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WSPA Mission Statement
The Washington State Pharmacy Association exists to
support and advance the practice of pharmacy to ensure that the
public receives optimal medication therapy management. More.
JCPP Vision of Pharmacy Practice
Pharmacists will be the health care professionals responsible for
providing patient care that ensures optimal medication therapy outcomes.
Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners 2004
JCPP Action Plan for Implementation of Vision
Pharmacy News
We've Moved!
After 15 years at the same location, the WSPA office has moved. Our new location is 411 Williams Avenue South, Renton, WA 98057. We are very excited about the new home of the WSPA. You will still be able to reach us at our same phone number 425-228-7171 and email addresses. Map our new address. Contact information.
CMS Tells Non-Accredited DME Pharmacies: Act Now or Be Revoked
In light of the fact that Congress has not yet passed a permanent exemption for pharmacies from DME accreditation requirements, CMS told WSPA affilate the National Community Pharmacists Association that they will start sending revocation notices after Friday, February 12th to pharmacies that are not yet fully accredited or in the accreditation process. More.
WSPA Contracts with Dynamic Language
To help pharmacies meet the needs of patients with Limited English Proficiency, WSPA has contracted with Dynamic Language to provide language services such as interpretation and translation to pharmacies. More
Become a Fan of WSPA on Facebook
See what's new and network with other fans at http://www.facebook.com/wspa.rx or search Washington State Pharmacy Association from your own Facebook page.
Stolen Rx Pad
Jan. 28 - Sports Medicine Center of Renton has reported a stolen Rx pad for prescribing physician Lawrence W. Snow. The center's address is 17910 Talbott Road South, Suite 100, Renton, WA 98055 and the phone is 425-235-9981.
On Feb 5, 2010, Carisopodol will be a Schedule IV Controlled Substance
For the final rule and FAQ on how to handle current carisoprodol prescriptions with refills click here.
Haiti Relief: Urgent Call for Pharmacist Volunteers!
January 18, 2010- Pharmacists are needed for 2-week stints at aid centers being set up in the Dominican Republic that will serve refugees and victims of last week's earthquake in Haiti. More.
Growing Concern for Patient Access as Another Reduction in Reimbursement Forces Walgreens To Stop Filling Medicaid Prescriptions at 64 Washington Pharmacies
Visit our Press Room for Medicaid Cuts to learn more.
Patient Access to Pharmacies Impacted by Medicaid's Decision to Reduce Medication Reimbursement Rates, Bartell Drugs Unable to Continue to Serve Medicaid Patients in 15 Pharmacies.
Visit our Press Room for Medicaid Cuts to learn more.
Ritzville Drug Unable to Contiue to Serve Medicaid Patients
Following Second Deep Cut To Medication Reimbursement This Year
Medicaid patients in Ritzville, WA are suffering as Medicaid's decision to reduce medication reimbursement rates will make it necessary for them to travel about 100 miles round trip to the nearest pharmacy to seek care. More
Update on Tamper-Resistant Rx Requirements More
Beginning July 1, 2010, Washington State law will require all prescriptions for delivery to a pharmacy to be written on Board of Pharmacy approved tamper-resistant paper or pads. All approved paper will be affixed with a specific “seal of approval.” Approved vendors must demonstrate that they meet the security standards as required in RCW 18.64.500. To date, fourteen vendors have completed the approval process. A list of approved vendors and a FAQ are available here.
Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Council (LRAC)
WA State Legislative Session Starting January 2010
Short 60 Day Session with a Projected $2.6 Billion Budget Deficit
In tough times like these, it is even more important to stay involved. The Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Council (LRAC) is an essential protection for our profession who works closely with the Washington State Pharmacy Association and keypharmacy stakeholders to form a great partnership and we must keep it going. LRAC is your front line voice representing pharmacy and your issues in Olympia with the Washington Legislature, State Agencies and the Governor's office. LRAC is in Olympia working for you full time year round. Please join your colleagues today to ensure that we have the financial resources to achieve our legislative and regulatory goals. Your LRAC membership dollars ensure that pharmacy has a full-time lobbyist in Olympia representing our needs.Take action now! Support your professions efforts in Olympia...Join LRAC! It's only $50 a year for individual members. More Join LRAC online today! Key LRAC Issues for 2010
Medicare Part D Plans Require Pharmacies to Maintain Quality Assurance Programs
PQC Users Get New Legal Protection for Required Quality Assurance Program
Medicare Part D requires plan sponsors and their contracted entities (pharmacies) to maintain quality assurance (QA) programs designed to reduce medication errors and adverse drug interactions and improve medication use. This requirement is stated in all Part D pharmacy network contracts. It is important to protect the quality assurance data. Some pharmacies are meeting their Medicare Part D QA requirements and getting legal protection of their quality assurance data with the easy to use, low cost Pharmacy Quality Commitment (PQC) program available through state pharmacy associations. PQC is one program offered by the Alliance for Patient Medication Safety (APMS), a federally certified Patient Safety Organization (PSO). More.
Full Press Release CONTACT: Tara Modisett: Tara@naspa.us (804) 285-4431
New Medicaid OTC Coverage List, Opiate Dosing Tools, Billing Changes, Updates and Tools in the WSPA Medicaid Resource Center
H1N1 Vaccine Recalls
Nasal Spray Vaccine Recall
Sanofi Pasteur Recall
NEW! Online Continuing Education Now Available
Need CE? Get our high quality CE from the comfort of your own home. Check out WSPA's Online CE Programs.
The Changing Face of Pharmacy
Washington pharmacists and former directors of the WSPA, Janet Kusler and Ryan Oftebro, are highlighted in this article for using entrepreneurial ideas and new technology to embrace a changing health care system. “The practice of pharmacy is changing these days, thanks in large part to the innovations developed by the University of Washington School of Pharmacy, a national leader in health-care research and in meeting the needs of the community.” The UW School of Pharmacy and the work of Don Downing, Jackie Gardner and Perry Odegard are featured. Read the Article in Columns Magazine UW Alumni Association publication
The List That Can Save Your Life! Carry a list of medications you take, says patient-safety group
The Washington Patient Safety Coalition, is attempting to reduce drug errors by urging patients to carry a written list of all the medications they take. Link to Seattle Times article. My Medicine List is a campaign intended to build public awareness of the need for patients to take an active role in managing their medications. Sponsored by the Washington Patient Safety Coalition (WPSC), the initiative’s goal is for every person to maintain an up-to-date list of every medication he or she is using and to share it with his or her health care provider during each and every visit. Several WSPA members serve in key roles on the Medication Safety Subcommittee which spearheaded this campaign. My Medicine List Website
ProviderOne Implementation Delayed
12/4/09- DSHS received approval from CMS for funding necessary for an Expanded Provider Readiness Testing (EPRT) environment and support services. Provider letter describing the schedule and scope of testing, and the support services. DSHS anticipates implementation of ProviderOne in an early April 2010 timeframe. More information on ProviderOne in the Medicaid Resource Center.
CDTA for Antiviral Medications During Outbreak
The WSPA has worked with Public Health Seattle-King County and the Northwest Center of Public Health Practice to develop a Collaborative Drug Therapy Agreement for distribution of government supplied antiviral medications and training materials. Here is the webpage with all the CDTA information.
WSPA Election Results: 2010 WSPA Board of Directors
As announced at the WSPA Annual Meeting on November 2009 in Tulalip, the 2010 WSPA Board of Directors were elected in October 2009 and the results are in…More.
WSPA 2009 Annual Award Winners
The Washington State Pharmacy Association (WSPA) was proud to announce its 2009 Award Winners, who underscore WSPA’s commitment to the quality of care and leadership. The recipients were recognized at the Awards Banquet on Nov. 7 during the 2009 WSPA Annual Meeting. “This year's award winners span a remarkable breadth of achievement in innovation, research, education, leadership, and accomplishment," said Jeff Rochon, WSPA chief executive officer. "We're very proud to recognize excellence in all of these areas of endeavor, and hope that the example of these remarkable individuals will inspire others.” Congratulations!
CMS’ Requirement for Part D FWA Training Update
• Training on Fraud Waste and Abuse must be completed every year by all persons in the pharmacy who come in contact with Part D recipients including, but not limited to: pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and cashiers.
• Any training completed prior to January 1, 2009 will not count for the 2009 requirement. The fraud, waste and abuse training must be completed after January 1, 2009, but before December 31, 2009, and annually thereafter.
• FWA Training is currently available here
Visit WSPA's Fraud, Waste and Abuse Resource Center
Alert! AWP Rollback Approaching September 26
Patient access to pharmacies may significantly be impacted by the impending Average Wholesale Price (AWP) redefinition. Due to the court-accepted settlement of the FirstData Bank Lawsuit, the value of AWP will be decreased effective September 26th, 2009. Since most pharmacy contracts with public and private health insurance payers including Medicaid and Medicare are based on AWP, this change will significantly lower the terms of your contracts. The reimbursement rates negotiated in pharmacy contracts have continued to plummet over the last decade. An additional decrease of this magnitude is highly likely to impact patient access to pharmacies unless rate adjustments are made. More
Office of Inspector General (OIG) Exclusion List
The Office of Inspector General has created an exclusion list of entities and individuals convicted on Medicaid or Medicare Fraud. Individuals on this list are excluded from eligibility to participate in Medicare or Medicaid billing for 5 years. If any of your employees are on the list, your pharmacy cannot bill Medicaid or Medicare. More information on OIG Exclusion List. Searchable database
DOH NOTICE: Suspension of Washington State Thimerosal Limits for H1N1 Vaccine Here
DOH Health Professions Licensure Delays
The WSPA is working with the DOH to improve the communications of licensure status. For the latest on the Department of Health licensure status for Pharmacists, Technicians and Interns here
WA DOH Develops Emergency Medication Distribution Model Agreement
Washington State Dept of Health (DOH) has developed a model agreement to assist local health jurisdictions (LHJ) that want to work with pharmacies to distribute medications or vaccine during a public health emergency such as H1N1 flu. The model agreement can be used for all public health hazards and is a tool for pharmacies and LHJs to partner in getting drugs and vaccinesout quickly to the public during an emergency. Model Agreement
Important DOH Letter on Appropriate Use of Antiviral Medications
At the request of the Washington State Department of Health, the WSPA recently faxed out a letter from Dr. Maxine Hayes, MD, MPH regarding the appropriate use of antiviral medications. Please take a moment to read this important letter.
WSPA/Medicaid Audit Focus Group Get Clarifications on Medicaid Billing Instructions
The WSPA and DSHS started a Pharmacy Focus Group to address concerns about the confusion and miscommunication on the Medicaid Billing Instructions that have been identified in recent audits. The latest version of the Medicaid Billing Instructions contains a number of clarification. WSPA Medicaid Resource Center
Patient Safety Data is Now Protected and Confidential
Pharmacies that license the Pharmacy Quality Committment program and report patient safety events are now provided federal legal protection to information that is reported through the Alliance for Patient Medication Safety (APMS) - a patient safety organization or PSO. Pharmacies reporting through PQC will also receive recommendations on best practices and workflow processes to help reduce medication errors, improve medication use and enhance patient safety and health outcomes. Pharmacies can promote the fact that they participate with a PSO so their patients know their pharmacy aims to be among the safest in the nation. More.
Final Rule Issued for Patient Safety Organizations
Tamper Resistant Prescription Pad Implementation
More resources available in the WSPA TRPP Resource Center
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