call to order: cdr michael crockett ([email protected] ...mar)_general...o cdr verna kuka,...
TRANSCRIPT
PharmPAC General Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 23
U.S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE Pharmacist Professional Advisory Committee
Department of Health and Human Services
Minutes of General Meeting FDA White Oak Conference Room 1419
1400 EST on 07 March 2013 __________________________________________________________________________________________________
Call to Order: CDR Michael Crockett ([email protected]), PharmPAC Chair Meeting began at 1403 EST.
Roll Call/Attendance: LCDR Rodney Waite II Name Section OPDIV CITY, STATE PRESENT Alternate PRESENT
RADM Scott Giberson CPO DCCPR Rockville, MD Yes N/A N/A
CDR Michael Crockett Chair BOP Pollock, LA Yes LCDR Tami Rodriguez
LCDR Marisol Martinez Chair-Elect DoD Fort Sam Houston, TX Yes CAPT Nita Sood
CAPT Aaron Sigler Career Develop. FDA Rockville, MD Yes LCDR Craig Kiester
CDR Kavita Dada Administration FDA Silver Spring, MD AWA LCDR Jennifer Shepherd Yes
CDR Janelle Derbis Readiness FDA Chicago, IL Yes CDR William Pierce
CDR Jefferson Fredy Career Develop. IHS Crownpoint, NM Yes LT Ashley Burns
CDR Jinhee Lee Administration SAMHSA Rockville, MD Yes CDR Alina W. Salvatore
CDR Aaron Middlekauff Recruitment DHS-CG Washington, D.C. Yes LCDR Jeffrey Eertmoed
CDR Timothy Murray Administration IHS Claremore, OK Yes CDR Dean Goroski Yes
CDR Juliette Touré Readiness FDA Silver Spring, MD Yes CDR Diem-Kieu Ngo
CDR MaryJo Zunic Communications IHS Albuquerque, NM Yes LCDR Maria Apodaca
LCDR Troy Bernardo Readiness BOP Butner, NC Yes LT Anna Stevenson Yes
LCDR Tiffanie Dunlevy Career Develop. BOP Marianna, FL Yes LT Zachary Woodward
LCDR Brittany Keener Recruitment IHS Anchorage, AK AWA LCDR Christina Eldridge Yes
LCDR Kara King Recruitment IHS Anchorage, AK Yes CDR Damion Killsback
LCDR Khang Ngo Communications IHS Taholah, WA Yes LCDR Chungah Grace Huggett
LCDR Selena Ready N/A FDA Silver Spring, MD Yes CDR Mark Miller
LCDR Jodi Tricinella Communications IHS Claremore, OK AWOA LCDR Stephanie Arnold
CAPT Greg Dill Associate CMS Chicago, IL Yes N/A
CDR Fortin Georges Associate NIH Bethesda, MD Yes N/A
CDR Carmen Kelly Associate AHRQ Rockville, MD Yes N/A
CDR Lori Hall Associate CDC Atlanta, GA No N/A
CDR Timothy Bowman Associate IC Houston, Tx Yes N/A
LCDR Kenda Jefferson Associate DHS-OS Washington, D.C. Yes N/A
LCDR Liatte Krueger Associate-JOAG FDA Parsipanny, NJ Yes N/A
CDR Peter Diak Ex-Officio FDA Silver Spring, MD Yes N/A
LCDR Rodney Waite Exec. Secretary BOP Milan, MI Yes N/A
AWA = Absent With Alternate; AWOA = Absent WithOut Alternate
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
PharmPAC General Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 23
CPO Update & CPO Open Forum: RADM Scott Giberson Please read the March 2013 CPO Report.
Key component of the open forum is the Q&A session, can be random! This is a good venue.
Key Commissioned Corps HQ messages will come through the listserv, based on the e-mails put in Direct Access.
New Dental Plan. Now Delta Dental, starting April 1st, may need to ensure dental provider is provider under this plan. Message about this to go through the aforementioned listserv on 08 March 2013.
Trying to increase the value of the Corps by increasing the value of PHS officers through: o New Hire Process: will not be giving applications UNTIL they go through new pre-screening process that
will further elucidate what the PHS entails o Promotion Cycle 2013: will be tighter going forward. The actual date of board will NOT be announced
as is confidential.
JrCOSTEP list finalized and sent to Secretary.
Eunice Chung-Davies ([email protected]) is new Special Assistant for RADM Scott Giberson.
Q: Any further information of Special Pay for BCPS, etc.? A: It is wrapped up in Consolidated Special Pay, so that it is making it take longer, but it will be approved. Advantage of doing it this way is that if any new certifications come out, having this wording will allow these to fall under it and not need re-approval. This does remain a priority.
Q: Any method of tracking how many are on these calls? A: CDR Touré will check into it.
Q: As Direct Access becomes more what we want, the importance of updating it and adding more fields of information will become more important? A: Yes, definitely. Direct Access will be used in the future to scan Corps for appropriate Officer(s) for a given vacant billet.
Q: Any talk of implementing the three promotions and freeze (“3 and Freeze”)? A: Yes, there are a number of criteria over the course of a career that we want to be looking at in the future to ensure we have right people in the beginning, middle, and end of the career spectrum.
Q: Do we have a Reserve Corp? A: Yes, but just for short term appointments (COSTEP, etc.) at this point, not for response component per OMB. Therefore, we do not have a surge capacity.
Q: Do we see true Force Management coming? A: No, but we can “force shape”. This is because we have to control the budget and have to have a set number of slots/F.T.E.s. We can still manage our careers by picking a vacancy to move into. Getting in will be harder and will have to abide by the standards while in.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
PharmPAC Open Forum: CDR Michael Crockett Information Technology Professional Advisory Group (ITPAG) Presentation by LCDR Francis Bertulfo
(Powerpoint) was disseminate by Meeting Announcement for more information). For more interest, information, then contact any of the following:
o LCDR Francis Bertulfo, Chair ([email protected]) o LCDR Mollie Ayala, Chair Elect ([email protected]) o CDR Verna Kuka, Professional Development ([email protected]) o Q: Is an IT degree commissionable?
A: It is, can contact this group for more information.
PharmPAC General Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 23
MAB Presentation by Dr. Abrams – Medical Waivers o There is a need to have people physically ready for deployment for the people of the Nation. o Basic Readiness Requirements reflect this need and to help officers meet this requirement. o Medical Waiver has been running smoothly. Based on manual circular 377
(ccrf.hhs.gov/ccrf/PHS_NO_377.pdf). o There is a misconception that obtaining a waiver will reflect negatively, but historically, this has not
been the case. It behooves an officer to obtain a waiver if he/she cannot meet a Basic Readiness item. o Medical Waiver FAQ from PharmPAC has some good recommendations and mostly reflects manual
circular 377 (ccrf.hhs.gov/ccrf/PHS_NO_377.pdf). o All the policy for this program is from DCCPR. DCCPR oversees the Medical Affairs Branch (MAB). o President’s Challenge is still around for now, but is so informal and not confirmable. Dr. Abrams’
opinion is that if you need a waiver for President’s Challenge then it maybe a Fitness for Duty issue. o Pharmacist’s often have a lot of knee and lower back injuries from standing a lot. o Permanent Waiver vs. Time-Limited (this is how Manual Circular 377 lists them): Permanent Waiver
does not mean it is permanent, but a longer term waiver. ALL WAIVERs have a time limit! o Length of Waiver: to be determined by your personal physician as they have more data on hand o Q: What if I had an immunization as a child but do not have the documentation?
A: Obtain a waiver, or can get a titer. o Q: How do I start the Medical Waiver process?
A: Put in a request stating you need a waiver first by writing, fax, or e-mail (preferred, especially if can scan/attach documentation from provider that is signed by provider and on office letterhead). Data can come from provider in any format the provider can/will send in, but does not need be a long, drawn-out batch of documentation (i.e. do not all the labs, etc.). We want just the minimum to establish the need for the waiver.
o Q: I just became pregnant, do I need a waiver? A: Yes. Request the waiver as normal (see above). Waiver will cover up to 180 days post-partum. A possible Breastfeeding Waiver in pending approval that would cover after the post-partum (from the normal Pregnancy Waiver). However, the possible Breastfeeding Waiver would not negate the need to complete and APFT, but would exempt an officer from deploying.
o MAB completes about 30-40 waivers per month, about 50% for pregnancy. o Q: If I am denied a medical waiver, then what happens?
A: You can appeal. First appeal goes to the Chief of the Medical Affairs Branch (MAB). Second Appeal goes to the Surgeon General. Have 30 days per denial to appeal. Has not been a big issue. Likely will not win appeal, unless have new information that previous request receiver did not see.
o MAB will not really argue with your provider as we feel that he/she has the training and legal responsibility to conduct care properly.
o A: Are there appeals for immunizations? Q: Yes, just need a note from your provider. Do not need a full workup. This would be a long-term waiver that would need to renewed along with your 5 Year Physical.
o Any questions, then feel free to call Dr. Abrams in MAB at 301-427-3261 __________________________________________________________________________________________________
PharmPAC General Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 23
Recruitment Section Update CDR Aaron Middlekauff ([email protected]) LCDR Brittany Keener ([email protected]) LCDR Kara King ([email protected]) Section Web Address: http://www.usphs.gov/corpslinks/pharmacy/sc_recruit.aspx UPOC volunteers are expected to respond to biannual request for contact information and enter the information to
the UPOC website. Any questions, then please contact CDR Middlekauff or LCDR Keener. Some UPOCs will be receiving a Recruitment Ribbon based on previous participation. See clarification text from section as follows:
o UPOC Expectations and Update (housekeeping notes regarding the UPOC Program) – the next UPOC
Biannual Report will be sent out next month. As a reminder, officer volunteers serving as UPOCs are
expected to maintain at least two points of contact with their assigned university(s). There is also an
expectation to respond back to the UPOC biannual reports ensuring that each officer has accomplished
at least one of the two required contacts, that they have logged their recruitment activities on the
PharmPAC Recruitment Tools Website, that the officer is still interested in continuing with the UPOC
program and inquiring if any of their information has changed. This ensures that responsive and
dedicated officers remain engaged and ready respond and serve. Any questions please e-mail CDR
Middlekauff at [email protected] or call 202-372-4126 at your convenience to discuss.
o UPOC Recruitment Service Ribbon – this was submitted for all active UPOCs that demonstrated the
required documentation from Nov 2008 through June 2012. It was submitted by DCCPR and is awaiting
approval at the Awards Board level. I have been assured that this award will be in officer’s OPF’s by the
time the promotion board meets. Unfortunately there is no mechanism to track the status of the award
once it was submitted. As soon as the Recruitment Section has an update or has further information,
we will disseminate to all officers that were submitted for the award.
USPHS Excellence in Public Health Pharmacy Practice Award – Deadline 08 March 2013. See clarification text from
section as follows:
o USPHS Excellence Award - Deadline for nomination submission for the USPHS Excellence in Public Health
Pharmacy Practice Award is March 8, 2013. Late nominations will NOT be accepted. If you have
questions please contact LCDR Brittany Keener at [email protected] or [email protected].
Schools will be notified by March 22, 2013 if their students are selected for the award.
PharmPAC Recruitment Section Website – thank you to LCDR Jerome Lee who has made many updates to the PAC
website following the 508 compliance review. If you need or haven’t checked out the PHS pharmacist search tool, it
is updated and quite impressive.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
PharmPAC General Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 23
Communication Section Update CDR MaryJo Zunic ([email protected]) LCDR Khang Ngo ([email protected]) LCDR Jodi Tricinella ([email protected]) Section Web Address: http://www.usphs.gov/corpslinks/pharmacy/sc_comms.aspx PharmPAC Perspectives Article: please submit an idea or an article
o Idea Deadline: 18 March 2013 o Article Deadline: 1 April 2013
CAPT Quinn, PharmPAC Public Health Sub-Committee: upcoming volunteer opportunity events announced with contact information given for March.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Career Development Section Update CAPT Aaron Sigler ([email protected]) CDR Jefferson Fredy ([email protected]) LCDR Tiffanie Dunlevy ([email protected]) Section Web Address: http://www.usphs.gov/corpslinks/pharmacy/sc_career.aspx Career Counseling at COA Symposium: no set date yet. We want to match up officers within same agency and
senior with junior officers. More information upcoming via listserv. __________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Readiness Section Update CDR Janelle Derbis ([email protected]) CDR Juliette Touré ([email protected]) LCDR Troy Bernardo ([email protected]) Section Web Address: http://www.usphs.gov/corpslinks/pharmacy/sc_readiness.aspx Thanks to Dr. Abrams for presentation on Medical Waivers.
Medical Waiver FAQ o Being finalized and going through approval process. Will be posted to HHS PharmPAC website and the
PharmPAC Google Fusion Website (https://sites.google.com/site/usphspharmacyreadiness/) o APFT is the ONLY reliable, measurable way to assess physical fitness.
New PharmPAC Google Fusion Website (https://sites.google.com/site/usphspharmacyreadiness/) o Has numerous tools to help you, including SmartPhone Apps, Readiness Check Countdown, Dear Jess
Column for personalized assistance, information on the PACE Program. Thanks to LT Jessica Fox for developing this website.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Administration Section Update CDR Kavita Dada ([email protected]) CDR Jinhee Lee ([email protected]) CDR Timothy Murray ([email protected]) Section Web Address: http://www.usphs.gov/corpslinks/pharmacy/sc_admin.aspx
Award nominations still open. Information sent out via listserv on the nature of the awards, etc. Can find on the PharmPAC website at: http://www.usphs.gov/corpslinks/pharmacy/sc_admin_awards.aspx
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
PAC Chair Update: CDR Michael Crockett ([email protected]) Facebook page: A Place of Honor for U.S. Public Health Service Pharmacy
o LCDR Selena Ready is the PharmPAC point of contact for the APhA Foundation’s “Paver” project. LCDR Ready can be reached via e-mail at [email protected]
o APhA is honoring Federal Pharmacy by installing special pavers in the National Mall. Donations are needed to help us meet the goal of $5,000 to have them installed, so far we have about 20%.
APhA Conference and the Federal Pharmacy Forum were held March 1st – 4th in Los Angeles, CA. Despite lower than usual attendance the meeting was a tremendous success and, PHS was well represented with over 40 officers in attendance. RADM Giberson was honored to receive the APhA Distinguished Federal Pharmacist award.
2014 Category Benchmarks: Precepts two and three were sent to the CPO by PAC by Benchmark Committee. Precepts one and four were sent from the PAC Chairs Committee to the CPO Board for review and finalization. The complete 2014 Benchmarks will be posted soon once finalized.
Specialty Pay: Compensation Policy Advisory Board has sent forth their recommendations. The process is moving along, but maybe a few more months. Specialty pay remains a priority.
National Prevention Strategy: The pharmacy category will be participating in a Combined Communications Committee at the PAC Chairs level to facilitate communicating between categories including newsletters and to jointly promote the NPS.
First week of April: National Public Health Week.
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__________________________________________________________________________________________________
PAC Chair-Elect Update: LCDR Marisol Martinez ([email protected] ) Please contact PharmPAC when need assistance, we are here to help.
USPHS Symposium is our only PHS-only event. I highly encourage your attendance, even if need to self-fund. Make sure to bring your running shoes as we will be doing an APFT.
OBC: Highly encouraged to attend pinning ceremonies and/or graduations.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Old/New Business: CDR Michael Crockett ([email protected]) LCDR Khang Ngo - USPHS Symposium Information
With the passing of the 13th U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. C. Everett Koop, COF will be honoring and celebrating the life of Dr. Koop with the first Dr. C. Everett Koop Memorial Lecture, to be delivered by the 17th U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Richard Carmona on May 21st during the Anchor and Caduceus Dinner. Tickets are available when registering for the Symposium. In addition, there will be a panel discussion featuring former U.S. Surgeons General.
Conference event planners have worked with the Renaissance Hotel to make rooms available for those who would like to stay through Memorial Day weekend, in essence, giving you the opportunity to turn your conference trip into a family vacation. A small number of rooms have been added and more are available if needed. We are currently at more than 75% booking. Be sure to use the group code USPUSPA.
Registration rates will go up after March 19th, so register for the conference now at the early bird rate.
Once again this year, the PharmPAC will offer career counseling sessions during the conference. Stay tuned for more information in the coming months.
Calling all pharmacists in the Phoenix area - If you would like to volunteer in planning the pharmacy social event, please email me directly at [email protected].
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
The meeting was adjourned at 1529 EST. __________________________________________________________________________________________________
Next Meeting Date: 04 April 2013 from 1400 to 1530 EST
White Oak Conference Room Bldg 22
Room 1419
Agenda and call-in information will be distributed prior to the meeting. __________________________________________________________________________________________________
Page 8 of 23
Pharmacy Category Action Items One Time Tasks (Arranged by Due Date)
Due Date Task
Now Review USPHS Symposium Agendas (Click here for Agenda Page link)
1st week of April National Public Health Week
Before May 21-23 Make Arrangements to attend the USPHS Symposium; Pharmacists can earn up to 13 C.E.U.s!
May 21-23 USPHS Symposium in Glendale, Arizona (see “Old/New Business Above” for more information)
Attend the USPHS Symposium
Participate in the Surgeon General’s Run
November 3rd AMSUS Meeting – Seattle, WA – November 3-8, 2013 Theme: "Federal Healthcare Leading the Way: a future of partnerships in excellence." Vision: An educational venue for the full spectrum of military and federal healthcare professionals. Objectives: * Enhance multi-specialty care across all federal healthcare settings * Discuss advances in the delivery of healthcare services * Present innovative models of care management * Improve practice skills of clinicians, surgeons, researchers and administrators * Facilitate inter-organizational and international exchange * Honor our history and traditions * Recognize outstanding performance throughout Federal Medicine Want to Present? Submit your abstract (see AMSUS attachments)
Continuous Tasks
Task (Frequency)
Review CPO Report and complete its Action Items (Monthly)
PharmPAC Perspectives Newsletter Review new issues (Quarterly) Volunteer to submit articles to the Communication Section (Whenever you can!)
PharmPAC Meetings/Minutes Review previous minutes if missed meeting (Monthly) Review Liaison Reports for Agency Specific Information (Monthly) Attend future meeting (first Thursday of the month at 1400 EST)
Annual Physical Fitness Test (APFT) Use APFT Locator to find an event Complete an APFT (Annually – before last APFT expires)
USPHS Awards (Done annually, generally in March) Review Criteria (http://staging.usphs2.cit.nih.gov/corpslinks/pharmacy/sc_admin_awards.aspx) Nominate eligible officer(s), submitting all material as ONE .pdf to the Administration Section
Page 9 of 23
Useful Links and Contact Info:
E-Mails [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Listservs
PHS Pharmacists https://list.nih.gov/archives/phs-pharmacists.html
PHS Rx Students https://list.nih.gov/archives/phs-rx-students.html
OFRD https://list.nih.gov/cgi-bin/wa.exe?A0=ofrd
RPh Job Vacancies https://list.nih.gov/archives/phs-rx-jobs.html
CCMIS http://ccmis.usphs.gov/ccmis
CC Vacancies https://list.nih.gov/archives/ccvacancies-l.html
PHS Immunizing Pharmacists https://list.nih.gov/archives/phs-immunizing-pharm.html
JOAG https://list.nih.gov/archives/joag.html
Websites
PharmPac http://www.usphs.gov/corpslinks/pharmacy
CCMIS http://dcp.psc.gov
USPHS http://www.usphs.gov
OFRD http://ccrf.hhs.gov/ccrf/
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/USPHSPharmacists
JOAG http://www.usphs.gov/corpslinks/joag/
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
--Respectfully Submitted, ___Rodney C. Waite II_________________/ __04 April 2013 LCDR Rodney Waite II, Executive Secretary Date ___CDR Michael Crockett_____________/____04 April 2013_ CDR Michael Crockett, Chair Date __________________________________/________________ RADM Scott Giberson, CPO Date
Page 10 of 23
Attachments
Recurring Attachments
ATTACHMENT NAME ATTACHED THIS MONTH?
BOP Liaison Report Yes
CDC Liaison Report Yes
CMS Liaison Report No
COA Liaison Report Yes
FDA Liaison Report Yes
IHS Liaison Report Yes
JOAG Liaison Report Yes
NIH Liaison Report Yes
Recruitment Report No
CPO Update No
Special Attachments None
Page 11 of 23
BOP Liaison Report • RADM Chris Bina, CDR Kathleen Dotson and Lt Jacklyn Finocchio have deployed to Saipan, Commonwealth of Northern
Mariana Islands. RADM Bina replaced RADM Kendig as Officer In Charge on Jan 20th, 2013 and will remain for the
duration of the mission.
• The BOP has reached 90 Collaborative Practice Agreements (CPA) in place for 54 pharmacists. Interest and
development of CPAs continues to grow each month. Current CPAs include Anticoagulation, Lipids, HIV,
Aminoglycosides, Erythropoetin Stimulating, HCV, Diabetes, Pain Management and Psychotherapy.
• CAPT Mike Dupree, CDR Mike Crockett, LT Michelle Williams, and LT Stephen Rabe represented the BOP at the
recruitment booth at the APHA conference in Las Angeles.
Page 12 of 23
CDC Liaison Report
March, 2013 Updates MMWR: Interim Adjusted Estimates of Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness — United States, February 2013 February 22, 2013 / 62(07);119-123 Early influenza activity during the 2012–13 season enabled estimation of the unadjusted effectiveness of the seasonal influenza vaccine. The report presents updated adjusted estimates based on 2,697 children and adults enrolled in the U.S. Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness (Flu VE) Network during December 3, 2012–January 19, 2013.
CDC Science Clips: Volume 5, Issue 7, February 18, 2013 CDC Science Clips is an online bibliographic digest featuring scientific articles and publications that are shared with the public health community each week, to enhance awareness of emerging scientific knowledge. Below, are some CDC-authored publications related to pharmacy practice:
Receipt of systemic corticosteroids during asthma visits to U.S. emergency departments, 2007-2009 Simon AE, Akinbami LJ. J Asthma. 2013 Feb 12.
Aspirin in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease Parekh AK, Galloway JM, Hong Y, Wright JS. N Engl J Med. 2013 Jan 17;368(3):204-5.
Community-onset invasive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections following hospital discharge Duffy J, Dumyati G, Bulens S, Namburi S, Gellert A, Fridkin SK, Lessa FC. Am J Infect Control. 2013 Feb 5.
Community-associated Clostridium difficile infection: how real is it? Lessa FC. Anaerobe. 2013 Feb 8.
CDC Health Advisory: New Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Warrant Additional Action by Healthcare Providers Because of increased reports of Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), CDC is alerting clinicians about the need for additional prevention steps regarding CRE. CDC continues to recommend that facilities follow the CDC guidance for preventing the spread of CRE in healthcare settings http://www.cdc.gov/hai/organisms/cre/cre-toolkit/index.html.
CDC Public Health Grand Rounds – Reducing the Burden of HPV-associated Cancer and Disease through Vaccination in the US was held on Tuesday, February 19 and the webcast is now archived for viewing. This program is a
designated event for pharmacists to receive 1.0 Contact Hours in pharmacy education. The next Grand Rounds presentation will be on Teen Pregnancy on Tuesday, March 19th at 1pm EST. Future Grand Rounds topics will include: Immunization.
Vital Signs: Child Injury This month’s Vital Signs report explains that even though child injuries are preventable, more than 9,000 children died from injuries
in the US in 2009. Car crashes, suffocation, drowning, poisoning, fires, and falls are some of the most common ways children are hurt
or killed. The number of children dying from injury dropped nearly 30% over the last decade. However, injury is still the number 1
cause of death among children. Read more about what CDC recommends can be done.
Page 13 of 23
COA Liaison Report
COA is dedicated to improving and protecting the public health of the United States by addressing unmet health
needs and providing support for more than 7,000 members.
Announcements:
From the Deputy Surgeon General
03/06/2013 - Hi PHS physical activity enthusiasts!
On top of the group opportunities for us as PHS officers to not only "talk the talk, but walk the walk" (or "run the run" or "bike the
bike")through activities such as the Army Ten Miler or the Marine Corps Marathon, I'd like to introduce another group physical
adventure.
I've been part of a group of PHS officers and "friends of PHS" who annually do multi-day bicycle camping rides of the C&O Canal
trail and/or GAP Trail. This year we're expanding our horizons to participate in an organized ride in the state of Michigan. The route
we're doing is the 5 day UP (Upper Peninsula ) ride, riding over 300 miles with hundreds of other bikers and camping along the way.
Registration is now open at web site: Visit DALMAC!. If interested it is suggested to register as soon as possible, this ride tends to fill
up fast.
So far from the DC area we have 5 officers and 2 friends of PHS ready to go. Consider signing up - it would be a blast to show the
PHS colors! Share this message with others as you see fit. Note: this is not an official USPHS activity, just a bunch of us having an
adventure and exercising together!
The plan: Transport to East Lansing, Michigan on your own--carpooling encouraged. In the DC area we'd carpool out from Rockville
in vehicles with bike racks on Tuesday August 27 (8-10 hour car trip), camp at East Lansing that night, leave our cars there, start the
ride on Wednesday 8/28, complete the ride Sunday 9/1 and shuttle back to East Lansing and camp out, then drive back to the DC
area on Monday 9/2 (Labor Day). They have one-way bus transportation from the endpoint for riders and bikes ($55 separate fee)
back to East Lansing on 9/1. This is a fully-supported ride, camp areas and two meals per day (breakfast and dinner) provided. The
5-day ride is $230 per person.
Do let me know if you're interested or if you've registered -- [email protected].
I appreciate all the work you do as PHS officers but also your dedication to physical fitness and living the tenets of the Surgeon
General's Healthy and Fit Nation and the National Prevention Strategy.
RADM Boris D. Lushniak, MD, MPH
Deputy Surgeon General
US Public Health Service
Page 14 of 23
Passing of a Public Health Lion: C. Everett Koop, MD, ScD
02/25/2013 - The Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S. Public Health Service mourns the passing of the 13th U.S. Surgeon
General, Dr. C. Everett Koop, who died on February 25, 2013 in Hanover, New Hampshire. We extend our deepest sympathies to
the Koop family.
Dr. Koop lived for 96 wonderful years and left an amazing impact on his patients, our nation, and beyond. Born in Brooklyn, New
York, Dr. Koop became a prominent pediatric surgeon and later served as one of our most influential Surgeons General. Dr. Koop
was a leader devoted to improving the health of Americans.
Doctor Koop will be remembered for many contributions to the health of the nation but surely his most enduring legacies will be the
hundreds of thousands of lives he lengthened and saved by his courageous stands on tobacco use and HIV/AIDs, as well as his
leadership of and continuing support for the PHS Commissioned Corps he loved so dearly.
While many organizations will carry on the important work of Dr. Koop, his most visible legacy will be carried out by the uniformed
officers of the PHS Commissioned Corps. Dr. Koop's integrity, fearless commitment to speak truth to power, and dedication to the
well-being of the Corps he led stand as permanent lessons on officership and leadership.
This association and foundation will sadly but proudly transition the Dr. C. Everett Koop Honorary Lecture to the first Dr. C. Everett
Koop Memorial Lecture to be delivered by the 17th Surgeon General, Dr. Rich Carmona on May 21st at the PHS Scientific and
Training Symposium. We will miss the wise counsel provided by Dr. Koop in his capacity as an Honorary Trustee of the foundation.
Dr. Koop was a dear friend of the COA and honorary trustee of the PHS Commissioned Officers Foundation. We will miss him
always. Our country and the Commissioned Corps are much better today having had Dr. C. Everett Koop in our midst.
Dr. Koop full bio...
Death of RADM Steve Thacker, USPHS (Ret)
02/25/2013 - RADM Steve Thacker, USPHS (Ret), Director of the Office of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Service at
CDC and a world renowned public health leader, passed away on February 15, 2013 at his home in Atlanta after a long illness. Click
below to read RADM Thacker’s obituary
RADM Steve Thacker Obituary
Furlough Decision Announced
02/22/2013 –Video accessible at: http://www.coausphs.org/
COA Seeks Nominations for Board of Directors
Page 15 of 23
02/14/2013 - COA is seeking nominations for the Board of Directors. For full details and criteria, please click the link below. Deadline
is March 15, 2013.
COA Seeks Nominations for Board of Directors
Phoenix Branch COA Charity Golf Tournament
02/14/2013 - The Phoenix Branch will be hosting a charity golf tournament on Sunday May 19, 2013 at the Falcon Dunes Golf Club.
For more information click on the link below.
Phoenix Branch COA Charity Golf Tournament
Government Executive Takes up PHS Commissioned Corps Furloughs
02/12/2013 - The current on-line edition of Government Executive includes an article by investigative reporter Kellie Lunney about
COA's ongoing efforts to ensure that the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) follows the law when it comes to the
PHS Commissioned Corps and furloughs in the event of a govenment shutdown.
Ms. Lunney describes COA's actions to obtain a substantive reply from DHHS detailing the department's legal justification for finding
that PHS officers are not exempt from furloughs when all the other six uniformed services are exempt. COA's repeated requests for
answers and more transparency on this issue have been ignored by the Department. A FOIA request submitted in 2011 remains
unanswered despite repeated calls from the association to the department's FOIA office.
Read the full Government Executive Article here...
New Co-Pays for Some TRICARE Pharmacy Customers
01/29/2013 - New copayments for prescription drugs covered by TRICARE will go into effect February 1, 2013. The Fiscal Year 2013
National Defense Authorization Act requires TRICARE to increase copays on brand name and non-formulary medications that are
not filled at military clinics or hospitals. There is no increase to copays for generic medications. Increases will be effective sometime
in February, depending on when system changes can be made, and the publication of a required Federal Notice.
TRICARE Pharmacy copays vary based on the class of drug and where beneficiaries choose to fill their prescriptions. The copay for
generic medications stays at $5 when a prescription is filled at a network pharmacy. There is no co-pay when generic prescriptions
are filled through TRICARE Home Delivery. The new copay for a 30-day supply of a brand name medication purchased at a retail
network pharmacy will be $17, up from the current $12. Beneficiaries using TRICARE Home Delivery will pay $13 for brand name
drugs, up from $9. However, the Home Delivery price is for a 90-day supply.
The greatest change in copays applies to non-formulary medications. The $25 copay for these drugs increases to $44 at retail
pharmacies and $43 through Home Delivery. The TRICARE Uniform Formulary is a list of all the medications TRICARE covers.
For fiscal 2014 and beyond, the new law directs that copays increase annually by the same percentage as retiree cost-of-living
adjustments. In years when a COLA increase would total less than a dollar, it will be delayed a year and combined with the next
adjustment so increases will always be $1 or more.
Pharmacies at military hospitals and clinics will continue to provide medications with no copays.
- courtesy of MOAA
Visit www.TRICARE.mil/pharmacycosts for more details.
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FDA Liaison Report
FDA AGENCY REPORT – March 2013
Report to the USPHS PharmPAC
Submitted by FDA Agency Liaison: LT Sadhna Khatri, MS, Pharm.D, Office of Communications,
Division of Drug Information.
Here is a summary of recent product safety, product approvals and announcements to keep you informed
about FDA issues. A brief summary of each issue and a web link to detailed information on the FDA
website is included.
PRODUCT SAFETY:
Sensipar (Cinacalcet Hydrochloride): Drug Safety Communication - FDA Suspends Pediatric
Clinical Trials After Report Of Death (Feb 26, 2013)
FDA has stopped all pediatric clinical trials of Sensipar (cinacalcet hydrochloride) after the recent death of a 14-year-old
patient in a trial. More information
Lumenis VersaCut Tissue Morcellator: Class 1 Recall - Labeling Correction - Potential For Air
Embolisms To Occur If Tubing Is Hooked Up Backwards (Feb 25, 2013)
This product may cause serious adverse health consequences, including death. More information
Maxiloss Weight Advanced Softgels: Recall - Undeclared Drug Ingredient (Feb 25, 2013)
Product marketed as dietary supplement contains drug ingredient Sibutramine, and may present a significant risk to
patients with a history of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, or stroke. More information
Omontys (peginesatide) Injection by Affymax and Takeda: Recall of All Lots - Serious
Hypersensitivity Reactions (Feb 23, 2013)
Affymax, Inc. and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited along with FDA are informing the public of a voluntary recall of all lots of OMONTYS® (peginesatide) Injection to the user level as a result of new postmarketing reports regarding serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening or fatal. More information
Vistide (Cidofovir Injection) by Gilead: Recall - Presence Of Particulate Matter(Feb 16, 2013)
Gilead Sciences, Inc. is voluntarily recalling lot B120217A of Vistide® (cidofovir injection) to the user level due to the
presence of particulate matter found in some vials of this lot. More information
Safety Labeling Changes: January 2013 (Feb 8, 2013)
The summary view includes drug products with safety labeling changes to the BOXED WARNING, CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS, PRECAUTIONS, ADVERSE REACTIONS, or PATIENT PACKAGE INSERT/MEDICATION GUIDE sections. More information
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Z Pro High Protein Supplement: Recall - Undeclared Soy And Milk (Feb 4, 2013)
R-Kane Products, Inc, Pennsauken, NJ is recalling all outstanding supplies of its Z PRO HIGH PROTEIN SUPPLEMENT, because it contains soy and milk, allergens which are not declared on the labels of individual packets of the product. More information
For more product safety information, please visit our MedWatch website.
PRODUCT APPROVALS AND CLEARANCES:
FDA approves Osphena for postmenopausal women experiencing pain during sex (Feb 26, 2013)
FDA approved Osphena (ospemifene) to treat women experiencing moderate to severe dyspareunia (pain during sexual intercourse), a symptom of vulvar and vaginal atrophy due to menopause. More information
FDA approves Stivarga for advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (Feb 26, 2013)
FDA expanded the approved use of Stivarga (regorafenib) to treat patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) that cannot be surgically removed and no longer respond to other FDA-approved treatments for this disease. More information
FDA approves new treatment for late-stage breast cancer (Feb 22, 2013)
FDA approved Kadcyla (ado-trastuzumab emtansine), a new therapy for patients with HER2-positive, late-stage (metastatic) breast cancer. More information
FDA approves new silicone gel-filled breast implant (Feb 20, 2013)
FDA approved the Natrelle 410 Highly Cohesive Anatomically Shaped Silicone-Gel Filled Breast Implant to increase breast size (augmentation) in women at least 22 years old and to rebuild breast tissue (reconstruction) in women of any age. More information
FDA approves first retinal implant for adults with rare genetic eye disease(Feb 14, 2013)
FDA approved the Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System, the first implanted device to treat adult patients with advanced retinitis pigmentosa. More information
FDA Approves Pomalyst for Advanced Multiple Myeloma (Feb 8, 2013)
FDA approved Pomalyst (pomalidomide) to treat patients with multiple myeloma whose disease progressed after being treated with other cancer drugs. More information
FDA Approval of Generic Version of Cancer Drug Doxil is Expected to Help Resolve Shortage (Feb
4, 2013)
FDA approved the first generic version of the cancer drug Doxil (doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection). Doxil is currently on FDA’s drug shortage list. For products on the shortage list, the FDA’s Office of Generic Drugs is using a priority review system to expedite the review of generic applications to help alleviate shortages. More information
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FDA Approves New Drug for the Chronic Management of Some Urea Cycle Disorders (Feb 1, 2013)
FDA approved Ravicti (glycerol phenylbutyrate) for the chronic management of some urea cycle disorders in patients ages 2 years and older. More information
For more information on drug approvals or to view prescribing information and patient information, please visit
Drugs@FDA or DailyMed
RESOURCES:
Drug Shortages
The information provided in this section is provided voluntarily by manufacturers. More information
FDA Basics
Each month, different Centers and Offices at FDA will host an online session where the public can ask questions to senior FDA officials about a specific topic or just listen in to learn more about FDA. More information
FDA Voice
FDA voice is the official blog from FDA's senior leadership and staff. More information
Medical Prouct Safety Network (Medsun)
Medsun improves FDA's understanding of problems with the use of medical devices so that the FDA, healthcare facilities, clinicians, and manufacturers can better address safety concerns. The Medsun newsletter provides monthly updates about timely medical device issues that may impact patient safety. More information
CONSUMER UPDATES:
Consumer Update: Don’t Double Up on Acetaminophen
More than 600 medications, both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC), contain the active ingredient
acetaminophen to help relieve pain and reduce fever. Taken carefully and correctly, these medicines can be safe
and effective. But taking too much acetaminophen can lead to severe liver damage. More information
Consumer Update: At FDA, Pharmacists Answer Your Call
From their offices in Silver Spring, Md., FDA pharmacists answer thousands of calls to 1-888-INFO-FDA each
year. More information
Please visit Consumer Updates for more information.
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IHS Liaison Report
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JOAG Liaison Report
JUNIOR OFFICER ADVISORY GROUP (JOAG)
UNITED STATES PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
DATE: March 7, 2013
TO: Pharmacist Professional Advisory Committee
FROM: LCDR Liatte Krueger
SUBJECT: JOAG Liaison Report – INFORMATION
o Mark your calendars for the next Journeyman Speaker Series. On Friday, March 8, 2013 at 1300 EST, we are
honored to have CDR Charlene Majersky and Dr. Gordon Hughes speaking on a timely and important professional
development topic: "Workplace Bullying". Call-in information is 1-213-342-3000 (long distance charges apply);
access code: 6904646.
o The March Career Fair List can be found on the JOAG website at:
http://www.usphs.gov/corpslinks/JOAG/resources_careerfairs.aspx in both Google Maps and Google Calendar
formats. The list is also attached here in Excel format. We encourage all junior officers to get out there and represent
the Corps and use the attached PHS Career Fair Resources Guide for tips and information.
JOAG March 2013 Career Fairs.xlsx
JOAG Career Fair Resources document-7-2011.doc
o JOAG Welcoming Committee is requesting pictures of Junior Officers wearing their uniform and working at their
duty station, partaking in deployments and being involved in community activities that will be used in a collage that
will be on display at the 2013 USPHS Symposium in AZ. Please contact [email protected] for specific
questions regarding what pictures to send in and prior approval requirements. Send your pictures to LCDR Bond by
COB Friday, March 8, 2013.
o OAG is announcing Special Pricing on PHS pride merchandise, which includes: coins, coin racks, water bottles,
towels, and JOAG T-shirts in a limited number of sizes. These prices are only available through April 30, 2013! If
you purchase a coin rack, you’ll receive a free coin to get your collection started! Pictures of all merchandise can be
found on the Merchandise section of the JOAG Website: http://www.usphs.gov/corpslinks/JOAG/merchandise.aspx.
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JOAG_Merchandise_Order_Form Special Pricing.pdf
Please see the attached order form for the new prices and ordering instructions. Before submitting your order, please
contact the JOAG Financial Liaison, LCDR Tina Walther at [email protected] /(301) 796-5086.
NEXT JOAG MEETING:
General Member Meeting April 12, 2013; 1300 - 1500 EST.
Journeyman Lecture Series Meeting March 8, 2013; 1300 - 1400 EST.
Call-in information is 1-213-342-3000 (long distance charges apply); access code: 6904646.
Page 23 of 23
NIH Liaison Report Monday, 3/4/2013 - Toddler 'functionally cured' of HIV infection, NIH-supported investigators report A two-year-old child born with HIV infection and treated with antiretroviral drugs beginning in the first days of life no longer has detectable levels of virus using conventional testing despite not taking HIV medication for 10 months, according to findings presented today at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in Atlanta. The case study was presented at the CROI meeting by Deborah Persaud, M.D., associate professor of infectious diseases at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center in Baltimore, and Katherine Luzuriaga, M.D., professor of pediatrics and molecular medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester. “This case suggests that providing antiretroviral therapy within the very first few days of life to infants infected with HIV through their mothers via pregnancy or delivery may prevent HIV from establishing a reservoir, or hiding place, in their bodies and, therefore, achieve a cure for those children,” said Dr. Persaud. NIAID and NICHD provided funding that supported the collaborating investigators involved in the analysis of the HIV-infected child through the International Maternal Pediatric Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trials Network’s (IMPAACT) cooperative agreement grant AI066832. http://www.nih.gov/news/health/mar2013/niaid-04.htm Wednesday 1/9/2013 - Getting to the Bottom of Intestinal Inflammation and Cancer One of the dangers of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is the risk of developing intestinal cancers, such as colorectal cancer. Results from a study suggest that fingolimod, a drug already approved to treat multiple sclerosis, could decrease or possibly stop the progression of IBD-related cancers. Using a mouse model, researchers showed that increased production of an enzyme causes intestinal cells to produce more molecules that trigger intestinal inflammation and cancer. Giving fingolimod to the mice decreased these activities. The scientists are planning more experiments to understand the link between inflammatory disease and intestinal cancers and to help test the multiple sclerosis drug as a potential new treatment for IBD-related cancers. This work also was supported by NIH’s National Cancer Institute; National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; National Human Genome Research Institute; and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.news.vcu.edu/news/Multiple_Sclerosis_Drug_May_One_Day_Treat_Colorectal_Cancer Wednesday 01/02/2013 - Itchy Wool Sweaters Explained Johns Hopkins researchers have uncovered strong evidence that mice have a specific set of nerve cells that signal itch but not pain, a finding that may settle a decades-long debate about these sensations, and, if confirmed in humans, help in developing treatments for chronic itch, including itch caused by life-saving medications. At the heart of their discovery is a type of sensory nerve cell whose endings receive information from the skin and relay it to other nerves in the spinal cord, which then coordinates a response to the stimulus. Published online Dec. 23 in Nature Neuroscience, a report on the research suggests that even when the itch-specific nerve cells receive stimuli that are normally pain-inducing, the message they send isn’t “That hurts!” but rather “That itches!” This work was supported by grants from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NS054791, NS047399, NS014624, and NS070814), the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (GM087369) and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/itchy_wool_sweaters_explained