West Virginia Society of Health System Pharmacists   P.O. Box 4241, Charleston, WV 25364
Spring Meeting	The Spring meeting was a great success topped off with Governor Manchin signing into law the bill that allows Pharmacists to administer certain vaccines.
Email Address Requested	One of WVSHP’s goals is ensure our members are updated of changes in our profession and organization by sending information electronically due to its timeliness, efficiency, and cost effectiveness.  WVSHP will be moving toward electronic reminders of Continuing Education Conferences, important updates in Hospital Pharmacy, and election process in the near future.  Please forward your contact email address to Tara White (twhite@hsc.wvu.edu).
New Bylaws	All members are asked to read and comment on the Bylaw changes by June 1st.  Voting on the proposed bylaw changes will occur from June 1st through June 10th via an online survey.
Federal Government Accepting Pharmacists' Documentation	Effective April 1st, Medicare will accept pharmacists' documentation as to why a patient is not a medication normally required for a specific disease state.  This increases the value of pharmacists in the new 'Pay for Performance (P4P)' programs that translate into millions of revenue dollars for hospitals.  Pharmacists' documentation had been disallowed.  This change is a direct result of pharmacy organizations, such as, WVSHP and ASHP, and underscores why it is important to join and support these organizations.
New USP Chapter 797 Released	http://www.usp.org/pdf/EN/USPNF/generalChapter797.pdf
Legislative Issues	Final Legislative Actions 2007 Draft Proposal on Rules for Collaborative Practice Action Requested:   State Supreme Court rules Pharmacists not covered under state's Medical Professional Liability Act
Do you have your National Provider Identifier (NPI)?	https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov/NPPES/StaticForward.do?forward=static.npistart
WVSHP Educational Opportunities
Educational Opportunities from Non-WVSHP Organizations	WVU Sponsored Live CE Programs WVPA 101st Annual Convention September 6-7, 2008 Stonewall Resort Roanoke, West Virginia

About WVSHP

WVSHP promotes issues for the optimization of the medication therapy that enhance the quality of life for West Virginia patients.  Below are some of the issues supported by WVSHP:

Pharmacists establishing protocols for medication therapy and monitoring, and write the order on the chart to reduce delays and medication errors, and improve therapy of patients.

Promote collaborative efforts with physicians to optimize the patient's medication therapy and medication safety.

Support public health and patients' health by supporting legislative efforts to allow community-based pharmacists to administer vaccines.

Reimbursement issues for cognitive skills, such as, diabetic instruction on devices and medications, to help patients use their medications and devices accurately and safely.

To work in conjunction with our sister organization, The West Virginia Pharmacists Association, to promote pharmacist-based initiatives to improve care of patients in the community.

WVSHP supports the legislative issues which directly affect the well-being of West Virginia patients.  Because of the issues for our patients, every pharmacist in West Virginia should belong to WVSHP.

We need YOU in shaping the dramatic changes in health-system pharmacy practice which are under way. Please take time to complete the WVSHP application now.