FEDERAL | Physician leaders represent ASPS at Alliance of Specialty Medicine Fly-In

The Alliance of Specialty Medicine (the Alliance) – a coalition of national medical specialty societies representing more than 100,000 members – held its annual Fly-In in Washington, DC, in July, and ASPS was once again well represented at the event. Given the size of the meeting and the importance of the Alliance among ASPS coalitions, ASPS sends a delegation comprised of members with substantial advocacy experience and ASPS leadership to the event each year. The 2017 Fly-In was no exception.

ASPS attendees included ASPS President Debra Johnson, MD; ASPS Board Vice President for Health Policy and Advocacy Lynn Jeffers, MD; and ASPS past-President Scot B. Glasberg, MD. At the event, the Society's representatives heard varying perspectives about the future of health care reform from Sen. Rand Paul, MD; HHS Secretary Tom Price, MD; and Rick A. Dearborn, Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative, Intergovernmental Affairs at the White House.

During their congressional meetings, Drs. Jeffers and Johnson made headway on a critical issue facing the specialty – the regulation of in-office compounding. Federal guidance on compounding has resulted in over-reach by several state pharmacy boards, which prompted Drs. Johnson and Jeffers to encourage congressional staff to place additional pressure on the FDA to revise their draft guidance on in-office compounding. ASPS staff has followed up on the issue with the relevant offices and will maintain its focus on the issue.