Meeting Minutes

Bob Steppling, Chair, opened the Business Meeting at 1:15 pm

Bob Steppling, Chair, introduced candidate companies which provided corporate overviews

The following companies were approved for membership:

• Atlantic Biologics Corp - Pharmaceutical wholesalers and unit dose repackager
• Enturia - Manufacturs hospital products
• IMS Government Solutions - Health-related mission performance with helathcare informatics and insight
• U.S. Preventive Medicine, Inc. - Preventive health
• Verus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. - Pediatric solutions for asthma, allergies, and related diseases and conditions

Col. Jay Johanningman, USAFR, MC, FS, presented a Medical Perspective from Balad

Mary Chambers, Secretary/Treasurer's report

Note: AMSUS Checking Account was closed on 4/19/07 and the balance of $871.77 was transferred to the ASUS Organizational Account

Organizational account:
     Balance as of 1/31/07   $21,416.88
     Deposits                $14,306.77
     Disbursements           $14,596.67
     Balance as of           $21,126.98
	

Treaurer report was approved

Minutes from the November meeting were approved

Mr. Steve McManus, Deputy Director of the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia's Medical Directorate provided an RFID Update

Jerry Ross, VA Update

• Carl Jakopec will represent AMSUS at the VA Wheel Chair Games
• Joe Canzollino of the VA was not present for the AMSUS meeting since the VA Policy is still being reviewed and he did not have anything new to share with us
• Received a letter from the VA thanking us for help with the Winter Sports Clinic

Penny Pennington, DoD Update

February 13, 2007

Bob Steppling, Chair called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.

Mr. Tim Stroup, Deputy Chief Consultant- CMOP provided and Overivew of the CMOP Progaram

• Overview of VA Health Care
• Rx dispensing trends
• 80% of all VA Rx's dispensed by CMOP

Ms. Ellen Embrey, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Force Health Protection and Readiness, DoD Health Affairs presented: "Emerging Issues for Health Affairs"

• Mission is "Total Health Protection"
• Sustain and achieve readiness

Mr. John Ames, Director, Office of Contract Review, Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General and Ms. Maureen Regan, Counselor to the IG, Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General presented: "What VA OIG Auditors are Looking for and Finding in Schedule Contract Audits"

Steve McManus, deputy director of the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia's medical directorate presented: Business Systems Modernization

• Rollout of SAP
• Sharing initiatives of the VA and DoD
• Need for revitalizing HIFAC
• ECAT web based ordering system
• Exigency contracts
• Retail pharmacy initiative
• Open invitation for a working group Industry Day at DSCP

Afternoon Session - Business Meeting

Bob Steppling opened the Business Meeting at 1:15 pm and called upon the Secretary/Treasurer to read the Anti-Competitive Statement:

"As we are all aware, the antitrust laws promote competition by prohibiting anticompetitive behavior. Please take care not to disclose anything that is competitively sensitive or proprietary. If you feel the least bit uncomfortable with the contents of any aspect of the program, please feel free to raise the issue immediately so that it can be fully discussed and resolved."

Bob Steppling gave an award to Steve Moore the outgoing Chair for his service to the SM during his three years as an officer.

Mary Chambers, Secretary/Treasurer's report

Checking account:
     Balance as of 9/30/06   $ 1,155.77
     Deposits                $     0.00
     Disbursements           $    48.00
     Balance as of           $ 1,107.77

Organizational account:
     Balance as of 9/30/06   $14,822.01
     Deposits                $ 6,681.85
     Disbursements           $    86.98
     Balance as of 5/31/05   $21,416.88
	

Budget was approved

Minutes from the November meeting were approved

Jerry Ross, VA report

• Discussed increasing AMSUS-SM contributions in support of the DAV Winter Clinic and Summer Games by $1,000
• Decision to keep current contributions and table discussion for increases for a future date, either June or September
• Research into other contributions such as the Center for the Intrepid, a four-story, 65,000 square-foot facility adjacent to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio
• VA Guidelines - met with VA in Anaheim resulting in minimal outcome
• Pursue additional meetings with the VA

Penny Pennington, DoD Update

• Thanked Jerry Ross for securing permanent spaces for AMSUS representatives at the TriCare meeting
• Reviewed highlights of the TriCare meeting
• Update on BRAC closings

Bob Steppling, Chair

• PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP was voted in as new AMSUS-SM member

Bob Steppline, Chair New Business

• HIFAC start with DSCP Industry Day

Bob Steppling, Chair - adjourned meeting at 2:01 pm

November 7, 2006

Steve Moore called to meeting to order at 3:20PM.

Carl Jakopec read the anti-competitive statement.

Minutes of the previous meeting were approved.

Carl gave the treasurer’s report which was approved.

Checking account:
     Balance as of 7/31/2006   $ 1,736.62
     Deposits                  $   900.00
     Disbursements             $ 1,480.85
     Balance as of 9/30/2006   $ 1,155.77

Organizational account:
     Balance as of 7/31/2006   $16,169.20
     Deposits                  $ 7,975.00
     Disbursements             $ 9,322.20
     Balance as of 9/30/20065  $14,822.00
	

Jerry Ross gave the VA committee report. The VA Central Office and the board have had conversations about the new VA Handbook that will include representative access to VA facilities. The board has provided feedback on various sections of the policy that affects access. A meeting is schedule to take place prior to the VA meeting at the ASHP in Anaheim.

Thomsen Medstat was presented for membership by Robert Gac, Sales Director. Membership was approved.

Election of new officers was held. The results were as follows:

• Chairman - Robert Steppling
• Vice Chairman - Carl Jakopec
• Secretary Treasurer - Mary Chambers

Steve Moore introduced the new dues structure for the Sustaining Members.

• Effective January 1, 2007

Small consulting firms (5 or fewer partners) - $600
Small business - $1,000
Large business - $2,000
Emeritus - $100

• Effective January 1, 2008

Small consulting firms - $600
Small business - $1,050
Large business - $2,100
Emeritus - $100

• Effective January 1, 2009

Small consulting firms - $650
Small Business - $1,100
Large business - $2,200
Emeritus - $100

2007 meetings will be held at the Crystal City Marriott (703-413-5500). The dates and codes for room reservations are:

• February 13, 2007 - AMSAMSA
• June 13, 2007 - AUSAUSA
• September 11, 2007 - AUMAUMA

New Business

Bob talked about expanding the committees beyond just the chairpersons. All interested should contact him.

Bob reported that there will be some minor changes to the by-laws presented at the February meeting.

Marcus Farbstein reported that the VA will not appeal the court’s decision on the DoD retail pharmacy discounts.

General Anderson discussed redesigning the Salt Lake City meeting. Such items as exhibit hours and scheduling; reducing core content; and reducing scheduling conflicts will be discussed. Please forward any ideas to him.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:55PM

Respectfully submitted,
Carl T. Jakopec, Secretary/Treasurer

September 6, 2006

Steve Moore called the meeting to order at 8:15 AM at the Washington Marriott. Steve called on the secretary to read the anti-competitive statement:

"As we are all aware, the antitrust laws promote competition by prohibiting anticompetitive behavior. Please take care not to disclose anything that is competitively sensitive or proprietary. If you feel the least bit uncomfortable with the contents of any aspect of the program, please feel free to raise the issue immediately so that it can be fully discussed and resolved."

Jerry Ross introduced Joe Canzolino and Lou Cobuzzi from the VA PBM. Their presentation was entitled "The New VA National Formulary".

Joe gave the history of the VA National Formulary. From 1955 until 1996 there were only local formularies at each of the VA hospitals. In May 1997 the first VA National Formulary was enacted, followed in October of that year with the release of the VA National Formulary Policy. In February of 1998 the policy was published with the goal of having continuity of care across the entire VA system.

In moving to the new National Formulary, all VISN formularies were frozen in January of 2006. Seventy-eight drug products were added to the National Formulary to make up for those that were on VISN formularies and were deemed needed by various VA facilities. The new National Formulary was published on the PBM website in August.

Lou Cobuzzi’s portion of the presentation dealt with the representatives’ detailing activities in VA facilities. The policy that was put into effect in October of 2003 is being updated and will be part of a handbook that will cover drug use and detailing. Key points of his presentation were as follows:

• The chief of pharmacy (or designee) is responsible for allowing representative access consistent with the National Policy.
• VISN formulary committees are responsible for assuring access to National Formulary drugs.
• The PBM, VISN and local formulary committees are responsible for determining which drugs are not promotable.
• Representative must make appointments in advance of visits to facilities.

Lou also covered the ethics rules that will be enforce:

• No food items of any type or value are to be brought into the VA facilities.
• No samples for VA staff to be delivered on VA property. They may be sent to their residences.
• The facilities may develop "No Call Lists" of physicians or departments.
• No in-services are allowed for non-formulary drugs.

The final aspects of the policy that were covered involved no detailing to students and that the VISNs will have the final say so on promotional pieces to be used.

This new policy is still in the concurrence process and it may be several months before it is approved and signed. The current access policy is in effect until such time as the new policy is approved and published.

The next speaker, LTC Wayne Hackey, MC. USA, Director of Deployment Medicine and Surveillance, Office of the ASD/HA, Force Health Protection and Readiness, talked about the Avian/Pandemic Influence - DoD Initiative. He covered previous pandemics such as the one in 1918 and looked to the future and how the population, both civilian and military would be affected. Various strains of avian flu were discussed as well as containment problems and what is being done to plan for treating the population when the next pandemic arrives.

Steve McManus gave an update on RFID in the DoD. The DoD is working with the FDA on what will need to be included on an RFID tag. Steve said that it will be October of 2008 before loading docks will have RFID readers.

The morning’s final speaker was LT GEN George Peach Taylor, MD, MPH, former Surgeon General of the Air Force. General Taylor talked about the changes that have taken place in the care of the wounded on the battlefield and what improvements are being looked at to further improve care. He also discussed the recent BRAC and the realignments that will take place because of it (National Capital Region, San Antonio, etc.). The growth of Tricare was covered as well as what would need to be done to sustain the benefits, such as increased co-pays and the change in prescription co-pays to encourage the use of the mail order pharmacy service.

After lunch Mike Delaney from the Paralyzed Veterans of America and Chad Moos from the Disabled American Veterans each talked about their respective activities for veterans, the National Veterans Wheelchair Games and The Winter Sports Clinic. The Sustaining Members have supported both, and they requested support from the members companies as well.

Six companies seeking membership were introduced: ARINC, Inc., Business Computer Applications, Inc., Dey LP, KiKaKu America International, Metro Medical Equipment and Supply, Inc. and TRUE Research Foundation. The vote of the membership approved all except KiKaKu America International which received a vote to defer.

The Secretary/Treasurer asked for approval of the minutes from the June meeting. It was moved, seconded and approved.

The Treasurer’s Report was as follows:

	Checking Account
	    Balance as of 5/31/2006  $   475.46
	    Deposits                 $16,850.00
	    Disbursements            $15,588.84
	    Balance as of 7/31/2006  $ 1,736.62

	Organizational Account
	    Balance as of 4/30/2006  $15,621.24
	    Deposits                 $14,150.00
	    Disbursements            $12,602.04
	    Balance as of 7/31/2006  $16,169.20
	

Marcus Farbstein gave the legislative report. The court has not yet ruled on the retail pharmacy lawsuit and there is no word yet as to a date when the decision will be forthcoming. The DoD appropriations are not finalized, and the DoD mail order initiative may not be part of the final bill.

Penny Pennington gave the DoD report. The DoD does not believe the mail order requirement will be part of the final bill. The zero co-pay for generics through the TMOP will probably go through.

Jerry Ross asked the membership for any questions regarding the new VA access policy. He has scheduled a meeting with Mike Valentino for 9:00 AM on September 7^th.

Steve Moore adjourned the meeting at 2:15 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Carl T. Jakopec
Secretary/Treasurer

June 14, 2006

Steve Moore, Chair called the meeting to order at 1:25 pm.

Maj Gen Anderson, AMSUS Executive Director Update

• Updated SM on the investments that AMSUS is making in Military Medicine Journal to make it webcentric by end of summer for editorial review
• A new editor for the journal should be selected before the November national meeting
• A review of the financial status of AMSUS leads the group to increase member dues and to look at the SM dues
• The Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians has agreed to hold their annual meeting in conjunction with AMSUS this November

Bob Steppling (in lieu of Carl Jakopec), Secretary/Treasurer’s report

• Minutes of February meeting were approved
• AntiTrust statement read at beginning of General Meeting

  "As we are all aware, the antitrust laws promote competition by prohibiting anticompetitive behavior. Please take care not to disclose anything that is competitively sensitive or proprietary. If you feel the least bit uncomfortable with the contents of any aspect of the program, please feel free to raise the issue immediately so that it can be fully discussed and resolved."

	Checking Account
		Balance as of 1/31/06  $1,787.95
		Deposits               $7,080.00
		Disbursements          $8,392.49
		Balance as of 5/31/06  $   475.46

	Organizational Account
		Balance as of 1/31/06  $20,684.24
		Deposits               $15,725.60
		Disbursements          $21,788.60
		Balance as of 5/31/05  $14,621.24
	

Marcus Farbstein, Legislative Update

• Senate version has retail rebate, mandatory mail order and copay changes
• Lawsuit is still pending court decision - working through the Coalition
• 340 B has three federal register notices to allow Children’s Hospitals, definition of a patient and contract pharmacy issues

Penny Pennington, DoD Update

• CAPT Price, USN taking lead for telepharmacy in DoD
• Navy Pharmacy is under budget
• COL Harper noted that attention to contract compliance was critical
• LtCol McAllister noted that refill centers are open

Jerry Ross, VA report

• Recognized SM member Ed Harvey for being back in attendance
• Has a request for Mike Valentino to speak at the September AMSUS-SM meeting

Steve Moore, Chair New member companies that were approved for membership<

• Accenture
• Laerdal Medical Corporation
• Medical Place, Inc
• Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals
• Reliant Pharmaceuticals, Inc

Steve Moore, Chair New Business

• September 6 SM meeting will be held at the Washington Marriott on 22nd Street
• AMSUS Annual Meeting in San Antonio in November
• AMSUS-SM golf tournament has a 9:30 shotgun on 6/14/06

Steve Moore, Chair - adjourned meeting at 2:10 pm