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Student Legislative Day

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For my advocacy event, I attended Ohio Pharmacists Association’s Student Legislative Day on February 23, 2016. This event was focused on educating students on the importance of advocacy in general, the impact of it on the profession, and about the current house and senate bills that are being introduced or sitting in committees. OPA set meetings with our legislators so that we could form a personal relationship with them and talk about these important issues.

I liked that this event reinforced the information taught in this elective, some of the presentations were exactly the same. I also felt extremely comfortable discussing these house bills with my legislators because we already made individual presentations and covered them in class. Since I researched House Bill 421, I found myself sending my powerpoint to the people at my table and answering or clarifying questions people had on the bill.

I was also lucky enough that my representative was the chair of the Health and Aging Committee in the House, where HB 421 is currently sitting. Since I was the only student to meet with her, I was able to really talk about myself and the bill. She was a huge proponent and referred to it as a “no-brainer”. I was fortunate to have a representative that I felt supported the profession.

I was also able to sit on a Senate Session from 1:30pm-3:30pm. I saw several people and sports teams be awarded for their achievements in greater Columbus area. I did not realize the senators were so integrated into the community and recognized its citizens. I witnessed the vote for the new House Majority Whip and the new President pro tempore and them taking the oath of the office. I was also able to watch my senator, Kevin Bacon, vote to extend the Sales Tax Holiday on clothing and school supplies. It was interesting watching the senators in action and I was surprised to witness such bipartisanship, as most of the decisions were unanimous.

My meeting with my Senator went well. I had met with him last year during student legislative day, where he was great at listening to each student present their opinions on various bills and ask about us as individuals. This year was no different, he even asked us if there were any other issues not in the house or senate that we would like to see introduced.

I thoroughly enjoyed Student Legislative Day and recommend it as a great way to get educated and involved in pharmacy issues. It helps build confidence in talking with legislators, since after the first meeting you realize it’s not as intimidating as expected. Overall, I find this event to be great at motivating students to be more involved and showing them how easy it can be to form those critical relationships with your legislators.

 

Medical Marijuana

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I had the unique opportunity to debate both sides of legalizing medical marijuana. I got the impression that most of our class felt the same way: we are not necessarily against it, but so much is unknown about marijuana related to drug interactions and indications/efficacy that we are not yet comfortable dispensing it to patients or counseling on its use.

I think arguing both sides was easier for me because I am so undecided on the issue myself. I can see the benefit in smokeless forms for conditions such as cancer, epilepsy, and HIV/AIDS, but it is difficult to determine if it will be prescribed in a way to limit abuse. It is also complicated when it is federally a Schedule 1 (illegal), it hasn’t been determined which active ingredients are of medicinal value, and there are hundreds of different strains.

The hot topic debate provided me with different perspectives for being for or against its legalization and made me feel at ease my peers shared similar concerns. I think hot topic debates are a great way to fully learn about an issue and to make your arguments stronger by hearing from both sides. For me, both the logical and open-minded portions of my mind could come to full view. However, I am still undecided. I think that no matter your stance, it is good that pharmacists and students are thinking critically about both sides and playing an active role in the legislation so that we can be at the front-line for decisions.

 

Article Review

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Article: “Pharmacists Are Positioned Just Right” by Ernest Boyd in Volume 65(1) of Ohio Pharmacist

This article was great in that it both encouraged the profession of pharmacy to step up its game, but also praised it on the achievements it’s made thus far.

“Pharmacists are in a great position to coordinate patient care” was the focus. I agree with Boyd and am happy to learn that more physicians are appreciating the role of pharmacists (because pharmacy is the link between the patient and physician when it comes to medication). He made some great points, especially how pharmacists have helped fill the void for areas without enough physicians to keep up with patient demands.

This idea was tied into “value-based care”. As other healthcare professionals, pharmacies will soon be paid based on outcomes. It does not help a patient to get their medication if it’s not being properly taken. This is where Medication Therapy Management (MTM) plays a critical role. Medicare has been combing through pharmacies deciding which will remain in network based on whether or not they complete MTMs on their patients. This is a big deal and giving incentive for pharmacies to set aside the time.

For those unfamiliar with MTMs: MTMs are a way for pharmacists to make sure patients’ medical regimens are maximizing their health. A pharmacist will identify and address any medication-related problems. For example, a patient may stop taking a medication due to an unwanted side effect or cost. The patient also may not be taking the medication properly, whether it be taking it too often or not enough, taking it at the wrong time of day, or taking it with foods or other medications that can cause an interaction. These are just a few of the of the many issues that would be addressed during a MTM. The pharmacist would then document any interventions and contact a physician if necessary and provide followup with the patient.

So what does this mean for pharmacy? Keep up the great work! The profession is being recognized by patients, providers, and payers for its value and necessity in patient care. The more pharmacy “proves” itself, the more financial incentives it will receive. This will hopefully shift employer attention so pharmacists have more time to complete these patient-focused measures, such as MTM.

How well do you know pharmacy?

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Pharmacies are all around us these days, and most of us can recognize the ones in grocery, drug, and department stores. There are even pharmacies in hospitals, prisons, universities, and nursing and medical facilities. However, most people struggle with understanding both the knowledge and responsibilities of a pharmacist.

Did you know that many pharmacy schools require a Bachelor’s degree prior to admission? Or that pharmacy school is an additional four years in which a doctorate is earned? Many pharmacists also complete an additional year or two of residency. That’s A LOT of school and training, what could they possibly be learning? EVERYTHING (or at least it feels that way sometimes). They not only learn about drug structures and the way that drugs break down and act in the body, but also about the corresponding disease states. They can interpret lab values and be a great resource when you have questions or concerns about managing your health. It is exciting to think that one day you might visit your pharmacist to get refills for your birth control, high blood pressure, or cholesterol medication.

Why am I telling you all of this? I want you as a patient to feel comfortable with your pharmacists and confident in their knowledge. A pharmacy is an easily accessible resource (they are EVERYWHERE) full of providers who want to help you. It is a place to talk about any unease or side effects you experience with a drug. It’s where you go to learn about vitamins or supplements (and if taking them could be dangerous). You can also receive vaccines and discuss any concerns about receiving one. Some insurance even covers a pharmacist to go through your entire medication profile and decide if your medications are appropriate or safe to use. So next time you have a question about your medications or its impact on your health, I encourage you to stop by your local pharmacy.