To advance the concept of pharmacy care. To ensure the economic viability and security of

Independent Pharmacy; To provide a forum

for Independent Pharmacy to exchange information and develop strategies, goals and

objectives; To address the unique business and

professional issues of independent pharmacies; To develop and implement

marketing opportunities for members of the

Academy with emphasis on the third party prescription drug program/benefit market; To

provide educational programs designed to

enhance the managerial skills of Independent Pharmacy Owners and Managers; and, To

establish and implement programs and services

designed to assist Independent Pharmacy Owners and Managers.

AIP Mission Statement

Compounder’s Corner Dale Coker, RPh, FIACP, Compounding Section Chairman

It has been a busy few weeks during this transition time for IACP. The search committee has interviewed several outstanding

candidates for the open Executive Vice President position. We hope to have a recommendation to the Board of Directors at

the Educational conference in San Diego on February 24. We feel confident that IACP is going to be stronger than ever with

our new leadership. Meanwhile, IACP has not missed a beat under the direction of Cynthia Blankenship of Rose Law Firm,

Little Rock Arkansas, who is IACP's transition director.

Here at home, I'm sure all of you who were compounding for office use, pursuant to state law, received a letter from the

Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency demanding that you cease this activity, and preparations compounded for office use after

October 1, 2015 could be construed as misbranded by GDNA and FDA. Interesting that we weren't notified of this in a timely

manner, rather than a retroactive manner. Also interesting due to the fact that appropriations language in the Omnibus Bill

signed by President Obama in December gives FDA 90 days to issue guidance as to how office use compounding can be

allowed. Notice, the mandate from Congress is FDA guidance on how office use compounding CAN BE ALLOWED, not IF it can

be allowed. When the Drug Quality and Security Act (DQSA) was passed, the intent of Congress was that FDA would not

interpret provisions of the Federal Drug Agency Modernization Act (FDAMA) any differently than in the past. Shortly after

passage of DQSA, FDA interpreted the law regarding office use compounding differently than in the past, making a statement

that all office use compounding was not allowed. This is another example of Federal agencies taking away states rights. We

=

Chairman’s Message

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 6 V O L U M E 2 0 , I S S U E 2

An official publication of GPhA’s Academy of Independent Pharmacy The mission of AIP is to ensure the economic viability and security of independent pharmacy, and to

advance the concept of pharmacy care designed to enhance patient quality of life and positive outcomes.

The Independent News

I ran into an old friend a few weeks ago. His Mother has moved from her long time home to a local Nursing Home. We talked about growing up in a neighborhood with about 15 kids all about the same age. I remembered his house had one really important piece to it. The front porch was always home base when we played “Fox and Hounds”. This was a game which was best played as the sun went down and the foxes would hide and the hounds would try to find you. You had to claim “not it” if you didn’t want to be the fox. I loved being the fox. I bent the rules a lot when it came to hiding places and using strategy to out think the hounds. I probably never outgrew enjoying being the fox. For sure there are plenty of hounds coming at us from all angles. Let’s see if you agree. It’s legislative time again in Georgia. We had anticipated a more simpler session this year since it is short and an election year. The hounds were supposed to rest up this year and leave the foxes alone. There will be a few items we support or oppose and you will be asked to act on them. First will be some reform on the PDMP reporting we do each week. The plan is to make our adherence and use of the information something we can possibly communicate to other healthcare professionals for the good of the patient. We were all taught that we are all here to be part of the process to have good patient outcomes. Hopefully the changes if made will allow better ways to share information and have better outcomes. The cannabis issue for Georgia will be out there too. Having a seat at the table in discussions will be helpful when this goes to a vote. This will happen sooner or later in some form. We are prepared to have input when needed. Stay connected with what goes on and watch for more as the session rolls on. Curve balls are always possible. The hounds sometimes think that winter time means hibernation time for us foxes. We have to sleep with one eye open waiting for the curves. My instinct tells me that there may be a few items of interest that we will have to attend to before the session is over. As always us foxes will be on our toes ready to act on issues that we need to be involved with. My PSAO tells me they have done me a favor. They have begun to hold money in an escrow account to help pay my DIR fees to two of the bigger groups of hounds. I was shocked at what they feel is coming my way in what I see is stealing. It may come out to be about one Technician’s salary when you add it up for the year. I was told this is the price you pay for being a Preferred Pharmacy in those two networks. When was being Preferred supposed to be a bad thing? If CMS is aware that the DIR fees are legal but were never meant to be handled in the manner they are at this time, then how will we get justice on this front? Not being Preferred in the State’s Retiree program has cost me about a dozen customers since this started this year. Being Preferred has caused me to sell medication for less than I pay for it. Those dang hounds have really got us cornered now. My only hope is that one of us comes down with rabies and eliminates a few hounds along the way. I am not smart enough to have an answer for this that is legal or moral. I bet in the world of foxes they had to group together to make things happen for them, like raid henhouses or handle adversity. My best suggestion is that we all

Drew

2 0 1 6 - 2 0 1 7

B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R S

Drew Miller, R.Ph., CDM Chairman

Scott Meeks, R.Ph. Chairman Elect

E. Laird Miller, R.Ph. Secretary

Ira Katz, R.Ph. Immediate Past Chairman

Scott Brunner, CAE

Hugh Chancy, R.Ph.

Ben Cravey, R.Ph.

Carolyn Florence, R.Ph.

Kevin Florence, Pharm.D.

George Launius, R.Ph.

Pamala Marquess, Pharm.D.

Mac McCord, R.Ph.

Fred Sharpe, R.Ph.

Tim Short, R.Ph.

Chris Thurmond, Pharm.D.

Lindsay Walker, R.Ph.

A I P S T A F F

Jeff L. Lurey, R.Ph.

Executive Director of AIP

Verouschka Betancourt-Whigham

Manager of AIP Member Services

Rhonda Bonner

Member Services Representative

Charles D. Boone

Member Services Representative

Amanda Gaddy, R.Ph.

Director of Clinical Services

Melissa Metheny

Member Services Representative

Gene Smith

Member Services Representative

Continued on Page 3

T H E I N D E P E N D E N T N E W S

KEEP

INDEPENDENTS

INDEPENDENT

Please don’t forget, if you

have a desire to sell your

pharmacy or if you have

an interest in buying a

pharmacy, please contact

Jeff Lurey at

404-419-8103. We have

been quite successful

during the past several

years at keeping

independents independent.

We maintain a list of

pharmacists who want to

buy additional pharmacies

and we also keep a list of

young pharmacists who

want to own a

pharmacy. All information

is kept strictly confidential.

P A G E 2

If you change wholesalers please be sure to let us know. Please contact Verouschka Betancourt-Whigham “V” at vbwhigham@gpha.org or 404-419-8102.

Thank You

AIP HELPS A MEMBER WITH $107,000

AUDIT

AIP recently helped a member with an

audit totaling more than $107,000. We were

involved throughout the entire appeal process

and the final result of the audit was $0.00

recoupment. Fortunately, most of our members

are not confronted by audits this size, but it’s

good to know that AIP will fight on your behalf

whenever you need us. If you need our help,

please let us know.

AIP MEMBER + AIP STAFF = SUCCESS

AIP Helps A Member

*********

Members

Please Be

Aware

When emailing

AIP regarding

pharmacy

issues please

include your

name,

pharmacy

name, address,

phone number

and NPI#.

***********

AIP TRYING TO GO PAPERLESS

We have been increasing our attempts to go paperless for almost 12 months. I’m sure you have

noticed a lot more blast e-mails instead of blast faxes. Not only does it help our environment, it

saves us money. Starting with the next edition of The Independent News (AIP’s newsletter), we will

start printing our newsletter quarterly rather than monthly. We will continue to send the newsletter

via email monthly plus blast e-mails and blast faxes on a regular basis, so you will not miss any

important updates or Pharmacy news items. We appreciate your understanding. If you have any

questions, please contact us.

AIP VP VISITS UGA COLLEGE OF PHARMACY

Jeff Lurey, AIP Vice President, was the guest speaker at Jeff Sanford’s entrepreneurial

class at UGA’s College of Pharmacy on Jan. 28. Lurey spoke for several hours to 2nd

and 3rd year students about Independent Pharmacy and the significant role that

independents play in our profession. There was a lot of interest from the students on “how to buy

a pharmacy”. Lurey also discussed the many changes occurring in our profession and how the

traditional business model for retail Pharmacy has changed dramatically during the past several

years. The students were very interested to learn how they could embrace the new model and how

the new model would provide an opportunity for them to make a positive impression with a new

employer (hopefully in an independent pharmacy).

Improved Aetna Medicare Part D MAC Appeals Process

Aetna is pleased to announce a new simplified Medicare MAC appeals process is now available for pharmacy network providers. Based on your feedback, we’ve made the following changes.

Appeal submissions can now be entered directly on the Aetna MAC appeals

website, https://aetna.formassembly.com/224418

Does not require completing Excel files or sending email attachments Only essential information is required Flexibility to enter additional supporting information

Allows Aetna to review your appeals and respond more promptly

AIP NOMINATES OFFICERS

FOR 2016-2018

The AIP Nominating Committee met on February 8th to nominate a

slate of officers for 2016-2018. The nominees are the following:

1. Chairman-Elect – Lindsay Walker

2. Secretary – Laird Miller

According to the Bylaws, these names will now be submitted at

the Annual Meeting (March 13, 2016) in Macon. Any additional

nominees may be made from the floor. A ballot will then be sent

by approved means to the membership no later than 25 days after

the Annual Meeting and voting must be completed by midnight of the

40th day following adjournment of the Annual Meeting.

V O L U M E 2 0 , I S S U E 2 P A G E 7

T H E I N D E P E N D E N T N E W S

P A G E 6 V O L U M E 2 0 , I S S U E 2

meet up in Macon for our Spring Meeting and make some group effort to outsmart some hounds. Niche marketing will be part of the focus of this meeting. It’s hard for the hounds to cut our profits on things they don’t control. I don’t like meetings in which we just moan and groan and we leave more frustrated than ever. I think Amanda and V have put together some good information for all us to carry back home and implement into alternatives for revenue. Foxes are resilient and they are survivors. In a time where being “it” can be good or bad, let’s make being “it” something really, really good. Whether making a call to your Legislator about a Bill or sharing information on how you work your special Niche, we can all come together in Macon and get some results. I for one will not bend to the hounds without a fight. Let’s show the hounds we won’t lie down and just take it. I’ll see you in Macon and we will talk next month.

P A G E 3 Chairman’s Message—Continued from Page 1

Remarkable Progress: A Look

Back at the APhA Provider

Status Campaign in 2015

Each New Year, we have an opportunity to reflect on the accomplish-

ments of the previous year. With your help, the campaign to pass The

Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act (H.R.

592/S. 314) made major strides in 2015.

Re-introduced in the U.S. House in January, and introduced for the

first time as a companion bill in the U.S. Senate, provider status

legislation quickly garnered widespread bi-partisan support. Within

30 days, more than 60 House members had become co-sponsors

and momentum never abated during the year. By June, co-

sponsorship of the House bill surpassed support enjoyed by the bill

in the previous Congress. A key highlight came in October when

Representatives Buddy Carter (R-GA), Doug Collins (R-GA), Austin

Scott (R-GA), Rod Blum (R-IA) and David Loebsack (D-IA) discussed

the importance of provider status during a special floor session of

the U.S. House. That same month, the bill achieved an important

milestone when the majority of House members signed on as co-

sponsors. Another highlight occurred in November when the APhA

Academy of Student Pharmacist’s hosted Representatives Debbie

Dingell (D-MI), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Bill Keating (D-MA) at

the Midyear Regional Meetings, and they spoke in support of provider

status.

We want to take a moment to thank the U.S. House and U.S. Senate

members who introduced The Pharmacy and Medically Underserved

Areas Enhancement Act into Congress and for their work in building

its support among their colleagues.

APhA continued its leadership role in growing support for the legisla-

tion. At the start of 2015, the PharmacistsProvideCare campaign

had 14,000 supporters. Through consistent outreach via campaign

and Focus newsletter updates, the CEO Blog, webinars, commitment

cards, email and media alerts, APhA grew online support substantial-

ly. By May, five times more letters from supporters were generated

to Congress than during all of 2014, and the campaign became the

largest grassroots advocacy effort in APhA’s 163-year history. By

year’s end, the campaign had 21,000 supporters who had sent more

than 36,000 letters to Congress. APhA also produced video testimo-

nials of patient care stories from pharmacists and student pharma-

cists from all 50 states. This intense effort has made a difference.

As we start 2016, there are 262 co-sponsors in the House and 39 co

-sponsors in the Senate, and we are optimistic that the campaign for

provider status will continue its strong progress. We urge you to

continue making a difference. Please take a moment to send a letter

today. Go to PharmacistsProvideCare and click “Take Action.”

2016 MirixaPro Programs are Launching

Cases Start January 26, 2016!

Streamlined Program Service Description

Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Attestation Due for 2016

In response to your feedback, Mirixa has created a new general Medicare Medication Therapy Management (MTM)

Program Service Description (PSD) for its Medicare programs. This new PSD is shared between the Medicare MTM

programs with each program utilizing a "Program Info Tab" which specifies the unique elements and instructions (if

any) for each specific program. Through this new approach, Mirixa hopes to make it easier for pharmacists to quickly

find the information that you seek in order to work cases more efficiently.

Mirixa continues to offer the following types of programs:

Medication Therapy Management (MTM): A full MTM service includes a review of patient allergies, chronic

conditions, all current prescriptions, and current over-the-counter medications, providing pharmacists and their

patients a comprehensive Medication Action Plan (MAP), Personal Medication List (PML), and quarterly Targeted

Medication Review follow-ups.

Star Ratings: Mirixa's Star Ratings Programs are quick, targeted services focused on Patient Safety, Omissions in Care,

and Adherence measures.

Formulary Alignment: Pharmacists are presented with identified cost-saving therapeutic interchange opportunities

for assessment and resolution during a targeted intervention.

To access all of the Mirixa PSD documents, log on to MirixaPro (https://app.mirixa.com/MirixaPro/SignIn.aspx) and

sign in. Under "What's New" on the right side of the screen select "Learn More" found under "Patient Care

Programs" for a full list of 2016 MTM programs and their descriptions.

Through your participation in Mirixa's pharmacy network, you contribute to the important role that community

pharmacies play in improving patients' health outcomes and potentially reducing total healthcare costs, and ultimately

in empowering every patient to live a fuller, healthier life.

Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Attestation Due for 2016

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS") requires pharmacies that provide services to Medicare patients

annually to complete Medicare-compliant Fraud, Waste, and Abuse (or "FWA") and General Compliance Training

("GCT"). CMS also requires pharmacies to perform monthly exclusion screenings to ensure that their pharmacy staff

members are not barred from providing services to Medicare patients. Mirixa and program sponsors recognize that

pharmacies play an important role in preventing, detecting, and correcting Fraud, Waste, and Abuse, and in ensuring

that no excluded provider is allowed to perform services for Medicare patients.

As part of our commitment to compliance with these FWA/GCT requirements, Mirixa requires MirixaProSM users to

attest that they have taken FWA/GCT. Each January for existing users and upon new user account creation, Mirixa's

opening splash screen in MirixaProSM asks users to attest to having completed this training. Existing users must attest

that they have taken FWA/GCT within the past 12 months, and new users within the past 90 days. Once a user attests

that s/he has completed such training the splash screen will disappear until the following January. Users may take

their pharmacy's own Medicare-compliant FWA/GCT or access the CMS training through the Medicare Learning Network

website at: http://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNProducts/

ProviderCompliance.html. A user will have sixty (60) days to make the attestation. If s/he does not, the user will be

prompted to contact Mirixa to continue using the MirixaProSM platform.

If your email address in MirixaPro is not up-to-date, please update your MirixaPro profile so that you receive case

notifications when cases are assigned to your pharmacy.

Please Note: all Mirixa programs are voluntary for patients.

For help logging onto the MirixaPro platform, contact Mirixa Support toll free at 866-218-6649.

T H E I N D E P E N D E N T N E W S

P A G E 4

Part D MAC Updates Finally Required; What You Can Do

to MAC It Happen By B. Douglas Hoey, RPh, MBA, National Community Pharmacists Association CEO

Every year at this time NCPA's email and phones start to light up with reports from members about problems with prescription drug plans (PDPs) as they try to take care of seniors. We have already received numerous reports about MACs being dramatically below acquisition cost on a variety of products, but especially on topicals.

NCPA wants to hear about any problems you are having with Part D so that we can take action with CMS. Of course, on product pricing, your first communication should be to the entity that administers your contract with the plan, usually your PSAO, so it can contact the health plan and try to work out pricing disputes. But after you have reported the problem to your PSAO, make sure that NCPA gets the message so we can also reach out to CMS and/or the health plan.

Also, remember that CMS is now requiring PBMs to update MACs at least every seven days. The first seven-day period of 2016 is today, so keep a watchful eye to make sure MACs are being updated. Based on the complaints we are hearing, compliance with the MAC update and disclosure requirements could be put to the test early.

In addition to regular updates, health plans must indicate the source used by the Part D plan for making such updates.

If you are having problems, please report them to us by emailing michael.rule@ncpanet.org. NCPA Attorney's Note: Please DO NOT provide any patient-specific data or personally-identifiable information (name, address, birth date, phone number, insurance ID number, Rx number), from any information you share.

The Part D program has morphed into something very different than how it began 10 years ago. But one thing is the same—community pharmacists have to scrap for every detail to help their patients and hold PDPs to the spirit of the law.

Save The Date: AIP Spring

Meeting Sunday,

March 13, 2016

Macon Marriott &

Centreplex,

Macon, GA

GPhA

Convention Thursday June 16 -

Sunday June 19,

2016 Hilton Head

Marriott Resort &

Spa, Hilton Head,

SC

AIP Fall Meeting Sunday,

October 23, 2016

Macon Marriott &

Centreplex,

Macon, GA

V O L U M E 2 0 , I S S U E 2 P A G E 5