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Urgent News
Please Read This Entire E-Mail.
As many of you know,
pharmacy - in particular, pharmacy technicians
- took a hit last month after ABC broadcast three
separate investigative reports on Good Morning
America, World News Tonight and 20/20.
The reports were sensationalizing and painted a
damaging portrayal of both pharmacy technicians and
standard pharmacy operating procedures. However,
they also have presented an opportunity for NPTA to
speak out on mandatory, standardized
education/training programs, competency-based exams
and registration for pharmacy technicians.
NPTA realized that an opportunity existed in this
crisis and we have decided to "own the issue." We
refuse to sit back and watch the issue simply fade
away, as many other organizations plan.
Recently, NPTA hired the world's largest,
independent PR firm - Edelman, whose other clients
include Microsoft, Wal-Mart, Proctor & Gamble,
Schering-Plough and even the government of Morocco -
to name a few. A comprehensive PR strategy has been
developed and is currently being implemented.
Here are just a few of our action items:
- a full-page op/ed is running in the May 7, 2007
issue of Drug Topics.
- exclusive quotes on NPTA's positions will be in
the May issue of US Pharmacist.
- our stances will be featured in the next issue of
Pharmacy Practice News.
- our positions will be featured in the June issue
of Pharmacy Tech News.
- NPTA has developed and launched an online
"Regulatory & Patient Safety Resource Center."
- an interview regarding this issue is being
broadcast on as many as 1,100
radio stations nationwide, including XM Satellite
Radio, to reach consumers.
- NPTA will be contacting every State Board of
Pharmacy, through two different
campaigns over the next two weeks, calling on
them to adopt our recommended
regulations.
- ...and this is just the beginning!
Clearly, NPTA is working very hard on addressing
these issues and truly providing a voice for
pharmacy technicians, but we can not do this alone -
we need your help! NPTA, which is now a non-profit
organization, will possibly have to spend $100,000
or more on this campaign. We are not asking for any
financial donations to assist with the campaign -
but we are asking for you to get involved.
Here is what you can do:
1. Visit the Regulatory & Patient Safety
Resource Center on
NPTA's Homepage
and review the
resources/information provided for Pharmacy
Professionals. Make sure to take the Pharmacy
Professionals Survey.
2. Refer as many of your co-workers to the website
as well. We need as many pharmacists and pharmacy
technicians to complete the survey and to comment on
the topic as we prepare to engage the State Boards
of Pharmacy. NPTA has also linked 2 two-hour ACPE CE
programs related to medication errors to the
Resource Center for both pharmacists and pharmacy
technicians. We are making these available FREE to
both members and non-members.
3. Write a letter to your State Board of Pharmacy
supporting NPTA's regulatory recommendations. We
have provided a link to NPTA's Positions, a Fact
Sheet and a directory for each State Board of
Pharmacy on the Resource Center to assist you in
this effort. Ask your pharmacist to sign the letter,
too!
4. Make a recommendation to your co-workers that
they join NPTA. We need to represent as many
pharmacy technicians as possible, in each state, as
we work with the State Boards of Pharmacy. If you
are not a member -
join
today - we need your
support. The more members that NPTA represents - the
more our voice will be heard.
5. Visit NPTA's website (www.pharmacytechnician.org)
at least twice a month to stay informed on our
efforts. We will be linking copies of our articles,
interviews and press releases as they become
available. This is your way of staying connected.
Thanks,
Mike Johnston, CPhT
Chairman & CEO
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