WMSHP kicked off the year with a fantastic, interactive presentation from Todd Walroth on facilitating pharmacy residents and technicians in applying project management skills. Thank you to everyone who came out to Latitude 42 in Kalamazoo for the meeting. I’m positive that all attendees came away from the presentation with some great insight and ideas for utilizing and empowering pharmacist extenders in project management roles.
Our next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 14th, and will feature Mark Wilson, PharmD, BCPS presenting “An Update on Current and Future Heart Failure Management.” Hopefully everyone appreciates the “heart failure presentation on Valentine’s Day” humor. The meeting will be held at the Wege Center at Mercy Health Saint Mary’s in Grand Rapids. We hope to see you all there!
There have been a few important changes in the Michigan pharmacy law rules this month. I’m sure by now everyone knows that gabapentin was newly categorized as a Schedule V controlled substance a few weeks ago. This has rocked a lot of worlds on both the prescribing and dispensing sides. Another law update that was overshadowed by the gabapentin news was that any individual seeking a controlled substance license must now complete a training in opioids and controlled substances awareness. This new rule applies to all pharmacists, starting with those who are up for re-licensure this upcoming June. The training must include integration of treatments, alternative pain management treatments, counseling patients on the effects and risks associated with using controlled substances, stigma of addiction, proper disposal requirements for prescriptions, utilizing the Michigan Automated Prescription System (MAPS), and state and federal controlled substance dispensing laws. More to come on this in the coming months!
Reminder to Pharmacy Residents: Submit your research abstract for an opportunity to share your residency project with our members at the April WMSHP meeting! Abstracts are due to Sarah Klingenberg (sarah.joy93@yahoo.com) by January 31st. Don’t miss out on this chance to practice your presentation before the Great Lakes conference!
