January/February 2009 - Louisiana Society of Health-System ...

Editor: Dana Jamero djamero@xula.edu www.lshp.org
Volume 18, No.1 January/February 2009
It is hard to believe that my term in office for
LSHP is rapidly drawing to a close. I have been blessed
with a superb team of members serving the society. Our
LSHP state officers, members of the Board of Directors
(BOD), Executive staff, Committee Chairs and appointed
members have been busy this year concentrating on a
number of tasks that are important for the development of
both LSHP and the profession of pharmacy.
Our Treasurer, Helen Calmes, and Mathew
Thomas have stepped up again this year to deliver an
excellent professional education program for our Annual
Meeting in May. In addition, Dr. Calmes authored an
excellent plan for restructuring the LSHP committees that
will engage more of the membership in our activities and
assist the society in handling many of our pressing issues.
Jo Watkins, Chair of the Organizational Affairs Committee
and her members have been diligent in carefully
“tweaking” the document for the consideration of both our
BOD and the general membership later this year.
Organizational Affairs has also been taking some bold steps
in working to build our enrolled membership this year.
They will present their plans for consideration at the
January 23 rd Board Meeting in Baton Rouge.
Administrative Affairs Committee members, under the
leadership of Connie Smith and Laurel Andrews, have
assisted Organization Affairs by securing not only directory
information for hospital pharmacists across the state, but
have also worked with the student LSHP chapters of Xavier
University COP and the ULM COP in polling their
memberships for short program topics of interest to this
important subset of our membership. Pharmacy students
have enjoyed having their activities in the LSHP newsletter.
I wish to commend Dr. Dana Jamero our esteemed editor,
for her continued efforts on behalf of the society in getting
our many articles and news worthy items to press. Please
let Dana know that her conscientious work on the behalf of
LSHP is greatly appreciated!
Dr. Chris Betz, from Governmental Affairs, and
Winona Thomas were instrumental in helping the society
work with ASHP this fall in promoting and assisting the
ASHP Technician Initiative. LSHP’s President-Elect, Dr.
Keturah Robinson, represented the Society at a number of
events at the ASHP Midyear Meeting tied to the Technician
initiative. She also attended a lengthy program concerning
State Chapter affiliations with ASHP. I wish to thank
Keturah for assisting me in these endeavors, and also for
substituting for me at the January BOD meeting. I was at
FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center with my wife during much of
December and January. Dr. Cherie Robertson and her
Committee Members from Professional Affairs have been
primarily working with issues surrounding Collaborative
Practice Agreements and Immunization Certification and
monitoring the “Louisiana Health First” Medicaid Reform
Advisory Group (MRAG). Cherie has been reporting to our
membership via e-mail blasts concerning events as they come
out of this group and plans to work with LSHP, Louisiana
Pharmacists Association, and the Louisiana Board of
Pharmacy in preparing a letter to Sec. Alan Levine as MRAG
issues develop impacting pharmacy.
At the Chapter level, I am aware that delivering CE
programming in our traditional evening meal format has
become difficult under PHARMA guidelines. LSHP officers,
along with help from Mrs. Craig and Mr. O’Connor, hosted a
practical primer on dealing with grant funded educational
programs at the Midyear Meeting in Shreveport. We were
fortunate this year to secure several new presidential officers,
among them Jessica Brady at NELSHP, Kelsey Green
Trimble at NLSHP, Scott Dantonio at SCLSHP, and James
Peterson from CLSHP. I pledge this next year as Past-
President to work by assisting our affiliate chapters with
securing available funding sources and programming for their
local memberships.
In closing, I wish to remind you to mark your
calendars for the Annual Meeting which is scheduled for
Memorial Day weekend, May 21 st -23 rd in New Orleans at the
Hilton on the riverfront.
Kindest regards,
Marty Steffenson, Pharm.D.
LSHP President
INSIDE
ULM & Xavier Student Chapter Updates….…….......
Nominations…………………………..…………..….
Pharmacy Technician Initiative……………………...
LSHP Annual Meeting Preview……………………..
Central Serous Chorioretinopathy………………..….
PTCB Continuous Testing……………………..…..
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Louisiana Society of Health-System Pharmacists
LOUISIANA SOCIETY
OF HEALTH-SYSTEM PHARMACISTS
2008-09 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
Marty Steffenson, PharmD
West Monroe
(318) 342-1735
Steffenson@ulm.edu
PAST PRESIDENT
Barries Leung, PharmD
New Orleans
(504) 897-8586
leungb@touro.com
TREASURER
Helen M. Calmes, PharmD
New Orleans
(504) 891-6774
hcalme@lsuhsc.edu
MEMBER AT LARGE
Tommy Mannino, RPh
Baton Rouge
(225) 765-8441
tommann40@aol.com
MEMBER AT LARGE
Iman Borghol, PharmD
New Orleans
(504) 520-5342
aborghol@xula.edu
MEMBER AT LARGE
Laurel Andrews, PharmD
Monroe
(318) 342-1721
landrews@ulm.edu
CENTRAL-LSHP
Kelly Beurlot
(318) 445-3453
kkbeurlot@bellsouth.net
NORTH-LSHP
Kelsey Trimble, PharmD
(318) 675-7398
kgree4@lsuhsc.edu
NORTHEAST-LSHP
Jessica Brady, PharmD
(318) 342-1697
brady@ulm.edu
PRESIDENT-ELECT
Keturah Robinson, PharmD
New Orleans
(504) 520-5049
krobinson1234@bellsouth.net
SECRETARY
Michael Cockerham, MS, PharmD,
BCOP
Shreveport
(318) 632-2007
mcocke@lsuhsc.edu
MEMBER AT LARGE
Ann Wicker, PharmD
Baton Rouge
(225) 219-9746
wicker@ulm.edu
BOARD MEMBER ELECT
David Loftin, RPh
Shreveport
(318) 746-0578
david.loftin@christushealth.org
BOARD MEMBER ELECT
Teresa Nash, PharmD
New Orleans
(504) 304-0517
tnash@ochsner.org
SOUTH CENTRAL-LSHP
Scott Dantonio, RPh
(225) 622-3714
sdantonio3@eatel.net
SOUTHEAST-LSHP
Linda Mihm, PharmD
(504) 834-7298
lmihm@xula.edu
SOUTHWEST-LSHP
VACANT
LSHP Bimonthly Newsletter LA HEALTH-SYSTEM PHARMACIST Publisher Information
The LA Health-System Pharmacist is published 6 times a year by the LSHP, 8550 United Plaza Blvd., Suite 1001, Baton Rouge, LA 70809.
Subscription to the LA Health-System Pharmacist is a benefit of LSHP membership. All articles published represent the opinions of the authors
and do not reflect the policy of the LSHP unless so specified.
Copy, advertising and nonmember subscription inquiries should be directed to the Copy Editor, Kati Craig, at (225) 922-4520. Advertising rate
sheets and deadlines are available upon request.
Please send article submissions to the newsletter editor, Dana Jamero, via email at djamero@xula.edu.
LSHP
Why renew?
Membership provides:
●Professional Education
○ ACPE approved continuing
education programs
○ Discounted regisration to LSHP’s
Annual & Mid Year Meeting
○ CE opportunites sponsored by
local chapters
Page 2
●Peer Networking
○ Welcome receptions at statewide
meetings
○ Exhibit halls to meet with industry
reps
●Professional Society Membership
○ Bi-monthly newsletter featuring
society news & industry information
○ Professional recognition through
involvement
If you have not renewed your
membership, please do so soon!
Membership renewals have been
mailed! Need another? Call the
office at (225) 922-4520, or
download a membership
application for you, a co-worker,
or a friend at www.lshp.org.

Louisiana Society of Health-System Pharmacists Page 3
Hello to all our fellow LSHP members! We are back
from a rejuvenating Winter Break and we are kicking off the
spring semester here at ULM. The ULM LSHP student chapter
anticipates a busy semester filled with programs to further
develop ourselves as future practitioners. We have a few
programs planned already for this semester including a
"Residency Training" professional development for interested
students that will be lead by Dr. Jessica Brady. We are also
going to host an "Asthma Education" professional development
for students to learn more about this disease which affects many
individuals! We are once again on track to attain the coveted
“Recognized Student Society of Health Systems Pharmacists”
status. This promises to be a great semester filled with many
Xavier Student Chapter Update
Geoffrey Gros
Xavier Student Chapter President
Happy New Year to All! We are back to school
already, and things are kicking off great! Our student chapter has
much planned for this semester. We plan to be involved in
multiple community service activities, as well as having very
intuitive guest speakers. We’re looking forward to a great
semester! We will keep you guys posted of all the events to
come.
We hope that each of you have a prosperous 2009!
LSHP Nominations!
Greetings!
The Nominations Committee has the following 4
positions open for nomination for 2009:
• President-Elect
• Treasurer
• 2 positions for the Board of Directors
(member-at-large), 2 year term
The Treasurer will be elected through open ballots at
the General Section during the LSHP Annual Meeting
on Saturday, May 23, 2009.
If you would like to run one of these offices, or you
know someone who is interested, please let me know.
My e-mail address is: barries.leung@touro.com .
Thank you!
Barries Leung, PharmD
LSHP Immediate Past President
ULM Student Chapter Update
Kristian Fruge’
ULM Student Chapter President
programs for our ULM College of Pharmacy students to
participate in.
To update you on recent occurrences over the Winter
Break, Kieu Nguyen represented our chapter at the student
chapter showcase in Orlando during the ASHP Midyear Clinical
Meeting. Kieu also presented a poster titled, “Emergency
Preparedness & Your Health: Helping Senior Citizens of
Louisiana Prepare for Hurricane Season,” which was a
culmination of work and dedication from Dr. Ann Wicker, Dr.
Jessica Brady, Dr. Martin Steffenson, Kieu, and me. The
research was made possible by a seed grant from ASHP. As you
all can see, our student chapter is staying busy and promoting
our profession!!
Congratulations to the following
LSHP members and vendor
representatives that were
nominated for awards:
Health-System Pharmacist of the Year
Jessica Brady
Scott Dantonio
George Miller
Keturah Robinson
Technician of the Year
Lori Caruso
Melanie Meade
Outstanding Service Award
Chris Betz
Barries Leung
Marty Steffenson
Tommy Himel Award
Mike Cockerham
Charlie Jastram
Tommy Mannino
Industry Award
Sanja Alickovic
Corey Chimento
Tammy Rivault
Cheri Saucier
Awards will be presented at the LSHP
Awards Luncheon at the 2009 Annual
Meeting on May 23 at the Hilton New
Orleans Riverside.

Louisiana Society of Health-System Pharmacists Page 4
ASHP Pharmacy Technician Initiative
ASHP has begun a major technician advocacy initiative
to develop an educated, certified, and registered pharmacy
technician workforce in every state in order to improve
medication use and safety as well as enable the pharmacist to
increase patient care services. This is a goal that LSHP has long
supported. The Pharmacy Technician Initiative is a wellorganized
partnership between ASHP and state affiliates to
advocate for state laws that require, as a prerequisite for state
board registration, completion of an ASHP-accredited pharmacy
technician training program and PTCB certification. This
initiative will seek active adoption and involvement of state
affiliates. ASHP will develop tools and resources to assist
affiliates in planning and advocacy based on customized plans
developed in participating states.
As reported in the September/October issue of the LA
Health-System Pharmacist, LSHP recently signed on to
participate in ASHP’s Pharmacy Technician Initiative. A
signing ceremony took place at the ASHP Midyear Meeting on
December 7 in Orlando, Florida. Pictured at right is LSHP
President-elect Keturah Robinson, center, at the ceremony. To
her left is Dr. Henri Manasse, Jr., Ph.D, Sc.D, Executive Vice
President, Chief Executive Officer of ASHP, to her right is
ASHP President Kevin Colgan.
Hello Fellow Pharmacy Technicians:
Happy New Year to all, I am happy to report to you
that our national organization, ASHP, is working on a
Technician initiative that involves standardizing the role of
Pharmacy Technicians on a national level. Please be sure and
read about it in this newsletter. It is time for us to renew our
dues for LSHP. I’m sure some of you are asking why you
should join. There are several reasons why. We are working
hard as a society to continue to provide continuing education.
We as a society need to work together to promote patient safety
and a healthy work environment. Also, we as a society need to
network to learn about all the resources that are available to us
in order to perform our jobs to the best of our abilities. I want
Technician’s Corner
Winona Thomas, CPhT
LSHP Pharmacy Technician Representative
Keturah Robinson signs ASHP Memorandum of Understanding
regarding the Pharmacy Technician Initiative
Louisiana was one of 17 states who signed the
agreement at this time.
Below, a group of representatives who participated in
the signing ceremony pause to commemorate the occasion.
to invite all technicians to continue being involved in their local
chapter. Send in those renewal applications, show that you have
pride in yourself and your profession. Please share this
newsletter with your fellow technicians that are not members so
they can see what our organization is all about and encourage
them to join. Be proud of who you are and what you are. YOU
are a CERTIFIED PHARMACY TECHNICIAN and you help to
save lives.
I always look forward to hearing from you. If you have
any questions, concerns, suggestions or opinions please contact
me at Winonathomascpht@aol.com , your Pharmacy Technician
Representative for LSHP

Louisiana Society of Health-System Pharmacists Page 5
Straight from the horse’s mouth!
The LSHP Annual Meeting
is coming soon!
May 21-23, 2009
Hilton New Orleans Riverside
Save the date & hitch a ride to
the Crescent City!
Hotel Info
Call the Hilton Riverside at (504) 561-0500 or 1-800-HILTONS to book your room. Be sure to tell them you are with
LSHP to receive the group room rate of $199 for a single or double room. Be sure to book by April 17!
Educational Programming
The program committee is working hard to book speakers to present on topics you want to know about! You will be
able to earn approximately 17 ACPE-accredited hours. Topics tentatively scheduled to be included are: Electrolytes,
Pharmacy Cognitive Services, Zero Tolerance for Failure: Pharmacists Fight Back, the Ethics of End of Life Care,
Hyperglycemic Management, Transplantation, Antifungals, Pediatrics, Thrombopoietic Growth Factors, Litigation and
Law.
Take part
Information will be distributed soon regarding the interactive poster session. You will also have the opportunity to visit
with vendors from many pharmaceutical companies during our exhibition.
Network
As always, the Thursday Welcome Reception will offer a chance to visit with old friends and create new relationships
with pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and students from across the state, and in many different practice settings.
Honor the best of LSHP
The Saturday Awards lunch honor the winners of the Annual LSHP Awards.
More information to follow
Watch your mailboxes and the LSHP website, www.lshp.org , for more information.

Louisiana Society of Health-System Pharmacists Page 6
Central Serous Chorioretinopathy
Nicole Ehrlicher, PharmD Candidate & Lisa DiGioia-Ross, PharmD
Central serous chorioretinopathy or central serous
retinopathy (CSR) is a disease that involves a retinal detachment
of the macular layers of the eye in which fluid leaks into the
subretinal space. The detachment can cause tears or breaks in
the retinal pigment epithelium which leads to the build up of this
endogenous fluid or edema. CSR is usually idiopathic in nature
and self-limiting with about 80% of patients regaining 20/25
vision or better. Unfortunately, patients with CSR have a 40-
50% risk of recurrence in the same eye. CSR usually results in
blurred, distorted vision or metamorphopsia, a gray blind spot in
the central vision, and/or flashes of light or photopsia.
CSR occurs most commonly in males between the ages
of 20-55 who are considered to have Type A personalities.
People with Type A personalities are usually extremely
competitive, impatient, time conscious, aggressive, and
sometimes considered workaholics. CSR is uncommon in the
African American population; however, it is extremely severe in
the Hispanic and Asian populations. Women tend to develop
CSR at a later age compared to men. Patients diagnosed after
the age of 50 usually have the disorder bilaterally and usually
have a history of corticosteroid use or severe uncontrolled
hypertension.
Even though the pathophysiology of CSR is not well
understood, stress seems to play a role in the development of the
disease. Stress causes stimulation of the sympathetic nervous
system which in turn can cause local weakness in the Bruch’s
membrane (a transparent inner membrane of the choroid which
is in contact with retinal pigment epithelium). This subsequently
leads to the leakage of fluid secondary to a defect in the retinal
pigment epithelium and ultimately, could cause a focal
detachment of the retina. Another hypothesis claims the
pathophysiology involves an abnormal ion transport across the
retinal pigment epithelium which can result in focal choroidal
vasculopathy. Other hypothetical systemic causes include
hypertension, organ transplantation, systemic lupus
erythematosus (SLE), Cushing’s syndrome, steroid use, and
gastroesophogeal reflux disease (GERD). All of these systemic
conditions are associated with a high level of stress and cortisol
release. Also there has been a correlation between Helicobacter
pylori and CSR. Approximately 70% of CSR patients are
infected with Helicobacter pylori. Further studies are needed to
determine if an infection with Helicobacter pylori is a risk
factor.
It has been shown in many clinical trials that prolonged
corticosteroid use can exacerbate central serous retinopathy.
Corticosteroids play a role in the expression of adrenergic
receptors which when stimulated by the sympathetic nervous
system, cause the release of catecholamines (epinephrine,
norepinephrine, and dopamine). This release occurs mainly
during stressful situations and therefore, may contribute to the
pathogenesis of CSR. A study of 50 CSR patients showed that
26 patients (52%) had a history of exogenous steroid use. In
addition, most retinas reattach spontaneously once systemic
corticosteroids are discontinued. Systemic corticosteroid use is
the most prevalent risk factor for developing or exacerbating
CSR and should be avoided in patients with this disease.
There has also been some speculation that Viagra®
(sildenafil) may have a relationship to CSR, although a causal
relationship has not been established. However, a retrospective
study showed that 8 out of 11 patients taking sildenafil and
diagnosed with CSR had improved vision upon discontinuation.
Therefore, most physicians do not recommend the use of
sildenafil in patients with refractory CSR. Other agent that
should be avoided in patients with CSR includes aspirin and
caffeine plus other stimulants and possibly non-steroidal antiinflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs). In addition, since elevated
opiate levels from use of heroin or morphine have also been
associated with CSR it would be best to avoid using these agents
as well.
Patients with CSR can present with symptoms of visual
loss, metamorphopsia, decrease or distortion in central vision,
scotoma, loss of color perception and loss of contrast sensitivity.
Most patients complain of objects being distorted in some way
and miniaturized. However, CSR can be asymptomatic and is
usually unilateral. Some classic signs of CSR include local
serous detachment of the retina usually within the region of the
macula, serous fluid void of any lipid or heme, retinal
epithelium irregularities, and possible subretinal fibrin
deposition. CSR is commonly diagnosed by using optical
coherence topography (OCT) and fluorescein angiogram (FA).
If the OCT shows subretinal fluid, retinal pigment epithelium
detachment, neurosensory macula detachment, and any retinal
atrophy resulting from a chronic disease state, it may be
suggestive of CSR. The FA is able to detect leaks at the level of
the retinal pigment epithelium, and in about 10-15% of patients,
a classic “smoke stack” appearance of the leak will be present.
Even though CSR has serious signs and symptoms, the
prognosis is usually good if the disease in caught in the early
stages. As mentioned earlier, about 80% of patient will have
20/25 vision or better leaving only 20% failing to recover vision
of 20/30 or better. Most of the patients failing to regain adequate
vision usually have a chronic form of CSR secondary to another
uncontrolled disease (i.e. hypertension or SLE). Patients with
chronic CSR usually have chronic serous retinal detachment
caused by severe retinal pigment epithelium atrophy and only
regain about 20/200 vision. Even if the disease is detected early,
there is a risk of about 50% recurrence of CSR in the same the
eye.
The treatment and management of CSR is not well
defined. Laser photocoagulation is commonly used in the
treatment of CSR to cauterize the subretinal leak areas and
prevent fluid from escaping. Laser photocoagulation is usually
only used during the following complications of CSR: a serous
detachment of greater than four months or recurrence of CSR in
the same or opposite eye with visual deficits. Laser
photocoagulation is also used if the serous detachment is more
than 300 micrometers from the center of the fovea. If laser
treatment is concentrated too close to the macula, it can leave a
permanent blind spot. If the leak is too close to the macula, then
transpupillary thermotherapy has been used as a lower risk
alternative laser treatment. Laser treatment has been shown to
CSR continues on next page

CSR continued
Louisiana Society of Health-System Pharmacists Page 7
slow the progression of the disease and decrease the risk of
recurrence in the same eye; however, it has not been proven to
improve the final vision prognosis. Patients with chronic CSR
seem to have a better prognosis when laser photocoagulation is
used in the management of the disease.
There is currently no standard pharmacologic therapy
that is indicated for CSR. Many treatments are investigational
and are often used off-label. Most of the pharmacological
treatments available are only used in patients with CSR that are
complicated with choroidal neovascularization (CNV).
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been used successfully offlabel
in the treatment of CSR. PDT is indicated in for treatment
of wet macular degeneration with CNV; therefore, PDT is usually
only used when CSR is complicated with subfoveal CNV. PDT
uses the medication Visudyne® (verteporfin) which is given by
an intravenous injection. Verteporfin is activated by a nonthermal
laser which targets CNV through a contact lens that is placed on
the cornea. This photoactivation results in the generation of free
radicals and subsequently leads to local endothelial damage and
capillary closure by temporarily causing choroidal vessel
occlusion. The main complications of PDT are macular ischemia
from the local vessel occlusion and angiogenesis or re-growth of
new blood vessels. A prospective trial was conducted in which
26 eyes of 24 patients with CSR were treated with PDT. A
statistically significant change in visual acuity from baseline to
24 months (P=.03) was shown. Another small study used PDT on
five eyes with chronic CSR. All five eyes showed improvement
in vision, reduction of fluid leakage, reduction of subretinal fluid
accumulation, and reduction of serous detachment. PDT is most
beneficial when used early in the disease progression and when
the patient has clinical findings of CNV.
Another medication used in the treatment of CSR is the
vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor, Avastin®
(bevacizumab). Bevacizumab is commonly used for the
treatment of age related macular degeneration complicated with
CNV. VEGF is responsible for angiogenesis; therefore, when
inhibited should prevent the formation of new blood vessels
which is a complication associated with CNV. Bevacizumab is
administered intravitreally at a usual dose of 1.25mg.
Bevacizumab is very effective at eliminating CNV leakage and
the further progression of CNV; however, more studies are
warranted to assess the long term safety and efficacy of
intravitreal bevacizumab. Currently, bevacizumab is only used in
the treatment of CSR when the patient has CNV or has chronic
CSR. Other investigational agents include acetazolamide,
labetalol and other beta-blockers, mifepristone and ketoconazole
to treat refractory cases of CSR.
Since the pathology of CSR is primarily based on stress,
there are several pharmacologic techniques that may help such as
exercise, meditation and yoga. These techniques have not been
clinically proven to treat CSR; however, by decreasing the
mediator of the disease, stress, these techniques may have the
potential to prevent progression of the disease when used in
combination with other treatments.
In conclusion, the cause of CSR is usually idiopathic in
nature; however, it is speculated to be based on increased stress.
Fortunately, about 80% of CSR cases are self-limiting. Most CSR
cases are exacerbated by prolonged steroid use and usually
resolve once the steroids have been discontinued. If the disease
does not resolve on its own, the pharmacologic options that are
available include PDT and bevacizumab.
References:
Carvalho-Recchia CA, Yannuzzi LA, Negrao S, Spaide RF,
Freund KB, Rodriguez-Coleman H, et
al. Corticosteroids and central serous
chorioretinopathy. Ophthalmology. Oct; 2002; 109
(10):1834-7.
Emedicine from WebMD. Central Serous Choiroretinopathy.
Accessed at http://www.emedicine.com/oph/
topic689.htm. Accessed on June 16, 2008.
Ergun E, Tittl M, Stur M. Photodynamic Therapy with
verteporfin in subfoveal choroidal neovascularization
secondary to central serous chorioretinopathy. Arch
Ophthalmol. 2004; 122:37-41.
Fraunfelder FW, Fraunfelder FT. Central serous retinopathy
associated with Sildenafil. Retina. 28(4):606-609. April
2008.
Lexi Comp Software for PDA. Lexi Comp Inc. 2008.
Rioddan-Eva P, Whitcher JP. Vaughns and Asbury General
Ophthalmology 17 th edition. McGraw Hill 2008. Page
200-201.
Sharma T et al. Visual Outcome after discontinuation of
Corticosteroids in Atypical Severe Central Serous
Chorioretinopathy. Ophthalmology.2004; 111:1708-
1714.
Taban M, Boyer DS, Thomas EL. Chronic Central Serous
Chorioretinopathy: Photodynamic Therapy. American
Journal of Ophthalmology.2004; 137: 1073-1080.
The Wills Eye Manual 4 th edition. Lippincott & Wilkins.
Pages 261-262.
http://www.cushings-help.com/csr.htm Accessed on
February 3, 2009
http://www.mdsupport.org/library/ketoconazole.html
Accessed on February 3, 2009
Mark your calendars & make your reservations!
ASHP Summer Meeting
June 14­17, 2009 Village of Rosemont, Illinois

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
Unveils New Testing Features for 2009:
PTCB Exam to be Offered daily; Test Results Given to Candidates Immediately
Washington, D.C. – The Pharmacy Technician Certification
Board (PTCB) – the pioneer in the certification of pharmacy
technicians - announced that on April 1, 2009, the PTCB
Examination will be available in continuous testing format at
Pearson Professional Centers nationwide. PTCB also announced
that exam candidates will receive an official pass or fail result at
the test center after the completion of the exam, effective immediately.
The PTCB certification program is the only certification
endorsed by the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), the
National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) and other
professional pharmacy organizations. The PTCB examination is
administered in all 50 states, DANTES testing centers worldwide,
and in Guam and Puerto Rico, and is included in the regulations
of 30 states. The transition to on-demand, year round exam availability
is designed to meet increasing demand from educators,
employers and pharmacy technicians. PTCB candidate demographics
and numbers have expanded steadily over PTCB’s 14
years as the industry leader in certifying pharmacy technicians. In
2008, PTCB tested over 50,000 pharmacy technicians and has
certified 330,425 CPhTs since inception in 1995, through the
examination and transfer process.
"As industry demand continues to grow and more states
like Texas require pharmacy technicians to be PTCB certified as
part of the registration process, we recognized the need to evolve
our program," said Melissa Murer Corrigan, RPh, Executive Director
and CEO of PTCB. "Similar to NAPLEX (the pharmacist
licensure exam), pharmacy technicians soon will be able to take
the test on-demand and learn their pass/fail status immediately.
These new features will support patient safety and enhance customer
service."
The current quarterly administration of the PTCB examination
will conclude on March 31, 2009. Eligible exam candidates
applying after April 1, 2009 will be authorized to test immediately,
and may schedule an exam appointment in the 90 days
following approval. Candidates will continue to schedule examination
appointments at any of the over 200 Pearson Professional
Centers nationwide and internationally at DANTES testing centers
in the continuous testing format.
The PTCB national Pharmacy Technician Certification
Examination (PTCE) certification program is accredited by the
National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).