Express Scripts Warns of Potential Large Data Breach Tied toThreat
Express Scripts (ESRX), one of the largest pharmacy benefit management companies in North America, today announced that it has received a letter from an unknown person or persons trying to extort money from the company by threatening to expose millions of the company's patients' records.
The letter included personal information of 75 members, including their names,
dates of birth, social security numbers, and in some cases, their prescription
information. The company said it has notified the affected members. It also
immediately notified the FBI, which is investigating the crime. The company also
said that it is conducting its own investigation with the help of outside experts
in data security and computer forensics. The letter arrived in early October. "We have been conducting a thorough investigation since we received this threat
and we are taking it very seriously," said George Paz, chairman and chief
executive officer. "We are cooperating with the FBI and are committed to doing
what we can to protect our members' personal information and to track down the
person or persons responsible for this criminal act." (...Read more)
Pharmacy Agent Corporation (PAC) Develops Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Missouri Pharmacy Agent Corporation (PAC) released a set of answers to the most recently frequently asked questions (FAQs) today. If you have questions regarding the PAC and your pharmacys’ reimbursements, visit the FAQs page by clicking here or visit the PAC site by clicking here.
Recent Changes to Missouri Pharmacy Regulations:
Vaccinations and Immunization Regulations
The Missouri Board of Pharmacy has recently released their rules and regulation requirements for pharmacists to begin the administration of vaccinations and immunizations. For information on the regulations, please click here for the full list of regulation changes.
If you would like to read the specific regulations concerning Vaccinations and Immunizations, please click here.
Congress Overturns President Bush's Veto of Medicare-Fee Bill
President George W. Bush did indeed veto H.R. 6331. However, the House voted 383-41 to override the veto, Missouri "yea" votes: Carnahan, Clay, Cleaver, Emerson, Graves, Hulshof and Skelton. The Senate voted 70-26 to override the veto. Both Senators Bond and McCaskill voted "yea."
Please take a moment to thank your Member of Congress if they supported us and our two U.S. Senators. We need to especially thank Congressman Hulshof and Senator Bond who voted for our position on the veto override vote.
Many MPA members and staff made a number of telephone calls to both offices to try to get them to reconsider their original vote on the bill. Our work with both of them definitely paid-off. We will work with the nationals to analyze this bill and will report on the implementation timetable as soon as we know it.
Click hereto read an article from The New York Times regarding H.R. 6331.
Additional Information:
- NACDS recently sent a letterto urge President George W. Bush to expedite the signing of H.R. 6331, the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act. Click hereto view the NACDS press release and hereto view the letter sent to President Bush.
- Click hereto view Asclepios top ten list of reforms included in the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act.
Other Items of Interest...
MPA Convention CDs and Slideshow Available
MTM Provider Page Advertising Content Welcome
2009 Winter C.E. Conference
MPA Convention CDs and Slideshow Available
Audio is available from MPA's 2008 Annual Convention and Trade Show. You can purchase a CD for $29 per session by contacting Travis Fitzwater at (800) 468-4672, ext. 233 or by e-mail.
You can also view a slideshow of photos from MPA's 2008 Annual Convention and Trade Show by clicking here.
MTM Provider Page Advertising Content Welcome
Does your pharmacy offer Medication Therapy Management (MTM) services? If so and you want to help other pharmacies perform these services you can advertise on MPA’s new Medication Therapy Management Web page. To be included, please contact Travis Fitzwater at (800) 468-4672, ext. 233 or e-mail travis@morx.com.Click hereto access the Medication Therapy Management Web page.
2009 Winter Conference. Ready, Get Set, Immunize!
The Missouri Pharmacy Association’s 2009 Winter C.E. Conferenceis scheduled for 
February6 - 8, 2009 at the Chateau on the Lake in Branson, MO. More information will be available in the coming weeks, so watch your mail and e-mail.
To reserve your room early, please call the Chateau on the Lake at: (888) 333-5253. For more information or contact Abby Havens at (800) 468-4672, ext. 227 or abby@morx.com.
Click hereto view other news.
DISCLAIMER: THE MISSOURI PHARMACY ASSOCIATION IS NOT RESPONSIBLE IN ANY MANNER FOR LINKS OR LINKED CONTENT ON WEBSITES OWNED OR CONTROLLED BY OTHERS. WE PROVIDE ANY LINKS ONLY AS CONVENIENCE AND NOT AS A RECOMMENDATION OR ENDORSEMENT OF THE LINKED CONTENT.
