Locked On Pharmacy

Accessing Vaccines at Pharmacies with Interactive Maps | Building Vaccine Confidence with APhA

Featured Guests: * Brigid Groves, PharmD, MS  * Mitch Rothholz, RPh, MBA, FAPhA * Lucas Berenbrok, PharmD, MS, BCACP, FAPhA  ·              Key Takeaway: Knowing where patients can find vaccines at pharmacies is crucial to increasing convenient access.

Engaging Communities to Strengthen Vaccine Confidence | Building Vaccine Confidence with APhA

Objective: Discuss community-level strategies to engage individuals and special populations. ·              Topics Covered: o   Community outreach programs driven by pharmacists. ·              Unique to pharmacists and the pharmacy team is their ability to get outside of their 4 walls and bring vaccines and other healthcare services to where people are o   Central to many of these programs is support from government agencies and other payers – the availability of these resources in the future is unclear at this time. o   Utilization of Community Health Workers (CPESN/NCPA Health Care Worker / Technician program) §  There are pilots using codes that could be billed for this service.  Question is will money continue to be available §  Build on trust the public has with pharmacy team members – think about what other screening / preventive services you can incorporate with these trained individuals. - they can be ambassadors for your practice o   Addressing cultural and socioeconomic barriers to vaccine confidence. * Connect with trusted community leaders * Understand concerns from the populations your serve and who the influencers are with the community and family units * Don’t preach – provide credible information and let them process it o   Case studies of innovative engagement efforts, including partnerships with local organizations and faith-based groups. * Offer to do talks * Have discussion with organization leader and provide them with the facts they can use to reinforce messages o   How pharmacies can leverage their accessibility to serve as vaccination champions. * Luke can talk about access; distance to pharmacies; pharmacy deserts * Community health clinics, events, politicians events, etc. ·              Featured Guests: * Brigid Groves, PharmD, MS  * Mitch Rothholz, RPh, MBA, FAPhA * Lucas Berenbrok, PharmD, MS, BCACP, FAPhA  ·              Key Takeaway: Collaboration with communities is essential for increasing vaccine confidence and addressing public health challenges.

Building Trust in Vaccines and Vaccination Programs | Building Vaccine Confidence with APhA

Featured Guests * Brigid Groves, PharmD, MS * Mitch Rothholz, RPh, MBA, FAPhA * Lucas Berenbrok, PharmD, MS, BCACP, FAPhA Key Takeaway Tools and techniques pharmacists can use to foster trust with patients regarding vaccines. CDC’s "Vaccinate with Confidence" Initiative Protect Communities CDC is supporting partners to find and protect communities at risk through new investments and partnerships. * Leverage CDC’s Immunization and Vaccines for Children cooperative agreement to support efforts to identify and respond to areas with low vaccine coverage. * Public trust in pharmacists and pharmacy teams helps reinforce vaccine messages. * Collaboration with community leaders and influencers is crucial—messages must be evidence-based and credible. Best Practices for Pharmacists * "Walk the talk"—if you or a family member received concomitant vaccines, share your experience.  * Example: "I received three vaccines at one visit (flu, COVID, and RSV), and I am here to talk about it (and I do)." * Engage with patients by listening rather than lecturing. * Acknowledge patient concerns and provide them with information to consider. * Vaccine hesitancy is not the same as being anti-vaccine—many patients are "vaccine contemplators." Vaccine Effectiveness COVID-19 Vaccines * Effectiveness Against Severe Outcomes * Updated vaccines (September 2023 – January 2024) have been effective against XBB lineage and the new JN.1 variant. * Waning Protection * Booster doses are recommended as vaccine effectiveness declines over time. * Population Variability * Effectiveness varies based on age, underlying health conditions, and other factors (e.g., immunocompromised individuals may experience different levels of protection). General Vaccine Effectiveness * Real-World Conditions * Effectiveness is measured under real-world conditions, factoring in vaccine type, dosage, and timing. * Monitoring & Updates * The CDC continuously tracks vaccine effectiveness to adjust recommendations as needed. Impact of Vaccination * Measles: Cases reduced from hundreds of thousands annually to only 49 in 2021. * Polio: The U.S. has been polio-free since 1979. * Hepatitis B: Routine vaccination significantly reduces liver cancer risk. * Childhood Vaccinations: * 100% reduction in cases of diphtheria, Hib, measles, mumps, polio, and rubella. * Influenza incidence reduced by 17%. * Overall Impact: * Childhood immunizations have averted over 24 million cases of vaccine-preventable diseases in the U.S. * Between 1994-2013, vaccinations prevented:  * 322 million cases of disease * 21 million hospitalizations * 732,000 deaths Public Health Strategies * Use immunization data to identify areas of low vaccine coverage. * Engage with local health departments to monitor vaccine-preventable disease trends. * Strengthen immunization programs to enhance outbreak response. * Encourage collaboration among healthcare providers—it shouldn’t matter who vaccinates, the goal is increasing immunization rates. Empowering Families CDC is partnering with key organizations to strengthen vaccine conversations between providers and parents. Strategies * Start vaccine conversations early, targeting parents of infants and pregnant women. * Reduce hesitancy and improve access in community health centers. * Develop provider toolkits to address parental concerns during outbreaks. Combating Misinformation CDC is working with local messengers and partners to stop vaccine myths. Challenges & Key Messages * New administration statements have increased vaccine doubts, making conversations harder. * There is no link between vaccines and autism, diabetes, or other diseases. * Investments in Public Trust: * Work with social media companies to promote trustworthy vaccine information. * Provide accessible, accurate vaccine data to policymakers. * Engage state and local health officials to counter misinformation effectively. Priorities for 2020 and Beyond CDC aims to ensure that every community is protected through: * Data-driven strategies to identify vulnerable populations. * Expanding local resources to strengthen vaccination efforts. * Building a culture of immunization in healthcare settings. * Improving public communication on vaccines. * Enhancing partnerships to promote immunization initiatives. Ten Key Messages for Pharmacists Engaging with Vaccine-Hesitant Individuals 1. Vaccines Save Lives – They prevent serious diseases and save millions of lives each year. 2. Rigorous Testing – Vaccines undergo extensive trials and continuous monitoring to ensure safety and effectiveness. 3. Community Immunity – Vaccination protects those who cannot be vaccinated, such as infants and immunocompromised individuals. 4. Combating Misinformation – Rely on credible sources for vaccine facts. Misinformation fuels fear and hesitation. 5. Mild Side Effects – Most side effects (e.g., sore arm, mild fever) are temporary. Severe side effects are extremely rare. 6. Consult Healthcare Providers – Encourage patients to ask healthcare professionals for reassurance. 7. Vaccines and Fertility – There is no evidence that vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, affect fertility. 8. Herd Immunity – High vaccination rates protect entire communities. 9. Rapid Vaccine Development Explained – COVID-19 vaccines were developed quickly due to unprecedented funding and collaboration—without compromising safety. 10. Long-Term Benefits – Vaccination prevents future outbreaks and contributes to long-term public health. Pharmacists’ Role in Addressing Hesitancy * Provide accurate, evidence-based information. * Listen actively to patients' concerns. * Engage with community health workers to strengthen local vaccination efforts.

State Solutions, National Impact: Reforming PBMs to Save Patients and Pharmacies | Locked on Pharmacy

In this episode of the Locked On Pharmacy podcast, we dive deep into the "End Harmful Practices of PBMs" campaign, recently launched in fall 2024 by the American Pharmacists Association (APhA). This critical initiative aims to accelerate pharmaceutical benefit manager (PBM) reform across the nation. Join us as we explore the importance of state and federal collaboration to address the pressing issues surrounding PBM practices that impact both pharmacies and patients. Our distinguished guests, including Representative Rob Nousse and Brian from the Oregon State Pharmacy Association, and Dr. Michael Murphy PharmD – Senior Advisor for State Government Affairs with APhA, share insights into the legislative battles and reform strategies aimed at curbing PBM practices like spread pricing and clawbacks, which contribute to pharmacy closures and hinder patient access to essential medications—particularly in rural communities. Key Topics Discussed: The Role of State Lawmakers in PBM Reform * Why state-level engagement is essential to shaping a broader, unified approach to PBM reform. * Messages for federal legislators considering crucial PBM-related bills such as S. 2973, S. 3430, and S. 127, which could significantly alter the regulatory landscape. Oregon's Legislative Efforts on PBM Reform * Representative Nousse details the key legislative measures being introduced or passed in Oregon to address PBM practices. * The real-world impact of PBM tactics on patient access, particularly in rural Oregon where pharmacy closures pose a significant challenge. Advocacy and Mobilization Efforts by the Oregon State Pharmacy Association * Brian shares how the Oregon State Pharmacy Association has been active in supporting these legislative efforts and the strategies proven effective in rallying pharmacists and lawmakers. National Implications of State-Level Reform * Michael discusses the broader impact of state-level efforts on the national landscape of pharmacy practice and patient care, emphasizing how Oregon’s experiences reflect common challenges seen across the country. Challenges in Passing PBM Reform Legislation * Representative Nousse talks candidly about the obstacles faced when pushing for PBM reform, including resistance from PBM lobbyists. * The importance of overcoming these challenges to protect patient access to medications and support the sustainability of community pharmacies. Join us in this powerful discussion to understand the challenges and progress in the fight against harmful PBM practices, and how these reforms can shape the future of pharmacy care for patients across the U.S. Guests: Brian Mayo – Executive Director, Oregon State Pharmacy Association Rob Nosse – Oregon State Representative District 42 Dr. Michael Murphy PharmD – Senior Advisor for State Government Affairs, American Pharmacists Association Tune in to this episode of Locked On Pharmacy to stay informed on the progress and next steps in PBM reform!

PBM Reform, ECAPS, and How You Can Take Action | Locked On Pharmacy

Join us on Locked On Pharmacy with special guest Michael Hogue, CEO of APhA, as we dive into PBM Reform and explore ECAPS (Equitable Community Access to Pharmacy Services). Learn how these initiatives empower pharmacists and patients, and discover actionable steps you can take to drive change in the pharmacy landscape.