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The Pharmacy Division is responsible for establishing dispensing policies for all county health departments and overseeing implementation of these policies.
Division Services and Activities
- The Pharmacy Division consults and coordinates with all public health units, including county health departments and other agencies on medication-related and pharmacy-related activities. These activities include, but are not limited to, distribution issues, clinical information, drug scheduling, purchasing, and regulatory issues. Medication reviews are also provided to state employees to enhance their knowledge about their medication. Consultation and assistance is provided in the areas of osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, bioterrorism, diabetes, arthritis, and home health.
- The Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) is housed in the Pharmacy Division. The primary role of PDMP is to monitor the dispensing of schedule II-V controlled substances in Alabama.
- Internships to pharmacy students are provided by the Pharmacy Division, hosting students from Auburn University and Samford University each year. Assistance is also provided in coordinating professional education satellite programs for nurses, pharmacists, and physicians.
- The Pharmacy Division participates on the department’s bioterrorism task force and coordinates development of Alabama’s procedures for ordering and processing the Strategic National Stockpile, a special stockpile of drugs and supplies, which would be shipped by the federal government to the state following any terrorism event.
Immunizing Pharmacists
Many pharmacists are now providing immunizations in the State of Alabama. To find participating pharmacists in your area, please view a list of immunizing pharmacists.
High-Dose Flu Vaccine
Alabama pharmacies, such as Krogers, Walgreens, Winn Dixie, and Borden Family Pharmacy in Cullman, Alabama, provide high dose seasonal vaccines to adults 65 years of age and older. Pharmerica provides high dose flu vaccines to nursing home residents. For information on the new Fluzone high-dose seasonal vaccine, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Questions and Answers page.
Reporting of Tuberculosis Patients by Pharmacists
Alabama law explicitly requires that pharmacists dispensing anti-tuberculosis medications report that information to the State Health Officer, the county health officer, or their designee.
Section 22-11A-9 Reporting of Tuberculosis Patients by Pharmacists
Tips for Safe Medicine Use
Remember "The Three Rs for Safe Medicine Use" - risk, respect, and responsibility. For more information, and to read about prescription assistance programs and tips on safe storage of your prescription medicines, visit Educate Before You Medicate from the National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE).
Also check out What Does a Drug Dealer Look Like? to learn more about prescription drug abuse.
2013 DEA Prescription Drug Take-Back Day |
Consumers across the country will have another opportunity to help prevent abuse and misuse of prescription drugs by disposing of any unneeded or unwanted medications during the sixth Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, Saturday, April 27, 2013. On this day, from 10 AM to 2 PM, consumers may safely dispose of unwanted medications at one of thousands of collection sites coordinated by DEA and provided by law enforcement agencies and community organizations in all 50 states and United States jurisdictions. The DEA online collection site locator will be available in April 2013.
DEA Take-Back Days are a unique opportunity for consumers to safely and legally dispose of unneeded medications, including prescription controlled substances, such as certain pain medications, since the drugs can only be returned to law enforcement personnel. The take-back service is free and anonymous, with no questions asked. Sites will accept tablets, capsules, and all other solid dosage forms of unwanted medication. Personal information may be blacked out on prescription bottles, or medications may be emptied from the bottles into the bins provided at the events. A total of over 2 million pounds of unwanted medication were collected for safe and secure disposal during the previous five take-back days combined, reports DEA. For more information on how to dispose of medications and view a comprehensive list of drug information topics, visit the Resources page.
The Strategic National Stockpile Just In Time Training
The Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) is the country's national repository of medicine, vaccines, antidotes, and other critical supplies that may be necessary for use in extreme public health emergencies. Each state has its own plan for receiving and dispensing SNS items. Here in Alabama, SNS supplies are distributed by properly trained Public Health employees and volunteers. For a thorough review of the SNS and how its supplies are to be distributed in Alabama if warranted, please view the POD Training video.
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