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IV Certification Course

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:00:00 GMT

IV Certification Course
Start Date: 22-Mar-10 9:00 AM
End Time: 23-Mar-10 5:00 PM
Location: NPTA Training Institute, Houston, Tx 77060
Speaker: NPTA Faculty

Event Details:

Course Details
The course requirements include:
- 9 Home Study Modules
- 2 Days Hands-On Training
- 8 Process Technique Validations

>>Complete Learning Objectives

How the Course Works
Participants must complete nine separate modules of home-based learning, comprised of a reading assignment and comprehensive exam. A score of 70% or higher is required for each exam. After completing the home-based study modules, participants attend and complete NPTA’s two-day Sterile Product Training Institute, located at the NPTA Training Institute in Houston, Texas.

Home Study Modules
- Introduction to Sterile Products
- Facilities, Garb & Equipment
- Aseptic Calculations
- Properties of Sterile Products
- Aseptic Technique
- Sterile Product Preparations
- Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)
- Chemotherapy
- Quality Control and Assurance

Training & Technique Validations
- Aseptic Hand Washing
- Horizontal Laminar Airflow Hood Care
- Vertical Laminar Airflow Hood Care
- Vial Manipulations
- Ampule Manipulations
- Hazardous Vial Manipulations
- Hazardous Ampule Manipulations
- TPN Compounding

Tuition Fee
$598 Members
$698 Non-Members

Please note: This course is non-refundable and non-transferable.

Rescheduling is subject to a $250 change fee and is based on availability.

What's Included
Tuition includes: Sterile Products textbook by Pearson Education, official course binder, two day hands-on training institute, lunch/snacks on both training days, use of laboratory equipment and supplies, statement of CE credit and an Official Certificate of Validated Training, upon successful completion.

CPE Credits
40.0 Contact Hours/4.0 CEU
Program Type: Practice
UAN No. 384-000-08-072-H05-T
Same as ACPE No. 384-000-05-072-H04-T
This program was released November 1, 2005 and Re-released November 2, 2008.

NPTA Training Institute

15832 W. Hardy, Suite 640

Houston, Tx US 77060

Compounding Certification Course

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Compounding Certification Course
Start Date: 25-Mar-10 9:00 AM
End Time: 26-Mar-10 5:00 PM
Location: NPTA Training Institute, Houston, Tx 77060
Speaker: NPTA Faculty

Event Details:

Course Details
The course requirements include:
- 10 Home Study Modules with Exams
- 2 Days Hands-On Training

How the Course Works
Participants must complete eleven separate modules of home-based learning, comprised of a reading assignment and comprehensive exam. A score of 70% or higher is required for each exam. After completing the home-based study modules, participants attend and complete NPTA’s two-day Pharmaceutical Compounding Training Institute, located at the NPTA Training Institute in Houston, Texas.

Home Study Modules
- Introduction to Compounding/Compounding Practices & Considerations
- Facilities, Equipment & Supplies
- Quality Assurance & Record Keeping
- Capsules, Tablets & Powders
- Lozenges, Troches, Sticks & Suppositories
- Solutions, Suspensions & Emulsions
- Ointments, Creams, Pastes & Gels
- Ophthalmic, Otic & Nasal Preparations
- Medication Flavoring
- Veterinary Compounding

Hands-On Training Labs
- Capsules
- Carbomer Gels
- Creams
- Gelatin Troches
- Lip Balms
- Medicated Lollipops
- PEG Troches
- PLO Gels
- Solutions
- Suspensions
- Suppositories
- Tablet Triturates
- Coloring/Flavoring
- Quality Assurance Methods
- Record Keeping

Tuition Fee
$598 NPTA Members
$698 Non-Members

Please note: This course is non-refundable.

Rescheduling is subject to a $250 change fee and is based on availability.

What's Included

Tuition includes: Compounding textbook by Pearson Education, official course binder, two day hands-on training institute, lunch/snacks on both training days, use of laboratory equipment and supplies, statement of CE credit and an Official Certificate of Validated Training, upon successful completion.

CPE Credits
40.0 Contact Hours/4.0 CEU
Program Type: Activity
UAN No. 384-000-09-072-H04-T
384-000-09-072-H04-P
This program was released March 12, 2009.

Same as: 384-000-06-070-H04 (Released April 1, 2006)

NPTA Training Institute

15832 W. Hardy, Suite 640

Houston, Tx US 77060

Compounding Certification Course

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Compounding Certification Course
Start Date: 8-Apr-10 9:00 AM
End Time: 9-Apr-10 5:00 PM
Location: NPTA Training Institute, Houston, Tx 77060
Speaker: NPTA Faculty

Event Details:

Please note: This course is non-refundable.

Rescheduling is subject to a $250 change fee and is based on availability.

What's Included

NPTA Training Institute

15832 W. Hardy, Suite 640

Houston, Tx US 77060

IV Certification Course

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 14:00:00 GMT

IV Certification Course
Start Date: 12-Apr-10 9:00 AM
End Time: 13-Apr-10 5:00 PM
Location: NPTA Training Institute, Houston, Tx 77060
Speaker: NPTA Faculty

Event Details:

Tuition Fee
$598 Members
$698 Non-Members

Please note: This course is non-refundable and non-transferable.

Rescheduling is subject to a $250 change fee and is based on availability.

NPTA Training Institute

15832 W. Hardy, Suite 640

Houston, Tx US 77060

IV Certification Course

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 14:00:00 GMT

IV Certification Course
Start Date: 19-Apr-10 9:00 AM
End Time: 20-Apr-10 5:00 PM
Location: NPTA Training Institute, Houston, Tx 77060
Speaker: NPTA Faculty

Event Details:

Tuition Fee
$598 Members
$698 Non-Members

Please note: This course is non-refundable and non-transferable.

Rescheduling is subject to a $250 change fee and is based on availability.

NPTA Training Institute

15832 W. Hardy, Suite 640

Houston, Tx US 77060

IV Certification Course

Mon, 03 May 2010 14:00:00 GMT

IV Certification Course
Start Date: 3-May-10 9:00 AM
End Time: 4-May-10 5:00 PM
Location: NPTA Training Institute, Houston, Tx 77060
Speaker: NPTA Faculty

Event Details:

Tuition Fee
$598 Members
$698 Non-Members

Please note: This course is non-refundable and non-transferable.

Rescheduling is subject to a $250 change fee and is based on availability.

NPTA Training Institute

15832 W. Hardy, Suite 640

Houston, Tx US 77060

Compounding Certification Course

Thu, 06 May 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Compounding Certification Course
Start Date: 6-May-10 9:00 AM
End Time: 7-May-10 5:00 PM
Location: NPTA Training Institute, Houston, Tx 77060
Speaker: NPTA Faculty

Event Details:

Please note: This course is non-refundable.

Rescheduling is subject to a $250 change fee and is based on availability.

What's Included

NPTA Training Institute

15832 W. Hardy, Suite 640

Houston, Tx US 77060

IV Certification Course

Mon, 17 May 2010 14:00:00 GMT

IV Certification Course
Start Date: 17-May-10 9:00 AM
End Time: 18-May-10 5:00 PM
Location: NPTA Training Institute, Houston, Tx 77060
Speaker: NPTA Faculty

Event Details:

Tuition Fee
$598 Members
$698 Non-Members

Please note: This course is non-refundable and non-transferable.

Rescheduling is subject to a $250 change fee and is based on availability.

NPTA Training Institute

15832 W. Hardy, Suite 640

Houston, Tx US 77060

IV Certification Course

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 14:00:00 GMT

IV Certification Course
Start Date: 7-Jun-10 9:00 AM
End Time: 8-Jun-10 5:00 PM
Location: NPTA Training Institute, Houston, Tx 77060
Speaker: NPTA Faculty

Event Details:

Tuition Fee
$598 Members
$698 Non-Members

Please note: This course is non-refundable and non-transferable.

Rescheduling is subject to a $250 change fee and is based on availability.

NPTA Training Institute

15832 W. Hardy, Suite 640

Houston, Tx US 77060

Compounding Certification Course

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Compounding Certification Course
Start Date: 10-Jun-10 9:00 AM
End Time: 11-Jun-10 5:00 PM
Location: NPTA Training Institute, Houston, Tx 77060
Speaker: NPTA Faculty

Event Details:

Please note: This course is non-refundable.

Rescheduling is subject to a $250 change fee and is based on availability.

What's Included

NPTA Training Institute

15832 W. Hardy, Suite 640

Houston, Tx US 77060

NPTA Takes the Lead in Social Media for Pharmacy

Kristina Michel — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:00:00 GMT

Contact: Kristina Michel

Communications Specialist - NPTA

832-426-2685

kmichel@pharmacytechnician.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 2010

NPTA Takes the Lead in Social Media for Pharmacy

The National Pharmacy Technician Association makes history as the only pharmacy-related professional organization on Facebook to break 10,000 fans

HOUSTON—The National Pharmacy Technician Association (NPTA) has raised the bar for pharmacy organizations as the first pharmacy organization to gain over 10,000 Facebook fans.

NPTA hailed the milestone as a testament to of the organization’s strength and adaptability to the changing needs and information-gathering preferences of pharmacy professionals. The organization’s founder and CEO Mike Johnston, CPhT, attributed the organization’s success to its unique strategy of promoting conversation and communication amongst pharmacy technicians.

“I believe NPTA is unique in the fact that we utilize emerging technologies, such as social media, as a channel to establish genuine relationships and foster authentic conversations,” said Johnston. “We don’t use Facebook simply as a landing page for press releases, as many organizations make the mistake of doing.”

Since its inception in 1999, NPTA has taken the lead in using emerging technologies as a means of connecting pharmacy technicians across the country. The organization’s motivation is fostering conversation and feedback. Content is posted daily on the NPTA Facebook and Twitter pages to bring pharmacy technicians up to date on the latest news and encourage discussion. NPTA also encourages member feedback from surveys, blogs and other online content posted to members. NPTA’s commitment to the support and unity of pharmacy technicians has helped build it into the largest pharmacy technician organization in the United States.

“We view social media as another channel to connect with our constituents – pharmacy technicians – on a direct and personal level,” Johnston said. “We are committed to stay on the leading edge of new and emerging technologies which allow us to achieve our organization’s mission.”

Plans are already in place to push the NPTA social media strategy to the next level. The organization has hired a new communications specialist and is in the process of creating more multimedia content to assist pharmacy technicians with their career development.

About NPTA

The National Pharmacy Technician Association (NPTA), which was founded in 1999, is the largest non-profit trade association for pharmacy technicians in the world. The association represents over 30,000 individuals practicing in a variety of settings, such as retail pharmacy, health-system pharmacy, independent pharmacy, federal pharmacy services, purchasing, education and management. NPTA is the leading provider of accredited continuing education programs for Certified Pharmacy Technicians and offers advanced certifications in Sterile Products and Compounding. The association is committed to advancing the roles of pharmacy technicians to reduce medication errors and advocates for mandatory/standardized technician education, certification and registration. For more information on NPTA, call 888-247-8700 or visit http://www.pharmacytechnician.org.

5-Mar-10 1:00 PM

NPTA Responds to ABC News Report

Kristina Michel — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:00:00 GMT

On March 1, 2010, ABC News aired a report on medication errors caused by pharmacy professionals. The network issued a damaging portrayal of pharmacy technicians in practice. The broadcast does pose several critical questions that the pharmacy profession must address.

With the exponential growth in annual prescription dispensing, new drugs, expansion of the OTC selection, and the emergence of advanced technology in the pharmacy, the role of pharmacy technicians has grown dramatically. Add to this the current health care plan that is currently under review and should substantially increase prescription volume to this ever-growing role. The National Pharmacy Technician Association (NPTA) has taken a strong position that in order to practice as pharmacy technicians, individuals should be required to complete a standardized education training program, pass a validated competency-based exam and be registered within their state board of pharmacy.

Everyone agrees that a single medication error is one too many. However, the reality is that mistakes will be made even by the most qualified and educated professionals. NPTA recognizes that mandatory pharmacy technician education will not eliminate all medication errors entirely, but it will significantly reduce the risk. For most states, there is an additional measure that can be taken to ensure patient safety: required and standardized education and training of pharmacy technicians.

The investigative report by ABC News created buzz for the network, but hopefully, this will serve as a wake-up call for the pharmacy profession. Pharmacy technicians are a critical part of the pharmacy team, and for them to be efficient and effective team members, standardized education is necessary. NPTA intends to work with state pharmacy boards, employers, pharmacy associations, accrediting agencies, educators and practitioners, to further discuss the regulation of standardized pharmacy technician training.

NPTA also invites you to comment on this issue.

5-Mar-10 10:00 AM

FDA, NIH Join Forces

Kristina Michel — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:00:00 GMT

In hopes of accelerating the approval process of new and emerging medication therapies, the FDA and the National Institutes of Health are officially teaming up for the first time to form a joint leadership council.

The Joint NIH-FDA Leadership Council will be a committee of six of the top scientists from both agencies and co-chaired by Dr. Francis Collins, head of the NIH, and Dr. Peggy Hamburg, head of the FDA. Dr. Collins and Dr. Hamburg were the ones who proposed the creation of the council. The council will work to improve the efficiency and speed of the research and regulatory process of advancing new drugs.

“The first step for many medicines on their way to our pharmacy shelves is a discovery in an NIH-funded laboratory. The last step for all of them is a careful analysis at the FDA,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, who announced the new partnership last week at a press conference in Bethesda, Maryland. “We’re here today because we know we can deliver these treatments faster and safer if these agencies strengthen their partnership, working not just side by side, but also hand in hand.”

The key focus of the new partnership will be to advance and develop testing technologies and other tools federal regulators use to analyze the risks and benefits of drugs being processed for approval. Better technology will help increase the speed and efficiency of the approval process and help pharmaceutical researchers and manufacturers release new drugs to the public faster. The FDA and the NIH also hope that direct collaboration will help drug developers better navigate through the regulatory process. Secretary Sebelius also hopes the partnership will help speed up the advancement of treatments in biomedicine and personalized medicine done through genetic mapping.

“Today, some of our most promising new treatments are based on emerging technologies like cell-based and targeted small molecule therapies,” Sebelius said. “From early in development, basic researchers at NIH should be sharing information about these technologies with scientists at FDA to help them develop standards for safety and effectiveness.”

In addition to the formation of the new joint council, the FDA and the NIH announced that they will collectively be making $6.75 million in grants available over the next three years for research on regulatory science. They are also planning a public meeting in the spring to encourage feedback from all parties involved in the research and development of new medicines and treatments, though an official date has yet to be announced.

3-Mar-10 10:00 AM

Diabetes Med Stinks, Literally

Kristina Michel — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:00:00 GMT

A new report in the Annals of Internal Medicine medical journal suggests that a pungent fishy odor may be what’s turning some diabetes patients away from the oral drug metformin.

Metformin, also known as glucophage, is often the first choice of treatment for people with Type 2 diabetes. Nausea and gastrointestinal upset are the side effects most commonly associated with the drug. Researchers at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta and the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy in Athens suggested that the fishy, dirty socks odor patients have complained about on Internet forums may be contributing to the drug's adverse side effects and is causing some patients to discontinue its use.

The side effects alone have been documented in consumer reports and medical journals. However, no direct correlation currently exists between the smell of metformin and the side effects, and though complaints of the smell are present on Internet messaging boards, they have not been documented in medical journals until now. Allen Pelletier, MD, of the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta and colleagues suggested in the paper that the reason why the smell has gone undocumented for so long is that patients, when complaining to doctors and pharmacists, are not elaborating on the adverse effects of metformin past their physical symptoms.

"Our cases show that the distinctive odor of metformin (independent of other, well-known gastrointestinal adverse effects of the medication) causes patients to stop taking the drug," Pelletier and colleagues wrote. "Patients may report that metformin nauseates them but do not further elaborate or distinguish this as a visceral reaction to the smell of the drug."

The odor is not universally reported by consumers, and the smell may largely depend on where and how the drug is manufactured. For example, in one case reported in the research paper and highlighted in Reuters, a man had been taking brand-name metformin (glucophage, made by Bristol-Myers Squibb) for years before he was switched to an immediate release, generic version. It was not until he switched to the generic version that he noticed the smell and refused to take the drug.

When prescribed appropriately, metformin causes few adverse effects. It is also one of the few anti-diabetic drugs that does not cause hypoglycemia if used alone.

17-Feb-10 10:00 AM

Walgreens Will Buy Duane Reade

Kristina Michel — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:00:00 GMT

Walgreens has agreed to buy the New York City retail pharmacy chain Duane Reade in a $1.1 billion deal reached on Wednesday.

In addition to the $623 million Walgreens has agreed to pay, it will also be assuming Duane Reade’s $457 million debt. In a statement to the New York Times, Walgreens chief executive Gregory D. Wasson called the deal a strategic acquisition that would help expand operations in New York.

Walgreens would be acquiring the retail pharmacy chain from Oak Hill Capital Partners, a private equity firm that purchased Duane Reade in 2004. Walgreens has not decided how it will integrate the Duane Reade stores, but it said that the Duane Reade stores will keep their name after the deal closes. The deal is expected to become final on August 31.

Walgreens currently owns about 7,034 drugstores operating across all 50 states, making it the largest retail drugstore chain in the U.S. Duane Reade, founded in 1960, has 257 stores operating in the New York City metropolitan area. It is known for its high volume, small store layouts in densely populated regions of Manhattan.

17-Feb-10 10:00 AM

Crestor Approved to Fight Heart Disease

Kristina Michel — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:00:00 GMT

The FDA has approved the cholesterol medication Crestor for as a preventative measure against heart attack and stroke.

Crestor, typically used to lower cholesterol and produced by AstraZeneca, has now been approved for use in patients who are at risk of heart disease but may not display symptoms. These patients, normally men over age 50 and women over age 60, are at an increased risk of heart disease and stroke due to large amounts of high sensitivity C-reactive protein in their blood.

“Not only is this approval a significant milestone for AstraZeneca, but it is also important for the patients who could now benefit from Crestor therapy under this approved indication,” said Howard Hutchinson, MD, AstraZeneca’s chief medical officer in the company news release. “This new indication adds to the significant body of evidence physicians use to evaluate Crestor as a treatment option.”

The approval came following the JUPITER trial, a study involving over 8,000 patients with elevated amounts of C-reactive protein. In the study, Crestor helped reduce the risk of heart attack by 54 percent and stroke by 48 percent. The study was also found to reduce the amount of coronary procedures by 46 percent. The results were presented at the American Heart Association meeting in 2008 and published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Crestor is already approved to lower cholesterol and to help slow the progression of atherosclerosis—a thickening of the artery wall due to the buildup of cholesterol and other fatty materials. Under the expanded guidelines, patients must have both high amounts of C-reactive protein and one additional heart disease risk factor such as hypertension or a family history of premature heart disease.

10-Feb-10 12:00 PM

Dimebon May Help Treat Huntington's

Kristina Michel — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:00:00 GMT

A pill being researched for Alzheimer’s disease may also have uses in treating Huntington’s disease, U.S. researchers said Monday.

Dimebon, also known under its generic name latrepirdine, is showing big potential for helping Huntington’s patients improve their thinking, learning and memory skills, according to a report in the Archives of Neurology medical journal. A study involving 91 patients, done by Dr. Karl Kieburtz and colleagues at the University of Rochester in New York and sponsored by the pill’s maker Medivation, showed Dimebon to have an impact on cognition and aging with minimal side effects.

Dimebon has been used as an antihistamine in Russia since 1983. Medivation, a San Francisco-based biopharmaceutical company, had been studying in collaboration with Pfizer the drug’s effectiveness against Alzheimer’s disease.

Medivation and Pfizer are now planning a follow-up trial to confirm the findings of the original study. Reuters reported that Medivation also has plans to begin trials of altered forms of Dimebon to test its effectiveness against other disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke and heart failure.

Huntington’s disease is a genetic brain disorder that slowly diminishes a person’s physical and reasoning skills. Onset typically occurs between the ages of 30 and 50. According to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America, one out of every 10,000 Americans is affected by Huntington’s. Currently, there is no cure for the disease.

10-Feb-10 11:00 AM

Bill Gates Commits $10 billion for Vaccines

Kristina Michel — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:00:00 GMT

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has committed over $10 billion to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) for the research, development and delivery of vaccines for children in developing countries.

Bill and Melinda Gates made their announcement in a press conference at the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 29. Their goal is to provide vaccines for 90 percent of children in developing countries, which amounts to preventing about 8 million children’s deaths in the next nine years.

"Over the last 10 years, the success of both increased vaccine coverage and getting new vaccines out has been phenomenal," Bill Gates said.

The Gates have been a part of the GAVI alliance from the beginning. They had already donated $4.5 billion for this effort when the GAVI alliance began in 2000. Amazed by the progress in vaccine coverage for children, the Gates decided to more than double their last contribution to over $10 billion. Julian Lob-Levyt, the CEO of the GAVI alliance, was proud of the partnership's progress and personally acknowledged the Gates’ roles.

“GAVI would not have been in existence but for Bill and Melinda,” Lob-Levyt said.

Vaccination rates in developing countries have progressed dramatically over the past 10 years. For example, measles deaths have dropped by more than 74 percent, according to the GAVI alliance 2008 annual report. Melinda Gates said at the press conference that the lag time between the release of vaccines in developed countries and its distribution in developing countries has decreased, and immunization rates that had been declining in the past decade are now on the rise.

“We think the stage is set for extraordinary progress,” Melinda Gates said. “We think the stage is set to significantly step up coverage.”

The GAVI alliance has big plans for vaccine progress in the next ten years. They plan to increase vaccine distribution for the rotovirus and pneumococcal disease, they are contributing to research and development of a malaria vaccine, and they hope to see the elimination of polio over the next decade.

3-Feb-10 2:00 PM

New Rules for Mental Health Meds

Kristina Michel — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:00:00 GMT

The departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and the Treasury jointly released new rules they hope will make mental health and substance abuse medications more accessible to patients.

The new rules require employer health plans to offer the same level of coverage for mental health and substance abuse treatment medications as they would for other medications. Employers with less than 50 workers employed are exempt from the new rules. The rules are the result of the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), which was passed in 2008.

According to the Reuters article, 150 million Americans are enrolled in company health plans. The joint-department released statement hailed the new law as a crucial step towards equality for consumers enrolled in company health plans.

“Today’s rules will bring needed relief to families faced with meeting the cost of obtaining mental health and substance abuse services,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “The benefits will give these Americans access to greatly needed medical treatment, which will better allow them to participate fully in society. That’s not just sound policy, it’s the right thing to do.”

The new rules will become law as early as July 1 of this year. Until then, HHS and the departments of Labor and Treasury are encouraging interested parties to comment on the new rules. Interested parties can make comments on www.regulations.gov. The HHS news release has more information.

3-Feb-10 2:00 PM

FDA Warns of Counterfeit Alli

Kristina Michel — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:00:00 GMT

The FDA has issued a warning that a circulating counterfeit version of GlaxoSmithKline’s over-the-counter diet pills Alli may contain the controlled substance sibutramine.

The warning concerns counterfeits of the diet pill Alli 60 mg capsules (120 count refill kit). In a press release issued last week, the FDA warned that preliminary results from tests done by GlaxoSmithKline, maker of Alli, found that the counterfeit pills contain sibutramine in place of the product’s active ingredient orlistat.

Sibutramine, also known as Meridia, is an appetite suppressant used to treat obesity. If improperly used without the advice of a licensed physician and pharmacist, it may lead to gastrointestinal problems, heart failure, renal failure and even death. Sibutramine can also interact in a harmful way with other medications.

Consumers began reporting the counterfeit product last year. So far, the counterfeit Alli has only been sold online, and neither the FDA nor GlaxoSmithKline has found evidence or heard reports that it is being sold through retail stores or any other means. The counterfeit Alli appears similar to the genuine product but with the following key differences:

The outer cardboard packaging on the counterfeit Alli is missing a Lot code.
The expiration date on the counterfeit includes the month, day and year; a real Alli expiration date only contains the month and year.
The counterfeit is packaged in a plastic bottle with a slightly taller and wider cap with coarser ribbing than the genuine product.
The counterfeit has a plain foil inner safety seal under the plastic cap without any printed words; an authentic Alli seal is printed with the words “SEALED for YOUR PROTECTION.”
Counterfeit capsules are larger than the genuine Alli and contain a white powder. Genuine Alli capsules contain small white pellets.

Picture-by-picture comparisons of the real Alli and the counterfeit Alli are available on the FDA website and GlaxoSmithKline’s official consumer information page for Alli, MyAlli.com.

So far consumers who have taken the counterfeit product are reporting stronger versions of the gastrointestinal-related side effects associated with authentic Alli. Consumers should only purchase Alli from reputable stores or their branded online stores, GlaxoSmithKline said. If you feel that you may have purchased the counterfeit product, please contact the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations (OCI) at 800-551-3989, or go online to the OCI Web site. If, for any reason, you feel you may have taken the counterfeit product, contact your local pharmacist or your personal physician immediately.

Pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and other health care professionals are advised to be alert and to report any suspicious products or customer complaints to the FDA's MedWatch Program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

27-Jan-10 12:00 PM

***Home Page - NPTA Events

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:41:15 GMT

IV Certification
Mar.22-23
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May 3-4
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Aug.23-24

Compounding Certification
Mar.25-26
Apr. 8-9

May 6-7
June 10-11

July 22-23
Aug. 12-13

Home page Video

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:56:55 GMT

***Home Page - Current NEWS

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:57:57 GMT

NPTA Responds to ABC News Report Discover NPTA Membership Drive FDA, NIH Join ForcesTech to Haiti Update Walgreens Will Buy Duane Reade New Rules for Mental Health Meds more news... Check Out the NPTA Blog HERE

Spring 2010 Membership Drive

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:47:39 GMT

There has never been a better time to JOIN NPTA! During the month of March 2010, NPTA is conducting our Discover NPTA - Spring 2010 Membership Drive. To take advantage of this special offer, go to the NPTA Membership Application, select the special $44/Discover NPTA Membership Type and use promo code: DISCOVER Here's how new members benefit: Save 35% on membership dues. New members can join for only $44...that's $25 OFF the membership fee for an entire year. Receive a FREE gift As an added bonus, new members will receive a copy of Mike Johnston's 2-disc audio resource package - Exploring Your Career Paths in Pharmacy. This four-part series provides insight on how to explore and evaluate 50 unique career path options for pharmacy technicians and provides a step-by-step plan for maximizing your career potential. This resource package retails for $29. To take advantage of this special offer, go to the NPTA Membership...

Program Details

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 23:01:02 GMT

Eligibility Requirements What's Included Course Demo Technical Requirements Program Schedule Course Syllabus Pharmacy Externship Tuition Fee/Payment Options Enrollment Why Choose NPTA? State Requirements National Certification About the Career | About the Program | About the Courses | ENROLL TODAY | Questions: Call 1-888-247-8700 or E-mail Eligibility Requirements To be eligible to enroll in NPTA's Official Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program™ , individuals: must be 18 years of age, or older; must have a High School Diploma or GED equivalent; cannot have been convicted of or plead guilty to a felony offense; cannot have been convicted of or plead guilty to any drug-related offense. What's Included Your tuition fee includes the following: access to online course content* full support from NPTA course faculty all required textbooks and educational resources The Pharmacy Technician: Foundations and Practices...

Enroll for NPTA's Online Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:58:33 GMT

The enrollment process has been made both affordable and convenient! Determine which payment option your prefer. Tuition list price is $2299. Prepay Option = $1899 (Save $400) Flex-Plan Option = $259 today + seventeen monthly auto-deduct payments of $120 Select which enrollment method is most convenient for you - online, phone, fax or mail. Print off a copy of the Enrollment Contract, fill it out, sign it, date it and fax it back to 888-247-8706. An enrollment contract is required regardless of which payment option or enrollment method you choose. About the Career | About the Program | About the Courses | ENROLL TODAY | Questions: Call 1-888-247-8700 or E-mail Enroll Online Prepay Option Flex-Plan Option Enroll by Phone Prepay or Flex-Plan 1-888-247-8700 Enroll by Fax/Mail Prepay or Flex-Plan Enrollment Contract

Online CE

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:45:33 GMT

Note: If you are an NPTA Member - you already have a Username and Password established for the website. Your initial Username is your NPTA Member ID Number and your initial Password is your 5 digit postal code. After logging in, you may change either your Username and/or Password. How Does Online CE Work? - click here Course Title Hrs. ACPE # Price LAW Regulations, Restrictions, and Resources: Federal Law and Pharmacy Practice 2 0384-0000-10-001-H03-T FREE -Mem $10.00 -Non YES A Revolution in Family Planning and Reproductive Health: The Availability, Safety and Efficacy of Hormonal Contraception 2 0384-0000-09-009-H04-T FREE -Mem $10.00 -Non An Overview of Swine Influenza A (H1N1) 1 384-000-09-004-H01-T FREE -Mem $10.00 -Non Cannabis: Legal Issues Pertaining to Medical Marijuana 1 0384-0000-09-008-H03-T FREE -Mem $10.00 -Non YES Stem Cell Research and its Implications on the Pharmacy Industry 2 384-000-09-005-H04-T FREE -Mem $10.00...

Press

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:02:24 GMT

Welcome to the NPTA Press Room. Here you can browse recent press releases and news surrounding NPTA and pharmacy technician news and issues.

Reporters with questions should, or to set up an interview, please contact:

Kristina Michel

Communications Specialist

(832) 426-2685

kmichel@pharmacytechnician.org

Press Releases

Current News

NPTA Blog

Press Kits

Membership intro

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:27:40 GMT

Download this application to pay by check Members Application

Advertise - Media Kit

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 21:16:30 GMT

From increasing market share to building professional relationships and impacting one of the most influential referral categories, the National Pharmacy Technician Association is the ideal marketing platform for reaching pharmacy professionals. 2010 Rate Card 1x 3x 6x 12x 18x full page 5000 4500 3600 3240 2592 2/3 page 4000 3600 2880 2592 2074 1/2 page 3000 2700 2160 1944 1555 1/3 page 2000 1800 1440 1296 1037 1/6 page 1000 900 720 648 519 inside cover n/a 6000 5500 5000 4500 back cover n/a n/a 6500 6000 5500 2-page spread 8000 7250 6000 5000 4500 insert/outsert *supplied 18000 15000 12000 11000 10000 2010 Production Calendar Drop Date Ad Deadline Vol. 11 Issue 1 2-26-10 2-1-10 Vol. 11 Issue 2 4-26-10 3-24-10 Vol. 11 Issue 3 6-21-10 5-10-10 Vol. 11 Issue 4 8-23-10 7-19-10 Vol. 11 Issue 5 10-22-10 9-6-10 Vol. 11 Issue 6 12-27-10 11-15-10 advertising...

RxPO 2007

noemail@pharmacytechnician.org — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 18:00:00 GMT

Objectives:

Attendee feedback and comments only allows NPTA and RxPO to better serve your needs at future events.

Release Date: 16-Oct-07 1:00 PM
Expiration Date: 14-Jan-08 1:00 PM

Share your thoughts with us on RxPO 2007.

Peer Training/Education

noemail@pharmacytechnician.org — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Objectives: What is the one thing you feel your coworkers need training in to make the pharmacy service better?

Release Date: 5-Jul-07 9:00 PM
Expiration Date: 3-Oct-07 9:00 PM
Please complete the following survey by answering questions and then include your name, city and state. Select responses will be published in an upcoming issue of Today's Technician magazine.

Peer Training/Education

noemail@pharmacytechnician.org — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Objectives:

Release Date: 5-Jul-07 9:00 PM
Expiration Date: 3-Oct-07 9:00 PM
Please complete the following survey by answering questions and then include your name, city and state. Select responses will be published in an upcoming issue of Today's Technician magazine.

Law Interest

noemail@pharmacytechnician.org — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Objectives: Plese complete the following survey by answering the questions then include your name, city and state. Select responses will be published in an upcoming issue of Today's Technician magazine.

Release Date: 5-Jul-07 9:00 PM
Expiration Date: 3-Oct-07 9:00 PM

Topics Request

noemail@pharmacytechnician.org — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Objectives:

Release Date: 5-Jul-07 9:00 PM
Expiration Date: 3-Oct-07 9:00 PM
Please complete the following survey by answering the questions and then include your name, city and state. Select responses will be published in an upcoming issue of Today's Technician magazine.

Consumer Survey

noemail@pharmacytechnician.org — Sun, 06 May 2007 15:00:00 GMT

Objectives: The goal of this survey is to obtain feedback from consumers on NPTA's recommendations for improving patient safety through standardized regulations for pharmacy technicians.

Release Date: 6-May-07 10:00 AM
Expiration Date: 31-Dec-07 10:00 AM
Please complete the entire survey.

Pharmacy Professional Survey

noemail@pharmacytechnician.org — Wed, 02 May 2007 16:00:00 GMT

Objectives: The goal of this survey is to obtain feedback from pharmacy professionals on NPTA's recommendations for improving patient safety through standardized regulations for pharmacy technicians.

Release Date: 2-May-07 11:00 AM
Expiration Date: 31-Dec-07 11:00 AM
Please complete the entire survey.

CPhT to CPhT 8.1/8.2

noemail@pharmacytechnician.org — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 19:00:00 GMT

Objectives:

Select responses of this survey will be published in CPhT to CPhT - Practical Advice for Pharmacy Technicians in Volume 8 Issues 1 and 2 of Today's Technician Magazine.

Release Date: 3-Apr-07 2:00 PM
Expiration Date: 2-Jul-07 2:00 PM

1. Number and answer each question in the space provided.

2. Please include your name, city and state to be considered for publication.

CPhT to CPhT Vol 8 Issue 1

noemail@pharmacytechnician.org — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 18:00:00 GMT

Objectives:

Release Date: 23-Mar-07 1:00 PM
Expiration Date: 21-Jun-07 1:00 PM
Please complete the following survey by answering all four questions and then include your name, city and state. Select responses will be published in an upcoming issue of Today's Technician magazine.

CPhT 2 CPhT V7.4

Sterile Product Certification Course

2008-11-02T14:00:00Z

Instructor:

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IV Certification Course

Compounding Certification Course

Compounding Certification Course

IV Certification Course

IV Certification Course

IV Certification Course

Compounding Certification Course

IV Certification Course

IV Certification Course

Compounding Certification Course

NPTA Takes the Lead in Social Media for Pharmacy

NPTA Takes the Lead in Social Media for Pharmacy

The National Pharmacy Technician Association makes history as the only pharmacy-related professional organization on Facebook to break 10,000 fans

NPTA Responds to ABC News Report

FDA, NIH Join Forces

Diabetes Med Stinks, Literally

Walgreens Will Buy Duane Reade

Crestor Approved to Fight Heart Disease

Dimebon May Help Treat Huntington's

Bill Gates Commits $10 billion for Vaccines

New Rules for Mental Health Meds

FDA Warns of Counterfeit Alli

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Online CE

Press

Press Releases Current News NPTA Blog Press Kits

Membership intro

Advertise - Media Kit

RxPO 2007

Peer Training/Education

Peer Training/Education

Law Interest

Topics Request

Consumer Survey

Pharmacy Professional Survey

CPhT to CPhT 8.1/8.2

CPhT to CPhT Vol 8 Issue 1

CPhT 2 CPhT V7.4

The witch.

The witch.

The witch.

The witch.

The biker.

The biker.

The biker.

RxMike & Laura

RxMike & Laura

RxMike, the farmer.

Regulations, Restrictions, and Resources:Federal Law and Pharmacy Practice

A Revolution in Family Planning and Reproductive Health: The Availability, Safety and Efficacy of Hormonal Contraception

Cannabis: Legal Issues Pertaining to Medical Marijuana

Stem Cell Research and its Implications on the Pharmacy Industry

Overactive Bladder: A Review For Pharmacy Technicians

Intercultural Communication

An Overview of Swine Influenza A (H1N1)

Drug Research, Development, and Output in 2008- A Year in Review

Compounding Certification Course

Sterile Product Certification Course

Home page Video

Press Releases

Current News

NPTA Blog

Press Kits