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AMERICAN PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION ACADEMY OF
STUDENT PHARMACISTS /
PHARMACY SERVICES SUPPORT CENTER
PROJECT AWARDS PROGRAM
FACT SHEET
The HRSA Pharmacy Services Support Center (PSSC)
“no comprehensive health care without comprehensive pharmacy
services”
PSSC was established in the fall of 2002, under a contract between the
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the American
Pharmacists Association (APhA).
PSSC was created to help the HRSA Pharmacy Affairs Branch to promote
comprehensive pharmacy services in HRSA grantee, 340B-eligible, and
other health care delivery sites for the medically underserved.
PSSC will carry out its mission by developing targeted information
resources and bringing the issues and concerns of this unique pharmacy
practice into the conversations and activities of national pharmacy
organizations.
CURRENT PSSC ACTIVITIES
PSSC Information Center
The PSSC will be launching its Information Center which will be
“the source” for all HRSA grantees and other 340B-eligible
health care delivery sites to come to for information on pharmacy
services as well as technical assistance. Entities will be able to
submit their requests via the Web at pssc.aphanet.org, as well as
contacting the PSSC via phone.
Policy Analysis
PSSC staff will track and analyze state and federal policy initiatives
for impact on eligible entities and other stakeholders. PSSC will also
conduct in-depth analyses and produce policy papers on key issues
related to pharmacy services.
Networking Opportunities
PSSC will build new opportunities for HRSA and it pharmacy stakeholders
at existing meetings of pharmacy professionals. Internships,
residencies, and professional service projects in HRSA program locations
are being planned in conjunction with the American Association of
Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) and the APhA Academy of Students of
Pharmacy.
Program Development
PSSC will assist HRSA in providing technical assistance to covered
entities, provide information about formulary development, disease
management or other pharmacy program needs, and develop or refine
educational tools to meet specific needs of the safety net provider
pharmacy.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PHARMACY
Contracted Pharmacy Services
Current rules allow 340B-eligible entities to contract with community
pharmacies to provide the 340B drug product and other pharmacy services,
as negotiated with the entity. PSSC will provide information or
technical assistance to help pharmacists and entities enter into these
arrangements.
Alternative Method Demonstration Projects
Various other, cutting edge arrangements for delivery of pharmacy
services in HRSA sites can be discussed and approved by HHS on a
case-by-case basis. A number of telepharmacy, and pharmacist as primary
care provider projects have been undertaken since the beginning of the
program.
Collaborative Practice Opportunities
With resources stretched thin, the potential for collaborative practice
arrangements in HRSA grantee settings abound. PSSC will work to educate
the health centers and grantees, as well as pharmacists about the proven
value of these arrangements.
340B ELIGIBLE ENTRIES
The law includes the following specific list of programs that
are eligible to participate in the 340B drug purchasing program:
- Federally Qualified Health Centers and Federally Qualified Health
Center Look-Alikes (under Section 1905 (1)(2)(B) of the Social Security
Act).
- An entity receiving a grant for Health Services for Residents of
Public Housing (under Section 340A of the PHS Act).
- A family planning project receiving a grant or contract under
Section 1001 of the Public Health Service Act (Title X clinics).
- Grantees for outpatient early intervention services for HIV disease
(under Subpart II of Part C of Title XXVI of the Public Health Service
Act).
- A State-operated AIDS drug purchasing assistance program receiving
financial assistance (under Title XXVI of the Public Health Service
Act).
- A black lung clinic receiving funds under Section 427(a) of the
Black Lung Benefits Act.
- A comprehensive hemophilia diagnostic treatment center receiving a
grant under Section 501(a)(2) of the Social Security Act.
- A Native Hawaiian Health Center receiving funds under the Native
Hawaiian Health Care Act of 1988.
- An urban Indian organization receiving funds under Title V of the
Indian Health Care Improvement Act.
- Any entity receiving assistance for HIV Health Care Services
Programs under Title XXVI of the Public Health Service Act [other than a
State or unit of local government or an entity described in point E
above, but only if the entity is certified by the Secretary pursuant to
paragraph (7) of Subpart VIIDrug Pricing Agreements, Section 340B.]
- An entity receiving funds relating to the treatment of sexually
transmitted diseases or tuberculosis under Section 318 or Section
317(j)(2) of the Public Health Service Act through a State or unit of
local government, but only if the entity is certified by the Secretary
pursuant to paragraph (7) of Subpart VII-Drug Pricing Agreements,
Section 340B.
- A disproportionate share hospital (as defined in Section
1886(d)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act).
If you can meet these eligibility criteria and want to
participate in the 340B drug purchasing program, contact the HRSA Bureau
of Primary Healthcare for an application form. The request form can be
found on the Web at:
ftp://ftp.hrsa.gov/bphc/application.pdf
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