NCPA- Feb. 27, 2024

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Feb. 27, 2024) – As rumors swirl in Washington, D.C., that lawmakers may once again be punting on PBM reform, the National Community Pharmacists Association today released a survey showing many local pharmacies are running out of time.

“Nearly a third of independent pharmacy owners may close their stores this year under pressure from plunging prescription reimbursements by big insurance plans and their pharmacy benefit managers,” said NCPA CEO B. Douglas Hoey, pharmacist, MBA. “This is an emergency. And if Congress fails to act again, thousands of local pharmacies could be closed within months and millions of patients could be stranded without a pharmacy.”

Jesse Pines | March 4, 2024

It used to be safe to assume your doctor’s visit was a completely private affair between you and your physician. This is changing with ambient artificial intelligence, a new technology that listens to your conversation and processes information. Think Amazon’s Alexa, but in your doctor’s office. An early use case is ambient AI scribing: it listens, then writes a clinical note summarizing your visit. Clinical notes are used to communicate diagnostic and treatment plans within electronic health records, and as a basis to generate your bill.

A recent report in NEJM Catalyst described the deployment of ambient AI in The Permanente Medical Group, Kaiser’s Northern California physician group. Since October 2023, ambient AI scribes were used by more than 3,400 doctors in more than 300,000 encounters. In the study, the doctors cited many benefits including more meaningful interactions and reductions in after-hours note writing. Patients also reportedly liked it. Some described their physicians as more attentive, possibly because ambient AI avoids the practice of doctors writing their notes during the visit, which is distracting.

Alexa-like AI listening in on your doctor’s visit makes you think twice. It’s right to have concerns. Yet there are reasons to think this will be transformative. Here are advantages and disadvantages to consider when ambient AI arrives at your doctor’s office:

Improved Doctor Efficiency

When AI scribes draft notes, doctors spend less time tethered to computers. Doctors spend up to six hours a day on EHRs and often complete notes late into the night at home. Less EHR time will improve efficiency. The question is how “saved” time will be reinvested. Spending more time with patients could improve relationships and communication. If doctors spend it with their families, it may reduce the physician burnout problem. Yet, if health systems—which are the purchasers of AI—expect doctors to see more patients with their newfound time, your doctor may be as tired and rushed as they were before AI was introduced.

More Accurate and Complete Notes

In the TPMG study, the AI reportedly produced high-quality note drafts. These could be edited by doctors before loading the finished notes into EHRs. A key improvement over how doctors write notes today is the AI captures the entire conversation, as opposed to doctors trying to remember the most important things you said. The human brain is not a perfect recording device. Doctors forget key information, especially when writing their notes hours later. Scribe AI may help ensure all issues discussed are documented, and therefore more likely to be addressed.

Another issue is “hallucinations.” This is when AI introduces errors documenting something that didn’t occur. In the TPMG study, there was one instance in which the physician and patient discussed scheduling a prostate examination, while the AI documented incorrectly that it had already been performed. This underscores the importance of double checking any AI-generated content for correctness.

Better Clinical Decisions, Maybe Someday

Scribing is an early use case for ambient AI, yet it can do much more. Imagine, after digesting your conversation, the AI makes helpful recommendations about your care. Maybe the AI realizes you forget to follow-up on a test result from years ago (e.g., an x-ray finding that recommended repeat imaging), reminding your doctor additional care is needed. To date, studies have shown AI can help interpret medical images and pathology specimens and spot rare diseases. Whether ambient AI will be helpful for diagnostic or treatment recommendations remains to be seen. Yet the potential to improve clinical decision making is there.

Security And Privacy Issues

Okay, your conversation just got recorded. But where does it go? Is it stored somewhere? How is it used beyond writing my note? The AI technology companies need to address these questions and comply with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act laws. Additionally, new regulations may be needed as the technology evolves.

Ultimately, AI has hit the mainstream with applications such as ChatGPT-4 and Bard, which are now regularly used by consumers. It is also coming soon to your doctor’s office. The best approach is to be curious and ask questions about this new, potentially transformative technology and how it affects your care.

A much-awaited treatment for postpartum depression, zuranolone (Zurzuvae), hit the market in December, promising an accessible and fast-acting medication for a debilitating illness. But most private health insurers have yet to publish criteria for when they will cover it, according to a new analysis of insurance policies.

The lack of guidance could limit use of the drug, which is both novel -- it targets hormone function to relieve symptoms instead of the brain's serotonin system, as typical antidepressants do -- and expensive, at $15,900 for the 14-day pill regimen.

The Joint Commission released a simplified breakdown of eight patient safety goals for hospitals in 2024.

The commission published an easy-to-read resource outlining goals for nine sectors of healthcare, including nursing facilities, surgery, hospitals and behavioral care.

Here are the eight patient safety goals for hospitals:

1. Identify patients correctly — use at least two ways to identify patients, such as name and date of birth.

2. Improve staff communication — Get the right test results to the right staff member on time.

3. Use medicines safely — Label medicines that are not labeled prior to a procedure, take extra care with patients who take medicines that thin blood, and record and pass along correct information about patient medication.

4. Use alarms safely — Make improvement to alarms on medical equipment so they are heard and responded to on time.

5. Prevent infection — Use the CDC's hand cleaning guidelines and set goals to improve hand cleaning.

6. Identify patient safety risks — Reduce risk of suicide.

7. Improve healthcare equity — Treat improving equity as a quality and patient safety priority.

8. Prevent mistakes in surgery — Ensure the correct surgery is done on the correct patient and in the correct location on the body and pause before surgery to ensure that no mistake is being made.

Historically, two tetanus and diphtheria (Td) vaccine products have been available for use in the United States:

• TdVax^TM, manufactured by MassBiologics
• Tenivac®, manufactured by Sanofi

MassBiologics has discontinued production of TdVax^TM, which is exclusively distributed by Grifols. Sanofi is taking steps to augment their available U.S. supply of Tenivac®. Despite these efforts, it’s anticipated that the supply of Td vaccine in the U.S. market will be constrained during 2024.

Temporary ordering controls are in place in the public and private sectors to help manage the gap in supply. Diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccines are available without supply constraints at this time.

Guidance for vaccination providers:

The limited supply of Td vaccine needs to be preserved for those with a contraindication to receiving pertussis-containing vaccines. To assist vaccination providers, CDC has developed the following guidance:

• Transition to use of Tdap vaccine in lieu of Td vaccine whenever possible while Td vaccine supplies are constrained.
• Tdap vaccine is an acceptable alternative to Td vaccine, including when a tetanus booster is indicated for wound management.
• Tdap vaccine isn’t an acceptable alternative (only when a person has a specific contraindication to pertussis-containing vaccines, which is very rare).

This guidance will remain in place until the period of temporary ordering controls for Td vaccine ends.

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/dtap-tdap-td/hcp/recommendations.html#contraindications

March 1, 2024, the 2023-2024 fall and winter virus season, four years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, provided ongoing evidence of the changing face of respiratory diseases. COVID-19 remains an important public health threat, but it is no longer the emergency that it once was, and its health impacts increasingly resemble those of other respiratory viral illnesses, including influenza and RSV. This reality enables CDC to provide updated guidance proportionate to the current level of risk COVID-19 poses while balancing other critical health and societal needs.

*Healthcare workers are presently under consideration as an exception to the relaxed policy.  More to come on this topic as the CDC considers their official position.

Read about the key drivers and indicators of the reduction in threat from COVID-19 here:

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency use authorization for Pemgarda (pemivibart) for the pre-exposure prophylaxis (prevention) of COVID-19 in certain adults and adolescents (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kilograms [about 88 pounds]).

Pemgarda is authorized for individuals:

• who are not currently infected with SARS-CoV-2 and who have not had a known recent exposure to an individual infected with SARS-CoV-2; and

• who have moderate-to-severe immune compromise due to a medical condition or due to taking immunosuppressive medications or treatments and are unlikely to mount an adequate immune response to COVID-19 vaccination.

FDA used an immunobridging approach to determine if Pemgarda may be effective for prevention of COVID-19. Immunobridging is based on the relationship between neutralizing antibody titers and clinical efficacy identified with other human monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. This includes adintrevimab, a monoclonal antibody like Pemgarda, and certain other monoclonal antibodies that were previously authorized for the prevention of COVID-19. The serum neutralizing antibody titers of Pemgarda were consistent with the titer levels associated with efficacy in prior clinical trials of adintrevimab and certain other monoclonal antibody products.

The authorized initial dose of Pemgarda is 4500 mg administered as a single intravenous infusion. If ongoing protection is needed, a repeat 4500mg dose should be administered every three months.

Full prescribing info here: Emergency Use Authorizations for Drugs and Non-Vaccine Biological Products | FDA

Eight years ago, ASHP’s Women in Pharmacy Leadership Steering Committee recommended collecting stories to show how women pharmacists handle their unique professional and personal challenges.

The result was our Letters from Women in Pharmacy: Stories on Integrating Life and Career, which was published as part of ASHP’s ongoing initiative to better understand the implications of pharmacy’s shift to a female-dominated profession — and take steps to help more women move into leadership positions.

To mark Women’s History Month, ASHP is sharing excerpts from the book, which features letters from 31 pharmacy leaders, who wrote in detail about their attempts to navigate the demands of their work and personal lives.

“These letters collectively emphasize the numerous successful approaches to blending a career and personal life while learning and applying various leadership styles,” the book’s co-editors wrote in the introduction.

March 21, 2024, ASHP announced 28 members have been named “Fellows of ASHP” (FASHP) in recognition of their professional accomplishments and practice leadership.

Fellow status reflects a high standard of excellence and sustained commitment to health-system practice. To earn the designation, the new Fellows successfully demonstrated their active involvement and leadership in ASHP, contributions to the total body of knowledge in the field, and commitment to educating practitioners and others. ASHP has recognized 1,073 Fellows since the program began in 1988.

PSHP is honored to congratulate Arpit Mehta, to this very distinguished group of National Pharmacy Leaders, ASHP’s Fellowship Class of 2024.

Pharmacy Graduates Continue to Seek Postgraduate Training to Advance Patient Care Skills

MARCH 13, 2024 - BETHESDA, Md. — The ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists) announced 4,916 individuals matched with 2,200 pharmacy residency programs across the country in Phase I of ASHP’s 2024 Pharmacy Residency Match.

The Phase I results include an early commitment of 664 postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) residents who accepted a PGY2 position at their current program. With 5,872 residency positions in the Match, 956 positions remain available to be filled in Phase II.

“Congratulations to all of the student pharmacists and residents who matched with pharmacy residencies this year,” said Samuel V. Calabrese, BSPharm, MBA, FASHP, CPEL, vice president of the ASHP Office of Accreditation Services. “We are thrilled to see the sustained enthusiasm for the invaluable clinical learning experiences provided by postgraduate residency training. Residency candidates continue to pursue this training as a direct result of the ongoing efforts by program directors and preceptors to spotlight the value these programs have for the profession. ASHP looks forward to supporting the development of the new class of trainees.”

Interest in postgraduate residency training continues to grow, with more than 46% of enrolled fourth-year pharmacy students applying for residency positions. Early commitments for PGY2 positions increased by 10%, and applications to PGY2 also grew.

ASHP’s upcoming national public awareness campaign aims to inform consumers about pharmacy practice in hospital and health-system settings and the value pharmacists bring to patient care. The campaign aims to build interest in hospital and health-system practice careers and foster additional growth in postgraduate training.

The Match also continued steady growth in the number of available residency positions. The number of positions has grown from 5,312 in 2020 to 5,872 (including early commits), a 10% growth in positions.

ASHP conducts the Match in two phases. The deadline to register to participate in Phase II of the Match is April 2, 2024. The informal post-match scramble will be held following Phase II of the Match to ensure that individuals have as many chances as possible to connect with a residency program.

ASHP provides several resources to guide applicants in navigating the Match process, including advice for Phase II of the Match, interview tips, and more. National Matching Services Inc. administers and conducts the Match and provides an overview of the 2024 ASHP Residency Match process.

Overview weblink:  https://natmatch.com/ashprmp/overview.html

A message from Khunteang PA, PTCB, Chief Operating Officer:

PTCB just announced the availability of online proctored testing for our CPhT and CSPT Certifications. This means that all PTCB exams are now available in test centers and form the comfort of your home. Expanding accessibility to earn PTCB credentials is important to support the careers of pharmacy technicians and to further PTCB’s mission to advance medication safety by credentialing qualified technicians. If you have any questions about whether online testing is right for you, please watch this short video that tells you more about these specific testing requirements.

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABMP) is pleased to announce the launch of its redesigned website, https://safe.pharmacy/. NABP furthers its mission to protect the public health by offering an insightful, patient-centered online site with information, resources, and robust search tools to provide medication safety, support drug disposal, prevent medication misuse, and more.

The Technician Registration Regulations have been published by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC), in the March 2, 2024, PA Bulletin, and is out to all stake holders for public comment, for a 30-day comment period.

There is one section of the proposed regulations that is very specific and has become outdated and is worded as follows:

“Finally, proposed § 27.705 (relating to grandfather requirements for an existing practitioner to be registered as a pharmacy technician) addresses the criteria for individuals who worked as a pharmacy technician for at least 1 year between January 29, 2019, and January 29, 2021, (the 2-year period prior to the effective date under Act 140 of 2020) to be registered, even if they do not possess a high school diploma and have not completed a Board-approved pharmacy technician program.”

Because it has taken almost 4 years to move this legislation forward, this “grandfathering” period is no longer relevant and should be updated to a more pertinent time-period. PSHP is suggesting January 29, 2023, and January 29, 2025. PSHP plans on responding to this issue; however, as employers of health-system technicians throughout Pennsylvania, it will be in your best interest to separately respond and object to the grandfathering period noted in the regulation, and suggest the time period we specify above. Without a change, all new technicians employed after January 29, 2021, will have to start the Tech Registration Process as new Tech trainees!

We only have this coming week to respond so this is imperative to act now. Response to the IRRC should be emailed directly to: irrc@irrc.state.pa.us

Pharmacy Technician Registration, [54 Pa.B. 1060]

PSHP will be doing the same and additionally responding directly to the Board’s Counsel.

The Final Copy published in the PA Bulletin can be found here: https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pabull?file=/secure/pabulletin/data/vol54/54-9/267.html#

Could this program work in your Cancer Center Program, to increase access of needed cancer treatment medications to your patients?

The Pennsylvania Department of State and Bureau of Professional Occupations and Affairs are asking for your help in expanding the reach of Pennsylvania’s Cancer Drug Repository Program (CDRP). Enacted by the General Assembly in 2008, the CDRP promotes access to lifesaving cancer drugs and treatment for all Pennsylvanians, regardless of their ability to pay, by permitting participating pharmacies to accept donated, unused cancer drugs and dispense them to qualifying individuals.

Pharmacy participation in the CDRP is currently low, lessening an important opportunity for individuals in the Commonwealth to access critical healthcare. But you can help. The Department encourages all licensed facilities to consider joining the CDRP, making safe and affordable treatment available to your customers. Relevant information for participating in the program can be found on the State Board of Pharmacy’s Cancer Drug Repository Program webpage. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please contact the State Board of Pharmacy at st-pharmacy@pa.gov.

Thank you,
State Board of Pharmacy

Dear Members of PSHP,

March in Pennsylvania is a month that has always represented change for me. As Winter transitions to Spring, we see drastic shifts in the weather with highs close to 80 followed by several days that are below freezing and cover the state in several inches of snow. In line with this changing time of year, I wanted to talk about how PSHP is supporting changes in the healthcare landscape and about changes within our organization.

Last month I talked about changes in the healthcare landscape in Pennsylvania related to the release of a Medication Assistance Bulletin advising that pharmacists may enroll in the Medical Assistance (MA) Program to provide services to MA beneficiaries. If you missed the announcement, full details and links to relevant Medical Assistance Bulletins can be found on the PSHP website. While PSHP members and other pharmacy organizations have worked over the past year to accomplish this milestone for pharmacists in Pennsylvania, this starts another journey that involves communication to internal organizations, credentialing, and other processes and require a broader understanding and engagement of individuals and organizations. To that end, PSHP is dedicated to supporting members through this journey and helping to streamline and understand the complexities. We are hosting an open forum webinar on the PA Medicaid updates on April 3^rd from 4-5pm. This session is aimed at reviewing our journey, providing pearls from current experiences, and provides an open Q&A where we will answer questions and document outstanding questions and concerns to raise for comment and clarification. Please find details on the event on the PSHP website at https://www.pshp.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1842772&gro...

Keeping with the theme of change, it is my honor to announce an exciting change within our organization. After several years of dedicated service, our valued Executive Director, Larry Jones, will be stepping down from his role in May 2024.

Larry has been a cornerstone of PSHP, leading us through challenges and successes with unwavering dedication. His innovative initiatives and support have advanced our organization's impact and influence. He has been involved in numerous initiatives including the rebranding and roll out of various membership programs and has been instrumental in the success of PSHP programming and events. Larry’s passion is advocacy for the profession of pharmacy, having established relationships with various organizations and supported numerous advocacy efforts. Over the past few years, I have worked closely with Larry and admire his dedication and positive attitude and enjoy his sense of humor.

As Larry transitions back into the role of engaged member, we want to warmly welcome our new Executive Director, Jill Rebuck. Jill has a wealth of experience across various areas in the profession, however her passion for advancing pharmacy practice is truly inspiring. Her strategic vision and dedication will make her a valuable asset to PSHP leadership. We are excited to welcome her in this role!

Please join me in congratulating Jill on her new role and thanking Larry for his exceptional service. Together, we look forward to advancing the mission of PSHP and serving our members.

Respectfully,

Kim Mehta, PharmD, MPH, MHA, FASHP

President, Pennsylvania Society of Health-System Pharmacists

On Feb. 22, 2024, Saint Joseph’s University celebrated the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy’s (PCP) Founders’ Day, a 203-year-old tradition marking the establishment of the nation’s first pharmacy school, now a cornerstone of Saint Joseph’s School of Health Professions.

“Part of our strength lies in our history, our centuries-old industry connections and our ability to provide our students with an education that evolves in tandem with the pharmacy profession and pharmaceutical industry,” says Edward F. Foote, BS ’87, PharmD ’91, professor and dean of Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and associate dean of the School of Health Professions.

A big part of that history also includes the alumni of PCP who have gone on to shape the pharmaceutical industry and use their education for the greater good. Two alumni in particular were recognized at this year’s ceremony.

The William Procter Jr. Award, created in honor of William Procter Jr., PCP graduate, faculty member and widely considered the father of American Pharmacy, will be awarded to John Gans, PharmD ’69, dean emeritus and professor. This award recognizes an outstanding alumnus/a who exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit of PCP’s founders and who has provided outstanding service to the college and profession.

George Downs, PharmD ’72, dean emeritus and Linwood F. Tice Professor of Pharmacy, was also recognized for his 51 years of service to the college following his recent retirement.

“George has had many roles at the college throughout his illustrious career. His greatest contribution is his leadership in the area of substance-use disorder, where he has dedicated his professional life to helping students and pharmacists afflicted with SUD. He has saved countless careers and lives,” says Foote.

John Gans, Dean emeritus, being presented the William Proctor Jr. Award (so named after the father of American Pharmacy) by Dean Foote.

Dean Foote presenting to Dean emeritus, George Downs, the Linwood F. Tice Professor of Pharmacy Award and recognizing his 51 years of service the PCP.

[01/29/2024] In December 2021, FDA authorized Paxlovid for emergency use for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kg) who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death. In May 2023, FDA approved Pfizer’s new drug application (NDA) for Paxlovid for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death.

Today, FDA is announcing a revision to the Paxlovid emergency use authorization (EUA), stating that Paxlovid manufactured and labeled in accordance with the EUA (EUA-labeled Paxlovid) currently in U.S. distribution will remain authorized for use through the labeled or extended expiration date, as applicable, or through March 8, 2024, whichever is earlier.

EUA-labeled Paxlovid will no longer be authorized for emergency use after March 8, 2024, regardless of the labeled or extended expiration date. However, the Paxlovid EUA will continue to authorize emergency use of Paxlovid manufactured and labeled in accordance with the NDA (NDA-labeled Paxlovid) for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in pediatric patients (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kg) who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death.

This revision to the Paxlovid EUA is the next phase in the transition from the use of EUA-labeled Paxlovid to the use of NDA-labeled Paxlovid. This transition began on November 1, 2023, with the introduction of FDA-approved Paxlovid (NDA-labeled Paxlovid).^1,2

Dear Colleagues,

Helping pharmacists and pharmacy technicians practice at their full potential is one of ASHP’s most important priorities as we support our members, their patients, and the profession. That’s why we launched the Practice Advancement Initiative (PAI) over a decade ago.

PAI 2030 — the current version of the initiative — identifies 59 streamlined recommendations to ensure pharmacy professionals will meet future practice needs and patient care requirements. The initiative includes educational resources and a collaborative community that, together, creates a roadmap for the successful implementation of the recommendations.

We featured some of those success stories at the ASHP State Affiliates Conference during the 2023 Midyear Clinical Meeting & Exhibition. Other compelling stories and practical strategies for implementing the recommendations are available on ASHP’s PAI 2030 Case Studies webpage.

These case studies demonstrate the power of storytelling and spotlight how your colleagues are harnessing PAI 2030 to innovate and improve patient care.

Examples of case studies include how one health system empowered its pharmacy technicians to screen patients for hepatitis C infection and link them to care. Another health system launched a pharmacist-led oral chemotherapy and medication therapy disease management clinic. And one organization initiated a transitional care program to prevent readmissions in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

If you haven’t yet launched PAI 2030 at your site, you will likely find that the recommendations already align with your department’s goals and those of your hospital and health system.

PAI 2030 implementation teams have found that one of the best success strategies is to start with one or two recommendations to help guide an organization’s pharmacy team.

The first step toward implementation is to begin the PAI 2030 self-assessment. Participants who have worked through the assessment have reported immediate benefits, such as bringing visibility to key pharmacy activities, confirming the appropriateness of their strategic plan, and highlighting key services to expand.

Read the full story here (A subscription may be required).   https://www.ashp.org/about-ashp/ceo-blogs/recent-blogs/pai-2030-and-the-future-of-pharmacy?loginreturnUrl=SSOCheckOnly

PAI Case Studies:   https://www.ashp.org/pharmacy-practice/pai/pai-case-studies

February 21, 2024, the FDA issued a safety communication warning consumers, patients, caregivers, and health care providers of risks related to using smartwatches or smart rings that claim to measure blood glucose levels (blood sugar) without piercing the skin. These devices are different than smartwatch applications that display data from FDA-authorized blood glucose measuring devices that pierce the skin, like continuous glucose monitoring devices (CGMs). The FDA has not authorized, cleared, or approved any smartwatch or smart ring that is intended to measure or estimate blood glucose values on its own.

The Webb award recognizes a pharmacy practitioner or educator who has fostered excellence in pharmacy management. The Distinguished Service Award goes to a member whose volunteer activities support the mission of their section or forum. The submission deadline for both awards is April 1.

*Note:  The 2022 Webb Award winner was Pennsylvania’s own and Past President of both ASHP and PSHP – Steve Sheaffer, and         
The 2018 Webb Award winner was Pennsylvania’s own, and Past PSHP President, and ASHP Board member – Patricia Kienle.

Webb Award:  https://www.ashp.org/about-ashp/awards/leadership-awards/john-webb-lecture-award

Distinguished Service Award:  https://www.ashp.org/about-ashp/awards/leadership-awards/ashp-distinguished-service-award

The PSHP, New Practitioners Committee is taking on the task of reviewing your Curriculum vitae (CVs) - for all New Practitioners (including Residents and Fellows) and students.

Please forward the attached flyer to your:

• New Practitioners
• Residents
• Fellows
• Students (employed, on rotation, or those in the SSHP Chapter groups), as well as
• Leaders in Pharmacy (whether Practice, Faculty, or Administration) - to assist us with reviewing these CVs for a timely turn-around. 

Please submit your CV by March 3rd, 2024. We will all be working hard to turn these around by April 5, 2024, so they are usable for summer intern positions, fellowships, and employment opportunities.

On Wednesday, February 21^st, PSHP kicked off the inaugural meeting of the Pennsylvania Medication Safety Alliance (PAMSA), a specialty group of Medication Safety Practitioners across the state.  Fifteen practitioners met to discuss hot topics currently affecting medication safety in their institutions. Various topics included the day-to-day responsibilities/challenges of being a new medication safety practitioner, engaging the next generation of pharmacists, impact of weight-loss drugs (e.g. semaglutide) in health-system pharmacy, artificial intelligence/machine learning in the review of error reporting, safe medication use in the perioperative setting, and challenges with USP <797>  and <800> standards.  

The group is excited to generate educational programs and resources that will impact medication safety for Pennsylvania patients and beyond!  Anyone interested in joining this group please reach out to the Committee Chair – Melissa Augustino:  melissa.augustino@pennmedicine.penn.edu, or Jose Nery: jose.nery@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.