20 Fall 2014 | IACPRx.org INVOLVEMENT IN YOUR STATE SOCIETY My journey to involvement in my state society began in the fall of 2010 after browsing the IACP website. An article mentioned looking for a ‘Compounding Committee.’ I contacted the Pharmacists Society of the State of New York (PSSNY), and as it turned out they had an “IV, Nuclear and Compounding Academy.” I contact-ed the chairman of the academy, who was also the chairman of PSSNY, and explained some of my intentions. Having similar motives, he nomi-nated me for chairman of the academy at the next semi-annual meeting, and I was elected. Two years ago I would have thought I’d have to be involved for years to get an opportunity like this. The vote was among no more than ten indi-viduals. I don’t mean to diminish or exaggerate this accomplishment, but simply illustrate, it may not be that far out of your reach. As the chairman of the academy in New York State, I was able to attend PSSNY board meet-ings. Although chairmen of academies don’t get to vote; a presence and a voice is invaluable. I attended several meetings learning the workings of the society. I had to pass two resolutions at the semi-annual membership meetings in order for the society to adopt my objectives. The two objectives I had were to petition the NYSBOP to allow ‘technicians’ (unlicensed personnel in NYS) to assist in compounding, and to allow non-patient specific office use compounding. This was easier said than done considering I was mostly unknown by the majority of the membership. In my case I had significant help and support from the former chairman as well as several instrumental PSSNY board members. Resolutions are voted on at the consummation of the semi-annual meetings by the delegates. In my absence, the ‘office-use’ resolution passed but ‘technician’ one did not. Soon thereafter, I became involved in my local affiliate, the Pharmacists Society of Western New York (PAWNY), as an associate advisor. I was invited to all PAWNY board meetings. After getting my ‘technician resolution’ passed within my local affiliate, and with the support of our lo-cal delegates, passing this resolution at the next semi-annual meeting was successful. The Society had decided to table our ‘Office-use objective’ at the time after the NECC incident but subsequently has somewhat come to frui-tion with the passage of the Drug Quality and Security Act. Ironically, New York State was the first to register Outsourcing Facilities. As for the ‘technician objective’, we received some clarifi-cation and guidance from the State BOP about the abilities of pharmacist-supervised unlicensed personnel. As the NYS BOP moves forward with their objective to register and subsequently certify technicians, we are confident it will be ac-companied by expanded roles for technicians. If you’ve ever been interested in being a voice for compounding in your state society my recom-mendations would be as follows: 1. Join your state pharmacist society and your corresponding local affiliate. 2. See if any committee/academy chair or vice-chair positions are available or becoming available. 3. Accept/apply for any board member or advi-sory positions. 4. Develop and gain support for your resolution. Alfonse J. Muto is the current president for the Phar-macists’ Association of Western New York and the current chairman of the IV, Nuclear, and Compounding Academy of the Pharmacists Society of the State of New York as well as a member of the Board of Direc-tors. In 2013, Alfonse became a Fellow of IACP. by Alfonse J. Muto, Pharm.D., FIACP
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