To advance the concept of pharmacy care. To

ensure the economic viability and security of

Independent Pharmacy; To provide a forum for

Independent Pharmacy to exchange information

and develop strategies, goals and objectives; To

address the unique business and professional

issues of independent pharmacies; To develop

and implement marketing opportunities for

members of the Academy with emphasis on the

third party prescription drug program/benefit

market; To provide educational programs designed

to enhance the managerial skills of Independent

Pharmacy Owners and Managers; and, To establish

and implement programs and services designed to

assist Independent Pharmacy Owners and

Managers.

AIP Mission Statement

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE:

1. Go to www.gpha.org

2. Go to Navigation on the bottom left hand side

of the page and click Academy Central

3. Click AIP

Compounder’s Corner Dale Coker, RPh, FIACP, Compounding Section Chairman

There can be no disagreement that change in our profession is a certainty. As crazy as it seems now, my first

few years in practice, I was typing prescription labels on a typewriter, and not even labeling the name of the

drug unless the prescriber had checked on the pad for it to be labeled. We have seen good changes and changes

that continue to drive us crazy (does PBM dominance of our industry fit here?). While on the subject of PBMs, it

will be interesting to see what happens in the next five years as more and more compounding pharmacies have

decided to bill insurance for compounded preparations, especially when AWP is changed to WAC or AMP or

WHACK or SHAZAM!

There have also been several challenges over the past 30 years regarding the regulation of pharmacy

compounding. Court cases have been heard concerning issues from a compounding pharmacy’s ability to

advertise to the use of “commercial equipment” in a community pharmacy setting. Once in a while,

unfortunate instances occur which bring about momentous change in any industry. We now find ourselves

in the midst of such a time. Some of the changes that will result from the NECC tragedy will be good for our

profession and good for the protection of the people we have taken an oath to protect. Some of those proposed

changes would not be good for the profession nor to our patients. That is why we must do all we can to keep

the regulation of compounding with state boards of pharmacy. Our national organizations (APhA, NCPA, IACP,

to name a few) are all in accord that regulation needs to stay at the state level. Membership in these

organizations is the very least we should do to preserve states’ rights in the regulation of pharmacy

compounding. Please do your part!

Costco launches PBM Costco Health Solutions promoted to small businesses January 18, 2013 | By Alaric DeArment

Costco has entered the pharmacy benefit management business, according to published reports.

In an article in the January 2013 issue of Costco Connection magazine, the club warehouse retailer is promoting the new PBM, Costco Health Solutions, to small business owners. Pharmaceutical industry consultant Adam Fein noted on his blog, Drug Channels, that Costco was seeking to emulate the tactics already used by CVS Caremark, Walgreens and Walmart to drive prescription growth.

In a note to investors on Thursday, Citi analyst Deborah Weinswig wrote that the retailer was offering Costco Business Prescription Insurance to employers with at least 50 employees who are self-funded, with EnvisionRx believed to be providing the back-end PBM infrastructure. Still, Weinswig wrote that she expects "little traction."

Benefits for Healthcare Providers: Sharing health information with your patient's care team can take up a lot of your time, as well as the resources of your office. Surescripts' clinical interoperability solutions help by allowing physicians and other health care providers to securely send and receive clinical information electronically with peers locally, regionally and nationally. Information you can securely share over the Surescripts network includes:

Patient Summaries & Referrals

Immunization Records

Discharge Summaries & Transfer of Care

Lab Results & Notes

Continuity of Care Documents

Medication History

The ability to communicate electronically to other healthcare providers using different EHR technology, and across regional networks and health systems means that you can exchange clinical information more quickly and efficiently while improving patient care.

The Surescripts Network for Clinical Interoperability - Continued from Page 7

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Chairman’s Message

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 3 V O L U M E 1 7 , I S S U E 2

An official publication of GPhA’s Academy of Independent Pharmacy

The mission of AIP is to ensure the economic viability and security of independent pharmacy, and to

advance the concept of pharmacy care designed to enhance patient quality of life and positive outcomes.

The Independent News

It’s time again for my monthly letter to each of you. I almost can’t find the keyboard to type because my desk is so cluttered with things to do. I was told by my wife recently that the reason I stay behind is that my desk was a mess. I just smiled as I know it is better to agree with her than to go into the reasons why she might be wrong. I think in this letter I may just go over a few things that are in the “piles” of paper.

I can see the agenda for the next AIP Board meeting we are having on February 13th. These meetings are rarely ones in which we just visit and laugh the night away. They are working meetings where we laugh some, we cry some, but we work hard to solve the problems we are all facing. The night of the Board Meeting we will address Smart D, front end opportunities, CE credits at the Convention and a few more hot topics, which leads me into VIP Day.

VIP Day is February 14th. Starts early. Breakfast at the Depot and then on to meet with our Legislators. If you did like I asked last month, you have already called your local Legislators and now it’s time to let Andy Freeman know who is coming. You will get to sit with them that morning and then visit them again at the Capital. Andy can talk to them all day, but when you talk to them, it means so much more. You will be pleased this year with the way our Pharmacy Bills are coming together. More potential for greater help in your store than ever. Mercer is letting just about their whole student body come. We have to outnumber the students this year and we need you there. If you don’t come, then don’t complain if what we are trying to do comes up short. Give up that day and make a difference.

Just sent two emails to a VP with Smart D. I have been in touch with him about MAC pricing. It is being looked at right now and I am sharing invoices with him so he can see what can be done. You have to believe that SmartD is working to see what they can to help us out. Also I have printed out my Med Check Up sheet and we will start doing check-ups next month. Looks easy so far. I know some will say that this isn’t much, but we aren’t getting any response from certain PBM’s when we call to ask to be put in their Preferred Networks or for help with MAC pricing.

One other item on my desk is a note to pick one of my co-workers to attend the meeting in Atlanta on March 10th to hear Gabe Trahan help us with our front end business. Ask Laird Miller what a difference his suggestions make and change the focus on revitalizing what is in front of the counter. With his vision, we can see things like Mason Vitamin sales and promotions, clearer signage, newer products, niche markets specific for your area help make this area profitable again. Is it time to do CPR on your store front ? Attend this meeting and find out how.

The last thing on my desk is my check book. Seems lighter than it has ever been before. I am relying heavily on what we do as a group to keep the check book alive and well. In the movie, “It’s A Wonderful Life”, the main character has a chance to go back and see what life in his town would have been like without him. It wasn’t pleasant. Since we live in the real world and not in a movie, I can’t imagine what our life would be like if we didn’t have AIP working hard each day for all of us. Be a strong member and attend VIP Day, call your Legislator and become their friend and contact, come to Atlanta and see Gabe Trahan’s program on front end management and finally stay in touch with others in our group and let us work together to keep our businesses viable. Time to go for now. Oh yeah, my desk is still a mess and probably will stay that way. I can’t imagine I’ll ever catch up because there is always a new challenge rolling down the hill. That’s Pharmacy. Talk to you next month. Drew

2 0 1 3 - 2 0 1 4

B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R S

Drew Miller, R.Ph., CDM Chairman

Mark Parris, R.Ph. Chairman Elect

E. Laird Miller, R.Ph. Secretary

Ira Katz, R.Ph. Immediate Past Chairman

Jim Bracewell

Hugh Chancy, R.Ph.

Ben Cravey, R.Ph.

Carolyn Florence, R.Ph.

George Launius, R.Ph.

Jonathan Marquess, Pharm.D., CDE, CPT

Pamala Marquess, Pharm.D.

Mac McCord, R.Ph.

Ivey B. McCurdy, Pharm.D., CDM

Scott Meeks, R.Ph.

Fred Sharpe, R.Ph.

Tim Short, R.Ph.

A I P S T A F F

Jeff L. Lurey, R.Ph.

AIP Director

Verouschka Betancourt-Whigham

Programs Coordinator

Rhonda Bonner

Member Services Representative

Charles D. Boone

Member Services Representative

Shannon Ferguson

Member Services Representative

Gene Smith

Member Services Representative

Sign Up Today!!

AIP & NCPA present Front End Overhaul

one-day intensive CE program by Gabe Trahan (7.5 CE)

Sunday, March 10th Atlanta, GA

P A G E 2

Board Seal on Rx Pads

T H E I N D E P E N D E N T N E W S

The deadline has been and will continue to be extended every 3 months until the law is changed. Presently the policy is extended until 3-31-2013.

C. Richard 'Rick' Allen, R.Ph. Director - Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency

40 Pryor Street, SW - Suite 2000

Atlanta, Georgia 30303

404.656.5100 Fax: 404.651.8210 800.656.6568

AJC ARTICLE ON PRESCRIPTION DRUG DISCOUNT CARDS AIP staff and AIP members helped two (2) reporters from the

Atlanta Journal & Constitution (AJC) research an article that was posted on the front page of the Sunday AJC. It is an excellent article

and everyone associated with the research did a great job.

I would like to thank the AJC reporters, Jaime Sarrio and Misty

Williams, for their thorough, in-depth research of prescription drug discount cards.

View "Drug discount deals get 2nd look" article at http://

tablet.olivesoftware.com/Olive/Tablet/AtlantaJournalConstitution/

SharedArticle.aspx?href=AJC%2F2013%2F01%2F27&id=Ar00101

SmartD MAC Price procedure Please e-mail all MAC reimbursement problems from SmartD to:

networkquality@benecardpbf.com

Be sure to include the drug name, NDC # and price as well as your pharmacy name, address, phone number and NPI number in the body of your email. For questions please call the Benecard pharmacy helpdesk at 877-723-6004.

If you change wholesalers please be sure to let us know. Please contact “V” at

vbwhigham@gpha.org or 404-419-8102.

TRICARE Prescription Copays Changed February 1st

New TRICARE copay changes made by the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act went into effect on February 1st. The new copays at retail pharmacies (30 day supply) will be $5 for a generic, $17 for a brand (up from $12), and $44 for a non formulary drug (up from $25); at mail order (90 day supply) the copays are $0 for generics, $13 for a brand (up from $9) and $42 for a non formulary drug. Another section of the law mandates a one-year mail order only pilot program for maintenance medications. This program will not likely go into effect until the fall, and will be focused primarily on brand medications. For the time being, TRICARE patients can continue to obtain their maintenance medications at retail pharmacies.

FDA Advisory Committee Votes 19-10 to Reschedule All

Hydrocodone-Containing Products

The FDA panel voted 19-10 in favor of the move, which is supported by the DEA. The DEA

has asked the FDA to reclassify hydrocodone as a schedule II drug, limiting which kinds

of prescribers can write a prescription and how many times it can be refilled. The FDA

will weigh the vote in its decision-making process but it is important to note the FDA is

not required to follow the advice of its panelists. In fact the FDA previously issued their opinion and reiterated it at the meeting that data indicate the products have lower

abuse ratios than oxycodone combination products and thus rescheduling is not

warranted. Panelists who voted for new restrictions said it would send a signal to

doctors about the potential dangers of hydrocodone drugs. NCPA and other groups

representing pharmacies, wholesalers, patients with chronic pain as well as nursing home and hospice patients pointed to all of the challenging aspects of rescheduling

these products with the ultimate problem an access to care for patients truly in

need. NCPA will continue to work with all stakeholders on sensible solutions to the

continuing problems of prescription drug abuse.

Seasonal Flu Updates

As previously reported, the 2012-2013 influenza season began earlier and most of the country is now experiencing high or wide-spread influenza activity. Tamiflu (Oseltamivir Phosphate)oral suspension (6 mg/ml; 60 mL) remains on the FDA drug shortage in-dex. CDC is also reporting that in recent weeks, the influenza-associated hospitalizations and mortality rates and in people 65 and old-er has risen sharply. As always, CDC continues to recommend influenza vaccination for people who have not yet been vaccinated as long as influenza viruses are circulating. This includes seniors 65 and older, who have two vaccine options available to them: a regular trivalent inactivated vaccine and the Fluzone High-Dose vaccine designed specifically for people age 65 years and older. In addition, CDC recommends prompt recognition and management of influenza outbreaks in long-term care facilities.Elderly patients residing in long-term care facilities are vulnerable to influenza outbreaks, which in this setting may cause widespread illness with a high fatality rate. Although not widespread, there have been some reports of nursing homes having difficulty filing post-exposure prophylaxis Tamiflu prescriptions for residents. CDC has additional details on the management of long-term care facility influenza outbreaks here: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/infectioncontrol/ltc-facility-guidance.htm

P A G E 7 V O L U M E 1 7 , I S S U E 2

AIC REPORT

Just a quick update on some of the things AIC/AIP are continuing to pursue on behalf of our members.

On Sunday, March 10th. Gabe Trahan from NCPA will be putting on a program “How to Build Store Traffic, and Build Profits”. I attended this

program at the NCPA conference in San Diego last October and thought that building the front-end business is critical to our maintaining a strong

and profitable business. He will focus on everything that most of us take for granted, such as outdoor signage, lighting, end-caps, private label goods,

proper positioning of products thru planograms, as well as general marketing and advertising tolls that include using social media and email marketing.

Dick Jones continues to see great success with the stores that have signed up for the AIP Social Media/Email Marketing program. Communication

with our current patient base on a regular basis using current technology tools will help grow your business. For more information on this exceptional

program contact Dick @ dick.jones@simplysalesllc.com for more information.

Cord Blood Solutions has begun their pilot study on the sale and promotion of an umbilical cord sample that is collected at birth and then the stem cells

are stored if ever needed for future use.

For those of you who signed up to participate in “Million More Flu Shot Campaign”, I hope you found it productive and profitable. We are continuing

to work with Prescribe Wellness on their 2nd quarter campaign, Diabetes. Prescribe Wellness is another tool that we can utilize to reach out to our

current patients using a recorded message from YOU, their pharmacist about diabetes and how important compliance and adherence plays in their

overall health and well-being.

An interesting new product, “BUZZY” is a handheld device to help block sharp pain from injections, IV starts, blood draws, finger sticks, laser hair

removal and a host of other uses. This product which uses ice wings and vibration to desensitize nerves to reduce pain on contact. We hope to have

more information for you about this revolutionary product in our next newsletter. For more information, go to www.buzzy4shots.com .

Let’s continue to support ALL of our current partners as they help support AIP. Thanks, Ira Katz

The Surescripts Network for Clinical Interoperability

The Surescripts network for clinical interoperability enables healthcare professionals to electronically exchange clinical messages with peers locally and nationally to support enhanced care collaboration and improved outcomes with lower costs.

Benefits for EHR Vendors, HIEs, and IDNs: Federal incentives and policy are driving adoption of and standards for clinical care information exchange, including technology interoperability. The Surescripts network for clinical interoperability provides an on-ramp for EHR vendors, HIEs and IDNs that wish to connect their affiliated physicians and health care providers to support better care collaboration. By doing so, you will allow your providers to see their messaging capability transform from local to national, in a manner that integrates well with their current workflows, supports Meaningful Use and facilitates better collaboration among care team members. Learn more about our Net2Net clinical interoperablity service or click here for more information on connecting your organization to the Surescripts network.

Benefits for Pharmacies: For pharmacies, the Surescripts network for clinical interoperability offers a platform that can support ongoing clinical information exchange and new types of information flow that can be reliably delivered to point of care and public health partners. The network provides a way to streamline and simplify the exchange of information and share it in a bi-directional manner with points of care, including immunization information. Learn more about Physician Notification Letter for Immunizations.

Continued on Page 8

P A G E 6

T H E I N D E P E N D E N T N E W S

AIP Partner Kirby Lester, LLC

“Do More With Less.” In a nutshell, that is the reality that faces so many pharmacy owners today. AIP members Amy Miller, Karen

Bowling and Terry Forshee faced that same challenge in 2012. They needed to free up time to focus on business growth, without

adding new staff.

For Dr. Miller, Dr. Bowling and Dr. Forshee, finding affordable pharmacy automation was the most cost-effective path to

protecting their existing business and planning for the future. Dr. Miller and Dr. Bowling, owners of Lula Pharmacy in Lula, GA

and Forshee, owner of two Cherokee Pharmacies in Dalton, GA and Cleveland, TN both installed the Kirby Lester KL60 compact

robot in 2012. The results in all three pharmacies have been stellar. The KL60 robot has taken over the heavy lifting of

prescription filling. In all three locations, the KL60 has performed as promised: approximately 38% to 48% of daily orders

are filled by the device. As a result, the KL60’s arrival has enabled these two pharmacy owners to postpone or avoid hiring

more staff, and ultimately free up time for business development.

Dr. Miller and Dr. Bowling found life at their Lula, GA pharmacy growing stressful, especially on Saturdays and when

technicians were on vacation or maternity leave. The two business partners hesitated to invest in new technology, mainly

because they assumed that robots were too expensive and large. In the end, though, “The Kirby Lester robot was just right

for us. Compared to other robots, this one was actually manageable price-wise,” Dr. Miller says. “And life is much easier

now.”

Dr. Miller’s advice to AIP members: Take a serious look at dispensing technology, because it definitely will help you run your

business. “Technology is always improving, and we now have options that didn’t exist a few years ago like an affordable

robot,” she says. “If you want to free up time to do what’s important to you, run the numbers. See what it takes to operate

your dispensing. Then factor the cost of a technician. Work those numbers over five years, and a device like the KL60

makes perfect sense.”

About two hours northwest at his two Cherokee Pharmacies, Dr. Forshee also was challenged with staying afloat in an environment of low reimbursements and $4

generics. “We can’t make a living just filling scripts. So we wanted technology to take care of the filling for less money than another body, and we could focus on our

future,” he says, referring to his unique “Take Charge” healthy living/weight loss program to help member pharmacies transition from just a dispensary to an essential

health care provider in the community. “With the Kirby Lester robot, we are better prepared for the future.”

Dr. Forshee’s advice to AIP members: The math is simple. A tech costs from $12 to $16 per hour, and the Kirby Lester device is about $8 – without any vacation time or

benefits. “During our rush times, the KL60 fills 48% of our orders. That takes an incredible load off our staff. The Kirby Lester rep promised us we’d hit those kinds of

numbers, and he was right. Sadly, it is very rare to actually get what the vendor promises.”

For information about Kirby Lester robotic dispensing, contact George Chapman, 404.697.5621 or gchapman@kirbylester.com.

Above: Karen Bowling and Amy Miller

Below: Terry Forshee

All are pictured with their Kirby Lester KL60

P A G E 3 V O L U M E 1 7 , I S S U E 2

AIP DIRECTOR SPEAKS TO UGA STUDENTS

Jeff Lurey spoke to the entrepreneurial class at the UGA College of Phar-macy on Thursday, Jan. 25. There were approximately 30 students who lis-tened intently as he shared his views on independent pharmacy. The discus-sion included such topics as (1) how to buy a pharmacy and (2) is inde-pendent pharmacy going to survive. The discussion lasted for almost 3 hours.

The students were very interested in working for independent pharmacies. Quite a few students stayed after class to continue their discus-sions. The AIP Director always tries to meet at least annually with the stu-dents from the different colleges of Pharmacy to discuss independent phar-

NEW PHARMACIES TO OPEN IN GEORGIA DURING 2013 Great news! We have 5 potential new AIP members that will be opening pharmacies in the near future. We have been helping these young entrepreneurs as they prepare to open new locations and it is very exciting. I am also meeting next week with 2 more groups who want to open new stores. There must be something in the water that these young folks are drinking. After losing several members last year as they sold to the chains, it’s good to see some new blood come into the profession. We were also able to keep several independents independent (and keep them as AIP members). It’s a constant, on-going effort by our AIP team to Keep Independents Independent. Remember, if you are interested in expanding, please let me know as I have a list of young people who want to work in independent pharmacies (and eventually own a store).

MAC PRICE SUSPENSIONS (effective Jan. 25, 2013) With the help of several AIP members, we were able to have several MAC prices suspended due to a shortage of product in the market place. Once again, this is an example of the success that occurs when everyone works together. Please let us know when there is a MAC price problem with Medicaid only (not the CMOs). We can help. The CMOs and PBMs require pharmacists to send in MAC price appeal forms, which can be found on our website (www.gpha.org). DCH released the following statements: As an update DCH decided to suspend/remove the MAC price from doxycycline and several other products effective 01/25/2013. Attached is a list of MAC suspensions that will be effective 01/25/13. AIP MEMBER + AIP STAFF = SUCCESS

Clindamycin Phosphate Gel As an update, GA Medicaid approved to increase the MAC price on this product from $0.762 per gram to $1.57 per gram effective 01/16/2013. This will be posted to the GA Web Portal (www.mmis.georgia.gov – Pharmacy – Pricing List – Category: GMAC Increases) and this price increase will also be published in the pharmacy banner for the week of 01/28/13. This update will be applied in Catamaran’s system.

GMAC Suspensions Drugs GMAC Suspension Date

DESONIDE LOTION 0.05% 01/25/2013

DOXYCYCLINE HYCLATE CAP 50 MG 01/25/2013

DOXYCYCLINE HYCLATE CAP 100 MG 01/25/2013

DOXYCYCLINE HYCLATE TAB 100 MG 01/25/2013

DOXYCYCLINE MONOHYDRATE CAP 50 MG 01/25/2013

DOXYCYCLINE MONOHYDRATE CAP 100 MG 01/25/2013

OXCARBAZEPIN SUSP 300MG/5ML 01/25/2013

KEEP INDEPENDENTS INDEPENDENT

Please don’t forget, if you have a desire to sell your pharmacy or if you have an

interest in buying a pharmacy, please contact Jeff Lurey at 404-419-8103. We

have been quite successful during the past several years at keeping

independents independent. We maintain a list of pharmacists who want to

buy additional pharmacies and we also keep a list of young pharmacists who

want to own a pharmacy. All information is kept strictly confidential.

P A G E 4

T H E I N D E P E N D E N T N E W S

UPCOMING EDUCATIONAL

OFFERINGS FOR NCPA

By B. Douglas Hoey, RPh, MBA, National Community Pharmacists Association CEO

Adaptability is vital to the success of prospective or current independent community pharmacy owners. In the turbulent waters of the pharmacy marketplace, you either sink or swim. At the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), we pride ourselves on helping our members swim to safety by giving them the tools for success. This year will feature a wealth of member-focused programming. For example, if you want to become an independent community pharmacy owner or enhance your management skills, there is the Ownership Workshop, sponsored by McKesson, which has 19.25 CE contact hours. Our next workshop is Feb. 22-24 in Dallas. However, if you miss that opportunity there will be additional programs May 17-19 in Seattle and Aug. 23-25 in Arlington, Va. To register go online, or contact Sue Hagler at 703-683-8200 or sue.hagler@ncpanet.org.

AIP is actually sponsoring NCPA’s Front End Overhaul one-day intensive by Gabe Trahan that is worth 7.5 CE contact hours. Designed to help your maximize your store’s potential it is a can’t miss program. It will be held Sunday, March 10, 2013 in Atlanta. To learn more contact Verouschka Betancourt-Whigham at vbwhigham@gpha.org.

If you want to expand your business into the long-term care arena, there is a new program called Long-Term Care Business Fundamentals. The 2013 programs will take place April 19-21, Aug. 16-18, and Dec. 6-8 in Richmond, Va. The session counts as 14.75 CE contact hours. To register, go online, or contact Jennifer Bruckart at 703-683-8200 or Jennifer.bruckart@ncpanet.org.

If time commitments make it hard for you to leave town, you can still gather invaluable information through the NCPA Membership Forums, which occur monthly. These conference calls and webinars touch on a variety of topics critical to independent community pharmacy and are fuelled by colleague to colleague interaction. To learn more email us at webforums@ncpanet.org.To hear recordings of previous forums, you can visit the members-only portion of our website. To keep abreast of the latest developments check the conference and events tab on our website. Otherwise we will let you know via email, faxes, tweets, and Facebook postings.

GPhA Pharm-O-Gram Andy Freeman - Director of Government Affairs - AFreeman@gpha.org

The Georgia General Assembly has started off slow but the pace is rapidly starting to pick up. In only 9 days the first piece of legislation, SB 24, has already passed the House and

Senate and is awaiting the Governor's signature. It dealt with a Medicaid assessment fee that hospitals paid to draw down Federal dollars that then reimbursed the hospitals that

have Medicaid patients, as well as also being used for other Medicaid needs in the state budget. If this bill had not passed all Medicaid providers, including pharmacists, would have

had their Medicaid reimbursement fees cut back around 6%.

This last week 3 of our 4 pieces of legislation have been introduced and are beginning their journey through the legislative process. HB 132 will move the Board of Pharmacy and

Board of Dentistry out from under the Secretary of State and make them autonomous agencies much like the Composite Medical Board. This legislation is currently in the House

Regulated Industries Committee.

HB 179 has also been introduced. If passed, this legislation will change how PBMs can audit a pharmacy. It also prohibits PBMs from recovering the cost of the drug if a

pharmacist doesn't commit fraud in dispensing a prescription. This legislation will include other solutions to problems with dealing with PBMs. HB 179 is currently in the House

Insurance Committee.

And back from last year is legislation to expand the immunizations that pharmacists can perform under a physician protocol. SB 85 will allow pharmacists to give most of the CDC

recognized vaccines and is currently in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.

This week we anticipate legislation will be introduced to mandate MAC pricing updates be done at least once a week. The Board of Pharmacy's annual drug update bill will also be

coming this week. We are also keeping our eyes peeled for legislation that will not be in the best interest of the profession of pharmacy in Georgia.

If you are interested in helping make these Bill a reality, please contact your legislators and let them know how you feel. Also make plans to come to VIP Day on February 14 at

the State Capitol in Atlanta.

Other legislation that GPhA is following:

HB 57 redefines synthetic marijuana to chemical compounds that are currently being used and makes them illegal. It has passed the Senate and is currently in the Senate Health

and Human Services Committee.

HB 178 will regulate Pain Management clinics and the Physicians that are quick to write a prescription for pain medicine. Currently in the House Health and Human Services

Committee.

Thanks again for all that you do to make GPhA a legislative success.

P A G E 5 V O L U M E 1 7 , I S S U E 2