ISMP Role in CVS/pharmacy Agreement with Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy

On February 9, 2006, the Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy announced that an agreement has been reached with CVS/Pharmacy to resolve consumer complaints investigated by the Board. As part of that agreement, CVS/pharmacy has engaged the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), a non-profit patient safety organization with recognized national expertise in medication error prevention, to help strengthen medication safety at its stores. ISMP will work with CVS as its designated team to help achieve the goals outlined by the organization’s agreement with the Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy.

Facts about CVS/ISMP Relationship:

• The Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy and CVS have entered an agreement to help strengthen medication safety at CVS pharmacies. ISMP is the designated consultant to assist CVS in achieving its patient safety goals.
• ISMP is not overseeing the operation of CVS pharmacies . The Institute will evaluate and monitor pharmacy safety practices, policies, and procedures at CVS pharmacies in Massachusetts for a period of two years.
• The role of ISMP is as a consultant only and to CVS only. ISMP will provide CVS written reports of its findings and recommendations for improvement and the adoption of best practices and error prevention strategies.
• The Board of Pharmacy will monitor and assess implementation of ISMP recommendations through quarterly meetings with CVS and will also conduct unannounced on-site inspections to verify compliance with terms of the agreement. ISMP will not be conducting “surprise” inspections.
• ISMP has not yet begun the consulting process with CVS, or performed a consult at any of its stores. Store visits will take place over the next six months.

ISMP maintains complete confidentiality about any assistance that it provides individual organizations in improving medication safety, and will not comment on or provide details about specific organizations’ safety practices.

All questions about the details of CVS’ agreement with the Board should be directed to the Massachusetts Board (Contact Donna Rheaume at 617-624-5006) or CVS.  Click here to view a copy of the Board’s news release about the agreement.