AMSUS-SM Minutes
June 9, 2010
Marriott Bethesda, Bethesda, MD

Mary Summers, Chair

  • Called the meeting to order at 8:30 AM.

Jim Young, Vice Chair

  • Read the Anti-Competitive Statement.

Major General George K. Anderson, MD, MPH, USAF, MC (Ret.), Executive Director, AMSUS

  • Introduced Alexander Garza, M.D., Assistant Secretary for Health and Chief Medical Officer, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, who presented “The DHS Mission”.  Dr Garza’s remarks included an overview of the DHS mission which he simply stated as, “Where health meets security”.  Some of his more salient points regarding their role included their responsibility to advise the Secretary and Administrator of FEMA and coordinate interagency efforts.  Additionally, two of their more prominent programs are: Biowatch and National Biosurveilance Integration Center (NBIC).

Charlie Hostettler, Department of Defense Liaison

  • Introduced RADM Tom McGinnis, USPHS, Chief, Pharmaceutical Operations Directorate, TRICARE Management Activity, who presented “Update from TMA”. Admiral McGinnis presented slides depicting many of the current demographics of TRICARE, including “A Week in the Life of TRICARE”.  Other salient comments included emphasis on the Quadruple Aim, current costs by venue of most frequently prescribed drugs, and emphasis on converting current patients from TRICARE Retail to the TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy which would result in considerable savings to the Department.  His comments were well received, drawing many questions from the audience.

Mary Summers, Chair

  • Introduced Capt Sheri Kirshner from the Defense Medical Material Program Office (DMMPO) and Cheryl Bither, Logistician, Defense Medical Logistics Center, who presented “DoD Medical/Surgical Standardization”.  Capt Kirshner gave an overview of the new program office.  Additionally, she discussed in detail the TriService Regional Business Office (TRBO) as well as the core competencies of DMMPO: Materiel Standardization, Defense Medical Logistics, Medical Testing and Evaluation, and Clinical and Logistics System Support.  Ms Bither focused on the Operational TRBO, or OTRBO, whose purpose is line item decrease and supply chain efficiency improvements based on Clinical, Logistics, and Data Analysis.  It is important to note that Ms Bither explained the process for manufacturers to present their products to them.  Below is the website link for information and registration, as well as the schedule for Vendor Days at Ft Detrick for the remainder of 2010:

8 Sept 2010, 13 Oct 2010, and 10 Nov 2010

http://www.detrick.army.mil/services/vendorDay.cfm

A vendor may participate in more than one Vendor Day but is asked to fill out a form for each and not display the same products twice in the year.  They are looking for operational applications, emerging technology and innovations as well as established products.

Charlie Hostettler, Department of Defense Liaison

  • Introduced Michael Medora, Chief Contingency Contracting Integrated Supply Team and Michael Brywka, Program Manager, Corporate Exigency Contracting and Vendor Managed Inventory, DSCP who presented “The ‘A-Team’ Suppliers Supporting America’s Fighting Forces”. The focus of these presentations was how industry could partner with them in these unique inventory management arrangements.  For additional information on how your company can partner with DSCP, you may contact Mr Medora at 215-737-2117 or Mr Brywka at 215-737-5775, or go to their weblink:  https://www.dibbs.bsm.dla.mil/RFP

Major General George K. Anderson, MD, MPH, USAF, MC (Ret.), Executive Director, AMSUS

  • General Anderson presented an update from AMSUS Home Office and commented about the AMSUS Annual Meeting scheduled for November 1-5 in Phoenix AZ.  Vice Admiral Robinson and the US Navy will host this year’s program.  General Anderson also described many of the advanced features of the new AMSUS website which includes many helpful links.  If you have suggestions for improvements to the website, please forward your comments to Diane.
  • Following General Anderson’s remarks, Mary Beth added comments regarding how we could partner for advertising and display opportunities at the AMSUS Annual meeting.

Lunch

Mary Summers, Chair, opened the afternoon SM meeting at 1:15pm.

  • There were no changes or additions to the previously posted minutes for February 2010.  There was a motion to accept, a second, and the membership voted to accept the February 2010 AMSUS-SM minutes as written.

Jim Young, Vice Chair

  • Treasurer’s report was read.

Mary Summers, Chair, introduced SM candidate companies:

  • Eurand Pharmaceutical – Approved for membership
  • Carestream Health, Inc. – Approved for membership

Doug Remeikis, Veterans Administration Liaison

  • Doug commented about the pending VA Guidelines seeking a better understanding of whether the membership wished to provide collective comments to the VA request for comments.  The decision was for Doug to summarize the current proposal, forward it to Diane, and it would be disseminated to the membership for possible comments.

Mary Summers, Chair

  • Wrap-up and asked for other open issues.
  • There was much discussion regarding the use of mentors to help new members better understand AMSUS-SM
  • As a token of appreciation to our speakers, it was suggested we provide them with an AMSUS-SM challenge coin.  Duane Tackitt volunteered to pursue the design and procurement of such a coin.
  • There being no further business, there was a motion and a second to adjourn.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:15 pm

Upcoming Meeting

    • Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Note: All meetings will be held at the Bethesda Marriott during 2010 and room block information is posted on the website.

< Prev   Next >