The NPA is working with LPCs and PCTs to develop a process for assuring the quality of commissioning of community pharmacy services. The aim of the project is to increase constructive dialogue between contractors and commissioners, increase the level of local investment in pharmacy services and improve PCT performance right the way around the commissioning cycle.

Promoting the project to NHS managers at a Primary Care Commissioning workshop in London today, Stephen Fishwick, NPA Head of External Relations said:

“Our plan is to research pharmacy contractors’ perspectives on the nature of local commissioning of pharmacy services. The NPA will make arrangements for collecting pharmacy contractors’ views and the results will be collated centrally, so that a national picture, as well as regional (SHA) and PCT-by-PCT level analysis is possible. The data will be interpreted and presented in such a way as to map across to the World Class Commissioning competencies laid out by the Department of Health.”

“The results at national level will be used to identify actions that the Department of Health may wish to take forward to address deficiencies, as well as to identify best practice. Regional results will be used to identify actions required at SHA level and could inform a regional workshop programme to kick-start improvements. PCT level results would be used in connection with the World Class Commissioning assurance process.”

The project is being developed with World Class Commissioning in mind, and is therefore applicable in England. It is however adaptable for use outside of England and the NPA is currently considering its application to LHBs in Wales.

Source
National Pharmacy Association

The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) submitted comments to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology’s (ONC) request for feedback on determining criteria for the term “meaningful use” of electronic records (EHRs), prepared by ONC’s HIT Policy Committee.

In developing and implementing an EHR for the health care system that will transform health care delivery and ensure the outcomes desired, EHR system development, implementation, and access must occur by all health care providers from whom patients are receiving care. APhA contends that inclusion of a pharmacy EHR into the HIT infrastructure will make significant contributions to meeting the health outcomes policy priorities, care goals, and short and long term objectives for “meaningful use.”

- APhA’s comments focused on the important role that pharmacists can play in enhancing the meaningful use of EHR and in achieving the goals envisioned across the continuum of health care, including:

- Recognition of the incidence and significance of medication-related problems in the U.S. and the important role that pharmacists providing medication therapy management can provide to achieve the desired goals of eliminating medication errors and addressing medication-related problems.

- Recognition of the need for EHR system development, implementation and access by all health care providers, including pharmacists, from whom patients are receiving care to create the most comprehensive EHR and provide all health care providers the highest level of “meaningful use “of these records.

- Support for the adoption, integration and use of EHR systems in all health care sectors by all health care providers, including pharmacists, that includes incentives for the implementation of these systems.

- Acknowledgement that current electronic systems rarely connect the silos of medical records and pharmacy and that the interconnectivity of all systems with appropriate access by all healthcare providers, patients and their caregivers is essential to “meaningful use”.

- Recognition of the significant contribution that pharmacists can provide to the EHR to achieve “meaningful use” and desired benefits of HIT within the health care system.

View APhA’s complete comments and recommendations .

Source
American Pharmacists Association (APhA)

The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) advises consumers to take acetaminophen products as recommended on the labeling and seek guidance from pharmacists or other healthcare providers on evaluating medication options. This recommendation comes as the gov/” rel=”nofollow”>Food and Drug Administration (FDA) convened a public advisory committee meeting on June 29 and June 30, 2009 regarding acetaminophen use in both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription (Rx) products, the potential for liver injury, and potential interventions to reduce the incidence of liver injury.

The committee recommended a range of options for the FDA to consider from putting warning labels on products to pulling certain medicines from the market. The FDA will take the recommendations into consideration before taking any action and is not obligated to follow the recommendations of the advisory committee.

“Acetaminophen is an effective, long utilized medication in relieving patient pain and fever, and is considered safe when used according to the directions on product labeling,” said Ed Hamilton, PharmD, FAPhA, and APhA President. “As the FDA considers the recommendations made by the committee, we urge consumers not to panic, but to take acetaminophen containing products and any other medicines as directed by the product label or prescription label. Consumers are also encouraged to ask questions. Pharmacists are here to answer consumers questions about medications and can help them identify which ones may have acetaminophen.”

What should consumers do?

- If taking acetaminophen containing products (commonly referred to as Tylenol® or APAP), always take according to current directions and dosing instructions.

- Healthy adults should not exceed 4 grams (4000mg) of acetaminophen per day. Others should seek advice from their pharmacist or other health care provider for appropriate dosing limits.

- Always read OTC and Rx medication labels before each use, follow the directions, and if you have questions, ask the pharmacist or other health care provider.

- If a dosing device is included with a specific medication, use only that device for that medication.

- Check the active ingredients of OTC and Rx medications to ensure that multiple products do not contain acetaminophen. Generally, taking multiple products containing acetaminophen is not advisable due to the risk of exceeding the maximum daily dose and liver damage.

- Store all medications appropriately, keep all medications out of the reach of children, and always return medications to a proper storage location following each use.

- Seek medical advice immediately if you or someone you know may have taken too much acetaminophen.

- Advise your health care providers of all Rx, OTC, herbal and dietary supplement products taken regularly or on an as needed basis.

Source
American Pharmacists Association (APhA)