Student Pharmacists: Volunteer for Pharmacy Day at the Capitol!

The 2011 Pharmacy Day at the Capitol will be held Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2011, on the south Capitol lawn of the Michigan State Capitol building in Lansing. Held every fall, Pharmacy Day at the Capitol is a key opportunity to educate legislators on the valuable role pharmacy professionals play in health care. Volunteers have one-on-one time during wellness demonstrations with Michigan's lawmakers to discuss important pharmacy issues and provide expertise in the following areas:

• Blood glucose monitoring
• Blood pressure monitoring
• Immunizations
• Healthy lifestyle practices
• Emergency preparedness

In 2010, MPA also held the first Medication Disposal Event @ the Capitol, where participants were able to safely and responsibly dispose of medications, including controlled substance medications/narcotics. MPA is working with the Department of Environmental Quality to discuss holding another event in 2011.

Students MUST RSVP by Sept. 8 by filling out the online registration available to give the Association an accurate count of how many student volunteers to expect. A minimum understanding of basic pharmacy practice is needed to fulfill responsibilities at this event, therefore, any P1s volunteering will be assigned to assist with the medication disposal tent, lunch line and legislative office visits.

If you have any questions, please contact MPA Professional Practice Assistant Nick Norcross at (517) 377-0251.

Attend MPA’s Upcoming Immunization Training Program in Troy

MPA is hosting several Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery Programs this summer and fall. The next program will be held July 21 at the Somerset Inn in Troy. Participants have the opportunity to earn up to 20 hours of continuing education credit while training to become a certified immunizer.

This innovative and interactive training program teaches pharmacists the skills necessary to become a primary source for vaccine information and administration. The program also teaches the basics of immunology and focuses on practice implementation and legal/regulatory issues.

The training is conducted in two parts: a self-study that’s mailed to participants approximately four weeks before the program date and a live training seminar. Successful completion of the self-study will result in 12 hours of continuing education (CE) credit. In addition, successful completion of the live seminar will result in eight additional hours of live CE credit.

Registration for the July 21 program is available online or by contacting MPA Marketing and Sales Assistant Cynthia Rowe at (517) 377-0222. MPA is also holding two additional programs in 2011, including one designed specifically for Wayne State University student pharmacists. Follow the links below for additional information or to register for these future events.

• Aug. 11 - Crowne Plaza Hotel, Grand Rapids
• Sept. 10 - Wayne State University Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Detroit

Are You Staying Connected with MPA and Local Associations?

MPA and several local associations maintain Facebook and Twitter accounts to keep members up-to-date on the latest pharmacy news and events. Stay connected with these groups, network with other pharmacy professionals, learn of new continuing education opportunities and more. Be sure to provide feedback on MPA’s posts so we can continue to improve what information we’re sharing with followers. Click on the links below to connect with others in the industry and join the conversation! 

Facebook

• MPA
• Student MPA
• Michigan Society of Pharmacy Technicians (MSPT)
• Capital Area Pharmacists Association (CAPA)
• Kent County Pharmacists Association (KCPA)
• Southwest Michigan Pharmacists Association (SWMPA)
• Wayne County Pharmacists Association (WCPA)
• Western Michigan Society of Health-System Pharmacists (WMSHP)

Twitter

• MPA
• Southeastern Michigan Society of Health-System Pharmacists (SMSHP)
• WCPA
• WMSHP

Take Advantage of Up-to-Date Law Resources Available from MPA

MPA offers a number of resources to assist members in staying up-to-date on the latest law changes that affect pharmacy practice.

Michigan Pharmacy Law: A Guide to the Statutes and Regulations, updated earlier this year, provides important pharmacy law updates, covering important terms and phrases, the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination™, general pharmacy practice issues, dispensing and prescribing regulations, controlled substances, and sanctions, disciplinary issues and disqualifications. Members can purchase this resource at a discounted price of $75 (nonmember price is $100). Student members also receive a discounted price of $35 (student nonmember price is $50).

In addition, MPA offers a Pharmacy Law Update Service (PLUS) CD-ROM that covers important changes to the Code of Federal Regulations, Public Health Code, Board of Pharmacy administrative rules, controlled substance prescribing regulations and more. The CD-ROM can be purchased for $100.

You also have the option of purchasing Michigan Pharmacy Law and the PLUS CD as a combination package. Members can purchase the combination package at a discounted price of $140 (nonmember price is $180), and student pharmacist members can purchase the combination package at a discounted price of $60 (student nonmember price is $85).

These great pharmacy law resources can be purchased from the MPA Online Store or by calling Marketing and Sales Assistant Cynthia Rowe at (517) 377-0222. If you’re purchasing online, be sure you are logged into the Web site to receive member discounted pricing.

Graduates Encouraged to Take Advantage of Complimentary MPA Membership

The transition from a student pharmacist to a new practitioner is not always an easy one; however, the Association aims to make it easier by providing newly graduating student pharmacists with a free MPA membership through the end of their graduating year. In addition, MPA offers two membership levels, Pharmacist Conversion Step One and Pharmacist Conversion Step Two, for new practitioners to take advantage of discounted membership rates the two years following their graduation from pharmacy school.

MPA wants to help student pharmacists and new practitioners be as successful as possible, so be sure to take advantage of all a membership in the Association has to offer! If you have any questions about your membership or would like to take advantage of this offer, please contact Member Services Manager Allison Drake at (517) 377-0241 or Allison@MichiganPharmacists.org.