Pharmacy Practice

ACA COMPOUNDING FACULTY PRESENTS

2023-06-13T12:57:05-05:00June 6th, 2023|Categories: Community Pharmacy, News Release, Pharmacy Practice|Tags: , , |

Things You Should Know About Preparation For USP Changes

On Monday, June 12, 2023, ACA Compounding Faculty presented an open forum, open to all pharmacy professionals, about preparing for the upcoming USP Changes, how to prepare, what you should know. These changes will go into effect on November 1, 2023.  Will you be READY?

Host:  Ernie Gates, RPh, FACA

Panelists:

  • Denise Frank, RPh, FACA, FAPC
  • Brenda Jensen, CPhT, CNMT, MBA
  • Lisa Ashworth, BS Pharm, RPh, BCSCP, FACA

Recording – CLICK HERE
Audio Only – CLICK HERE

OPEN FORUM

ALL PHARMACY PROFESSIONALS

FREE

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Say that Again? Community Pharmacy’s Role in Identifying Untreated Hearing Loss

2023-05-31T15:55:33-05:00May 12th, 2023|Categories: Community Pharmacy, News Release, Pharmacy Practice|Tags: , , |

According to the National Institutes of Health, about 1 in 6 U.S. adults ages 18 and over reports some trouble hearing — approximately 37.5 million U.S. adults—but less than half (46.0 percent) of them have seen a doctor or other health professional about their hearing or ear problems in the last five years.

Untreated hearing loss significantly impacts an individual’s quality of life and contributes to high health care spending. A JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery study showed that untreated hearing loss was associated with $22,434 higher total health care costs per person over a 10-year period compared with costs for those without hearing loss.

Additionally, untreated hearing loss impacts individual’s quality of life and mental health. It can lead to isolation, and has been associated with serious conditions such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, dementia, reduced mobility, and falls.

Making hearing health care more accessible and affordable is a public health priority, especially as the number of older adults in the U.S. continues to grow.

While prescription hearing aids have been available for years, NIH data shows that only one in four adults who could benefit from hearing aids has ever used them.

To address this public health issue, in October 2021, the FDA formally proposed a rule to establish the new OTC hearing aids category for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. Finalized in August 2022, the final rule allows hearing aids within this category to be sold directly to consumers in stores without a medical exam or a fitting by an audiologist.  Overall, among those reporting that they have trouble hearing, nearly two-thirds (62.6 percent) say that they have mild hearing loss, defined as “a little trouble hearing.”

The Role of Community Pharmacy

Community pharmacies are well-positioned to reach these individuals, who may not be aware of the recent availability of OTC hearing aids. OTC hearing aids that are FDA-compliance are usually more affordable than prescription hearing aids and can be FSA/HSA/HRA-eligible.

As the most accessible health care provider, pharmacists should be prepared to answer questions about OTC hearing devices and have the opportunity to discuss hearing screenings for patients during consultations.

Learn how to add a new clinical service to your pharmacy by offering in-store hearing tests and offering OTC hearing aids for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. Hearing aids for more severe hearing loss or for users younger than age 18 remain prescription devices.

Unlocking the OTC Hearing Aid Marketplace

Join ACA Corporate Member Soundwave Hearing for a 30-minute webinar on “Unlocking the OTC Hearing Aid Marketplace” and receive more information on how your pharmacy can get started with their testing and OTC hearing aid solutions.

This activity will not offer CE credit.

Recordings:

Unlocking the OTC Hearing Aid Marketplace

Recordings Available On-Demand

Anthony Florek
President, Soundwave Hearing LLC

Anthony has thirty plus years of medical device Sales and Marketing experience developed at leading medical equipment and consumer product companies, including Johnson and Johnson, Allergan Medical Optics and Beltone (GN Hearing Care). Anthony brings 15 years of experience from the traditional hearing aid industry and leads the development of the business model and value proposition at Soundwave Hearing.

Scroll down to register.

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Opportunities in Wellness: Integrating Advanced Point Of Sale Functional Testing in Community Pharmacy

2023-08-02T10:30:28-05:00January 5th, 2023|Categories: Community Pharmacy, Functional Testing, Pharmacy Practice|Tags: , , , |

Functional testing focuses on physiological function (i.e. how the body functions at a biological level), rather than the presence of markers of disease. Community pharmacies are well-positioned to offer functional testing to patients who want a clear picture of their unique health needs and to also provide nutritional and lifestyle intervention. This presentation will provide examples and evidence-based information on the concept of integrating Advanced Point Of Sale Functional Testing in the pharmacy practice, including stool testing, breath testing, saliva testing, dried urine testing, food intolerance testing, and others. Advanced Point of Sale Functional Testing has the potential to increase pharmacy revenue, improve patient outcomes, and expand the scope of the pharmacist and pharmacy technician without requiring a CLIA waiver.

Now available On-Demand

ACA & ACVP Members: $20
Non-Members: $35

Learning Objectives :

  1. Identify the different types of available testing to patients and the regulations.
  2. Discuss the different types of advanced point of sale functional testing.
  3. Discuss when to use the various types of advanced point of sale functional testing in practice.
  4. Identify which type of training is recommended to offer advanced point of sale functional testing.
  5. Compare the potential benefits and challenges to the patient and the practice.
Click here to register!

Hillary Howell, PharmD, CCN, FACA

As a young teenager, Hillary worked as a pharmacy technician until graduating high school in 1998. Her passion for medicine led her to enroll in the Doctor of Pharmacy program at Ferris State University and graduated in 2004. Shortly after graduating, she married her high school sweetheart and took a position as a retail staff pharmacist at a local pharmacy chain. This ultimately led to a manager position with the same company. Hillary has two children, Hunter and Tanner, which she adores. 10 years into her position as a manager, her husband James was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer, leiomyosarcoma of the prostate. During his journey, the family decided to look into alternative treatments using both conventional and alternative therapies. Sadly, James’ journey ended 18 months later. As a single mother, Hillary decided to take her career in a new direction. She opened Michigan’s first integrative cash based pharmacy, Apothecary & Co, in 2019, focusing on helping others to find their root cause instead of applying a “bandaid”. Apothecary & Co proudly specializes in compounding, point of care testing, and functional medicine consulting. Since opening in 2019, Hillary received her Certified Clinical Nutrition designation in 2021. She is currently pursuing a certification program through the Institute for Functional Medicine. Besides the love for functional medicine, her other passion is medicinal herbalism leading her to complete coursework through Rosemary Gladstar’s The Science of Art and Herbalism program.

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Corporate Members and Affiliates

ACA’s Corporate Members and Affiliates are businesses and organizations who share our dedication to advancing the profession of pharmacy.

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