Licensing

WASHINGTON — Two lawmakers recently introduced legislation that aims to make compounded medications more accessible to patients. Reps. Morgan Griffith, R-Va., and Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, introduced HR 2871, the Preserving Patient Access to Compounded Medications Act of 2017.

The act would clarify the Drug Quality and Security Act in a way that would align the statute with congressional intent to balance the issues of public safety and patient access. The bill’s introduction has been praised by pharmacy organizations.

Through offering immunizations, pharmacies can increase their standing as a healthcare destination within their communities, as well as create a new, patient-building service and revenue stream. Profit margins associated with vaccine administration are, on average, greater than oral medications dispensed, said Eleanor Daufenbach, director of Clinical Marketing for Retail Pharmacy for Cardinal Health.

TORONTO — The Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada on Thursday honored John Tse, a London Drug executive who has been involved in Canada's retail pharmacy industry for more than 25 years, as the 2017 recipient of the Len Marks Pharmacy Advancement Award.

The award will be presented at the Chairman's Dinner during the Pharmacy, Health and Beauty EXPO 2017.

JACKSON, Miss. — Transcript Pharmacy has been reaccredited for an additional three-year period by URAC, an independent, nonprofit healthcare accrediting organization that establishes quality standards for the health care industry. This second term of accreditation falls under URAC’s Specialty Pharmacy 3.0 standards.

 “This recognition demonstrates that the level of care and quality of services we offer bring significant benefits to the patients that we serve,” said Transcript Pharmacy president Cliff Osbon.

DUBLIN, Ohio — Cardinal Health named Jennifer Dawson the 2017 recipient of its urEssential Award, which recognizes the essential contributions medical laboratory professionals make to patient care.

NEW YORK — Pfizer and Sangamo Therapeutics announced an exclusive, global collaboration and license agreement for the development and commercialization of gene therapy programs for Hemophilia A, including SB-525, which Sangamo expects will enter the clinic this quarter.

TORONTO — Loblaw and Shoppers Drug Mart are taking a big step for employees using medical marijuana, Toronto’s “Breakfast Television” is reporting. The company is set to cover up to $1,500 in expenses related to medical marijuana, the report said, making 45,000 employees eligible.

BOISE, Idaho — An Albertsons pharmacy technician has become the first in the nation to administer an immunization to a patient. The new ability for the technician is the product of new law in Idaho brought about by a partnership between Albertsons and Washington State University College of Pharmacy, who worked together to develop the first pilot program to train pharmacy technicians to provide immunizations with permission from the Idaho board of pharmacy.