Unitek College Blog

A ballot measure backed by the retail giants Wal-Mart and Walgreen’s aims to change a nearly 50-year-old law that requires North Dakota pharmacies be majority-owned by independent pharmacists. Since 1963, the North Dakota Pharmacy Ownership Law it has barred hospitals, chain drug stores and retail businesses without majority-ownership by local pharmacists from operating pharmacies in the state.

North Dakota’s pharmacy ownership law is the only one of its kind in the United States. Its unique provisions have allowed independently-owned pharmacies to thrive throughout the state. According to figures published by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR), nearly 90 percent of North Dakota’s pharmacies are independently-owned and operated. By comparison, only around 30 percent of the pharmacies throughout the rest of the country operate under independent ownership.

With financial backing from Walgreen’s and Wal-Mart, the group North Dakotans for Affordable Healthcare hopes to repeal the law through the passage of a ballot measure in the upcoming November election. After months of petitioning North Dakota voters, the group confirms it has exceeded the amount of signatures required to have their initiative placed on the state’s 2010 election ballot.

According to the group’s website, the pharmacy ownership law unfairly restricts the sale of generic prescription drugs in North Dakota by non-pharmacist-owned businesses. As a result, the group claims, North Dakota residents continue to pay more for medications than consumers in other states.

Despite claims that the pharmacy ownership law prevents North Dakota prescription drug users from saving money, a 2009 report issued by ISLR found that repealing the law may actually cost the state millions in lost tax revenue and related economic activity. The report also said passage of the repeal would jeopardize local pharmacies that serve the state’s many rural communities.

Recent efforts by the North Dakotans for Affordable Healthcare group aren’t the first attempt to overturn the pharmacy ownership law. The law was upheld by the United States Supreme Court in the 1970s and was the subject of an attempted repeal by members of the North Dakota State Legislature in 2009.

Although its pharmacy ownership laws are unique, North Dakota, like all other states, relies on the expertise of pharmacy professionals to provide valuable prescription-related services to its residents.

Throughout California, the demand for qualified professionals, like San Francisco pharmacy technicians, continues to grow. The state requires more Sacramento pharmacy technicians and PTs in other locations to assist consumers with their prescription medications. Now is a perfect time to pursue a career in this expanding field. Discover today how quality training from Unitek College can jumpstart your career as a Bay Area pharmacy technician.

For additional information on North Dakota’s Pharmacy Ownership Law and the opposing ballot initiative sponsored by North Dakotans for Affordable Healthcare, please visit:
http://www.newrules.org/retail/rules/pharmacy-ownership-laws/pharmacy-ownership-law-north-dakota
http://ndrx.org/
http://liveshots.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/07/21/nd-initiative-to-change-pharmacy-law/

This past June, two leading organizations for pharmacy professionals, the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), announced their support of the Medication Therapy Management Expanded Benefits Act of 2010.

Introduced in the U.S. Senate on June 29, the bill seeks to increase patient access to the medication therapy management (MTM) services provided by pharmacists. Medication therapy management is used to describe a number of medication-related education and counseling services provided by pharmacists and pharmacy professionals, such as a Sacramento pharmacy technician.

Since being codified into in the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, MTM has been recognized as an effective way for pharmacy professionals to monitor the medication regimens of Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries, and to advise these patients on critical information like prescription side effects and drug interactions. In particular, MTM is seen as important for those with multiple prescriptions for chronic diseases like diabetes and asthma, and the chronic conditions associated with aging.

The Medication Therapy Management Expanded Benefits Act of 2010, authored by Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC) and cosponsored by Senator Al Franken (D-MN), would increase the number of people eligible to receive potentially money and life-saving MTM services.

NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE, expressed the organization’s support of the proposed legislation in June 29 statement:

“By encouraging MTM services in neighborhood pharmacies, the bill would improve public health and reduce healthcare costs by helping patients to take their medications in the right ways and avoid complications with their drug therapies. Patients suffering from chronic disease, be it diabetes, hypertension, asthma or other conditions, will benefit from these pharmacy services, which also strengthen the pharmacist-patient relationship.”

Recent evidence points to the growing need for more medication management therapy services provided by pharmacists and professionals like San Francisco pharmacy technicians. It is estimated that only 50 percent of Americans take their medications as prescribed. According to a July 2009 report by the New England Health Institute, as much as $290 billion a year is spent on hospitalizations, doctor visits and other healthcare related to patients taking their prescription medication incorrectly.

The passage of Medication Therapy Management Expanded Benefits Act of 2010 could potentially save valuable lives and significant dollars. In the meantime, the demand for qualified professionals who can assist patients and pharmacists will continue to increase. Now may be the best time for you to start your career as a pharmacy technician in San Jose or a PT in Santa Clara. See how Unitek College can get you started on the important and growing Pharmacy Technician field!

For additional information on the Medication Therapy Management Expanded Benefits Act of 2010, please visit:

http://www.nacds.org/wmspage.cfm?parm1=6857

http://www.ncpanet.org/media/releases/nacds_ncparelease.php

If you’ve thought of pursuing a career with a Northern California pharmacy, the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) has some news that may help jumpstart your job training.

A recent PTCB-sponsored survey found that Certified Pharmacy Technicians (CPhTs) play a critical role in ensuring medication safety, and have positive effects on overall patient care. According to the PTCB’s June announcement, the study found that 81 percent of pharmacists surveyed believed that pharmacy technician certification is associated with a reduction in the number of medication-related errors.

More than 3,200 pharmacists, representing a range of professional practices throughout the country, participated in the survey, which was administered by Drs. Shane Desselle and Michael Schmitt of the University of Oklahoma College Of Pharmacy.

In addition to recognizing the favorable role that Certified Pharmacy Technicians have on lowering the number of medication errors, the study also revealed that 83 percent of pharmacists surveyed found that working with CPhTs gave them additional time to focus directly on patient care.

“This survey provides the data to support something we have known for years but are now able to quantify; well-trained and PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technicians make a positive impact on patient care,” said Melissa MurerCorrigan, R.Ph., Executive Director and CEO of PTCB.

The survey results, revealed at the PTCB’s March 2010 annual American Pharmacists Association meeting, are encouraging for anyone considering a career as a Certified Pharmacy Technician. As an additional incentive, the PTCB predicts a sharp increase in the demand for Certified Pharmacy Technicians. From large San Francisco pharmacies, to neighborhood businesses in Pleasanton, the PTCB report states that positions for Certified Pharmacy Technicians are expected to increase by 25 percent by 2018.

As one of the leading organizations dedicated to promoting effective working practices between Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians, the PTCB also predicts a strong increase in the demand for patient-centered care. The organization points to the country’s aging population and increasingly complex medication requirements as leading factors in this anticipated healthcare trend. Now more than ever, the pharmaceutical industry needs qualified professionals, including Bay Area Pharmacy Technicians, who can assist licensed pharmacists with patients and dispensing medications.

One of the best ways to take advantage of the exciting growth in pharmacy technician field is to enroll in a quality training program from a recognized education institution. Unitek College features an accredited course to prepare you for the in-demand role of a Pharmacy Technician. See how you can get on the path to a pharmacy technician career, today!

*Additional details on the PTCB study can be found at:
https://www.ptcb.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=PTCB_News&template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=3816

2008 has proven to be a very productive year for PTCB and pharmacy technicians nationwide. Earlier this year, PTCB reached the milestone of 300,000 pharmacy technicians certified by PTCB. Also this year, significant strides have been made on the legislative front to promote the important role of pharmacy technicians in ensuring patient safety. According to the 2008 NABP Survey of Pharmacy Law, 37 states regulate pharmacy technicians, with 28 states incorporating PTCB into their regulations in one of the following ways:

1. As a requirement for pharmacy technician state registration or licensure.
2. As one of the ways to meet state requirements for pharmacy technician registration or licensure.
3. As a mechanism for expanded pharmacist to pharmacy technician ratios.

Since the beginning of 2008, three additional states-Kentucky, Nebraska, and most recently Florida have joined the growing number of states with regulations. This is good news for graduates of Unitek’s Pharmacy Technician training program, as we have a very strong emphasis on PTCB, and have a high passing rate.

We have all heard horror stories of how we are all headed towards an economic disaster with the falling stock market, the mortgage crisis, and the never ending saga about the empty coffers of our state government. Is Health care next? Should one expect wages to drop? And demand to suddenly drop?

Irrespective of who wins the elections, and how dramatically the national economy may fall, health care services is one area which can’t keep up with the escalating demand. North of 60% of the population is demanding premium health care services and expect the service providers to drop the nurse to patient ratio to be a lot lower than current metrics. This is even more apparent in states such as Florida and California with resident population demographics leaning towards the aged.

Due to the shortage of qualified local nurses, an increasing number of recruiting firms are targeting Canadian and other international markets to lure experienced nurses to better paying employment opportunities with U.S. employers. The only way we can meet the burgeoning demand, is to increase seats in our Pharmacy, LVN and LVN and RN programs and send more nursing graduates into the work force. More supply won’t alone solve the problem, but it’s one of the ways to alleviate the impact of the health care crisis. Complement the increased supply with a partnership- between the federal government and the industry-which join hands and make the proposition of entering the nursing profession a sweeter deal – and a national crisis, can indeed be averted.

Is the current economic disaster affecting you in any way?

Here’s a pretty good article highlighting the increasing demand for healthcare positions other than just doctors.  This increased need has subsequently led to increased opportunities in medical fields ranging from medical assistant to pharmacy technicians.

“You never know where your path is going to take you in healthcare, because there are just so many opportunities for growth.  People can continue to be practitioners or go into research. They can also go into the more entrepreneurial, business side of healthcare.”

Check here to read the full article

One of the more interesting parts of the article involves quotes about how the most sought-after medical professionals are multi-skilled workers who can do a variety of medical tasks.  The high demand isn’t allowing a lot of hospitals and medical organizations to wait for nurses and doctors to finish multiple years of schooling.  They need healthcare professionals now, making other health care careers all the more valuable and lucrative.