The Italian-American Pharmacists Society of the State of New York
Meeting Minutes
05/11/06 8:30 pm

                          Action Items

CE Presentation: Lecture was on Psychiatric Rating Scales used to screen for behavioral health conditions and monitor progress and side effects.

Minutes: Minutes were approved and will be posted on website.

Treasurer Report: Account is the black and approved by the chairman.

Committee Reports:

• Newsletter Committee: Fran reports that she has just completed the Spring newsletter with many photos from the dance.
• CE Committee: 6/15 program will begin at 6:30pm and return back to Dante’s. CE topic will be vitamins B12/Folic acid and Heart Disease.
• Legislative Report: Report from State Board of Pharmacy
• CE – Do not lie…45 hrs of CE credits are required during 3 yr licensing period, half live and 3 hrs on med errors.
• Misbranding – Includes placing unlabeled returned meds back into inventory or adding these units back into other bottles.
• Chains – Are required to notify State Board within 7 days if there is a new SP. All stores are required to list SP.
• Internet Pharmacy – Beware of promises to increase sales by distributing ED drugs. MD prescribing these agents are often now licensed. Pharmacies need license to ship drugs into NYS.
• New Prescription Forms – Tracking is not being done at this time. 6/05 begins Medicaid transmission. Presently for all controlled Rx. Computer printed forms (4/page) are acceptable. Board will permit different forms to accommodate technology. You must fill controlled rx on serial # form if provider doesn’t have new forms yet. Regular rx form will be acceptable for nonscheduled rx at this time. Pharmacies are requested to track prescribers not using new rx on form and fax to Bureau of Controlled Substances.

PSSNY Report:

• PSSNY Annual Convention and Exhibition will have a Cowboy Western Theme and be held 6/21-25th at Fort William Henry in Lake George, NY. Contact Katie O’Malley 1 800-632-8822 for reservations/information.
• Scholarship Committee: Stephanie has several suggestions for student involvement including IPS presence during Activity Hour on Career Day. This could be a joint collaboration with LKS. Posting meeting/scholarship info on LKS/fraternity bulletin boards is not permitted. We can start now to recruit for next year’s scholarship recipient.
• Dinner Dance Committee: Save the date of Sat. March 24th 2007. Complete financial report will be presented at June meeting. IPS has booked Leonards of Great Neck for the next 2 years and Alive & Kickin for 2007. Scholarships and trip to Italy will continue to be part of event. Ken reminds all to thank the wholesalers for their continued support for our event. Suggestions for 2007 Dance Honoree will be accepted at next months meeting. All complaints should be directed to Germaine.
• New Business:
  Medicaid:
  • Preferred Drug Program – goes into effect June 2006 for ARB, 2nd generation antihistamines and PPI . Use of drugs not on list will require prior authorization. Exempt classes for PDL include: HIV, atypical antipsychotics, ART and antidepressants.
  • Fraud List – posted at http://www.health.state.ny.us/health_care/medicaid/fraud/listing.htm contains pharmacies/pharmacists that may not bill Medicaid. SP are now required to register with DOH and check that pharmacists in their employment are not on this list.
  • Check website weekly for updates
• NPI Numbers – National Provider Identifier # will be required by pharmacists to bill for MTM, Medicaid and Medicare serves effective May 2007. This replaces the NCPDB#. For more info: visit www.ncpdb.org, www.cms.hha.gov.
• Klondike Boat Trip – Save the date of Sept. 23, 2006 and will be departing from New Rochelle, NY at 6:30pm promptly. Evening adventure will include dinner, and dancing while enjoying the beautiful NY skyline. RSVP will require prepayment of $60 per person and should be sent to Ray ASAP.
• Pseudoephedrine Regulation – Effective 3/9/06 sales are limited to 3.6gm (120 tabs). Stores are required to maintain a log of sales which also include combination products effective 9/30/06. Phenylephrine is still OK and exempt from this regulation.
• Medicare Part D: Spot check PDP prices. CMS has required that Plans/PBM have more staff to answer questions. There are no fines for delay answering calls. Auto enrollment period will be the same…transition nightmare (drugs not covered). If you remove the PA number, the drugs will go through. Auto adjudicate with $123 co pay will not result in adjudication unless drug is on formulary??? Co pays should be correct for dual eligibles. 1% penalty will be in effect for delayed enrollment after 5/15/06. Pharmacies are not forced to waive co pay. Contact 800 MED-ICARE for complaints about PDP or www.medicare.gov.

Prepared 6/9/06 by:
Lisa Anzisi