The Georgia Pharmacy Journal: August 2009

Volume 31, Number 8 www.gpha.org

The Official Publication of the Georgia Pharmacy Association August 2009

Bobby Parham, R.Ph. Honoring a Legacy of Professional

and Public ServiceServed in the House of Representatives 1975-2009

Pharmacist since 1963

The Georgia Pharmacy Journal August 20092

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F E A T U R E A R T I C L E S

14 CE at Sea

16 Georgia Pharmacy Foundation’s New Practictioner Leadership Conference

17 Access to Essential Medications in Georgia

26 Poison Ivy, Oak, or Sumac FAQ’s

29 APhA Immunization Program

C O L U M N S

4 President’s Message

7 Editorial

For an uptodate calendarof events, log onto www.gpha.org.

24Bobby Parham, R.Ph.

Honoring a Legacy of Professional and Public Service

Departments5 New Members13 GPhA Member News28 Pharmacy Time Capsule28 Pharm PAC Contribution Card30 GPhA Board of Directors

Advertisers2 The Insurance Trust2 Principal Financial Group6 Pharmacists Mutual Companies11 PharmStaff11 Toliver & Gainer11 PQC12 NCPA Annual Conference 16 AIP13 Michael T. Tarrant19 Melvin M. Goldstein, P.C.24 MTM Toolkit24 GPhA Career Center31 PACE32 The Insurance Trust

P R E S I D E N T ’ S M E S S A G E


No one can fathom the time and commitment thatcomes with public service. Bobby Parham,R.Ph., began his public service “where the rubber

meets the road” serving as a Baldwin CountyCommissioner from 1969 thru 1975. Bobby was twenty-eight years old at the time and I had only just begunpharmacy school. While I never experienced public serviceat this level, I can assure you that this experience is onewhere you must walk a fine political line to be successful.Criticisms quickly become the talk of the morning coffeeclubs around the town and county. It is not a formula forbuilding a successful pharmacy business, yet Bobbysucceeded in doing that also. Bobby must have impressedhis constituents since he ran for and was elected to theState Legislature after his one term as a countycommissioner.

I first met Representative Bobby Parham when I joinedthe State Legislature in 1992. He was about half waythrough his seventeen legislative terms. Today I took outmy first Legislative “picture book” for the 1992-1994sessions and saw a much younger looking Bobby with long

hair flowing down around his ears, thoughtfully poisedwith a pen cap to his lips. As is often the case with longserving legislators, this picture is not updated with eachsession and I am sure this was an earlier one since I don’tremember Bobby with so much hair! He was chairman ofMotor Vehicles Committee and serving on the powerfulRules Committee and the all-important one to pharmacy,Health and Ecology Committee. Bobby was among theelite leadership in the house, working closely with SpeakerTom Murphy.

I vividly remember going into the House Chamber whenBobby was going to the Well to debate one of his bills.Those who know Bobby know that when he speaks, hespeaks with a low monotone. He used that low voice toquickly explain his bill. As he told me later, say only whatyou need to and get out of the Well. His technique workedwell because the legislators rarely asked questions and hewas out of the Well before they could gather theirthoughts! Bobby had so much respect and trust from hiscolleagues, they would go ahead and vote for his billanyway.

Eddie M. Madden, R.Ph.GPhA President

Bobby Parham An Icon ofService to Pharmacy

Bobby explained to me that I could not see pharmacy issues ina personal way but in the bigger picture that would be helpingall pharmacists and pharmacy throughout Georgia.

5The Georgia Pharmacy Journal August 2009

As a freshman Senator, I was glad to take advice from mypharmacy House colleagues. Bobby, being the seniorlegislative member, was deemed the Dean of thePharmacy Caucus. He quickly took me aside and said,“Son, when it comes to pharmacy issues up here, you’vegot to stand up for the profession.” That might sound likean obvious and easy thing to do to most of you, but youhave to remember that being a politician, you are electedto represent all of your constituents, and not feather yourown nest. Bobby explained to me that I could not seepharmacy issues in a personal way but in the biggerpicture that would be helping all pharmacists andpharmacy throughout Georgia. He gave me good advice,which I followed even though I did take heat from some ofthe lobbying groups opposing my support of pharmacy onissues they opposed.

Seventeen two-year terms in the Georgia legislature is atremendous amount of time and commitment to publicservice! With each passing term, a legislator’s duty andresponsibilities grow as he rises into leadership. More andmore time has to be given to make the commitment asuccess.

The Georgia legislature is a “part-time” legislature onlymeeting for forty days at the first of each year. Thatquickly becomes a joke; similar to the one that serving onthe Pharmacy Association’s Executive Committee onlyrequires two days a month. With a part-time legislature,there are many uncompensated requirements that alegislator must endure as a part of being in public service.

While Bobby attended not only the legislative sessions, hewould also spend countless days attending meetingsthroughout the state and country for the balance of theyear. As a practicing pharmacist, each day away from hispractice meant the expense of having another pharmacistcover his absence. Imagine the amount of money Bobbyinvested toward his public service over his thirty-four yearcareer! Pharmacy can never thank him enough for what hehas done for our profession during his tenure in thelegislature.

Another sacrifice of a long career in the legislature is thecommitment a legislator’s family must make. Behind everygood man, there is a good woman. Juanita has been byBobby’s side throughout his career. Her smiling andenthusiastic face are energizing to all that are around her.Juanita was both a mother and father to their son, allowingBobby to commit the time away for his public service. Weall owe her a debt of gratitude for making this possible.

While Bobby’s legislative career is ending, he will still be apublic servant. We wish him well in his new endeavor as amember of the State Board of Transportation. Our fastgrowing state will be fortunate to have his leadership inthis important position.

In closing, to my friend Bobby Parham, our professionwould not be what it is today without your wisdom andleadership. We will miss you as the Dean of the PharmacyCaucus. Your shoes will be hard to fill. I am proud to haveserved with you. I sincerely thank you for your publicservice and wish you well in the years to come!

Mark O. Aylor, MariettaDeborah Pinson Bozeman, R.Ph., Warner RobinsKristen Chapman-Gronberg, C.Ph.T., Villa Rica

Mark H. Litzinger, B.S., SuwaneeLisa M. Lundquist, BCPS, CDM, Pharm.D., Atlanta

Marcie Morris, R.Ph., CummingCrystal Holmes Hembree, C.Ph.T., Villa Rica

Erin Wurtz Everson, C.Ph.T., Carrollton

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E X E C U T I V E V I C E P R E S I D E N T ’ S E D I T O R I A L

Jim BracewellExecutive Vice President / CEO

GPhA Visits with Georgia CongressionalRepresentatives


Over the Fourth of July Congressional Recess,the Georgia Pharmacy Association madeevery effort available to meet with, call and

mail each member of the Georgia CongressionalDelegation to let them know how important it is theyconsider the expanding role of the pharmacist in theHealth Care Reform legislation.

We provided a letter to each congressman outliningthe key points of concern by pharmacy and we left acover page (a copy of which is printed on page ten)that specifically addresses what we believe anylegislation should take into account to reformhealthcare. All members were receptive and pleasedto see the pharmacists of Georgia engaged in helpingwith this legislation. Dr. Tom Price, theCongressional Representative from that district six,found our discussion of the Mirixa study of MedicarePart D recipients most interesting and asked for acopy of the full study. You may recall the studydemonstrated the value of pharmacists’ face to faceencounters with patients. The study documented thatwhen pharmacists personally performed a MTMreview with a patient, the patient saved on theaverage of $34 per month on their prescription drugsequating to over a $400 dollar saving per year.

We emphasized that for every dollar that thehealthcare system spends on paying for prescriptionmedications, we spend at least another dollar onadditional health care services to treat the adverseeffects of medications that are taken incorrectly ornot taken at all. These include hospitalizations,physician office visits, and emergency room visits.That is an unacceptable situation which needs to beaddressed and pharmacists are best equipped toaddress this problem.

Another key area of our concern is that any publichealth plan contain language to clarify that theadministration of any drug benefit under a publicplan would be accomplished by a pharmacy benefitsadministrator (PBA) rather than a pharmacy benefitsmanager (PBM). We recommended a model used bythe state Medicaid programs, or the Department ofDefense (DOD) TRICARE program, where an“administrator” is used, which we believe will savemoney for the public program. That is because undera PBA, most if not all negotiated drug manufacturerrebates would be passed through to the publicprogram.

Any public plan would also benefit because “spread

continued on page 8


pricing” would be eliminated. Under “spread pricing,”PBMs commonly charge the plan sponsor one pricefor a prescription, and then pay the pharmacy a loweramount for the prescription, pocketing the difference.Medicare Part D has recently prohibited this practice,known as “spread pricing.” Any public plan optionshould fully benefit from any rebates or discountspaid by manufacturers or pharmacies, and not havepart of these retained by a PBM intermediary.

With respect to any public plan option established, wealso asked that standards be established for paymentrates to pharmacies, including the establishment ofdispensing fees, and that “any willing pharmacy” beallowed to participate in any public plan option if it isdeveloped.

GPhA has placed a new emphasis on governmentaffairs at the federal level, but it is critical that therepresentatives hear from the pharmacists in theirhome district. Almost all Congressmen have websitesor email to make it easy to contact them. They wantto hear from you. Even a simple message that you area member of GPhA and appreciate that thecongressman has taken time to listen to the concernsof the pharmacists of Georgia. Below are a list of themembers of the congressional delegation and theirwebsites for your information and action.

Senate Members

Saxby Chamblisshttp://chambliss.senate.gov

Johnny Isakson http://isakson.senate.gov/

House of Representative

District 1: Jack Kingston http://kingston.house.gov/

District 2: Sanford Bishop http://bishop.house.gov/

District 3: Lynn Westmorelandhttp://westmoreland.house.gov/

District 4: Hank Johnson http://hankjohnson.house.gov/

District 5: John Lewis http://johnlewis.house.gov/

District 6: Tom Price http://tomprice.house.gov/

District 7: John Linder http://linder.house.gov/

District 8: Jim Marshallhttp://www.house.gov/marshall/

District 9: Nathan Deal http://www.house.gov/deal/

District: 10 Paul Broun http://broun.house.gov/

District 11: Phil Gingrey http://gingrey.house.gov/

District 12: John Barrow http://www.barrow.house.gov/

District 13: David Scott http://davidscott.house.gov/


U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal, representing Georgia’s ninthlegislative district, paid a visit to Lula Pharmacy inLula, Georgia. Here shown with owner Amy Miller,R.Ph., and her spouse, Laird Miller, R.Ph., owner ofMedical Park Pharmacy in Gainesville, Georgia. TheMillers had the opportunity to share the details ofpharmacy practice and patient care in their pharmacy.

U.S. Rep. Tom Price, representing Georgia’s sixthlegislative district, was visited by Jim Bracewell, GPhAExecutive Vice President and CEO, Jonathan G.Marquess, Pharm.D., CDE, CPT, owner of theInstitute of Wellness and Education in Marietta, DaleCoker, R.Ph., owner of Cherokee Custom Scripts ofCanton, and Larry L. Braden, R.Ph., owner of LacyDrug Company Inc. in Acworth.

The staff of U.S. representative John Barrow was visitedby Jim Bracewell, GPhA Executive Vice President andCEO (not pictured), Marshall Curtis, R.Ph., owner ofMedical Villa Pharmacy of Augusta, StewartFlanigan, Jr., R.Ph., owner of Hill Drug Company ofAugusta and Marshall L. Frost, Pharm.D., of MoyePharmacy of Thomson.

Stuart Griffin, Director of Government Affairs, RobertC. Bowles, Jr., R.Ph., CDM, CFts, owner of Big CPharmacy of Thomaston, Ralph W. Balchin, R.Ph.,owner of Jones Pharmacy in Fayetteville, Drew Miller,R.Ph., CDM, and Charles H. Wynn, R.Ph., of Wynn’sPharmacy in Griffin, David Sandlin, R.Ph., owner ofHines Prescription Shop Inc. of Barnesville, met with John Stacey, U.S. Rep. Westmoreland’s district director,and Rep. Lynn Westmoreland.


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G E O R G I A P H A R M A C Y F O U N D A T I O N N E W S

The Georgia Pharmacy Foundation announces thegraduates of its Sixteenth New Practitioner LeadershipConference recently held at St. Simons Island. This

annual conference is a unique opportunity available topharmacy practitioners in Georgia who have been in practicefor ten years or less. It is designed to provide an opportunity forpharmacists to spend time together in a retreat setting todevelop organizational skills that will enable both personal andprofessional growth.

A select group of twenty practitioners was chosen to attend theconference. We are pleased to announce that:

Ashish Advani, Pharm.D., of AtlantaCrystal Bartlett, R.Ph., of SenoiaGeorge H. “Buck” Brown, Pharm.D., of BraseltonJoey Burg, III, Pharm.D., of AugustaLaura Susan Cain, Pharm.D., of ColumbusChandler M. Conner, Pharm.D., of ValdostaMichael A. Crooks, Pharm.D., of MariettaMary Ashley Faulk, Pharm.D., of MaconKatie Smith Glover, Pharm.D., of SmyrnaAmy C. Grimsley, Pharm.D., of MaconMichael E. Karnbach, Pharm.D., of CummingJoshua Davis Kinsey, Pharm.D., of ClevelandTracie D. Lunde, Pharm.D., of CartersvilleKimberly L. McCrary, Pharm.D., MBA, of NorcrossMandy Mock, Pharm.D., BCPS, of Phenix CityAustin D. Mudd, Pharm.D., of AtlantaSukhmani K. Sarao, Pharm.D., of AthensMaria L. Sikking, Pharm.D., of AtlantaDeRoyce D. Simmons, Pharm.D., of NorcrossAdam Snyder, Pharm.D., of Atlanta

This conference was initiated by the GeorgiaPharmacy Foundation, an entity of the GeorgiaPharmacy Association (GPhA). The conferencehas proven highly successful in developingleadership skills in this group of youngpractitioners. At the current time approximately36 percent of the members of the GeorgiaPharmacy Association board of directors aregraduates of this conference.

The conference has been funded by several pharmaceuticalmanufacturers in the past, but primarily by Merck, Inc., and theGeorgia Pharmacy Foundation. Smith Drug Company, ofSpartanburg, South Carolina, has generously provided ascholarship to help sponsor this conference and also providesadditional participation later in the year by hosting anothermeeting of the Class of 2009 in Atlanta.

On Saturday, the sessions are designed for developingleadership skills and on Sunday, the GPhA executive committeemembers meet with the new practitioners and share theirknowledge, experiences and responsibilities of leadership. Theyoung pharmacists are challenged to get involved in theirprofession’s leadership and utilize their leadership abilities inother endeavors.

Both GPhA’s board of directors and the members of the NewPractitioner Committee are enthusiastic about this conference.Having graduates of such a high caliber will help ensure qualityleadership for the future. We are committed to the idea ofcontinuing such a conference and we would welcome theopportunity to work together with new companies to provide aleadership skills development program that will enhance theprofession.

Georgia Pharmacy Foundation’s NewPractitioner Leadership Conference

Dr. Susan W. Miller, professor,was appointed to the AmericanAssociation of Colleges ofPharmacy Accreditation Councilfor Pharmacy EducationAssessment and AccreditationAdvisory Group.

Dr. Ashish A. Advani, clinicalassistant professor, was awarded agrant for $21,000 from AlavenPharmaceuticals, LLC forprofessional/consulting services.

Recently, Hamilton Health CareSystem held its annual Health Fairat the Hamilton Medical Center inDalton, GA. Over 200 employeesattended the Health Fair.Employees received informationregarding the diabetes andcardiovascular programs offered byHamilton Health Care System tobetter their health and well being.Samee Ellerbee, R.Ph., CDE,MPH(c), serves as a pharmacistcoach trhough GPhA for theDalton Ten City Challengeparticipants.

If you have an item that you would

like included in the GPhAMembers in the News section ofThe Georgia Pharmacy Journalplease email the item of news toKelly McLendon [email protected] or fax it toher attention at 404.237.8435.

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C o n v e n t i o n N e w s

Access to EssentialMedications in Georgia

Since 2006, Mercer University College of Pharmacyand Health Sciences’ (COPHS) students have beeninvolved in Health Students Taking Action

Together (HealthSTAT). HealthSTAT is a non-profithealth professional student organization in Georgia withthe aim of encouraging student involvement in three areasof focus: health disparities and accessto care, childhood obesity prevention,and HIV/AIDS prevention. Inreviewing the overall mission ofHealthSTAT, COPHS studentswanted to design a community serviceproject that would focus on healthdisparities and access to care in thestate of Georgia. The objectives of thestudent-led project were to determinethe level of need for free clinics andprescription assistance information inpharmacies and county healthdepartments in Georgia and toidentify free clinics and prescription resources at thenational, state and county level.

The Institutional Review Board at Mercer Universitygranted approval for this project. All student participantswere required to complete an online course on theprotection of human subjects during research. Threequestionnaires were designed to answer questions relatedto medical assistance and prescription assistance inGeorgia and were aimed at patients, healthcare providersin county health department clinics, and pharmacists.Each question was constructed to assess patients’ orhealthcare professional’s knowledge of available medicalassistance and prescription assistance resources, their need

for additional information, and perceived benefit ofproviding resources. A 5-point Likert scale was utilized foreach question. For questions regarding knowledge, 1 =poor, 2 = limited, 3 = adequate, 4 = good and 5 =extensive. For questions regarding benefit, 1 = noexpected benefit and 5 = definite benefit.

A survey area of northern Georgia covering 25 contiguouscounties was selected to provide representation of fourdistinct demographic areas: rural, small urban, suburban,and urban. Demographic designations were based onpopulation density and distance from a major city. Anadditional 10 counties were selected outside this regionbased on the availability of student participants. Figure 1details the survey area in Georgia that questionnaires wereadministered.

Students were assigned counties to administer thequestionnaires based on their availability and willingness

Parris Pope, Pharm.D. candidateLisa Lundquist, Pharm.D., BCPS

J. Grady Strom, Jr., R.Ph., Ph.D.


continued on page 8


to travel. Students scheduledappointments with healthcareprofessionals at the county healthdepartments and pharmacists atindependent and chain retailpharmacies. Questionnaires wereadministered to patients at the countyhealth departments.

The questionnaire administered tohealthcare professionals at the countyhealth department and pharmacists atindependent andchain retailpharmacies requestedinformationincluding: thefrequency of patients’request for assistancein obtainingmedications,knowledge ofprescriptionresources, and thepotential benefit thatthe clinic andcommunity wouldreceive from adetailed list ofmedication assistanceresources. Thequestionnaireadministered topatients requestedinformationincluding: third-partyprescription coverage,medication assistance participation,knowledge of resources, and if thepatient would benefit frommedication assistance.

In addition, student participantsconducted internet and telephoneinquiries to identify free and reducedcost medical care resources at thecounty level. Students utilized aconsistent search method to find

available data for the purpose ofcompiling all counties’ resources ofinformation. The search methodincluded: the Georgia Free ClinicNetwork website, Health Resourcesand Service Administration website,Georgia Department of HumanResources, Division of Public Health,and the Department of Health andHuman Services, Office of PharmacyAffairs.

To date, 27 student participantsinterviewed 287 pharmacists inindependent and chain retailpharmacies in Georgia. Healthcareprofessionals staffing 35 countyhealth departments were alsointerviewed. Sixty-one patientsconsented for interviews at thecounty health departments. Tables 1,2 and 3 detail the compiledinformation.

Overall, rural pharmacists in bothchain and independent pharmaciesreport the highest frequency ofprescription assistance informationrequests and the highest knowledgeof both prescription and medicalassistance resources. Bothpharmacists and health careprofessionals in the healthdepartment clinics anticipated adefinite benefit from a comprehensive

source of prescription and medicalassistance information for theirrespective communities.

The student participants identified530 free or reduced cost clinics viainternet and telephone inquiries. Atleast one free or reduced cost clinicwas confirmed for all 159 counties inGeorgia. Several free services wereconfirmed as providers of convenient


single-source assistance for patientsneeding medical and prescriptionassistance. Local charities and regionspecific services also were identified.The compilation of the countyspecific medical assistance andprescription assistance informationresulted in an online publication forhealthcare providers and patients.The comprehensive online databaseis available atwww.healthstatgeorgia.org/access.

In addition, multi-lingual flyers werecreated to describe the onlinedatabase and website. These flyerswere distributed by the students topharmacies and health departmentsthroughout the state of Georgia.

An aim of this community serviceproject continues to be to expandknowledge of free or reduced costservices for all patients in Georgia.Distribution of the first round ofmulti-lingual flyers has led to requestsfor a second printing. In addition, aprintable version of the onlinecomprehensive database is in progressin response to healthcare providerand patient requests.

Throughparticipation inthis communityservice project,students wereable to meet acommunity needby publication of

the comprehensive online database.Students gained insight andknowledge about access to healthcarefrom both patients and healthcareproviders. Also, interacting withpharmacists in independent and chainretail pharmacies provided insight toeveryday challenges of access toessential medications. Additionally,students can reflect on the differencethey can make in the practice ofpharmacy.


M e m b e r N e w s

Bobby Parham, R.Ph.: Honoring a Legacy of Professional and Public Service

Kelly J. McLendonGPhA’s Director of Public Affairs

As he moves on to a new role in public service, theGeorgia Pharmacy Association would like to takethis moment to look back at the long service of

Bobby Eugene Parham,R.Ph., and thank him for thelegacy of professional serviceto his colleagues andconstituents.

This humble gentleman wasborn on November 6, 1941,in Baldwin County, Georgia,and spent his earlier year inthe rural areas aroundMilledgeville. In 1960, hewas a Distinguished MilitaryGraduate of GeorgiaMilitary College and wenton to the University ofGeorgia School of Pharmacywhere he graduated in 1963.During his time at theUniversity of Georgia he wasnamed the 1962-1963Brother of the Year forKappa Psi PharmaceuticalFraternity. then, in 1964, heopened Medical ArtsPharmacy in Milledgeville,Georgia.

In 1969, in an effort to give back to the community thathad done so much for him, Bobby ran for and was electedto the Baldwin County Commission. He was elected

overwhelmingly and served in this capacity until 1974, theyear he served as chairman of the commission. During histime on the Commission he was honored as Outstanding

Young Man of America in1970 and for hisDistinguished Service by theMilledgeville Jaycees in1973.

Under his leadership,Baldwin County establishedits first solid waste disposalsystem and initiated anairport expansion project.

In 1975, Bobby was electedto the Georgia House ofRepresentatives where heserved until 2009. Duringthese years in the House heserved on the Health andEcology, Banks and Banking,Rules, Appropriations andMotor Vehicles Committees.He served as the co-chairman of the Health andEcology Committee andchairman of the Motor

Vehicles Committee from1991 to 2001.

With a tenure of 33 years, he is the longest servingpharmacist to ever serve in the Georgia House. In

Bobby Eugene Parham, R.Ph., preparing to run for CountyCommissioner of Baldwin County in 1969.

continued on page 8

recognition of his contributions to his community he hasreceived many awards for service including the GeorgiaMilitary College Service Award in 2001 and the WilliamBone Golden Key Award from Georgia College and StateUniversity in 2002.

In addition to his contributions he has made to hiscommunity, he has been an invaluable servant to hischosen profession. In recognition of this service, Bobby has received all of the following awards:

• The Meritorious & Distinguished Service Award from GPhA in 1978

• Merck, Sharp and Dohme Dedicated Service Award in 1984

• The President’s Award for Outstanding Service from GPhA in 1984

• The AH Robbins Bowl of Hygeia Award in 1984

• The Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy

• Dedicated Service Award from GPhA in 1986• Outstanding Service Award from GPhA in 1991• The Larry L. Braden Meritorious Service Award

from GPhA in 2000• The Hubert H. Humphrey Award from APhA

in 2001

• The Bobby E. Parham Good Government Award from GPhA in 2005

Among the many accomplishments was serving as a thefounder and board member of the First National Bank ofMilledgeville from 1990 until 2008. He was a trustee andmember of the Georgia College and State UniversityFoundation. He also served on the Suntrust BankAdvisory Board in 2008.

The state of Georgia and its citizens have Bobby Parhamto thank for his leadership in obtaining funds to restorethe “Old Governor’s Mansion,” to fund the GeorgiaMilitary College, Georgia College and State Universityand raises for the employees of the state of Georgia.

In 2009, Rep. Parham chose to resign his position as amember of the House of Representatives to take a seat onthe Georgia Department of Transportation Board. Inaddition to these duties he will remain an active memberof the Northside Baptist Church and the Masonic Lodge#2 in Milledgeville.

While Bobby will be sorely missed in the House hiscontribution to pharmacy and the citizens of the state ofGeorgia will never be forgotten by the citizensoandpharmacists of Georgia and GPhA.


Parham on the first day of business at Medical ParkPharmacy in 1964.

Bobby’s 1963 graduation photo from the University ofGeorgia College of Pharmacy.

Bobby’s high school graduation photo.

Parham in Officer training at Fort Benning.


Rep. Parham on the Floor of the State House talking withBubba McDonald.

Bobby, shown here in a Rules Committee meetingin the 1980sm served on a number of Housecommittees including Health and Ecology, Banksand Banking, Rules and Appropriations.

Rep. Parham in his office at his pharmacy,Medical Arts Pharmacy in Milledgeville in the1980s.

Bobby, shown here in midair playing football forthe Georgia Military College in Milledgeville,Georgia.


Bobby with Governor Roy Barnes on the steps of the StateCapitol in the early 2000s.

Known for his understatedleadership and quiet speech,here is Bobby in the Well of theState House in 2001. Of thelegislation he introduced, 95%passed both the house and thesenate.

Here Bobby is shown qualifying for the 2008election which he won in an uncontested race.He resigned his seat on the last day of thelegislature in 2009 to take a seat on theGeorgia State Transportation Board.

w w w . g p h a . o r gV i s i t t h e G P h A C a r e e r C e n t e r

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What are poison ivy, oak, and sumac?Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are plants thatcan cause a skin rash called allergic contact dermatitiswhen they touch your skin. The red, uncomfortable, anditchy rash often shows up in lines or streaks and is markedby fluid-filled bumps (blisters) or large raised areas(hives). It is the most common skin problem caused bycontact with plants (plant dermatitis).

What causes a poison ivy, oak, or sumac rash?The rash is caused by contact with an oil (urushiol) foundin poison ivy, oak, or sumac. The oil is present in all partsof the plants, including the leaves, stems, flowers, berries,and roots. Urushiol is an allergen, so the rash is actually anallergic reaction to the oil in these plants. Indirect contactwith urushiol can also cause the rash. This may happenwhen you touch clothing, pet fur, sporting gear, gardeningtools, or other objects that have come in contact with oneof these plants. But urushiol does not cause a rash oneveryone who gets it on his or her skin.

What are the symptoms of the rash?The usual symptoms of the rash are:

• Itchy skin where the plant touched your skin.• Red streaks or general redness where the plant

brushed against the skin.• Small bumps or larger raised areas (hives).• Blisters filled with fluid that may leak out.

The rash usually appears 8 to 48 hours after your contactwith the urushiol. But it can occur from 5 hours to 15 daysafter touching the plant. The rash usually takes more thana week to show up the first time you get urushiol on yourskin. But the rash develops much more quickly (within 1to 2 days) after later contacts. The rash will continue todevelop in new areas over several days but only on theparts of your skin that had contact with the urushiol orthose parts where the urushiol was spread by touching.

The rash is not contagious. You cannot catch or spread arash after it appears, even if you touch it or the blisterfluid, because the urushiol will already be absorbed orwashed off the skin. The rash may seem to be spreading,but either it is still developing from earlier contact or youhave touched something that still has urushiol on it.

The more urushiol you come in contact with, the moresevere your skin reaction. Severe reactions to smalleramounts of urushiol also may develop in people who arehighly sensitive to urushiol. Serious symptoms mayinclude:

• Swelling of the face, mouth, neck, genitals, or eyelids (which may prevent the eyes fromopening).

• Widespread, large blisters that ooze largeamounts of fluid.

Without treatment, the rash usually lasts about 10 days to3 weeks. But in people who are very sensitive to urushiol,the rash may take up to 6 weeks to heal.

How is the rash treated?Self-Care at HomeIf you are exposed to any of these plants or their oils, washthoroughly with soap and water as soon as possible. Analternative is rubbing alcohol, which can dissolve and


P A T I E N T I N F O R M A T I O N

Poison Ivy, Oak, orSumac FAQ’s

Kelly J. McLendonGPhA’s Director of Public Affairs

Poison Ivy


remove the oils from your skin. If you can remove the oilwithin 10 minutes, you are unlikely to develop the rash.

Symptoms from a mild rash can sometimes be relieved bythe following:

• Cool compresses with water or milk• Calamine - A nonprescription lotion• Aveeno oatmeal bath - A product you put in the

bath to relieve itching• Oral antihistamines such as diphenhydramine

(Benadryl) - Caution: these medications may make you too drowsy to drive a car or operate machinery safely. Nonsedating antihistamines are now available over the counter and includeloratadine (Claritin).

Nonprescription corticosteroid (eg, hydrocortisone)creams usually do not help. Do not attempt to treat severereactions or to "wait it out" at home. Go immediately tothe nearest emergency department or call an ambulance.Here are some things to do while waiting for theambulance:

• Try to stay calm.• Prevent further exposure to the "poisonous" plant.• Take an antihistamine (1-2 tablets or capsules of diphenhydramine [Benadryl]) if you can swallow without difficulty.• If you are wheezing or having difficulty breathing, use an inhaled bronchodilator such as albuterol (Proventil) or epinephrine (Primatene Mist) if one is available. These inhaled medications dilate the airway.• If you are feeling lightheaded or faint, lie down and raise your legs higher than your head to help blood flow to your brain.• If you have been given an epinephrine kit for aprevious allergic reaction, inject yourself as you have been instructed. The kit provides a premeasured dose of epinephrine, a prescription drug that rapidly reverses the most serious symptoms.• Bystanders should administer CPR to a person who becomes unconscious and stops breathing or does not have a pulse.

• If at all possible, you or your companion should be prepared to tell medical personnel what medications you take and your allergy history.

How can I prevent the rash from poison ivy, oak, andsumac?

The best way to prevent the rash is to learn to identify andavoid the plants. When you cannot avoid contact with theplants, heavy clothing (long pants, long-sleeved shirt, andvinyl gloves) and barrier creams or lotions may helpprotect you.

Information found at from WedMD.

Poison Sumac

Poison Oak


Pharmacy TimeCapsule2009 Third Quarter1984—Twenty-five years ago:• National Patient Counseling Competition forstudent pharmacists inaugurated.• George C. Glenner discovered that a principalcomponent of the plaque in the brains of Alzheimer’spatients was a peptide, now termed beta-amyloidpeptide.

1959—Fifty years ago:• The independent Southern School of Pharmacymerged with Mercer University.• All state boards but one require an applicant forregistration to have completed one year of practicalexperience.

1934—Seventy-five years ago:• Arizona, Delaware, Massachusetts, Nevada, NewMexico, Tennessee, and Vermont did not requiregraduation from a college of pharmacy as aprerequisite to taking the board of pharmacylicensing exam • Annual dues for membership in the Conference ofPharmaceutical Association Secretaries was $5.00

1909—One hundred years ago:• Most states pay pharmacy board members $5 perday plus actual expenses • Centennial of the birth of Charles Darwin.

By: Dennis B. Worthen Lloyd Scholar, Lloyd Libraryand Museum, Cincinnati, OH

One of a series contributed by the American Institute ofthe History of Pharmacy, a unique non-profit societydedicated to assuring that the contributions of yourprofession endure as a part of America's history.Membership offers the satisfaction of helping continue this work on behalf of pharmacy, and brings five or more historicalpublications to your door each year. To learn more, check out: www.aihp.org.

Pharm PAC would like to encourage you to make acontribution today and help pharmacy look forward

to a bright future in the state of Georgia.

Name:__________________________________________Address:____________________________________________________________________________________Phone Number:__________________________________________Email Address:__________________________________________Pledge: $___________________________________(Circle the Pledge Level to which you wish to belong.)

$1 - $250 - Patriot$251 - $500 - Representative$501 - $1000 - Senator$1001+ - Governor’s Circle

� Sustainers Circle: When you check thisbox and provide valid credit card information you are makinga 5 year commitment to make the same contribution for thenext 5 years. Your credit card will automatically be charged annually on the date of your initial contribution.

Contributions or gifts to Pharm PAC are not deductible ascharitable contributions for Federal income tax purposes.

Name on the Credit Card:__________________________________________Credit Card Number:__________________________________________CSV#: ________ Expiration Date: _________________Signature: __________________________________

Detach this form and complete it and return it to: Pharm PAC, 50 Lenox Pointe, NE

Atlanta, GA 30324You may also donate online.


A Pharmacy-Based Immunization Program wasrecently held at the 2009 GPhA AnnualConvention at the Sawgrass Marriott Resort inPonte Vedra Beach, FL. This is an interactive andinnovative training program that teachespharmacists the skills necessary to become aprimary source for vaccine information andadministration. The program teaches the basicsof immunology and focuses on practiceimplementation and legal/regulatory issues. Aspart of the training, the participants gave (andreceived) subcutaneous and intramuscularinjections. Twenty-nine participants attended thisprogram. Each participant was awarded acertificate of achievement, and a total of 20contact hours of CPE credit for successfulcompletion of all components of the program.Participants who attended this program:

Myron S. Anderson, Pharm.D., of JesupBrittany Crotty, R.Ph., of St. Simons IslandShannon Dykes, of HawkinsvilleRobin D-O Findlay, Pharm.D., of SavannahMatthew Fox, of SavannahChristina Futch, Pharm.D., of BrookletChristina Gomez, of SavannahJosephine Grier, B.S., of MartinezJennifer HarpeBelinda Lee Jann, Pharm.D., of TuckerAnasa Johnson, Pharm.D., of EllenwoodAshley Kunkle, Pharm.D., of AlbanyC. Mark Lowrey, R.Ph., of Athens

Sabra L. Maddox, R.Ph., of WoodbineTammy Lynn McLellan, Pharm.D., of Ocala, FLRichard P. Noell, R.Ph., of WoodstockChioma C. Otuonye, of Locust GroveChristy Belk Phillips-Malcom, B.S., of RoystonAndrea Peek Pierce, Pharm.D., of BrunswickPerry P. Prather, Pharm.D., of LaGrangeTina Rogers, of UnadillaCarla Sappe, of GordonLori Sego, of BainbridgeTeresa Futch Smith, R.Ph., of PembrokeBarbara Sona, of SavannahDeja Stephenson, of SavannahDennis H. Strickland, R.Ph., of GlennvilleLaura E. Tyson, Pharm.D., of LenoxCharity Wilkerson, of Savannah

APhA Immunization Program

APhA Immunization Program Save the DateGeorgia Pharmacy Association will be providing

Pharmacy Based Immunization program on September19, 2009 at an Atlanta location TBD. Watch for details

in upcoming emails from GPhA.


The Georgia Pharmacy JournalEditor: Jim Bracewell

[email protected]

Managing Editor & Designer: Kelly [email protected]

The Georgia Pharmacy Journal® (GPJ) is the official publication of theGeorgia Pharmacy Association, Inc. (GPhA). Copyright © 2009, GeorgiaPharmacy Association, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publicationmay be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronicor mechanical including by photocopy, recording or information storageretrieval systems, without prior written permission from the publisher andmanaging editor.

All views expressed in bylined articles are the opinions of the author anddo not necessarily express the views or policies of the editors, officers ormembers of the Georgia Pharmacy Association.

ARTICLES AND ARTWORKThose who are interested in writing for this publication are encouraged torequest the official GPJ Guidelines for Writers. Artists or photographerswishing to submit artwork for use on the cover should call, write or e-mailthe editorial offices as listed above.

SUBSCRIPTIONS AND CHANGE OF ADDRESSThe Georgia Pharmacy Journal® (GPJ) (ISSN 1075-6965) is distributed asa regular membership service, paid for through allocation of membershipdues. Subscription rate for non-members is $50.00 per year domestic and$10.00 per single copy; international rates $65.00 per year and $20.00single copy. Subscriptions are not available for non-GPhA memberpharmacists licensed and practicing in Georgia.

The Georgia Pharmacy Journal® (GPJ) (ISSN 1075-6965) is publishedmonthly by the GPhA, 50 Lenox Pointe NE, Atlanta, GA 30324.Periodicals postage paid at Atlanta, GA and additional offices.POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Georgia PharmacyJournal®, 50 Lenox Pointe, NE, Atlanta, GA 30324.

ADVERTISINGAdvertising copy deadline and rates are available at www.gpha.org uponrequest. All advertising and production orders should be sent to the GPhAheadquarters as listed above.

GPhA HEADQUARTERS50 Lenox Pointe, NEAtlanta, Georgia 30324Office: 404.231.5074Fax: 404.237.8435 www.gpha.org

Print: Star Printing - 770.974.6195

2009 - 2010 GPhA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Name PositionRobert Bowles Chairman of the BoardEddie Madden PresidentDale Coker President-ElectJack Dunn Candidate for First Vice PresidentMahlon Davidson Candidate for Second Vice PresidentRobert Hatton Candidate for Second Vice PresidentMary Meredith Candidate for Second Vice PresidentJim Bracewell Executive Vice President/CEOHugh Chancy State-at-LargeAshley Dukes State-at-LargeKeith Herist State-at-LargeJonathan Marquess State-at-LargeSharon Sherrer State-at-LargeAndy Rogers State-at-LargeAlex Tucker State-at-LargeHeather DeBellis Region One PresidentTony Singletary Region Two PresidentJohn Drew Region Three PresidentBill McLeer Region Four PresidentShobhna Butler Region Five PresidentBobby Moody Region Six PresidentMike Crooks Region Seven PresidentLarry Batten Region Eight PresidentJason Rich Region Nine PresidentChris Thurmond Region Ten PresidentMarshall Frost Region Eleven PresidentKen Eiland Region Twelve PresidentRenee Adamson ACP ChairmanLiza Chapman AEP ChairmanBurnis Breland AHP ChairmanTim Short AIP ChairmanDeAnna Flores APT ChairmanRick Wilhoit ASA ChairmanJohn T. Sherrer Foundation ChairmanMichael Farmer Insurance Trust ChairmanFred Barber Ex Officio - President, GA Board of

PharmacyDon Davis Ex Officio - Chairman, GSHPGina Ryan Johnson EX Officio MercerMeagan Spencer Barbee Ex Officio Mercer ASPRusty Fetterman Ex Officio South Garrick Schenck Ex Officio South ASPDaniel Forrister Ex Officio UGAKyle Burcher Ex Officio UGA ASP

The Insurance Trust

Serving Georgia Pharmacists Since 1981

GeorgiaPharmaceutical Services

I n s u r a n c e A g e n c y

Trevor MillerDirector of Insurance Services

[email protected]

Main: (404) 231-5074 ext. 8107

Direct: (404) 419-8107

The GPhA Journal50 Lenox Pointe, N.E.Atlanta, Georgia 30324

Disability Income InsuranceWorkers’ Compensation PlansMajor Medical InsuranceAccident Policy InsuranceProfessional Liability InsuranceLong Term Care

Jumbo Term Life InsuranceRetirement Income PlansAnnuitiesGroup Dental401(k) and SNIP PlansAnd more...

Karen ConleyManager of Insurance Services

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The Georgia Pharmacy Journal: August 2009

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