The DEA requires pharmacies like AIS Healthcare (“AIS”) to have a Power of Attorney (POA) in place in order to dispense controlled substances and opioid-based medications directly to a treating practitioner’s clinic.
As the largest and leading provider of intrathecal controlled substances, AIS prioritizes patient safety and well-being. We support measures to strengthen the chain of custody and security involved in the dispensing of these medications. The POA requirement mitigates safety concerns around leaving packages on patients’ doorsteps where they can be exposed to weather, stolen or diverted. Millions of prescriptions go missing from home delivery every year.
This POA requirement is effective now and is only required one time for each patient. This is not a requirement that is AIS-specific. It needs to be followed by every pharmacy. The DEA has made clear that shipping to a practitioner’s clinic is the much better way to do business. But for any pharmacy to do that, the DEA insists that a POA be in place.
The POA needs to be signed by a DEA registered treating practitioner and the patient. The POA must comply with the laws of the state where the medication is being dispensed. Depending on the state, the POA will require the signatures of both the patient and the treating practitioner to be witnessed and/or notarized. By following this process, you and AIS can ensure compliance with the DEA and state law.
Unfortunately, the DEA prohibits pharmacies to dispense controlled substances to a nurse or other intermediary who would then transport the medication to the patient’s home for administration. As of September 15, 2024, AIS stopped dispensing controlled substances to our nurses so they can take them to patients’ homes. Instead, patients are being referred to their respective clinics. Please note that our Home Connect Nursing Program will continue to serve home patients who are not receiving controlled substances.
Obviously, this change will impact pharmacies like AIS, and the treating practitioners and patients we serve. We do offer in-office nursing support through our Clinic Connect Program. That means we can have an RN, with extensive experience, perform pump refills and other services in the clinic-setting with a treating practitioner’s oversight.
It is clear that the DEA believes shipping controlled substances to nurses could put the prescribing practitioner, the nurse and the pharmacy in legal jeopardy. Under current law, pharmacies have two options. They can ship to the prescribing practitioner’s clinic, provided a POA is in place. Or they can ship directly to the patient, which, as mentioned above, is filled with risk. Clearly, the clinic model is the preferred approach which is consistent with how AIS is positioned.
We stand ready to handle any in-home patients (currently served by AIS or another pharmacy) who need to transition to the clinic setting.
Our Care Connect nurses are on call 24×7 to answer questions and help care for patients.
If you have any questions or require further clarification regarding the DEA’s POA requirement or have any concerns about transitioning patient care to the clinic setting, please contact us at 877.443.4006. Our mission is to remain the market leader in targeted drug delivery, and to continue to put patient safety and well-being first.
If you have additional questions, please click below.
Contact:
Simon Castellanos
877.443.4006
Targeted Drug Delivery and Infusion Care Solutions Provider Commemorates Milestone of Providing Patient-Centered Care
Dallas, Texas – AIS Healthcare, the leading provider of targeted drug delivery and infusion care solutions, celebrates fifteen years of delivering high quality patient care. Established in 2008 in Dallas, Texas, AIS Healthcare has grown to eight locations across six states supporting more than 35,000 patients throughout the country. The company’s state-of-the-art compounding pharmacies and highly trained pharmacists produce medications of the highest quality and sterility that enhance patient quality of life and lead to better outcomes.
“For the past fifteen years, AIS Healthcare has delivered care and support for our patients that makes their days easier and lives better. We go beyond what is expected to set higher quality standards for targeted drug delivery and infusion care, enabling an improved quality of life for our patients,” said Simon Castellanos, AIS Healthcare Chief Executive Officer.“AIS Healthcare looks forward to continuing the important work of improving the lives of the patients and physicians we serve.”
AIS Healthcare compounds patient-specific prescriptions at its state-of-the-art 503A specialty pharmacies for its targeted drug delivery (TDD) division and provides personalized services for both patients and physicians. Utilizing AIS Healthcare’s TDD medication and services helps patients better manage chronic pain and spasticity to improve daily functionality.
Additionally, AIS Healthcare’s Advanced Infusion Care (AIC) division offers a comprehensive suite of services for patients with complex medical conditions like primary immunodeficiency and is supported by its team of highly trained nurses. AIC applies a team-based approach to intravenous and subcutaneous immunoglobulin therapy patient care with locations in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Florida and Maryland.
AIS Healthcare is dually accredited by URAC and the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC), further setting it apart from other compounding pharmacies and infusion services providers. As the industry leader in targeted drug delivery and infusion care, AIS Healthcare continues to deliver transformative services across the care continuum for its patients.
As the leading provider of targeted drug delivery and infusion care solutions, AIS Healthcare is committed to doing more of what matters. From pharmacies that put patient safety first to comprehensive services that enhance the entire care experience, we go beyond the expected in everything we do.
Learn more at aiscaregroup.com
CONTACT:
Pam Carter
877.443.4006
Case study highlights Advanced Infusion Care and AIS Healthcare’s commitment to patients and quality of care
Dallas, TX – Advanced Infusion Care (AIC), a division of AIS Healthcare, today announced a recent feature in the National Home Infusion Association’s (NHIA) Infusion Journal. The case study in NHIJ, coauthored by Amy Mulgrew (RN, CRNI, IgCN, VA-BC), Erin Mullis (RN, IgCN), and Ashley McKenna (RN, IgCN) details the experience of an AIC patient diagnosed with chronic variable immunodeficiency (CVID) and underscores the importance of considering patient preference when choosing the optimal immune globulin (Ig) therapy approach.
“Patients living with primary immunodeficiency (PI) deserve individualized treatment options that maximize patient health and quality of life. Our case study highlighted in the NHIJ is a prime example of prioritizing patient-specific needs while also heeding patient choice,” said Amy Mulgrew, National Manager of Clinical Education at Advanced Infusion Care.
For patients with PI and CVID, rare genetic disorders that impair the immune system, Ig is a lifelong therapy that enables patients to fight infections, stay healthy, and receive care in the comfort of their own homes. In the case study, the AIC patient began intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy and transitioned to subcutaneous immune globulin (SCIg) therapy before transitioning back to IVIg for quality-of-life reasons and personal preferences.
Both IVIg and SCIg are clinically proven effective treatments for PI, and they each offer certain advantages and disadvantages. That is why it is important to assess the patient’s unique circumstances to help guide decisions for intravenous or subcutaneous treatment. Ig therapy must be individualized to meet each patient’s specific clinical needs as well as their personal preferences.
The AIC patient cited in the case study underwent treatment from 2015-2020, with monthly IVIg infusions generally well tolerated. The patient experienced mild to moderate adverse drug reactions (ADRs), described as fatigue and lethargy, and then in 2020 requested a transition to SCIg to determine if that route of administration could effectively treat his CVID without the ADRs experienced using IVIg. In late 2021, the patient noted numerous ADRs from his weekly SCIg infusions and stated he felt better on the monthly infusion of IVIg.
Since transitioning back from SCIg to IVIg, the patient remained stable and has had no reported ADRs. AIC nurses have visited him and noted that the patient’s quality of life has improved. In this instance, AIC was able to accommodate the patient’s preference and that helped lead to improved patient satisfaction.
“Clinicians and care providers can better serve patients if Ig care is individualized. This patient case study highlights the importance of recognizing patient preference when choosing the route of administration for Ig therapy,” added Mulgrew.
The Infusion Journal is a peer reviewed, scholarly publication that features independent original research and studies on the effects of infusion therapies related to patient outcomes, medication safety, economic analyses, drug stability studies, case studies, and evaluations of innovative clinical services.
The full AIC case study in the Infusion Journal is available here.
About AIS Healthcare
Advancing quality. Improving lives.
As the leading provider of targeted drug delivery and infusion care solutions, AIS Healthcare is committed to doing more of what matters. From pharmacies that put patient safety first to comprehensive services that enhance the entire care experience, we go beyond the expected in everything we do.
Learn more at aiscaregroup.com
AIS HealthCare™ is pleased to welcome Anish S. Patel, MD, MBA as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) where he will continue to advance our clinical and quality agenda to improve patient outcomes and therapy development.
As Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Patel will oversee and take an active role in the overall Quality of Pharmacy operations as well as enhancing the continuum of patient care through our Advanced Care Coordination Solutions (ACCS) and Advanced Nursing Solutions (ANS) offerings. In addition, Dr. Patel will help coordinate and expand our research and studies program, data analytics, therapy education and serve as a liaison between our Hospital Accounts, Neuromodulation and Pain Societies and Government Relations. In addition, he will lead the AIS Medical Advisory Board.
Dr. Patel is double-board certified in anesthesiology and pain medicine and currently serves as Vice-President and Managing Partner at National Spine and Pain Centers. He attended MGR Medical University, an affiliate of Harvard Medical International in India. Following medical school, he returned to Detroit where he completed a residency in Anesthesiology serving as chief resident in his final year before pursuing fellowship training in Interventional Pain Management at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Patel is known for a truly multidisciplinary approach to pain management, utilizing interventional, medical and rehabilitative techniques. He strives to provide his patients with compassionate care to improve their lifestyle and sense of well-being.
Among his achievements, he has served as a member of the following professional organizations:
“I am very excited to join AIS HealthCare™ to continue to raise the bar on their already best-in-class quality and process standards to ultimately deliver infusion solutions for improved health outcomes and a better level of care,” stated Dr. Anish Patel, new Chief Medical Officer of AIS HealthCare™. “I look forward to continuing the Patient Safety. First!™ philosophy they have instilled in their employees.”
To learn more about AIS HealthCare™ and how the company is delivering on its unwavering commitment to patient safety, please visit www.aiscaregroup.com.
Dr. Patel may be reached at: apatel@aiscaregroup.com
Watch our webinar, hosted April 9th, in response to COVID-19: Managing Pumps in the New Paradigm. The webinar provides insights into the pandemic and best practices on adapting your targeted drug delivery care models from members of our medical advisory board and physician partners.
If you have any questions, please contact us or find your rep to learn more.
Webinar agenda:
On April 28, we hosted our second webinar in response to COVID-19: Managing Pumps in the New Paradigm. This webinar offered up-to-date information on the national COVID-19 response and outlook, and included insights on the impact of COVID-19 on academic medical centers.
If you have any questions, please contact us or find your rep to learn more.
On July 22nd, we hosted the third webinar in our informational series for providers. This month, we focused on the benefit of developing a targeted drug delivery (TDD) pump practice, and how AIS Healthcare can help give these practices the time and flexibility to grow.
If you are interested in learning more about AIS Healthcare’s TDD services, please contact us or find your representative..