Pharmacy Resources for Hurricane Harvey
Historic flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey has left widespread damage in southeastern Texas. Here are resources for pharmacists.
NACDS Members Mobilize for Hurricane Harvey Recovery
In response to Hurricane Harvey, which has brought devastating flooding to southeastern Texas, NACDS chain and associate member companies have mobilized--in collaboration with public health partners and emergency preparedness authorities--to meet the ongoing needs of people in Texas affected by the storm.
NACDS Partner Healthcare Ready Responds to Hurricane Harvey
In response to Hurricane Harvey in Texas, NACDS partner Healthcare Ready is coordinating with federal, state, local officials, nonprofits and shelters to ensure those affected by Hurricane Harvey can access the medical supplies they need. The group has also activated Rx Open, an online mapping tool which shows open pharmacies in Texas and Louisiana.
NACDS, Avalere Research Has Encouraging Immunization Findings Pharmacists’ increased authorization to give flu shots associated with boosted immunization rates
An article in Clinical Therapeutics describes a study that found "overall, as states moved to allow pharmacists to administer influenza immunizations, the odds that an adult resident received an influenza immunization rose, with the effect increasing over time."
NACDS, NFID Webinar to Focus on Latest Guidance on Adult, Childhood, and Teen Vaccinations The March 1 webinar will be available on the NACDS Learner Community site for continuing education credit
Arlington, Va. – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) is collaborating with the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) on a webinar outlining the latest Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations for adult, childhood, and teen immunizations. ACIP provides recommendations and guidance to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the use of vaccines for effective control of vaccine-preventable diseases in the US. The live webinar will be held March 1, from 12:00-1:00 p.m. EST. The webinar is free of charge; however registration is necessary to participate.
NFID welcomes the opportunity to partner once again with NACDS on this vital shared commitment to advancing preventive care through immunizations. Working together with immunization stakeholders effectively advances efforts to improve patient care and overall health outcomes.
The immunization recommendations to be discussed on the webinar were presented at ACIP’s meeting February 22-23, 2017. It will summarize highlights from the event, which will be beneficial for those who were unable to attend. Initially accredited for physicians by NFID, the webinar will be available to pharmacists as a result of the partnership with NACDS.
One hour of CE credit will be available for this program, which is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). Following the live webinar, pharmacists seeking to claim CE credit should visit the NACDS Learner Community website. The webinar will available on the NACDS and NFID web portals as enduring education.
After the webinar, participants will be able to describe the most recent ACIP recommendations for adult and childhood/adolescent immunizations, explain how recent changes to vaccine recommendations will impact immunization programs, and discuss information on new and future vaccines for potential use in practice.
“NACDS is delighted to once again partner with NFID on promoting the public health benefits of vaccinations. Pharmacists are playing an increasingly important role in healthcare delivery, including vaccinating the public against seasonal influenza and other vaccine-preventable diseases,” said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE. “Together, we can make great strides in reducing preventable illnesses and ensuring healthier communities.”
“NFID welcomes the opportunity to partner [ READ MORE ]
NACDS Partner Healthcare Ready Prepares for Hurricane Matthew
As the East Coast braces for Hurricane Matthew, NACDS partner Healthcare Ready, a nonprofit that works to protect patient access to healthcare during times of disaster, is monitoring the projection and anticipated impacts of the massive storm.
The group announced that it is preparing to activate Rx Open on October 7—a free, interactive map that shows open and closed pharmacies for both citizens and responders.
Healthcare Ready is coordinating with officials at Federal Emergency Management Agency the Department of Health and Human Services, and in the affected states, to provide assistance. State-specific resources, including guidance on business reentry, can be found on their website. Follow the group on Twitter for updates and, if you become aware of situations that may adversely affect healthcare supply or care in the affected area, or would like to request the assistance of Healthcare Ready, please contact the Healthcare Ready Support Team atalerts@healthcareready.org, or call 1 (866) 247-2694.
NACDS, Stakeholders Release Pandemic Response Resources
A recent study in the journal Vaccine noted that achieving early and rapid vaccination coverage during an influenza pandemic would require better coordinated partnerships between public health agencies and vaccine providers, especially given the vital role pharmacists play in expanding access to pandemic vaccination.
However, little is known about nationwide coordination between public health programs and pharmacies for pandemic vaccine response planning.
In response to this need for better coordination between public health departments and pharmacies to improve pandemic preparedness—and ensure vaccinating pharmacists are fully utilized during a pandemic—NACDS collaborated with the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to create pandemic response resources.
To encourage early and ongoing participation of pharmacies in pandemic influenza plans, and increase public access to immunization services, the groups prepared aMemorandum of Understanding (MOU) template and an Instructional Letter to State Pharmacy Associations, State and Territorial Health Officials, and Pharmacy Providers.
Epic Flooding in Louisiana Prompts NACDS Member Action
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 ]
Forging New Partnerships: NACDS-NFID Collaboration
Feel free to share with all of your pharmacists the enduring education program – titled “Vaccines for Preteens and Teens: The Importance of Timely Vaccination for all Adolescents” – that NACDS and the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) announced this week.
Beyond the knowledge and the continuing education credit, this program speaks volumes about the industry:
- Power of Partnership. NACDS welcomes the opportunity to partner with NFID – another organization with a fantastic reputation in the public-health community. Its recent report stated: “Retail pharmacies continue to expand their vaccination services and they are valuable partners for improving adolescent vaccination rates.” This is a powerful statement – one the industry graciously embraces.
- Vaccination as a Proof Point for the Industry. It is often discussed that pharmacy’s response to the H1N1 influenza outbreak in 2009 demonstrated the value of pharmacy access – particularly as it relates to vaccinations. Out of need, and out of proven effectiveness, pharmacists in 2009 gained the ability to administer the flu vaccine to adults in all 50 states – when Maine took that step. Since that time, pharmacists’ vaccination authority has expanded along with increasing appreciation of the day-to-day access and value that these professionals provide. In 2015, Georgia became the 50th state in which pharmacists can provide at least three adult vaccines. This remains a position of strength from which the industry can continue to build. The industry welcomes the opportunity to make a substantial contribution toward the federal recommendations for adolescent vaccinations. In so doing, NACDS also is striving to expand access to pharmacist-administered adolescent vaccinations in order to make further progress in this area.
- One Example among Many. While vaccinations have become a convenient conversation point to explain pharmacy’s value, there are other examples – including recent examples in which NACDS is highly involved. In July, NACDS and the University of Pittsburgh announced plans for a national tour this fall to advance the Test2Learn™ Community-Based Pharmacogenomics Program – including a component that will provide the instruction necessary for pharmacists to administer the training to other pharmacists. In addition, NACDS this summer presented its second annual national tour to expand pharmacy-based point-of-care testing, [ READ MORE ]
NACDS, NFID Partner to Offer Webinar for Pharmacists on Preteen and Teen Vaccinations August 23 webinar will remain available on NACDS Learner Community site
Arlington, Va. – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) is collaborating with the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) to present a live webinar, “Vaccines for Preteens and Teens: The Importance of Timely Vaccination for All Adolescents,” on Tuesday, August 23, at 12:00 noon (EDT). Registration is necessary to participate.
Initially accredited for physicians, the webinar now is available to pharmacists as a result of the NACDS and NFID partnership. The webinar and continuing education (CE) credits are open to all interested parties. One hour of CE credit will be available for this program, which is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). Following the live webinar, the program will be available on NACDS’ and NFID’s web portals as enduring education.
The webinar coincides with the observance of August as National Immunization Awareness Month, and reflects NACDS’ and NFID’s consistent work to promote the public health benefits of vaccinations. Timely adolescent vaccinations are essential for protection from preventable cancers, meningitis and other serious diseases. The increased efforts to raise awareness of the importance of timely adolescent vaccinations are a result of a report created from a discussion convened by NFID in February 2016.
“NACDS is really pleased to be able to partner with NFID on this important initiative. It has the potential to leverage even further the role of pharmacists as convenient access points for vaccinations and as sources of information about important health topics,” said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE. “Particularly since the H1N1 influenza outbreak of 2009, the public health community recognized the important role of using pharmacists to assure pandemic preparedness as well as to foster ongoing healthcare access.
“I hope the pharmacy community and our allies in public health will share the information about the live webinar event and about the enduring education opportunity, so as many pharmacists as possible can benefit from this program.”
“NFID is pleased to partner with NACDS to share this important resource and to further our joint commitment to protecting the public against vaccine-preventable diseases. Working collaboratively with other related organizations and [ READ MORE ]
