Members present: President Arvid Liebe, Jeff Nielsen, and Lisa Rave. Excused: Arlene Ham-Burr and Marla Hayes.
Staff present: Executive Secretary Ron Huether; Inspectors Earl McKinstry and Randy Jones.
Others present: Dean Dennis Hedge and student Curtis Wong, SDSU College of Pharmacy; Earl Hinricher, Else Umbreit, and Sue Schafer, SD Pharmacists Association; Brian Lounsbery, Walgreens; Bill Ladwig, Lewis Drug; Kathy VanHove, Avera Heart Hospital; Gary Karel and Doug Smith, Sanford Health.
The meeting was called to order by President Liebe at 10:00 a.m. with introductions of board members and others in attendance. The meeting was held in the First Floor Classroom at the Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls.
Minutes:
Minutes from the October 1, 2010 meeting were posted on the Board of Pharmacy website after preliminary electronic approval by the board members. Nielsen moved to approve those minutes, seconded by Rave. Motion approved.
REPORTS
Financial Reports:
The financial report will be sent to the members at the end of this quarter. Huether reported that revenues and expenses for the first five months of the fiscal year are consistent with budgeted estimates.
Activity Reports:
Inspectors McKinstry and Jones discussed the inspection activity report.
The statistical report of licensing activities was reviewed. Huether pointed out that we continue to see an increase in the number of wholesale and out of state pharmacy licenses.
Other Reports:
SD Pharmacists Assn. – Schaefer reviewed Association activities and financial reports. Recent activities include meeting with new legislators to share information about the importance of pharmacy services in South Dakota. Planning for the 2011 Convention celebrating the 125th Anniversary of the SDPhA is underway. It will be held in Sioux Falls on June 3-5.
SDSU College of Pharmacy - Dean Hedge reported on faculty changes; the continued success of SDSU graduates in passing the national pharmacist licensing exam; and progress toward completion of the new building.
SD Society of Health System Pharmacists – The 2011 Annual Meeting will be held April 1-2 in Sioux Falls.
SD Association of Pharmacy Technicians - Jones reported on a request from Deb Cummings, Southeast Technical Institute. The STI Board is consideration to offering a two year Associate Degree program in addition to the existing Pharmacy Technician accredited program. Deb asked the Board to submit a letter of support for this new program. The Board Members directed Huether to send a letter indicating support.
Approvals:
Applications have been submitted and the following sites have been approved;
After Hours Remote Order Entry: Gettysburg Memorial Hospital/St Mary’s Healthcare, Pierre.
Technician Ratio: Wal-Mart Pharmacy, Rapid City; Wal-Mart Pharmacy, Spearfish.
Off-site Storage – MedVantx Pharmacy, Sioux Falls.
Complaints and Investigations:
Inspector Jones reported on recent complaints to the Board of Pharmacy. The complaints tend to be related to insurance coverage misunderstandings or lack of appropriate communication between the pharmacist and the patient. There were no violations of pharmacy regulations.
OLD BUSINESS
Sanford Health Pharmacy Automation - Gary Karel, Director of Pharmacy, Sanford Health, reported on the progress toward installation of the McKesson Robot. As reported during the presentation to the Board during our April meeting, sites that have implemented the use of this automation have experienced significant reduction in medication error rates. We will continue to work with Karel and his staff as we consider adopting administrative rules relevant to the use of this advanced technology.
Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) – Huether presented an update on implementation activities including: Advisory Council meetings, drafting of administrative rules, RFP for software vendor, staffing and use of grant funds. He complimented the participation of pharmacist members of this council – Brian Lounsbery and Jim Bregel. They have been active participants and their recommendations will help to make the program operate efficiently.
He also requested that the Board appoint Dr. Chris Dietrich, Rapid City, to the Advisory Council. Dr. Dietrich has been an advocate for PDMP and has an excellent understanding of the goals of this program. Rave moved for this appointment, seconded by Nielsen. Motion carried.
Proposed Legislation –
Mandatory Criminal Background Checks – There has been no direction from DOH on the Board’s request to seek legislation for mandatory background checks for newly licensed pharmacists and newly registered technicians.
Mandatory Education and Certification for Pharmacy Technicians – This will continue to be a topic for discussion with pharmacists during 2011.
NEW BUSINESS
Guidelines for Work at Home – Huether presented a draft of “Guidelines for Approval of Pharmacists or other Pharmacy Employees Working at Home”. This document was prepared in response to questions from pharmacists about Board of Pharmacy regulations related to working at home. Today’s technology allows many functions to be carried out remotely from the pharmacy (i.e. order entry). This guideline is intended to protect patient safety and the security of the patient’s health information.
The Board approved the draft with minor improvement. It will be posted on the web site.
Request for Extension of Deadline for Completion of Reciprocity – Huether presented a letter of request from reciprocity candidate Kristine Stultz to extend the expiration deadline for licensure by reciprocity. After discussion the Board ruled that the extension will not be granted.
DEA Rulings on Long Term Care – The group discussed recent rulings by DEA related to medication orders in Long Term Care facilities. Providers feel that these rulings may have an adverse effect on timely medication therapy for patients in LTC settings. Many groups are continuing communications with DEA in hopes that more appropriate guidelines can be established. Board staff will continue to provide information to pharmacists and will convey the position that the Board expects pharmacists to comply with the DEA requirements.
OTHER BUSINESS
Meeting Reports – Board members and/or staff that attended recent meetings gave brief reports on those meetings:
Alliance of States with Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs Educational Meeting – October 18-19 – Charleston, SC – (Huether served on the planning committee and gave two presentations)
Sioux Falls District SDPhA Meeting – October 30 – Sioux Falls (Jones and Huether gave an update on Board of Pharmacy activities)
Board Meeting Schedule - Meeting dates for 2011 (pending)
March 15 or 16, 2011 – Sioux Falls
June 2 or 3, 2011 – Sioux Falls
September 16, 2011 – Rapid City
December 9, 2011 – Sioux Falls
Future Meetings -- Board members and staff will participate in upcoming meetings:
SD Pharmacy Alliance – December 16, Brookings
SDPhA Legislative Days – February 1-2, Pierre
SDSHP Annual Conference – April 1-2, Sioux Falls
ASPMP North Regional Meeting – April 18-19, Minneapolis
NABP Annual Meeting – May 21-24, 2011, San Antonio, TX
SDPhA Annual Meeting – June 3-5, 2011, Sioux Falls, SD
NABP/AACP District Five Annual Meeting – August 11-12, 2011, Regina, Saskatchewan
During the meeting break at noon Avera Heart Hospital CEO Jon Soderholm; Director of Patient Care Services Cheryl Osmund; and Director of Pharmacy Kathy Van Hove; gave a tour and described the services provided at this facility. Liebe expressed the Board’s appreciation for hosting the meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:00 p.m.
