Rural pharmacy and prescription drugs resources related to rural health and human services, with information provided by the Rural Assistance Center Copyright 2008 Rural Assistance Center http://www.raconline.org/info_guides/pharmacy/ SureScripts article tells how in the single most significant advance to the accuracy, efficiency and quality of information associated with the 4 billion prescriptions written annually in the United States, the nations retail pharmacies and leading pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) today announced an unprecedented collaboration to unite the countrys two leading health information networks. http://www.surescriptsrxhub.com/ Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:35:54 CST http://www.surescriptsrxhub.com/ Comments are being requested from CMS on this proposed rule that would establish location requirements including exception criteria for rural health clinics (RHCs), and would also require RHCs to establish a quality assessment and performance improvement (QAPI) program. In addition, it would: Clarify policies on "commingling" of an RHC with another entity; revise the RHC and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) payment methodology and exceptions to the per-visit payment limit to implement statutory requirements; revise RHC and FQHC payment requirements for services furnished to skilled nursing facility (SNF) patients; allow RHCs to contract with RHC nonphysician providers under certain circumstances; and update the regulations pertaining to waivers to the staffing requirements. http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-13280.htm Fri, 27 Jun 2008 09:43:22 CST http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-13280.htm The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) Semiannual Report to Congress announced expected recoveries of $2.2 billion for the first half of fiscal year (FY) 2008 from efforts to reduce fraud, waste, and abuse in HHS programs. http://www.oig.hhs.gov/publications/docs/press/2008/semiannual_press_spring2008.pdf Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:16:32 CST http://www.oig.hhs.gov/publications/docs/press/2008/semiannual_press_spring2008.pdf -- Rural Health Resource Center http://www.ruralhealthinnovations.com/webex.shtml Thu, 22 May 2008 10:58:09 CST http://www.ruralhealthinnovations.com/webex.shtml Washington DC July 14, 2008 -- The 340B Coalition http://www.340bconferences.org/conferences/2008_annual/index.cfm Mon, 12 May 2008 14:36:44 CST http://www.340bconferences.org/conferences/2008_annual/index.cfm Detailed data on the state AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs), a part of the Ryan White Program, that provides HIV medications to low-income people with HIV/AIDS who have limited or no prescription drug coverage. -- National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors http://www.kff.org/hivaids/upload/7746.pdf Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:23:02 CST http://www.kff.org/hivaids/upload/7746.pdf Funding for access to health and wellness, pharmacy education programs and mentoring initiatives, civic and community outreach and emergency and disaster relief. -- Walgreen Company http://www.raconline.org/funding/funding_details.php?funding_id=1884 Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:42:26 CST http://www.raconline.org/funding/funding_details.php?funding_id=1884 Analyzes the relationship between Medicare Part D payments, excluding dispensing fees, to local, community pharmacies and the pharmacies drug acquisition costs. Estimate Part D dispensing fees and compares them with Medicaid dispensing fees. Includes some data specific to rural pharmacies. -- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services http://www.oig.hhs.gov/oas/reports/region6/60700107.pdf Mon, 14 Jan 2008 09:31:32 CST http://www.oig.hhs.gov/oas/reports/region6/60700107.pdf Policy brief providing locations of independently owned pharmacies in rural America that are the sole sources of access to local pharmaceutical services. In over 2,000 rural communities, the only local pharmacy is independently owned, and in 1,044 of those communities, there is no other pharmacy within 10 miles. The information in this brief lays a foundation for analyzing vulnerability of pharmacy services in rural America and identifies the questions that research and policy activities should address. State maps show the locations of communities with only one pharmacy, independently owned. -- RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis http://www.unmc.edu/ruprihealth/Pubs/PB2007-6_PharmLocBrf_1127.pdf Thu, 06 Dec 2007 11:18:56 CST http://www.unmc.edu/ruprihealth/Pubs/PB2007-6_PharmLocBrf_1127.pdf State maps showing the locations of communities with only one pharmacy, independently owned. A related policy brief, Reliance on Independently Owned Pharmacies in Rural America, is available. -- RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis http://www.unmc.edu/ruprihealth/Pubs/statepharms.html Thu, 06 Dec 2007 11:17:40 CST http://www.unmc.edu/ruprihealth/Pubs/statepharms.html Policy brief describing the results of surveys of rural hospitals participating in the 340B drug pricing program and of rural eligible but non-participating hospitals. Includes information on factors affecting participation in the program and the benefits and challenges of participation. http://www.shepscenter.unc.edu/research_programs/rural_program/FB82.pdf Tue, 11 Sep 2007 10:16:07 CST http://www.shepscenter.unc.edu/research_programs/rural_program/FB82.pdf Overview of drug coverage under Medicare Part A, Part B and Part D, with information on what drugs are covered under each part of the Medicare program. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services http://www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalMedicareTrainingProgram/Downloads/RxCoveragepartABD.pdf Wed, 15 Aug 2007 11:49:41 CST http://www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalMedicareTrainingProgram/Downloads/RxCoveragepartABD.pdf Provides information on a series of CMS forums addressing pharmacy issues. Includes call-in instructions for the next call, how to register for the mailing list, and links to pharmacy-related fact sheets. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services http://www.cms.hhs.gov/OpenDoorForums/22_ODF_PPDM.asp#TopOfPage Mon, 02 Jul 2007 10:38:22 CST http://www.cms.hhs.gov/OpenDoorForums/22_ODF_PPDM.asp#TopOfPage Compares 1997 and 2004 estimates for the U.S. population on total expenditures, total number of purchases, average total expenditure, average out-of-pocket payment and average number of purchases for outpatient-prescribed medicines for those with a prescribed drug purchase. Also provides the percentage of total health care expenditures represented by prescribed drug expenditures for 1997 and 2004. -- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality http://www.meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/data%5Ffiles/publications/st168/stat168.pdf Fri, 08 Jun 2007 11:20:27 CST http://www.meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/data%5Ffiles/publications/st168/stat168.pdf Overview of organized programs that provide access to prescription drugs for the uninsured. Focuses on manufacturer-sponsored pharmacy assistanceprograms (PAPs) and the federal 340B drug pricing program. -- National Health Policy Forum http://www.nhpf.org/pdfs_bp/BP_DrugSafetyNet_05-09-07.pdf Thu, 17 May 2007 09:16:50 CST http://www.nhpf.org/pdfs_bp/BP_DrugSafetyNet_05-09-07.pdf Presents the results of a survey of pharmacy directors at rural hospitals currently buying discounted outpatient drugs through the 340B program. The purpose was to understand the perspectives of pharmacy directors on the 340B program in general, the financial impact of the program, and which specific program features presented barriers to its broader implementation. A joint paper from the NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis and North Carolina Rural Health Research & Policy Analysis Center. http://www.norc.org/NR/rdonlyres/45503C43-4622-41E2-B8AE-B9A42DDC4E8E/0/340BReport_May2007.pdf Tue, 08 May 2007 13:23:20 CST http://www.norc.org/NR/rdonlyres/45503C43-4622-41E2-B8AE-B9A42DDC4E8E/0/340BReport_May2007.pdf Provides summaries of current and completed rural health research projects and related publications addressing the topic of pharmacy and prescription drugs, produced by the Office of Rural Health Policy's funded rural health research centers. -- Rural Health Research Gateway http://www.ruralhealthresearch.org/topics/100000083/ Wed, 02 May 2007 13:23:02 CST http://www.ruralhealthresearch.org/topics/100000083/ Summarizes the results of a survey of pharmacy directors at rural hospitals eligible to participate in the 340B program but identified as not participating at the time of the survey. The purpose of this study was to understand why rural hospitals that are eligible for the program are not participating and to determine whether there are specific program features that present barriers to participation. -- North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center (Cecil G. Sheps Center) http://www.shepscenter.unc.edu/research_programs/rural_program/WP88.pdf Tue, 13 Feb 2007 15:36:01 CST http://www.shepscenter.unc.edu/research_programs/rural_program/WP88.pdf Helps Medicare beneficiaries that qualify apply for help with Medicare prescription drug costs. -- Social Security Administration http://www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp/ Wed, 20 Dec 2006 00:00:00 CST http://www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp/ The findings from this study, along with specific suggestions made by pharmacists during the interviews, suggest short-term actions that can be taken to address the challenges faced by rural independent pharmacies who are the sole providers in their communities. A joint publication of the North Carolina Rural Health Research & Policy Analysis Center and the RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis. http://www.shepscenter.unc.edu/research_programs/rural_program/WP87.pdf Wed, 29 Nov 2006 00:00:00 CST http://www.shepscenter.unc.edu/research_programs/rural_program/WP87.pdf Guidelines for pharmacists, rural communities, and others on how to successfully implement a telepharmacy program. Describes different types of telepharmacy services, regulatory issues, community needs assessment, and more. -- North Dakota Telepharmacy Project http://telepharmacy.ndsu.nodak.edu/publications/TELEPHARMACY-TAD1.pdf Fri, 16 Jun 2006 00:00:00 CST http://telepharmacy.ndsu.nodak.edu/publications/TELEPHARMACY-TAD1.pdf Helps eligible individuals and families save money on prescription medications. Also available in Spanish http://www.togetherrxaccess.com/ Mon, 05 Jun 2006 00:00:00 CST http://www.togetherrxaccess.com/ Chapter from the 2006 Report to the Secretary: Rural Health and Human Service Issues. Discusses rural access to prescription drugs and pharmacy services, including affordability, utilization, and pharmacy workforce. -- National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services http://ruralcommittee.hrsa.gov/NAC06AReport.htm#Access%20to%20Pharmaceuticals%20and%20Pharmacy%20Services%20in%20Rural%20Areas Tue, 25 Apr 2006 00:00:00 CST http://ruralcommittee.hrsa.gov/NAC06AReport.htm#Access%20to%20Pharmaceuticals%20and%20Pharmacy%20Services%20in%20Rural%20Areas Describes the implementation of the North Dakota state wide rural telepharmacy project. North Dakota became the first state to pass administrative rules allowing the practice of telepharmacy. -- Risk Management and Patient Safety Institute http://www.raconline.org/pdf/rural_hospitals_and_telepharmacy.pdf Wed, 05 Apr 2006 00:00:00 CST http://www.raconline.org/pdf/rural_hospitals_and_telepharmacy.pdf Provides a searchable database of patient assistance programs that provide free or low-cost prescription medications to people who cannot afford to buy their medicine. Includes information for patients and for health care providers. Free, but registration is required. -- Volunteers in Health Care http://www.rxassist.org/ Tue, 31 Jan 2006 00:00:00 CST http://www.rxassist.org/ Assesses the capacity of rural hospitals to implement medication safety practices. Found that many small rural hospitals have limited hours of on site pharmacist coverage. About three-quarters of the hospitals are using pharmacy computers, but a significant proportion either do not have a pharmacy computer or are not using it for clinical purposes. Hospital financial status is significantly related to pharmacist staffing, the use of technology, and implementation of medication safety practices. -- Upper Midwest Rural Health Research Center http://www.uppermidwestrhrc.org/pdf/medication_safety.pdf Fri, 09 Dec 2005 00:00:00 CST http://www.uppermidwestrhrc.org/pdf/medication_safety.pdf Allows certain facilities to purchase prescription and non-prescription medications at reduced cost -- Bureau of Primary Health Care http://www.raconline.org/funding/funding_details.php?funding_id=369 Mon, 28 Nov 2005 00:00:00 CST http://www.raconline.org/funding/funding_details.php?funding_id=369