Important Information and Resources For Assisting Those Affected by Hurricane Katrina

 

 

 

OPA Adds New Q&A to Website (9/14/05)

 

The Office of Pharmacy Affairs (OPA) added the following to its website today:

Question - Because of the current emergency, 340B covered entities may have set up temporary sites at locations other than those listed on the 340B website.  May a wholesaler or drug manufacturer ship 340B covered drugs to these temporary sites that are not listed on the OPA web site?

Answer - We appreciate the flexibility of all of the drug manufacturers and wholesalers in meeting the needs of the 340B covered entities during this emergency.  A manufacturer or wholesaler who has verified the participation of an organization on the 340B website may ship drugs ordered by the covered entity even if the shipping address may be different than what is shown on the 340B website.  The temporary address for a covered entity should be communicated to the OPA in writing by the covered entity, if possible, within 30 days after the move. To the extent that temporary addresses can be verified in a timely manner, they will be posted on the OPA web site.  If the temporary address becomes the new permanent address for the covered entity, the covered entity should notify OPA.

 

For more information, OPA suggests that you contact the Pharmacy Services Support Center at 1-800-628-6297.

 

PSSC Updates Its "340B Disaster FAQs" (9/14/05)

 

PSSC has added the following information to its website:

 

Reimbursement for Loss of Income: Are health centers eligible to apply for FEMA benefits to receive reimbursement for the loss of income when they waive minimal fees for primary care visits, transportation needs, and 340B prescription drug fees?

 

Health centers should contact their State Emergency Management Agency (EMA) to request reimbursement for costs related to treating Hurricane Katrina victims. The State EMA can work with FEMA to determine the guidelines for reimbursement. Links to State EMA contact information is at http://www.hrsa.gov/katrina/emalist.htm

 

Accessing the Strategic National Stockpile of Drugs: How do grantees access the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) of drugs?

 

Grantees should contact the SNS coordinator in their state Emergency Management Agency (EMA). Please contact Tom Tubesing/Stephanie Dulin in Louisiana at 225-763-5735, Liz O'Mara in Mississippi at 601-576-7178, Judy Henry in Texas at 512-458-7219, or Allyson Brown in Alabama at 404-687-6648. Contact information for all State EMAs is at http://www.fema.gov/fema/statedr.shtm.

 

For more information, go to http://pssc.aphanet.org.

 

Opportunities to Help Hospital Employees Affected by Hurricane Katrina (9/14/05)

 

The National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems (NAPH) has posted information on two PHPC members that have created foundations to raise money for their hospital employees affected by the tragedy.  That information can be found on the NAPH website at http://www.naph.org.  PHPC is following up with other members in the affected states to see if they have also set up similar charities.  In the meantime, you can donate to hospital employees in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama through The Care Fund, which was set up by the hospital associations’ of the three states.  More information can be found at http://www.thecarefund.net.

 

 

Update from Office of Pharmacy Affairs (9/09/05)

 

      The Office of Pharmacy Affairs (OPA) issued the following statement on its website on September 9:

      "According to program guidelines, the database of covered entities is updated quarterly.  The next update is scheduled for October 1, 2005.  In light of the current national emergency involving Hurricane Katrina, the Office of Pharmacy Affairs will now list hospitals and clinics that have been processed and cleared to participate in the 340B Program immediately rather than delaying their ability to purchase 340B drugs until October 1.   All currently approved applications will be posted in the database with an effective date of September 9, 2005.  Additional sites will be listed as they are processed effective on the date they are completed.  We expect to continue this expedited process of approving 340B covered entities until the hurricane emergency is over."

If you have any questions, please contact the Pharmacy Services Support Center at 1-800-628-6297 or via the Internet at http://pssc.aphanet.org/askpssc/requestform.htm.

 

 

PSSC's "340B Disaster FAQs"

 

      The Pharmacy Services Support Center (PSSC), HRSA's government contractor for 340B technical assistance, has published a Q&A on their website that addresses questions 340B providers may have regarding the use of 340B-priced drugs in disaster situations.  According to the Q&A, the standard rule regarding patient definition remains in effect during disasters such as that created by Hurricane Katrina, though the health record in emergency situations can be in abbreviated form and may be a single form or note page.  The Q&A can be found at http://pssc.aphanet.org and PHPC members can find more information here.

 

The following are a number of other resources for those interested in helping the victims of Hurricane Katrina:


 

Website For Hospitals to Offer Assistance to Those Affected by Hurricane Katrina

      The American Hospital Association (AHA) is working with the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other national and state hospital associations to help coordinate medical relief efforts for hospitals and patients affected by Hurricane Katrina.  More information on their efforts, as well as information on how your hospital can contribute to the relief effort, can be found at http://www.hospitalreliefefforts.org. 


 

Assistance Available from Pharmaceutical Companies

 

      Many pharmaceutical companies are pledging cash and product donations in the wake of Katrina.  Some are offering to replace stock lost in the storm and flood, while others are altering their Patient Assistance Programs to handle more patients and to process requests more expeditiously.  340B hospitals wishing to donate product or services should contact pharmaceutical companies to see if efforts can be coordinated.  Information about manufacturers' assistance opportunities can be found here or on the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America's (PhRMA) website at http://www.phrma.org/mediaroom/press/releases/02.09.2005.1239.cfm.


 

Call for Pharmacists

 

      The Office of the Surgeon General and the Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness are in the process of mobilizing and identifying healthcare professionals and relief personnel to assist in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.  Volunteers will be hired as unpaid intermittent federal employees (travel and per diem will be paid).  Expectations are that volunteers will be deployed up to 14 days.  To access the on-line form and for additional information go to https://volunteer.ccrf.hhs.gov/ or call 1-866-KATMEDI (1-866-528-6334).