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Christensen Memorial Young Investigator Award

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:14:15 GMT

The Christensen Memorial Young Investigator Award is available to investigators who have been in practice five (5) years or less. This award will be granted to the investigator based on their written abstract and the quality of their poster presentation at the PPAG Annual Meeting each year.

The Award is named in memory of Joyce and Lloyd Christensen, the parents of Michael Christensen, PharmD, the 2009-10 President and Chair of the PPAG Board. Family, friends and colleagues of Dr. Christensen generously funded the award in memory of Dr. Christensen's parents, who passed away during his term as Board Chair.

Joyce and Lloyd Christensen were strong proponents of education putting 6 children through 26 years of college. This commitment to education has continued with their grandchildren, the first 5 have completed 29 years of higher education.

Call for Research/Scientific Abstracts will be sent in the fall each year.

To donate to the Christensen Memorial Young Investigator Award Fund, please click here. Please designate "Christensen Fund" in the comment section to properly ensure your funds are used as intended.

Our Campaign for Growth

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:12:25 GMT

Welcome to our Campaign for Growth: Building the New PPAG website. Please see an open letter from our President, Michael Christensen, PharmD. Campaign Quick Links Challenges and Project Specs Our Foundation Framing the New PPAG Our Builders Progress-to-Date Facing new challenges seems to be a common refrain the last few years. Every sector of our national economy has been affected by the great recession. Pay-for- performance is a reality for health care reimbursements. Pharmacies and colleges are experiencing budget cuts. Yet, it is also a thrilling time to be in pharmacy practice as new technology, knowledge, and service models emerge. Fortunately, as pediatric pharmacists, we are experienced in navigating through challenges to benefit our pediatric patients. PPAG is not immune from these economic pressures and changes in our health care system. We have reached a critical point in the financial viability of...

Key Issues

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:44:52 GMT

340B Pricing

The federal 340B drug pricing program provides access to a discounted price on outpatient prescription drugs to certain health care facilities, including hospitals serving a disproportionate share of Medicaid and uninsured patients. For many years the free standing children’s hospitals were barred from access to the 340B program because we were not included in the Public Health Service (PHS) Act. After years of working through the legislative process, children’s hospitals were finally included as 340B covered entities under the PHS Act in September of 2009 and thereby allowed to apply for covered entity status and gain access to 340B pricing.

The recent healthcare reform legislation inadvertantly exempts free-standing children's hospitals from 340B pricing. PPAG is urging Congress to correct the mistake.

For more information and to learn how you can help, click here.

SCHIP: State Children's Health Insurance Program

The Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group believes that all children should have access to comprehensive, age-appropriate, quality health care.

Preserving the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is a top legislative priority for PPAG. The program provides insurance coverage to 6 million children nationwide. Millions more are eligible but not enrolled. PPAG wants SCHIP legislation that will provide adequate funding for the program, including a comprehensive benefits package. Find out more about SCHIP below:

An Overview of State Children's Health Insurance Program (HHS)

To learn how you can get involved in your community, please contact PPAG.

PPAG - Advocacy.Community.Outreach

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:43:43 GMT

The mission of the Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group is to improve the lives of children and to advocate for safe and effective medication use in children.

The PPAG advances its mission by promoting awareness of optimal medication therapy with all health care professionals by coordinating an effective communication network.

There are various ways we accomplish our advocacy mission:

1. Grassroots Action: PPAG promotes a grassroots approach to promoting pediatric-friendly legislation in the US Congress.

2. PediNet Special Interest Groups and Forums. Unlike anything available to pediatric pharmacists today, PediNet SIGs and Forum offer you a chance to communicate to a highly specialized audience of your choosing. PediNet is available for members only.

3. The Journal of Pediatric Pharmacology and Therapeutics. The JPPT is a peer-reviewed clinical medical journal dedicated to the dissemination of information regarding the safe and effective use of medications in neonates, infants, children, and adolescents. By contributing to the medical literature the JPPT plays a vital role in advancing PPAG's advocacy as well as educational missions.

4. Position statements. PPAG offers therapeutic position statements that respond to specific therapeutic issues. These statements are thorough, evidence-based recommendations of drug use. PPAG also offers position statements on public policy issues that are directed to health care professionals, public officials, and the general public.

5. Partnerships. The PPAG promotes pediatric patient safety by partnering and collaborating with other non-profit organizations and professional associations, as well as, governmental agencies. Examples:

International Campaign for Better Medicine

KidsMeds.info- a site for parents and kids!

19th Pediatric Pharmacy Conference and 2010 Annual Meeting Agenda

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 19:26:58 GMT

Welcome to the 19th Pediatric Pharmacy Conference Schedule This year we are offering different educational tracks for our professionally diverse attendees. Level 1 programs provide a review of current practices in the topic identified and are appropriate for both new practitioners and those seeking to update their knowledge base. Level 2 programs provide an advanced review of the identified topic and new developments in the field. Level 2 programs are appropriate for the advanced level practitioner. Thursday, October 7, 2010 Time Topic Speaker 8:00-12:00am Pre-Conference - Cystic Fibrosis 12:00-1:00pm New Practitioner Networking Lunch 19th Pediatric Pharmacy Conference and Annual Meeting Begin 1:00-2:30pm Level 1 - PICU...

Fellow in the Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group (FPPAG)

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 17:34:36 GMT

Purposes The Fellow in the Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group (FPPAG) Recognition Program serves the following purposes: 1. to recognize excellence in pediatric pharmacy practice; 2. to grant recognition and to promote public awareness of pharmacists who have distinguished themselves in pediatric pharmacy practice. Authority The FPPAG Recognition Program shall be conducted under the general authority of the PPAG Board of Directors. The Board shall approve all regulations pertaining to the operation of the Recognition Program. Governance FPPAG Recognition Committee: Function and Responsibilities The program shall be administered by the FPPAG Recognition Committee, which shall be appointed by the Board of Directors, and shall have the following specific responsibilities, with respect to the FPPAG Program: to review and approve recognition eligibility criteria and, in general, to provide quality assurance for the program; ...

Association Staff

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 01:58:27 GMT

Matthew R. Helms, MA, CAE
Executive Director

Matthew Helms has been the Executive Director of the Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group since 2003. Matt earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science (history minor) from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 1998. He earned Master of Arts in Executive Leadership from Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee in 2009. Matt earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential in 2009.

Matt directs all day-to-day operations of PPAG. He provides direction and policy interpretation to volunteer leadership. He manages all aspects of membership services, develops new services, coordinates continuing education programs, and solicits sponsorships, grants, and donations.

Prior to joining PPAG, Matt worked at The University of Tennessee, Health Science Center in Memphis. He also interned at Presidential Classroom in Washington, DC. Matt also served as the Managing Editor of the Journal for Pediatric Pharmacology and Therapeutics, the official Journal of PPAG.

Since 2004 Matt has been a member of the ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership, as well as, the Tennessee Society of Association Executives. He serves on the TSAE Board of Directors. Matt also serves on the Board of Memphis Challenge.

Current Issue Cover

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 12:51:46 GMT

Volume 15 Number 2 (April-June 2010) CLICK HERE Editorials Switching of Antiepileptic Drug Formulations J. Nile Barnes, PharmD and Karen L Rascati, PhD A Patient's Voice Stephanie J. Phelps, PharmD Helms Award Lecture Interplay Between Pediatric Pharmacy Practice and Research to Influence Patient Care Milap C. Nahata, PharmD, MS Special Article The History of PPAG: The First 30 Years Robert L. Poole, PharmD Review Articles The Controversy over Generic Antiepileptic Drugs Susan J. Shaw, MD and Adam L. Hartman, MD Pharmacokinetics and Drug Dosing in Obese Children Jennifer G. Kendrick, PharmD, Roxane R. Carr, PharmD, and Mary H.H. Ensom, PharmD Clinical Investigation Plasma Amino Acid Concentrations in 108 Children Receiving a Pediatric Amino Acid Formulation as Part of Parenteral Nutrition Chasity M. Shelton, PharmD,...

Current Issue

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 12:20:11 GMT

Next Issue

Volume 15 Number 3 (July-Sept 2010) expected in September 2010

Introducing our Campaign For Growth: Building the New PPAG

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:40:39 GMT

June 25, 2010 Dear PPAG Members and Supporters, I am writing you as the President of PPAG. Many of you may be unaware how tenuous a position PPAG finds itself in during this difficult recession. For many years, PPAG benefited from the generous support of the pharmaceutical industry. In fact, industry support accounted for 30%-40% of our average $375,000 budget. Over the years, PPAG managed to allocate moneys to a reserve fund. There have been significant changes in how Industry interacts with professional health care associations, and it is clear that we can no longer count on this support in the future. Perhaps you have had to decide on or felt the impact of clinics, hospitals and universities reduction in travel and professional development budgets. The “trickle-down” effect has resulted in decreased participation in our live educational programs, which accounts for as much as 40% of our operating budget. I am happy to report that previous and current volunteer...

homepage 1

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:22:16 GMT

- KidsMeds is your online resource for pediatric medication information. PPAG offers many benefits to pediatric pharmacists. Here are just a few: Subscription to the Journal Access to PediNet Discounted registration fees to educational meetings More To join PPAG or renew your membership, simply fill out the online application form or for other methods view our join page. View Membership FAQ's

homepage - conference info

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 21:33:44 GMT

19th Pediatric Pharmacy Conference
Featuring James Broselow, MD

Embassy Suites St. Louis-St. Charles Hotel and Spa
Saint Charles, Missouri
October 7-10, 2010

Online CE Programs

Tue, 25 May 2010 20:36:49 GMT

Welcome to PPAG Education Central, your one-stop-shop for home-based pediatric educational programs. We are pleased to offer group purchasing rates to institutions (hospitals and pharmacies). Please go to: http://www.ppag.org/CEgrouprate/ for more information. Pediatric Age-Based Competencies For more information about Aged-based Competency Series, please click here. TITLE HRS. ACPE # PRICE Physiologic and Pharmacokinetic Differences in Children, Fluids and Electrolytes and Dehydration in Children 2.5 0180-0000-08-002-H04-P MEM: $10.00 NonMEM: $30.00 Respiratory Syncytial Virus: Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention 1 0180-0000-09-001-H01-P MEM: $5.00 NonMEM: $15.00 Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment 1 0180-0000-09-002-H01-P MEM: $5.00 NonMEM: $15.00 Management of Asthma Exacerbations 1 0180-0000-09-003-H01-P MEM: $5.00 NonMEM: $15.00 DKA & HHS 1 0180-0000-09-100-H01-P MEM: $5.00...

Join PPAG or Renew Your Membership

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 17:44:15 GMT

PPAG membership represents pediatric pharmacists and associates who practice in free-standing children's hospitals, university hospitals, community hospitals, non-university teaching hospitals, home care facilities, schools of pharmacy, neonatal intensive care units and clinics.

There are presently approximately 700 active members from the United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, France, and Spain. Ninety-four percent of the members are in the United States.

The 3 Methods to Join PPAG or Renew your Membership!

Fill out our online application form. We accept online payment. Visa, Master, and AMEX.

NOTE: If you would like to become a student member, you must also fill out our student verification form.
If you prefer to send the form and payment via US Mail, please print the form, and send to PPAG Administrative Offices at 7953 Stage Hills Blvd. Ste. 101, Memphis, TN. 38133.
Over the phone. Just call, (901) 380-3617, and a PPAG representative will assist you.

Pediatric Chronic Disease Specialty Conference Schedule

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 14:54:06 GMT

Friday, April 16 2010 Time Topic Speaker Pre-Conference Symposium: Pediatric Core Competencies 1:00-2:00pm General Overview of Epilepsy Kim Tallian, PharmD 2:00-3:00pm Treatment of Status Epilepticus Elizabeth Farrington, PharmD 3:00-3:15pm Break 3:15-4:15pm Adverse Effects of Antiepileptic Medications Stephanie Phelps, PharmD 4:15-5:15pm Application of Pharmacogenomics to the Treatment of the Patient with Epilepsy Collin Hovinga, PharmD Pediatric Chronic Diseases Conference Begins Now 6:00-7:30pm Keynote Address Stephen Covey 7:30-9:00pm Opening Reception Saturday, April 17 2010 Time Topic Speaker 7:00-8:00am Antidepressants and Antipsychotics in Youth: do the Benefits Outweight the Risks? Julie Dopheide, PharmD 8:00-9:00am Our Patients Can't Afford Their Medications - What Happens Now? Kristin Fox-Smith, PharmD ...

Pediatric Chronic Diseases Specialty Conference

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 20:06:07 GMT

The Pediatric Chronic Diseases Specialty Conference offers continuing pharmacy education sessions on the medication management of seizure disorders, dermatology, transplant, sickle cell, pain, HIV, and mental health issues. This conference has been designed by pediatric pharmacists for pediatric pharmacists! The Specialty Conference is Chaired by Jared Cash, PharmD, Pharmacy Clinical Coordinator, Primary Children's Medical Center in Salt Lake City, UT. The Pediatric Chronic Diseases Specialty Conference will take place on April 16-18, 2010 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Featuring Keynote Speaker, Dr. Stephen R. Covey In 1996, Stephen R. Covey was recognized as one of Time magazine's 25 most influential Americans and one of Sales and Marketing Management's top 25 power brokers. Dr. Covey is the author of several acclaimed books, including the international bestseller, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. It has sold more than 15 million copies in 38 languages throughout...

Pediatric Chronic Disease Specialty Conference Evaluation

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 20:00:50 GMT

In order to receive continuing education credit, participants must submit a conference evaluation. Participants must fill out this conference evaluation on or before April 23, 2010. Certificates of credit will be issued 3-4 weeks from the completion of the conference. Certificates will NOT be issues if there is a balance due.

To submit your conference evaluation, please go to:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/75Z52P7

Statement on Standardized Drug Concentrations

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 19:48:17 GMT

BACKGROUND The Rule-of-Six has been used in pediatric emergency medicine for many years. Recently it has been under much scrutiny due to the variable concentrations that result when making the calculation to mix critical medication drips. The rule, or formula, multiplies a patient’s weight (in kilograms) by 6 to determine the dose of a medication (in milligrams) to be added to an appropriate diluent for a total volume of 100milliliters. The rate in ml/hr is equivalent to the dose in mcg/kg/min (i.e. 1 ml/hr equals 1 mcg/kg/min). Therefore, for each patient, there would be a different concentration infused, although the rate/dose would be the same. In addition, drastic changes in a patient’s weight would require compounding a new drip. In 2003 the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) revealed a list of 7 National Patient Safety Goals in an effort to make healthcare systems safer. Of these goals, it was stated that organizations should...

How to Submit a Manuscript

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 13:45:30 GMT

Preferably, submitted electronically. Two hardcopies (1 original and 1 copy) and a computer disk containing the entire manuscript must also be sent. If the paper is returned for revision after acceptance, the manuscript must be resubmitted electronically or via hardcopy and an electronic copy on disk. The manuscript must be typed double-spaced on standard-sized white bond paper, with 1-inch margins, and with pages numbered consecutively beginning with the title page. The file should use the wrap around end-of-line feature (i.e., returns at the end of paragraphs only). Place two returns after every element, such as title, headings, paragraphs, and figure captions.

Manuscripts may be sent electronically to the Associate Editor by email.
    Email Sherry Luedtke at editor@jppt.org.

    Have Questions?
    Telephone: (901) 380-3617, Extention 203
    Fax: (901) 266-4751

Manuscripts are received with the understanding that the work has not been previously published (excluding published abstracts) and that the data have been reviewed by all authors, who agree with data analysis and the conclusions reached in the manuscript.

Accepted manuscripts become the permanent property of The Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group (PPAG) and may not be published elsewhere without permission. PPAG relinquishes property rights of rejected manuscripts.

Each manuscript should be accompanied by a copyright release form. Click here for release form.

Editor and Staff

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 13:42:45 GMT

Stephanie J Phelps, PharmD
Editor
The University of Tennessee, Health Science Center

Memphis, TN

Sherry Luedtke, PharmD

Associate Editor

Texas Tech University

Amarillo, TX

Correspond to: editor@jppt.org

Amy Tippett, BFA
Art Director

A. Jill Thompson, PharmD
Manuscript Copy Editor