Licensing

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — The president of Indiana's Manchester University will retire next summer and has named the university's pharmacy dean as her successor.

The university, based in Fort Wayne, Ind., said Jo Young Switzer would retire on June 30, 2014 and had named EVP and College of Pharmacy dean Dave McFadden as president, effective the day after. Switzer is Manchester University's first female president.

NEW YORK — The executive director of the Oregon Board of Pharmacy is leaving, according to published reports.

The Lund Report, an online publication that covers Oregon's healthcare system, reported that Gary Schnabel was stepping down to pursue "other interests." Schnabel turned 65 years old this month and has lead the board for 19 years.

WADSWORTH, Ohio — Ritzman Pharmacies and Mast Pharmacies on Monday announced the completed acquisition of all Mast-owned pharmacies to Ritzman Pharmacies.  

The Mast pharmacies previously operated under the name of Wooster Rx in Wooster, Ohio, and Mast Pharmacy in Berlin, Millersburg, Shreve and Sugarcreek, Ohio, but will be converted to Ritzman banners, the companies stated. 

FLINT, Mich. — The American Society of Health System Pharmacists has granted accreditation to a post-graduate program offered by specialty pharmacy Diplomat, the company said.

Diplomat, which recently shortened its name from Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy, received ASHP accreditation for its postgraduate year one, or PGY1 pharmacy residency program.

WASHINGTON — The Center for Pharmacy Practice Accreditation is developing an accreditation program for specialty pharmacy practices, the group said.

NEW YORK — State representatives in Massachusetts have unanimously passed a bill that would allow patients to check the safety records of compounding pharmacies there, according to published reports.

The Boston Globe reported that the state Senate would take up a bill that would require the publishing of the pharmacies' safety records in light of the nationwide fungal meningitis outbreak last year linked to the New England Compounding Center. The bill would also require pharmacists who prepare sterile drugs to take continuing education classes.

WASHINGTON — The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board has issued more than half a million certifications, the group said Wednesday.

The PTCB said the number of certifications it had granted was 503,620 as of June 30. Last year alone, 39,729 candidates passed the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Along with a number of Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act-themed pieces of legislation, California Gov. Jerry Brown on Tuesday signed into law a provision that will allow pharmacists to perform physical assessments; order and interpret laboratory tests; refer patients to other providers; start, adjust and terminate medications under physician protocol; and work with other healthcare providers to evaluate and manage a patient’s health issues.