CEO Message February 8, 2008
Author: Lynn Rolston
Outlook 2008!
Outlook 2008 is in full swing. The early numbers coming in show this year's Outlook to be every bit as successful as last year and likely to significantly surpass last year's numbers. Our annual conference began yesterday with CE, the patient counseling competition and the House of Delegates opening session, which included the Presidential address by the 2008 CPhA president, Paul Lofholm. Following the House of Delegates, two very fun social events took place including the McKesson sponsored President's Reception, which featured the band Mumbo Gumbo, and the sold-out Hygeia Bowl-A-thon! Everybody had a great time at these events.
Paul Lofholm delivers his Presidential address during Outlook 2008's opening session of the House of Delegates.
This morning, the Foundation's awards breakfast took place where the Jane Boggess Advancement of Pharmacy Practice Award was given to AARP California, and the Michelotti Public Health Prize was given to Sylester Flowers. The Foundation also held a special tribute to June Salvatori, who recently passed away, for her dedication and commitment to the Donald F. Salvatori Pharmacy Museum. Additionally, the Foundation presented three Robert C. Johnson scholarship awards in the amount of $2,000 each to the following pharmacy students: Vi Le from Western University of Health Sciences, Ellena Mar from Touro University - California and Lina Meng from the University of California, San Diego. It was also announced that Julie Chen from the University of California San Francisco, School of Pharmacy, was the winner of the California Statewide Patient Counseling Competition. Congratulations to everyone!
Also today, CPhA held its awards session. Deborah Fernandez was awarded Technician of the Year, Danielle Colayco received Pharmacy Student of the Year, Ryan Gates was named the Distinguished New Practitioner, William Wills was named Innovative Pharmacist, Jeffery Shinoda received the Bowl of Hygeia, and Melvin Baron was named Pharmacist of the Year. We also inducted Sylester Flowers, Peter Kellison and Glenn Yokoyama to the Hall of Fame. Congratulations to these outstanding and highly qualified recipients!
The awards ceremony was followed by the keynote address featuring Michael Cohen, who also spoke at the Pharmacy Foundation breakfast. He spoke about pharmacist and patient roles for improving medication safety in the community. He is a nationally renowned author and researcher on the subject. His speech was very well received and informative. Following the keynote address, was the opening of the Exhibit Hall, which was completely sold out. Attendees mingled with the exhibitors and learned about their products. Attendees were able to purchase Michael Cohen's latest book on medication errors and have it signed by the author. More on the rest of Outlook in next week's message!
Senate Committee Meeting
The Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review met on Monday to hear from the Administration and affected parties, regarding the Governor's proposed budget cuts. After the Administration made its presentations, a series of individuals and groups testified in opposition to the proposed actions.
Kathy Lynch attended the hearing and testified on behalf of CPhA. Kathy, along with other pharmacy representatives, detailed what the impact of these proposed cuts would mean to pharmacies and the patients they serve. She further explained the various other state and federal actions that threaten the viability of independent pharmacies. All the comments pertaining to pharmacies were well-received by the Committee. The Committee took no action, but is expected to do so within the next few weeks. Please stay tuned for further information.
Governor Schwarzenegger Dream Team Luncheon
On Wednesday, Kathy Lynch and I attended Governor Schwarzenegger's Dream Team luncheon in Sacramento. Kathy and I, along with about 80 other attendees, listened to the Governor talk about his plans to transform California in the coming year and beyond. His plans include rebuilding the infrastructure, political reform and redistricting, reforming California's budget system and other worthy proposals. He was enlisting the help of all present to make these needed changes a reality. There will be many more such meetings for everyone to hear more specifics about his proposals. He is clearly dedicated to getting this done.
CSHP Names New EVP/CEO
I am happy to report that the California Society of Health-System Pharmacists has named Dawn Benton as the new Executive Vice President/CEO. As many of you are aware, Dawn has led CSHP on an interim basis since September of 2006. It's been a pleasure collaborating with her on projects and I look forward to our future work together. To read the news release regarding Dawn's background, click here.
Tamper Resistant Pads
NCPA has been working very closely with nearly 100 national and state level pharmacy and medical associations to bring conformity "to state-issued guidelines to meet the federal requirement that Medicaid prescriptions be written on tamper-resistant pads beginning April 1." CPhA thanks NCPA for helping prepare doctors for the use of tamper resistant pads. By working together, the transition to using these pads should be much smoother.
Bush Administration Calls for Pharmacy Cuts
President Bush submitted his 2009 Fiscal Year budget and, not surprisingly, he has called for more cuts to Medicaid pharmacy reimbursement services. NACDS sent out a news release and responded with a letter to the Department of Health & Human Services objecting to the proposed cuts. CPhA will work closely with NACDS and other pharmacy organizations to fight these proposed cuts and will keep you posted on progress.
In the News
Michael Negrete, CEO of the Pharmacy Foundation of California, was included in a Los Angeles Times article regarding the dangers of prescription drugs and the recent death of Heath Ledger.
Question of the Week
Dear Lynn,
Given all the legislative and political challenges that pharmacists are facing, will you tell our members how well we are doing with CPh-PAC and that we need their contributions now?
Brian Komoto
Chairman, CPh-PAC
Answer
Dear Brian,
I'd be happy to share that information. In 2007, CPh-PAC raised over $90,000 and all of that money has been appropriately and strategically committed. We need to replenish the PAC funds, especially in a year like 2008 when pharmacy is certain to face many challenges. Please send your contribution today by check to CPhA at 4030 Lennane Drive, Sacramento, CA 95834 or you can contribute online at www.cpha.com.
Pharmacy needs your help! Thanks for the question.
Sincerely,
Lynn Rolston
Chief Executive Officer
California Pharmacists Association