State regulators are moving to eliminate a certification requirement to become a licensed pharmacist in the state. However, the elimination of the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam, which assesses competency in state and federal drug distribution laws, is controversial. The Michigan Pharmacists Association opposes the wholesale removal of the requirement. "Pharmacists are far more likely to be brought before the pharmacy board for potential legal violations than any other provider," MPA Director of Government Affairs Eric Roath said. "Physician cases are usually due to a clinical error. Pharmacy is the highest-regulated field in health care. To say there are no better solutions to ensuring practice competency than to just remove the exam is wrong. The competency assessment is actually effective in [...]

The Michigan Legislature passed Senate Bill (SB) 219 Tuesday, June 27, after the House of Representatives voted 96-12 in favor of the measure. The Senate, which previously passed the bill 36-1 in March, concurred and approved the final version in a 35-1 vote. The bill now heads to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's desk to be signed into law. SB 219 authorizes pharmacists to independently prescribe and administer ACIP indicated vaccines to patients ages 3 and up. Additionally, it allows for pharmacists to independently administer CLIA-waived tests for influenza and COVID-19. In the event of a positive test, the legislation allows pharmacists to dispense appropriate antiviral therapies to the patient.

Bay City has recently lost two independent pharmacies, which has been attributed to rising drug costs. Layerer's Pharmacy, owned by MPA member John Muir, closed June 21 after 120 years in business. The closure came shortly after Southside Pharmacy shuttered its doors in May. WJRT ABC-12 reported that nearly 600 independent pharmacies nationwide have gone out of business in the last 20 years, according to a study by the University of Iowa. "The chain pharmacies in our area are so overwhelmed right now," said MPA member Steve Kennedy, who owns Anderson Pharmacy in Bay City. "Without us independents around I think they would really be in trouble with being able to staff their pharmacies and get prescriptions out on a [...]

Michigan Pharmacists Association member John Muir, the owner and pharmacist at Layerer’s Pharmacy in Bay City, is hanging up his white coat. Muir is retiring and Layerer's officially closed its doors on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. Muir purchased the pharmacy in 1993; prior to buying the store, he worked there for 20 years. All patients of Layerer’s will be transferred to the Rite Aid on Lafayette Road in Bay City. Click here to learn more.

The Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA) and AAPA have launched a strategic partnership to enhance the buying power for independent pharmacies in the state of Michigan. AAPA will be MPA’s endorsed buying group for independent pharmacies effective immediately. This new arrangement will allow independent pharmacy owner members of MPA access to superior pricing and savings that strengthen their businesses and help them provide patients with the highest level of care. Independent pharmacies are a critical health care component and serve prominently in rural and underserved areas. According to the National Community Pharmacists Association, 74 percent of community pharmacies serve population areas of less than 50,000. The collaboration between MPA and AAPA is an important component of how MPA has and will [...]