The Italian-American Pharmacists Society of the State of New York
Meeting Minutes
10/11/07 8:00 pm

ACTION ITEMS

CE Presentation:  Optimizing Therapy: Opportunities to Enhance Medication
                               Adherence by Richard Lenko from Astra Zeneca
                              
Minutes:  Minutes have been approved and will be posted on the website.

Treasurer Report:  All accounts are in the black & approved by Chairman of the Board.

Committee Reports:  
Membership Report:  We had  1 new member present.
Legislative Report:  Charlie mentioned that there are going to be new benchmark Medicare part D plans  for 2008 to include   AETNA, GHI, MEDCO, &   
 CCRX.
  Plans that no longer have benchmark status are Hip,  Humana,  & AARP.
PSSNY Report:  Joe informed us that  the PSSNY January convention is focused on teaching  people how to train other pharmacists proper immunization skills.
-- We are 1 of 4 states that don’t  immunize.  
 -- Pharmacies should not be billing Medicare part B for wound care items if a nurse is going to put the dressings on the patient. The nursing agency must bill for the wound dressings.
 -- Any patient that has Medicare Part D also must have Medicare Part B.  All supply items for Medicare  eligible patients should be submitted to Medicare Part B first with the proper diagnosis codes and other supporting documentation.  If the claim is denied by Medicare Part B then the pharmacist may bill Medicaid as the payor of last resort .                                                                                                           Renewal notices have gone out for PSSNY so if you are not already a
 member , please join!  The website is  WWW.PSSNY.ORG
Board of Pharmacy Report: John reported there will  be a Board of Pharmacy
meeting in Rochester this week . On the agenda will be internet issues
such as drugs like Ambien being prescribed by Dr.’s without licenses
John recommends  staying away from this & away from faxes on
 Medicaid.
IPS will send a letter to the board of pharmacy requesting  it’s formal opinion regarding  changing a prescription “mid-stream” from the brand name to a newly released generic.
 IPS  ELECTIONS: We discussed the nominees for  the following positions:
               President: Anthony J. Ciarletta
               Vice President: RoseMarie Tomasetti
                1st Vice President: Frank Fata
                2nd Vice President:
                3rd Vice President: Vito Columbo
                Treasurer : Sandy Gaeta
  New  Board  Members: Maria Celentano, Rocco Sforza, Michael Piampiano & Fran  Aurrichio.

Old Business:   IPS Christmas party will be on  December 13, 2007.
New Business:   Stefanie would  like to donate $1,000 to Einstein Fund.  The IPS
                         wants to wish Lisa a speedy recovery.  There will be a 3 hr CE on
                          medication errors on Octiber 25, 2007 at LaGuardia Crowne Plaza.
Good & Welfare:  
Next meeting will be held on  November 8, 2007

Prepared by:
Linda Ciarletta