Judy Chi

Drug Topics announces a new publication frequency and adds an expert in specialty pharmacy to its board.

At its 2008 midyear meeting, ASHP reemphasized its intent to push for the accreditatin of technician training programs and postgraduate training of residents.

Among the questions asked were what is expected for sales, salaries, and staffing for 2008.

Pharmacists Planning Service Inc. (PPSI) honors former Surgeon General Richard Carmona, M.D., and Julie Gerberding, M.D., director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

When measured by retail dollars, nine out of the top 10 companies were brand-name firms, with Teva Pharmaceuticals being the only generic representative that made the list. When measured by number of prescriptions, three out of the top 10 companies were generic drugmakers, including Teva, Mylan, and Watson Pharma.

Until now, pharmacy faculty authoring continuing education programs had only to disclose if they had any conflicts of interest to program participants. However, under new standards the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) is planning to implement this year, CE authors will also have to resolve any conflicts in order for their programs to pass muster. Conflicts can be resolved by requiring the CE content to be reviewed by a committee beforehand or presenting both pro and con sides to any given debate.

Pharmacists who commit insurance fraud better watch out. Not only are regulatory authorities going to come after them the way they do after the Italian Mafia, they're going to use every forensic trick in the book that investigators on the TV show "CSI" employ-and more.

Pharmacists hope a new Congress will roll back reimbursement cutbacks that were originally slated

It's finally here. We turn 150 years old next month. Permit me to crow about this milestone a bit.

Squeezed by low and slow reimbursement from Medicare Part D, independent pharmacists have certainly taken their lumps this past year. But they still managed to eke out some victories, according to leaders of the National Community Pharmacists Association, which held its annual meeting in Las Vegas last month.

A botanical garden offering self-guided tours, an auditorium, a library, and a terrace with a breathtaking view for parties that could accommodate 300 people ... Are these the amenities of a luxury resort? No, these facilities, along with office space and parking, will comprise the new American Pharmacists Association headquarters, now undergoing an extreme makeover.

Like it or not, accreditation is expanding from acute care to other healthcare settings, so get ready for it.