Indiana Pharmacists Association Inc

THE INDIANA PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION SUPPORTS ITS MEMBERS BY ADVOCATING AND ADVANCING THE PROFESSION OF PHARMACY IN INDIANA.

THE INDIANA PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION, THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF ITS LEGISLATIVE & REGULATORY COUNCIL, AND WORK WITH A CONTRACTED LOBBYING FIRM, HELPED TO PASS CRITICAL LEGISLATION IN THE 2021 INDIANA GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION AFFECTING PHARMACY PRACTICE. THIS INCLUDED HB 1405,WHICH REQUIRES THE STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS TO CONDUCT AN AUDIT OF MEDICAID'S PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAM; IMPOSED FURTHER PROHIBITIONS ON PBM PRACTICES; PROVIDED PROTECTIONS FOR 340B ENTITIES; AND ADDED ADDITIONAL MAC LIST PROTECTIONS AND APPEAL PROCEDURES. ADDITIONALLY, IPA HELPED SECURE PASSAGE OF HB 1468. THIS BILL PROVIDED PROTECTIONS TO PHARMACISTS FROM DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS RELATED TO STAFFING ISSUES IF THE PHARMACIST DID NOT HAVE DECISION MAKING AUTHORITY WITH REGARD TO STAFFING; CODIFIED ABILITY OF TECHNICIANS TO PERFORM REMOTE NON-DISPENSING FUNCTIONS; UPDATED THE TELEPHARMACY STATUTE; EXPANDED IMMUNIZATION AUTHORITY FOR BOTH PHARMACISTS AND TECHNICIANS; AND UPDATED THE COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE STATUTE REQUIREMENTS. FINALLY, IPA LED A COALITION EFFORT SURROUNDING WHITEBAGGING ISSUES.

IPA HOSTED A NUMBER OF NETWORKING AND EDUCATIONAL EVENTS. THIS INCLUDED A VIRTUAL LEGISLATIVE DAY WITH KEY LEGISLATORS, WHICH HELPED TO SECURE SUPPORT FOR IPA'S LEGISLATIVE AGENDA. ADDITIONALLY, IPA HELD A TWO-DAY ANNUAL MEETING IN-PERSON FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC; AND HELD A FALL CONFERENCE THAT WAS THE HIGHEST ATTENDED IN SEVERAL YEARS. THE FALL CONFERENCE ESPECIALLY RECEIVED HIGH REVIEWS FROM ATTENDEES WITH ITS TRACK LIKE FOCUS ON HEALTH-SYSTEM, INDEPENDENT & COMMUNITY AND NON-TRADITIONAL PRACTICE SETTINGS. ALL THESE EVENTS PROVIDED MEMBERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAINTAIN CONNECTIONS DESPITE CHALLENGING CIRCUMSTANCES IN THE PROFESSION.

IPA CONTINUED TO PLAY A KEY ROLE IN SERVING AS THE POINT OF CONTACT FOR THE STATE OF INDIANA IN COMMUNICATING WITH PHARMACY PRACTICES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. IPA BEGAN OFFERING MONTHLY CE WEBIINARS FOR ITS MEMBERS IN 2021. IPA WAS ONE OF THE FIRST STATES IN THE COUNTRY TO OFFER IMMUNIZATION TRAININGS SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC AND TRAINED OVER 100 PHARMACISTS FROM INDIANA AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN ITS FIRST TRAINING ALONE. IPA CONTINUED TO HOLD COVID-19 UPDATES INTO 2021. IPA MODIFIED ITS CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP STRUCTURE TO INCLUDE MANY MORE INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIPS WITH EACH CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP TIER. IPA HELD ITS ANNUAL MPJE/NAPLEX REVIEW TO GREAT REVIEWS. FINALLY, AT THE END OF 2021 IPA EMBARKED ON THE PLANNING OF A NEW STRATEGIC PLAN.