Up to date information in the field of Independent Pharmacy written by the PRS Pharmacy Consulting Experts and Pharmacists for Pharmacy Owners. Experience Matters.
Comprehensive Safe Medication Practices
Quick blog this time. Over the past several years, we have seen more and more requests from our pharmacy members looking for “Comprehensive Safe Medications Practices” or “Medication Safety Practices.” These requests are typically arising during the credentialing process with PBMs. In general, the PBMs are looking for how you ensure the medication you are dispensing is “safe” for the patient. Ultimately safe medication practices start before you even order the medication from the wholesaler/manufacturer and end at the point
PRS Pharmacy Services Announces Commitment to Growing Global Cybersecurity Success by Becoming a Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2022 Champion
Building on annual success Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2022 is set to highlight the growing importance of cybersecurity in our daily lives and look to empower everyday individuals and business to take cybersecurity steps by making cyber more accessible October 5, 2022 — PRS Pharmacy Services today announced that it has signed on as a Champion for Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2022. Founded in 2004, Cybersecurity Awareness Month, held each October, is the world’s foremost initiative aimed at promoting cybersecurity awareness and
Enhanced Drug Distribution Security System
In the last blog, we discussed the Drug Supply Chain Security Act. Today we want to discuss the change that is effective on 11/27/2023, the Enhanced Drug Distribution Security (EDDS). We will review what is in place today and how that will change as part of EDDS. Where we are today concerning the EDDS Today, you order your prescription drugs from an authorized trading partner (ATP). The ATP will send you transaction data before or at delivery. This data includes
Drug Supply Chain Security Act in Pharmacy: Today and Tomorrow
The Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) has been with us for almost nine years as part of the FDA’s Plan to protect the U.S. drug supply chain. The culmination of the Drug Supply Chain Security Act will reach its final implementation goal in November 2023. On 11/27/2023, all trading partners (Manufacturers, Wholesalers, and Dispensers (including Pharmacies) will need to begin using an “Enhanced Drug Distribution Security System.” However, before we talk about that, let’s talk about what you need
HIPAA Is Not Just About Training
PRS still receives many questions from non HIPAATrack Members about whether written (or electronic) Policies and Procedures are required for their Pharmacy business. These questions have typically come from Pharmacies that have purchased a Training Program or Continuing Education, or they may have received a “free” “HIPAA Program” from their wholesaler or other entity. These Training Programs, CEs and “free” Programs typically do not include actual Policies and Procedures to implement by the Pharmacy, making them effectively useless as far
Red Flags and Controlled Drugs
The vast majority of Pharmacies are dispensing controlled substances in compliance with the DEA and State Regulations. However, we regularly hear about a Pharmacy, prescriber, wholesaler, or manufacturer in the news breaking those regulations and trying to circumvent public safety for profit. Now that the COVID-19 pandemic is winding down [fingers crossed], we are once again starting to see a focus on the public health emergency of drug addiction and abuse. Here at PRS, we get questions from Pharmacy Owners
The POCT Opportunity in Pharmacy
Another winter is quickly approaching, and Pharmacies have the opportunity to help their communities by becoming credentialed to provide CLIA-waived testing. As we already know, Pharmacies are the most accessible health care providers, with some patients already coming to us several times a month for prescriptions, over-the-counter medication, and vaccination needs. The next step is to provide point of care testing (POCT), whether for Flu and Strep or an entire testing suite. With that in mind and holidays approaching, this