed to claim to prevent or cure specific diseases. Supplements may be considered adulterated, unsafe, and illegal if they include some prescription drug chemicals. The three most common types of illegal supplements include weight-loss, body-building, and sex enhancer products.
http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/15/f-d-a-issues-new-warning-on-illegal-supplements/?partner=rss&emc=rss

EPA Takes Saccharine Off Hazardous Substance List
The EPA has removed saccharine from its list of hazardous substances. It is no longer considered a potential hazard to human health. Saccharin was labeled a potentially cancer-causing substance in the 1980s.

The National Toxicology Program and the International Agency for Research on Cancer re-evaluated the available scientific information on saccharin in the late 1990s and concluded it is not a potential human carcinogen. http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2010/12/14/EPA-takes-saccharine-off-hazardous-list/UPI-57841292374416/

Building Core Competencies in Pharmacy Informatics
Fox B, Thrower M, Felkey B.
American Pharmacists Association; 2010: 507 Pages
Soft cover; $44.95

Written by 25 authors and three editors, this book presents a practical approach to becoming knowledgeable about the rapid-fire changes occurring in the management of information and data management (informatics). The book is divided into nine units and encompasses 28 chapters, as well as a glossary.

The best overall summary of what the book is about is to look at the nine units, which include (1) Foundations of Pharmacy Informatics, (2) Computing and Telecommunication Fundamentals, (3) Health Care Data Management and Exchange, (4-8) Medication Use Process Parts I-V related to clinical and medication distribution and use issues, and (9) Pharmacy Informatics Ecosystem.

The book is well-documented, easy-to-read, and a valuable resource for practitioners and students. It is highly recommended to educate and inform on this vitally important topic impacting pharmacy.

�that delegation can improve your effectiveness and your bottom line? Is there anything you are doing as a "high-dollar" person that someone else in a lesser-paid position could do? This could free you up to do more complex and beneficial activities.

Have High Goals
Always set goals a little bit higher than what you know you can achieve at this time. You may surprise yourself at what you will accomplish over the long run (remember this as you prepare your New Year's resolutions in a couple of weeks).