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C h a i n D r u g s t o r e D a i l y Tu e s d a y, A u g u s t 9 , 2 0 1 6 3 0 IS YOUR PHARMACY AT RISK? The DEA's reschedule of hydrocodone combination products (HCP) in 2014 caused a sea change in the prescribing and dispensing of the most prescribed medications in the U.S. For pharma- cies, the HCP reschedule had critical compliance implications: properly ver- ify prescriber credentials or potentially face serious monetary fines, rejected reimbursements or withdrawals of pay- ment. Prior to the HCP reschedule, phar- macy compliance had been lax: a 2005 CASAColumbia study found that 30 per- cent of pharmacies did not regularly ver- ify prescriber DEA numbers. But the fed- eral focus on curbing prescription drug abuse, overdose and death has increased pressure on pharmacies to equip their verification systems with the most accu- rate data available. With U.S. pharmacies filling more than four billion prescriptions every year, the ability to validate prescriber creden- tials quickly, efficiently and accurately is vital for compliance and for business. Invalid DEA Numbers Still a Problem In the weeks following the HCP resched- ule, one mid-sized pharmacy client received more than 5,000 warning mes- sages from IMS Health/HDS's Prescriber Validation Subscription Service (PVSS) about prescribers without the proper cre- dentials to prescribe HCP drugs. Just two years later, the prevalence of invalid prescriber and/or DEA num- bers continues to be a problem. In June 2016, IMS Health/HDS issued its Annual Pharmacy Compliance report, detailing the number of warning messages for invalid DEA numbers, inac- tive prescribers, invalid NPI numbers and OIG exclusions issued to pharmacy cus- tomers over a six-month period. The report showed that PVSS phar- macy customers received 351,693 mes- sages about invalid DEA numbers. Under the Controlled Substances Act, unlawful- ly dispensing a Schedule II prescription carries a $25,000 fine per claim, which means PVSS saved its pharmacy cus- tomers more than $8B in potential fines in a six-month period. Inactive Prescribers, OIG Exclusions and Invalid NPI Numbers Invalid DEA numbers aren't the only compliance problem facing pharmacies today. Pharmacies must also be on the lookout for inactive prescribers, invalid NPI numbers and OIG exclusions. According to the IMS Health/HDS Annual Pharmacy Compliance report, pharmacy customers received 608,506 messages about inactive prescribers, 13,478 messages about OIG exclusions, and 93,668 messages about invalid NPI numbers. Fines for inactive prescribers range from $100 to $50,000 per claim. In a six- month period, PVSS potentially saved pharmacy customers between $6M and $3B. The Office of Inspector General can impose civil monetary penalties starting at $10,000 per item and up to three times the amount claimed. So in a six- month period, PVSS potentially saved pharmacy customers more than $134M. While invalid NPI numbers do not carry monetary fines per se, pharmacies that fill prescriptions with invalid NPI numbers are subject to callbacks, rejected reimbursements and withdrawals of pay- ment. PVSS: The Modern Pharmacy's Compliance Solution The demands of modern healthcare are placing extraordinary pressure on phar- macies to replace outdated methods for verifying prescriber credentials. Federal enforcement of compliance has increased the risk of fines, administrative actions and rejected reimbursements. PVSS by IMS Health/HDS is help- ing pharmacies of all sizes respond to regulatory pressures quickly and cost- effectively. For more information, visit booth #418. DERMEND MOISTURIZING BRUISE FORMULA FROM FERNDALE DerMend ® Moisturizing Bruise Formula has added a new dimension to the first aid category by offering a product designed to improve the appearance of bruises specifically for mature skin since its launch in 2013. Ferndale Healthcare ® Inc. has long recognized that there is a growing need for products that address the needs of mature skin. "The over 60 population is expand- ing rapidly, but skincare products that are solution-oriented don't seem to be keep- ing pace," commented Ann Smith, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Ferndale. Sales of DerMend have grown expo- nentially year over year since launch, which proves there is a need for this type of product and the market is responding. DerMend Moisturizing Bruise Formula is a dermatologist recommend- ed cream that was developed to help peo- ple who are experiencing bruising due to aging. Aging, sun exposure and certain medications can especially affect mature skin that has lost its protective fatty layer over time. A unique blend of ingredients in the formula, which includes ceramides, alpha hydroxy acid and retinol, along with Arnica Montana Flower extract, work to rejuvenate mature skin, help restore the skin's natural barrier and improve the appearance of bruises. Ferndale Healthcare is looking for- ward to adding more products to the DerMend line in the future, all specifical- ly designed for mature skin. The most recent addition will be hitting CVS shelves in September – a DerMend Moisturizing Bruise Formula Lotion for large body areas. This formulation will be easy to spread over large areas commonly prone to bruising, such as the legs. Similar to the cream formu- lation, this is intended for daily consistent use on the entire area prone to bruising to achieve best results. DerMend Moisturizing Bruise Formula ($29.99) is available now at CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens and WalMart stores or online at www.lovelyskin.com. Visit Ferndale Healthcare at booth #862. For more information, go to www .dermend.com or www.ferndalehealth care.com. GET TO KNOW NAVAJO INC. What if you could get all your consumer- packaged goods from one place? What if you could guarantee you were also receiving high-quality products, impec- cable service and unmatched merchan- dising options? That's exactly what Navajo Inc. promises and has promised for the 38 years it has been doing business. With an in-house design team and on-site 200,000 square-foot manufacturing facility, it has become a leading manufacturer, importer and distributor of CPG items. Yes, you can get everything you need under one roof. It has a brand to cover all your needs: Healthy Beauty and Wellness (Handy Solutions), Sunglasses (Piranha), OTC Readers (ENVY), Mobile Device Accessories (Hottips), Auto Care (Pennzoil) and General Merchandise (Salute, Chefware, and more). The diversity of its lines is unmatched. Navajo is located in the fast- growing city of Denver, and is doing its job to keep up with the pace of its home town. The company takes pride in fueling growth in the business of its partners, as well through proactive category management and superior customer service. The outstanding efforts of Navajo go beyond just business practices, however. Its philanthropic work is worth noting as well. Through its partnership with Goodwill, it offers job training and spon- sorship of the Opportunity Award in an effort to lower the unemployment rate in any way it can. It extends that sort of care forward to the environment as well. Within its Handy Solutions brand line, it is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and Sustainable Forestry Initiative. With the use of recycled card- board, the company is able to save approximately 365 trees a month. When considering your CPG needs, consider a company as well-rounded as Navajo, a company that cares about your business, your customers and your com- munity. For more information, visit booth #1651 or go to www.navajoinc.com. EXERGEN TEMPORALSCANNER THERMOMETER FEATURED ON HIT MEDICAL DRAMA The Exergen TemporalScanner that is used in thousands of healthcare facilities and millions of homes can now add another prime time television show to its resume. On a recent episode of NBC's newest hit series, Chicago Med, the best- selling Exergen TemporalScanner was used by Dr. Natalie Manning (Torrey DeVitto) who specializes in emergency pediatric medicine on the show. Dr. Manning uses the TemporalScanner to take the temperature of a young girl who might have a meningitis infection. "We are pleased to see the TemporalScanner making its way into popular culture, which is a reflection of the wide acceptance of Exergen's groundbreaking innovation in medical care," said Dr. Francesco Pompei, Exergen Chief Executive Officer. "Temporal artery thermometers are fast, easy to use and non-invasive, enabling medical professionals to accurately assess patients while ensuring a comfort- able overall experience." Exergen was featured in episode 11, "Intervention," during Chicago Med's first season. Chicago Med, produced by Emmy Award-winning Dick Wolf, pro- vides insight into the lives of the health- care providers working at the city's largest trauma center who use cutting edge technology and innovation to enhance patient lives. Exergen markets two models of the TemporalScanner thermometer: a profes- sional version for hospitals and clinics, and a consumer model sold in major retailers including Costco, Wal-Mart, Target, Walgreen's, Babies "R" Us, Toys "R" Us and Kroger. More than two billion temper- atures are taken each year with the TemporalScanner in thousands of hospitals and clinics, and millions of homes. Supported by more than 60 peer-reviewed published studies covering all ages from preterm infants to geriatrics, and all care areas from hospitals to homes, the Exergen TemporalScanner is the No. 1 thermometer in proven accuracy, and the No. 1 prefer- ence of pediatricians, nurses and moms. For more information, visit www .exergen.com.