News Release

The American College of Apothecaries (ACA) and Accreditation Commission for Health Care are pleased to announce the establishment of a partnership designed to increase accessibility of ACHC service to ACA Members and Fellows. This agreement offers special pricing on ACHC accreditation services and educational resources to ACA Members and Fellows.  An email was sent to all ACA Members and Fellows with the special discount code, which can also be found on the Member Discounts page in the members-only section of the ACA website.

“The partnership between ACHC and ACA represents a natural expression of our organizations’ shared values,” said Jon Pritchett, PharmD, RPh, ACHC Associate Director of Pharmacy. “Both are committed to advancing safe practices and quality in serving patients in our health care system. ACA’s role in the original establishment of PCAB is clear indication of the visionary leadership they are recognized for in serving their members and the industry as a whole.”

Since the introduction of its pharmacy program in 1996, ACHC has grown to become a leading national accrediting organization with more than 900 pharmacies accredited in the U.S. ACHC has broad and extensive experience in the area of pharmacy compliance, including accreditation programs for non-sterile and sterile compounding through the Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board (PCAB), as well as infusion, specialty, and long-term care pharmacy services.

“We are pleased to join with ACHC and increase the accessibility of ACHC services to ACA members and Fellows. The ACA is committed to encouraging best practices in pharmacy and making the accreditation process more affordable is a tremendous benefit to our membership. Ultimately, our patients and communities will be the biggest beneficiaries from the commitment to value, integrity, and customer service provided by independent pharmacies with ACHC accreditation,” said Donnie Calhoun, BPharm, RPh, FACA, FACVP CEO/Executive Vice President.

The American College of Apothecaries and ARL Bio Pharma announce the Quality Compounding Summit, from September 8-9 in Oklahoma City, OK, the compounding pharmacy industry’s premier event focusing exclusively on quality issues. Pharmacists and pharmacy professionals from across the county are expected to attend to discover cost-effective solutions and new products and services to improve quality assurance.

The Quality Compounding Summit is a 2-day intensive conference presenting key topics designed to give pharmacy professionals and those that serve the industry, tools to succeed in the future. This event takes place at the Embassy Suites Downtown Medical Center, in Oklahoma City, OK.

“QCS is the best place to hear from industry experts and see new products and technologies that will help compounding pharmacies. No other event provides more insight into quality issues in compounding in just two information-packed days,” says Dr. Thomas C. Kupiec, President of ARL Bio Pharma.

Education offered at this year’s Quality Compounding Summit features sessions highlighting best practices, safety, facility design, and regulatory issues, including USP 800 and pharmacy inspections.

“I encourage everyone in pharmaceutical compounding to come and share ideas and build relationships with other professionals by attending the Quality Compounding Summit,” says Donnie Calhoun, Executive Vice President/CEO of the American College of Apothecaries. “You’ll see everything you need to streamline your company and take it to the next level. In just two days, you’ll interact with product manufacturers, discover the latest innovations in the industry, and learn from leading experts to get a competitive advantage in the compounding marketplace.”

Confirmed Presenters include:

• USP <800> California Board of Pharmacy Implementations: How Pharmacists Can Incorporate USP <800> into Facility Design – Tony J. Park, PharmD, JD, California Pharmacy Lawyers
• Root Cause Analysis for Compounding Pharmacists – Joe Cabaliero, RPh, Gates Healthcare Associates, LLC
• Coping with the Changing Compounding Landscape – Loyd V. Allen, Jr., PhD, RPh, International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding
• Microbiology Testing: USP Requirements for Sterile and Non-Sterile Preparations – Thomas C. Kupiec, PhD, ARL Bio Pharma
• Beyond Use Dating – Thomas C. Kupiec, PhD, ARL Bio Pharma
• Multistate Pharmacy Inspection Blueprint Program – State Boards of Pharmacy Regulatory Landscape for Inspections of Compounding Pharmacies – Elizabeth Scott Russell, RPh, National Association of Boards of Pharmacy

To learn more or register now, visit www.qcsummitrx.org.

CORONADO, CA, February 24, 2017:  The American College of Apothecaries presented the 2016 ACA Member of the Year Award to Nathan Pope, PharmD, FACA, Clinical Assistant Professor at The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy, at the College’s 2017 Annual Educational Conference.  The presentation was made during the Presidents’ Banquet Friday evening at the Loews Coronado Bay Resort.  The award is presented to a member of the College for exceptional accomplishment and effort in promoting the College and community pharmacy.

As a college of pharmacy faculty member and residency program director, Nathan works to develop compassionate, confident, clinical providers of advanced patient care services in a community pharmacy setting. He has been an advocate for all Community Pharmacy Practice Residencies, cultivating innovative practice settings, and outcomes from those practices, and currently serves as a guest surveyor for ASHP Accreditation Services.

Through his role as a site preceptor for an on-campus community pharmacy, Nathan supports the students’ involvement in patient care projects and educational offerings, including telephonic Medication Therapy Management Services for the Area Agency on Aging.

Within his profession, he serves as a board member of the Texas Pharmacy Association, and as a committee member in organizations such as APhA, NCPA, and ASHP, and as the College of Pharmacy’s representative to the Pharmacy Quality Alliance (PQA). In 2016 he was presented with the Bowl of Hygeia Award for outstanding community service by the Texas Pharmacy Association.

As an ACA Fellow, our recipient has served the College through roles on multiple committees, including membership and programs, as well as conducting admissions interviews.

Most notably, Nathan has been a vital member of our compounding training faculty. In addition to updating and instructing Fundamental Compounding and Calculations, last year he developed and taught a new Clinical Dermatological and Cosmeceutical Compounding Course. He also regularly conducts on-site compounding training for ACA across the US and in Canada.

The award criterion was established to ensure that the individual chosen to receive the award has contributed valued accomplishments, and exhibits enthusiasm and eagerness. Examples of the criterion include involvement in the areas of membership recruitment, committee involvement, and willingness to serve the College in any area that is needed. Deserving nominees must also have spent time serving his/her own community, promoting community pharmacy through mentoring, entrepreneurship and education.

This year’s truly recipient embodies all of those criteria, especially in the field of education as he has dedicated himself to the promotion of community pharmacy and the continued development of pharmacy professionals. Congratulations, Dr. Pope.

The American College of Apothecaries and DitchYourPPI.com have launched a continuing education program designed to train pharmacists in working with physicians and other health care providers to provide a medication tapering system for patients taking prescription and over the counter Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs).

“Thousands of patients are “stuck” on acid reflux medication, unable to stop taking their heartburn pill,” said Juan Lopez, PharmD, Program Director of DitchYourPPI.com. “These patients are at risk of long-term negative side effects from chronic acid suppression therapy.” Lopez adds that most PPIs are recommended for only 4 to 8 weeks of therapy, but patients often find themselves dependent on these drugs for years.

To address the overuse of PPIs and assist patients in discontinuing them without experiencing rebound acid reflux, Lopez developed the protocol used by Ditch Your PPI. A collaboration between pharmacist and physician, Ditch Your PPI creates a personalized program that includes counseling, nutrition, and a flexible taper schedule to meet the patient’s unique and specific needs.

“When we heard Juan present about Ditch Your PPI at The Compounders Group meeting over the summer, we knew that we wanted to bring it our Fellows and members,” said Donnie Calhoun, CEO and Executive Vice-President of the American College of Apothecaries. “This program is a win-win for our patients and pharmacists as independent pharmacies increase their consultation, nutrition, and wellness services.”

The ACA “Ditch Your PPI” Pharmacy Accreditation Program consists of 5.5 contact hours of continuing education on the pharmacology, nutritional requirements, development and marketing of a patient care program. Participants also receive a “Ditch Your PPI” Toolkit and a one-year listing on www.DitchYourPPI.com as an Endorsed Local Pharmacy Provider.

More information on the ACA “Ditch Your PPI” Pharmacy Accreditation Program can be found at www.acainfo.org/DitchYourPPI.

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.

The American College of Apothecaries is proud to announce an agreement with the online professional pharmacy network QID to become its first nation-wide association partner in the United States. Through QID, pharmacists, pharmacy students and technicians have free 24/7 access to a secure network with verified pharmacy professionals that is HIPAA compliant.

“The ability to use QID to connect at any time with pharmacists across North America and ask questions or share best practices is perfectly aligned with our mission to encourage entrepreneurship and mentoring among pharmacy professionals,” said Donnie Calhoun, RPh, FACA, FACVP, CEO and Executive Vice-President of the American College of Apothecaries.

“I’ve used QID myself to share my experiences as a pharmacy owner with MTM and smoking cessation programs,” Calhoun added. “As well, I can consult with a pharmacist thousands of miles away who has just the information that I need and when I need it.”

Calhoun is also excited about the ability to include ACA’s pharmacy student members in the QID community.

“This is a fantastic resource for pharmacy students—they can use QID to build their professional network as they prepare to start their career. Today’s students are increasingly “plugged in” and now ACA can provide them with online and mobile access to additional clinical resources and support.”

With the launch of its secure, “members-only” community within QID, the American College of Apothecaries will provide important member updates and content, as well as a gateway to the entire QID network, including personalized news feed including curated journal articles, posts and clinical queries from colleagues, and insights from subject matter experts.

ACA members will also have access to over 35 QID communities of practice, which are used to share best practice and business efforts, and ultimately deliver better care.

For more information, visit www.acainfo.org/qid.