Monthly Archives: October 2016

ACA & ACVP Expand Membership Opportunities

2016-10-24T10:49:17-05:00October 24th, 2016|Categories: News Release|

The American College of Apothecaries (ACA) and American College of Veterinary Pharmacists are pleased to announce the establishment of new membership categories designed to enhance participation in the organizations by pharmacists at all stages of their careers as well as a new “Dual Fellowship” for Pharmacist Fellows who are interested in membership in both organizations.

“We realized that there were pharmacists who didn’t meet the criteria for Fellowship in the Colleges, but were either working in an independent community pharmacy or had pharmacy ownership as a goal,” said Donnie Calhoun, CEO / Executive Vice-President of the American College of Apothecaries and American College of Veterinary Pharmacists.

“Now they can join as a Pharmacist Member and take advantage of the benefits, discounts, and opportunities for networking and professional development that our Fellows enjoy. In a few years, as they advance in their careers, they can apply for Fellowship and the recognition that designation offers.”

“We also wanted to lower the barriers to membership for our student members,” Calhoun said. “An increasing number of pharmacy students are taking advantage of the free student membership in ACA and ACVP. By establishing a graduated fee structure for the first four years after graduation, new pharmacists can benefit from membership in ACA and ACVP while they are just starting their professional careers without the cost being a factor.”

The Pharmacist Member category is open to any licensed pharmacist meeting the ACA or ACVP Practice Standards and has a $250 annual membership fee. Pharmacist members may apply for Fellowship at any time.  Fees for New Practitioners are $50 per year for 1-2 years after graduation and $125 per year for 3-4 years after graduation.

Pharmacists who meet the requirements for Fellowship in both the American College of Apothecaries and the American College of Veterinary Pharmacists may apply for Dual Fellowship. Annual membership dues for Dual Fellowship are $700 for the first year and $850 per year for renewals.

Information and online applications for membership may be found at www.acainfo.org/joinaca and www.vetmeds.org/joinacvp.

#Mentoring Monday

2018-11-07T09:50:53-06:00October 10th, 2016|Categories: Blog|

 

ACA Regional Director Steve Anderson of Perry Pharmacy shared this month’s Mentoring Monday tip — a great reminder of the benefits of building relationships with our patients!

CDC Releases Flu Vaccine Recommendations for 2016-17

2016-10-04T11:57:51-05:00October 4th, 2016|Categories: Blog, News Release|

Recognizing that nearly one in four flu vaccinations occurs in a community or retail pharmacy, the US Centers for Disease Control recently distributed a “Dear Pharmacist” letter outlining Flu Vaccine recommendations for 2016-17.

“We are proud that the CDC recognizes the important role that independent pharmacy plays in ensuring the public health,” said Donnie Calhoun, CEO/ Executive Vice-President of the American College of Apothecaries. “Educating our patients and communities on the necessity of annual flu vaccines is more than providing a convenient service, it’s saving lives.”

For the 2016-2017 season, ACIP has made several updates and clarifications to its seasonal influenza vaccination recommendations:

  • Only injectable influenza vaccines are recommended this flu season.
  • The composition of 2016-2017 flu vaccines has been updated to better match circulating viruses.
  • An influenza vaccine with MF59 adjuvant (FLUADTM) is available for adults 65 years and older. People 65 years of age and older may receive this vaccine, highdose inactivated influenza vaccine (Fluzone High-Dose), or standard-dose inactivated vaccine.
  • The recommendations for flu vaccination of people with egg allergies have been modified.
  • Children 6 months through 8 years of age who have previously received two or more total doses of any trivalent or quadrivalent influenza vaccine before July 1, 2016, only need one dose of 2016-2017 seasonal influenza vaccine. Children 6 months through 8 years of age who have not previously received two or more total doses of any trivalent or quadrivalent influenza vaccine before July 1, 2016 will need two doses of 2016-2017 seasonal influenza vaccine. Children 9 years of age and older need only one dose.

The CDC also recommends that patients receive the vaccination before the end of October, although pharmacists should continue to offer the influenza vaccine throughout the flu season. Read the complete document from the CDC here.

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