http://www.michiganpharmacists.org The Michigan Pharmacists Association is a state professional society serving Michigan's pharmacists, pharmacy school educators, pharmaceutical representatives and pharmacy technicians. The mission of the Michigan Pharmacists Association is to encourage and support its members as professionals responsible for the delivery of patient-focused care. The Local Association Development Committee (LADC) will be sponsoring an invitational leadership luncheon for local officers. The program will focus on membership recruitment, including recruitment campaigns; new technology being used by local associations to recruit members; and resources available on the LADC Web site. The program will be held immediately following the House of Delegates Session... Wed, 1 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST http://www.michiganpharmacists.org/news/ MPA is challenging local associations to increase MPA membership in 2012. Locals have been divided into three groups, and the local in each group with the highest percentage increase of membership this year will win a one-year complimentary MPA membership to be given to a member of the local’s choosing and three $25 Visa gift cards! To view a listing of the groups, and additional details on the... Wed, 1 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST http://www.michiganpharmacists.org/news/ MPA Executive Board Liaisons have been designated for each component organization. Board Liaisons are assigned to local and regional societies to serve as a resource and provide a point of contact to exchange information with the MPA Executive Board. Liaison assignments and contact information have been provided below. Capital Area Pharmacists Association: John Mohler, Board Liaison (586) 276-8040,... Wed, 1 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST http://www.michiganpharmacists.org/news/ MPA would like to remind members of some important upcoming deadlines for the House of Delegates Session, to be held Feb. 26 during the Annual Convention & Exposition. First of all, members in good standing are encouraged to submit a resolution to be considered during the Session. To assist in this process, MPA developed a guide to the resolution process, as well as a resolution template. To be considered,... Wed, 1 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST http://www.michiganpharmacists.org/news/ National Poison Prevention Week, March 18-24, is held each year to highlight the dangers of poisonings and educate the public about how to prevent them. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Poison Prevention Week Council, the group that coordinates this annual health awareness event. As a pharmacy professional, you have the ability to make patients aware of the risk factors associated with poisons.... Wed, 1 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST http://www.michiganpharmacists.org/news/ View this month’s hot topics PDF, including information on the pre-registration deadline for the MPA Annual Convention; the annual Economic Survey; the Association's meeting with the governor about his upcoming public safety initiative; and a report recognizing pharmacists as active members of the health care team. Local associations are encouraged to print and distribute hot topics documents at... Wed, 1 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST http://www.michiganpharmacists.org/news/ Companies wishing to exhibit at the MPA Annual Convention & Exposition can still register, as booth space still remains. The Convention provides a forum for exhibitors to display their products and services in an effort to increase their business, as well as provide pharmacists with personal contact needed to secure these products and services. Businesses are encouraged to use this opportunity... Wed, 1 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST http://www.michiganpharmacists.org/news/ As we approach the MPA Annual Convention & Exposition at the end of the month, be sure to stay up-to-date on the latest information by following the event on Twitter. Members can follow MPA at Twitter.com/MIPharmacists and search for #MPAace to discover the latest Annual Convention news. Questions about how to use Twitter? See the January issue of Michigan Pharmacist or visit the Twitter Web site. Wed, 1 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST http://www.michiganpharmacists.org/news/ At this year’s Annual Convention, MPA is holding a QR Code Social Passport program in conjunction with the Exhibit Hall. Registrants will be given an answer card in their convention registration packet. Participating exhibitors will be provided with a QR code to place at their booth. When the codes are scanned, they will generate a question about the exhibitor. Attendees are encouraged to engage... Wed, 1 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST http://www.michiganpharmacists.org/news/ Those who have not yet renewed their membership are encouraged to do so before Friday, Feb. 10 to avoid a disruption in member benefits. Renew online at MichiganPharmacists.org/members/renew or call the MPA office at (517) 484-1466 to continue receiving important practice updates through e-news weekly and Michigan Pharmacist; discounts on continuing education, including the upcoming MPA Annual Convention... Wed, 1 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST http://www.michiganpharmacists.org/news/ MPA is pleased to announce a new, fast and convenient way to earn home study continuing education (CE) credits anywhere, anytime! The Association is offering direct links to pre-recorded CE presentations. Now you can watch a CE presentation on your laptop, iPad, iPod, smart phone, or any mobile device you use that has Internet access! These presentations can be viewed for free, and all you pay for... Wed, 1 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST http://www.michiganpharmacists.org/news/ The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule that aims to save $17.5 billion over five years by reducing federal and state payments for Medicaid prescription medications. The regulations stem from the health care reform law. The proposed regulation reduces costs through a number of improvements, including:aligning reimbursement rates to better reflect the actual price... Wed, 1 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST http://www.michiganpharmacists.org/news/ On Jan. 25, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded the approval of UCB's Keppra® (levetiracetam) tablets and oral solution to include children one month to four years of age. This treatment for partial onset seizures in adults and children was previously approved by the agency for adults and children four and older.   more Wed, 1 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST http://www.michiganpharmacists.org/news/ Today, the Michigan Tobacco Quitline launched an enhanced service for prenatal callers who are uninsured or on Medicaid. Callers are eligible for up to nine calls during their pregnancy and postpartum (six during pregnancy and three postpartum). They also receive a personal quit coach who has received special training in working with pregnant women, as well as the option to receive text messages. Enrollees... Wed, 1 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST http://www.michiganpharmacists.org/news/ Programming for the upcoming MPA Annual Convention & Exposition, Feb. 24-26 at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, was updated online yesterday. The Annual Convention offers more than 50 continuing education (CE) programs, including at least one pain-related program each day to assist pharmacists in meeting their requirement, and at least one law program every day to assist pharmacy technicians... Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST http://www.michiganpharmacists.org/news/