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CDC, Pediatrician Group Advise Against Nasal Flu Spray

admin2016-09-09T16:52:12-04:00Categories: Article|Tags: CDC, Vaccinations|

Citing poor effectiveness, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) do not recommend the nasal flu vaccine spray.

The AAP and CDC recommend that everyone ages six months and older receive a seasonal flu shot during the 2016-17 season…

The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) announced in June that it didn’t recommend the nasal flu vaccine spray, citing studies that found the nasal spray vaccine did not protect against certain strains of the flu virus that were most prominent the past three seasons. The nasal spray vaccine effectiveness among children two through 17 years was three percent in 2015-16, compared with 63 percent for the injected vaccine. In a revised policy statement released this week, the AAP said it supports the CDC’s recommendation not to use the nasal flu vaccine.

The AAP and CDC recommend that everyone ages six months and older receive a seasonal flu shot during the 2016-17 season, noting that vaccination remains the best available preventive measure against the flu.

For updated flu vaccine recommendations for the 2016-2017 season, visit the CDC’s website.

Sharp Decline in Chickenpox Cases Highlights Importance of Vaccination

admin2016-09-09T15:28:12-04:00Categories: Article|Tags: CDC, Vaccinations|

Recent findings released from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that cases of chickenpox have declined even further since the introduction of a second routine childhood dose of varicella vaccine in 2006.

News of the effective decline in chickenpox cases because of vaccinations bolsters the role pharmacy plays in providing accessible, affordable vaccinations in communities across the country.

The chickenpox vaccine was introduced in 1996, which led to approximately a 90 percent decline in cases of chickenpox, however because of continued outbreaks, the second routine dose of the vaccination was introduced. The CDC report noted an 85 percent decline in chickenpox cases between 2005-2006 (the end of the one-dose varicella vaccination program) to 2013-2014. The largest declines occurred among children and adolescents ages 5-14 years, the age groups most likely to have received a second shot of vaccine to prevent the disease.

The CDC has credited vaccination with preventing four million cases of chickenpox, 9,000 hospitalizations, and 100 deaths each year.

News of the effective decline in chickenpox cases because of vaccinations bolsters the role pharmacy plays in providing accessible, affordable vaccinations in communities across the country.

NACDS continues to advocate for expanded access to pharmacist-administered adolescent vaccinations and recently collaborated with the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) on presenting a webinar, “Vaccines for Preteens and Teens: The Importance of Timely Vaccination for All Adolescents” in August, which coincided with the observance of August as National Immunization Awareness Month. The increased efforts to raise awareness of the importance of timely adolescent vaccinations were spurred by a report released by NFID in February. The report stated: “Retail pharmacies continue to expand their vaccination services and they are valuable partners for improving adolescent vaccination rates.”

NACDS also recently announced the launch of three demonstrations projects that aim to foster healthcare collaboration to increase pharmacy-based immunizations.

Proof of the effectiveness of vaccinations illustrates the pharmacy industry’s contribution to improving patient health and outcomes with preventative, evidence-based efforts.

NACDS Promotes Tom O’Donnell to Senior Vice President, Government Affairs and Public Policy Brings nearly 30 years of Congressional and advocacy experience to leadership of NACDS’ federal and state public policy, government affairs, grassroots and political programs

admin2016-09-08T14:17:54-04:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: NACDS|

Arlington, Va. – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) has promoted Thomas A. O’Donnell to senior vice president, government affairs and public policy, effective September 7, 2016. O’Donnell has served as vice president, federal government affairs, since joining the NACDS staff team on July 9, 2012. In his new capacity, O’Donnell will report to NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE.

Tom has succeeded in applying his exceptional knowledge of government and politics to the member-centric and patient-centric approach that defines NACDS.

“Tom has succeeded in applying his exceptional knowledge of government and politics to the member-centric and patient-centric approach that defines NACDS,” Anderson said. “He has proven himself to be a highly trusted and effective advocate on important issues that relate directly to NACDS members’ success in serving as the face of neighborhood healthcare across the nation. We look forward to his leadership of the exceedingly talented NACDS government affairs and public policy team, to his collaboration as a member of NACDS’ senior staff, and to his continuing and keen focus on serving the NACDS membership.”

Up to this point, O’Donnell has provided leadership for NACDS’ federal government affairs programs, including direct advocacy on Capitol Hill, the NACDS RxIMPACT grassroots program, and the NACDS Political Action Committee (NACDS-PAC). In his new capacity, he will add leadership responsibility for Executive Branch advocacy, public policy analysis, and state government affairs.

O’Donnell has built a nearly three-decade career as a Congressional staff member and as a government affairs professional. Prior to joining NACDS in 2012, he served as chief-of-staff to three members of the U.S. House of Representatives, most recently for U.S. Rep. Steve Rothman (D-NJ) and previously for U.S. Reps. Phil Hare (D-IL) and Rush Holt (D-NJ).

He also served as a professional staff member for the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, spanning three Congresses from 1997 through 2002. His Capitol Hill experience also includes legislative positions with U.S. Reps. Lane Evans (D-IL) and Patricia Schroeder (D-CO).

In addition to O’Donnell’s tenure with NACDS, his experience as an advocate includes a nearly five-year tenure as director of congressional affairs for Continental Consulting Group Corporation, where he focused on veterans’ affairs, national security [ READ MORE ]

Epic Flooding in Louisiana Prompts NACDS Member Action

admin2016-09-06T14:09:56-04:00Categories: Article|Tags: Community, Preparedness|

In response to the historic flooding in Louisiana, NACDS member companies—demonstrating the vital role they play in the communities they serve—immediately stepped in to provide assistance for those in need, in collaboration with public health partners and emergency preparedness authorities.

NACDS member companies—demonstrating the vital role they play in the communities they serve—immediately stepped in to provide assistance for those in need…

As of print time, these are the relief efforts NACDS members have been involved in. If your company also participated in these efforts, or has updated information, please send an email to NACDS’ Lisa Boylan so we can report on it in upcoming editions of CEO Issue Update, as this is a long-term relief initiative and we want to accurately reflect member efforts.

To date, these are the member actions NACDS has observed in media reports:

Albertsons accepted donations for the American Red Cross Louisiana Flood Relief in southern Louisiana stores and the Albertsons Company Foundation has pledged to match donations dollar for dollar up to $300,000. Albertsons also allowed the City of Denham Springs to operate in their parking lot and store for a period of time and provided temporary shelter to evacuees. Albertsons operates 19 stores in the region.
CVS Health and the CVS Health Foundation announced a $100,000 donation in cash and in-kind support to organizations providing relief efforts to flood victims in central Louisiana, including the Salvation Army USA Southern Territory and the American Red Cross. CVS operates 131 stores in the area.
The Rite Aid Foundation recently donated an additional $50,000 to the American Red Cross Louisiana Capital Area for flood victims in Louisiana, adding to the foundation’s August 15 donation of $50,000. Rite Aid operates 61 stores in Louisiana, including 11 in the greater Baton Rouge area.
Southeastern Grocers LLC matched customer contributions to its Winn-Dixie, BI-LO and Harveys stores for the flood relief efforts dollar for dollar through the Southeastern Grocers Foundation. Southeastern Grocers LLC operates 43 stores in the region.
Target is donating $400,000 to assist Baton Rouge and the surrounding communities affected. The donation includes $100,000 to both the Salvation Army and American Red Cross to aid shelter and relief [ READ MORE ]

FDA Announced Class-Wide Drug Labeling Changes Warning of Risks of Combining Opioids and Anxiety Meds

admin2016-09-06T14:03:37-04:00Categories: Article|Tags: FDA, Medications|

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced class-wide drug labeling changes for opioid and benzodiazepine products on August 31 to help patients and doctors better understand the potentially life-threatening risks of combining anti-anxiety or sleep medications with prescription opioids.

The agency will now require boxed warnings—the FDA’s strongest warning—and patient-focused Medication Guides for prescription opioid analgesics, opioid-containing cough products, and benzodiazepines (nearly 400 products in total)…

The agency will now require boxed warnings—the FDA’s strongest warning—and patient-focused Medication Guides for prescription opioid analgesics, opioid-containing cough products, and benzodiazepines (nearly 400 products in total) with information about the serious risks associated with using these medications at the same time. Risks include extreme sleepiness, respiratory depression, coma and death.

The agency is taking this action after an extensive review of the latest scientific evidence revealed that physicians have been increasingly prescribing opioids and benzodiazepines together, which has raised the risk of adverse outcomes. From 2004 to 2011, the rate of emergency department visits involving non-medical use of both drug classes increased significantly, with overdose deaths (from taking prescribed or greater than prescribed doses) involving both drug classes nearly tripling during that period.

In the announcement, FDA stressed its commitment to collaborating with the healthcare community and federal and state partners—as underscored in NACDS-backed, bipartisan legislation signed into law this year, S. 483, the Ensuring Patient Access and Drug Enforcement—to help reduce opioid misuse and abuse and improve appropriate opioid prescribing, while ensuring that patients in pain continue to have appropriate access to opioid analgesics.

NACDS RxIMPACT Lauds Roundtable Focused on Curbing Opioid Addiction

admin2016-08-31T13:55:42-04:00Categories: Photo|Tags: RxIMPACT|

Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO) and Brandon Martin, PharmD, pharmacy manager of the Ladue, Mo. Genoa, a QoL Healthcare Company, at a roundtable to discuss curbing opioid abuse.

NACDS RxIMPACT lauds Genoa, a QoL Healthcare Company’s, participation in a roundtable discussion with Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO) recently in Ladue, Mo. An emergency room physician, a police officer and members of the addiction treatment and mental health community also participated to discuss strategies to curb the rise of opioid addiction in their community.

The group discussed strategies to engage young people and families to increase awareness about opioid addiction. They also talked about the potential benefits for their community with the passage of bipartisan, NACDS-backed legislation, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA). The bill would adjust existing authorizations and programs to provide a series of resources and incentives to help healthcare providers, law enforcement officials and state and local governments to expand drug treatment, prevention and recovery efforts.

Brandon Martin, PharmD, the pharmacy’s general manager, said, “It was a productive meeting and I was able to share our company’s mission and talk about what we do here at Genoa.” He added that the meeting was “definitely a positive experience.”

Ready to Vote? Spread the News!

admin2016-08-30T13:20:57-04:00Categories: Article|Tags: RxIMPACT|

NACDS RxIMPACT Votes recently released a new resource that encourages advocates to use their social media platforms to actively encourage their friends and associates with positive, personal messages to get involved, educated about the candidates—and to vote.

The flyer features sample tweets, Instagram posts and Facebook status ideas that advocates can use to show what they’re doing to become a #PharmacyVoter in #Election2016. Tell your followers you are voting and ask them to do the same. Tweet out voter registration deadlines and reminders to vote on November 8th. Share links to candidate lists and ballot initiatives.

Shape tomorrow by voting today!

Consumer Confidence High for Back-to-School Spending

admin2016-08-25T13:05:17-04:00Categories: Photo|Tags: Infographics|

NACDS RxIMPACT Gets Out the Vote—and Gains Recognition

admin2016-08-25T11:11:54-04:00Categories: Article|Tags: RxIMPACT|

Leading the industry in mobilizing voters with robust, nonpartisan get-out-the-vote initiatives, NACDS RxIMPACT Votes aims to increase voter registration and political engagement in campaigns. The program does not encourage voting for any particular candidates, rather it focuses on getting voters excited about being part of the election process.

“You give me a date, time and city, and we’ll make it happen.” –Heidi Ecker, NACDS director of government affairs and grassroots programs

NACDS RxIMPACT Votes recently released a new resource which encourages advocates to use their social media platforms to actively encourage their friends and associates with positive, personal messages to get involved, educated about the candidates—and to vote. The flyer features sample tweets, Instagram posts and Facebook status ideas that advocates can use to show what they’re doing to become a #PharmacyVoter in #Election2016. Earlier this year, the program also launched two widely shared #PharmacyVoter campaign “ads”—Momentum and Effective—which have gotten nearly 140,000 views on YouTube combined.

NACDS’ groundbreaking and highly effective grassroots program NACDS RxIMPACT was also recognized by the association industry publication CEO Update in an article that highlighted the longevity and breadth of the program, which has facilitated more than 500 events and meetings since its inception in 2008. NACDS Director of Government Affairs and Grassroots Programs Heidi Ecker, conveying the proactive nature of the program in the article, said, “You give me a date, time and city, and we’ll make it happen.”

The media attention comes as NACDS RxIMPACT marks the 64th in-district activity of 2016—to date. The program also educates advocates across the country with its NACDS RxIMPACT Training Program, which travelled to Campbell University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences in North Carolina and the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin this week to illustrate the power grassroots advocacy can have in advancing pro-patient, pro-pharmacy legislative priorities. Immediately following Ecker’s presentation in North Carolina, Bob Cisneros, Ph.D., associate professor at Campbell University, wrote and said, “…thank you so much for a great presentation and for inspiring our students to get involved. Your presentation is super.”

NACDS Gives Back to the Community

admin2016-08-25T11:07:25-04:00Categories: Photo|Tags: Community, NACDS|

Reflecting NACDS members’ commitment to community engagement, NACDS staff members recently volunteered for the Arlington Food Assistance Center, whose headquarters are near the NACDS office, to collect fresh produce left on farmers’ fields after they have been harvested to ensure edible produce is not needlessly discarded. NACDS volunteers collected 1,089 pounds of vegetables from the fields.

National Association of Chain Drug StoresPharmacies. The face of neighborhood healthcare.

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