Pharmacist letter login

GIVING THE POWER BACK TO THE PEOPLE

2018.09.12 14:47 Markedtofuture GIVING THE POWER BACK TO THE PEOPLE

Bitcoin Black Solution Distribute widely initially. With no member of the community to own more than 0.5% of the total supply. Have a spend and replace system, making it difficult for manipulation to enter. https://bitcoin.black/
[link]


2014.05.18 20:04 emmapkmn Advice, help, connect, sell/buy textbooks

This subreddit is to help students connect with each other. Students can ask others what to expect, sell/buy books, talk about news and "what's happening", set up a study group, and help each other.
[link]


2019.07.14 07:59 pac2005 No more will firstglyphs reign! Heil to the ELusion Empire!

Where you don't get to use the filthy first glyph in our letterlist.
[link]


2023.06.05 03:13 flaming-baguette how do i quit my job?

This is a very silly question, but how do i quit my job??
i work for a large pharmacy chain and the entirety of the pharmacy techs quit or made plans to quit within 4 months of this new manager's arrival because he's just so awful to everyone. i'm the last tech, and my last straw was when he threatened to fire me for the grave sin of ending up in the hospital despite my family and I communicating literally the day after I ended up in the hospital so that he could find coverage.
Despite my being absolutely fed up with this manager, the company, district manager, district tech manager, and the staff pharmacist at my location have all been very good to me, so I don't exactly want to leave this job with a "f*** you" kind of move. Am I just supposed to tell the manager that I'm giving my 2 week notice? Does it have to be in writing? Do I have to write a letter or something?
My anxiety do be flaring and since this is also my first job in general I don't know what's appropriate 😭 please give me some advice!
submitted by flaming-baguette to PharmacyTechnician [link] [comments]


2023.06.05 00:35 ruja_ignatova Am I about to get Audited by the IRS?

Long story short, I filed my tax returns with Turbo Tax 3 weeks ago. It was late, but they were filed. I was owed money.
I received my NY state returns last week. Today I got a letter from the IRS saying they received my tax returns but I needed to login into website to verify my return. No problem.
My concern is the information they asked me for:
I barely make a living in NYC. lol.
Anyway as the title says, am I being looked at for an audit?
submitted by ruja_ignatova to personalfinance [link] [comments]


2023.06.05 00:33 ruja_ignatova Am I about to be audited?

Long story short, I filed my tax returns with Turbo Tax 3 weeks ago. It was late, but they were filed. I was owed money.
I received my NY state returns last week. Today I got a letter from the IRS saying they received my tax returns but I needed to login into website to verify my return. No problem.
My concern is the information they asked me for:
I barely make a living in NYC. lol.
Anyway as the title says, am I being looked at for an audit?
submitted by ruja_ignatova to tax [link] [comments]


2023.06.04 20:23 endersgame69 Kayobi's Days Off C15

The next day I remembered to bring the key that Suki gave to me, and I won’t pretend I wasn’t a little smug about that. ‘I’m responsible!’ I thought, teasing myself over something silly and small, and turned the key with a click to open up the store. I whistled when I walked in, this time I was early. I had something to do after all. I went to the register, took the envelope full of cash, and then after taking a bank statement off the desk in Suki’s office, I left and locked up.
I went to the bank and got there right as they opened, a slender woman in a knee length dress with short black hair met me with a smile. “Can I help you?” She asked, and I slid the envelope across the marble countertop to where she stood.
“I need to make a deposit into this account.” I then slid the statement across to her and waited.
I very much enjoyed her shocked expression, while the amount wasn’t ‘massive’ it was probably more than Suki had deposited at one time in a very long while.
“There was a long term debt that was cleared off her books yesterday.” I explained with a sweet smile spreading over my face, I had to really work not to laugh at the memory of those poor confused Yakuza trying to fight an otherworldly monster.
Part of me still regretted leaving them alive. But I reminded myself that they would almost certainly have gotten police attention to ‘handle’ me if it came down to it, and I didn’t want any official records getting unwelcome attention on my vacations.
The woman brightened up a fair bit and swiftly completed counting out the cash. “It will be available for use within the next hour.” She promised. “Thank you for doing business with us.” She said, and after taking a receipt for the amount I said…
“A pleasure. Have a nice day.” And walked back out.
Setup in the store that morning was easy, a quick laying out of stuff, I had no idea what she wanted to put on sale, so I just didn’t do any. There were a few things that I probably could discount that had a bunch of sales, however I didn’t like the idea of putting something on sale when there wasn’t much inventory in the first place.
So I just… did one more quick wipe down, and then rushed to the bento boxes and began setting out food to cook and putting together as many to-go boxes as I could. ‘I should have just taken the money yesterday, then I could have teleported to the bank and then back again…now I have to rush.’ I huffed.
“No wonder places hire people to do this stuff…” I mumbled under my breath as the first customers came in for the day. “Welcome to Toriyama’s.” I said and went to the register.
The first was a young man, barely of age to hold a job out of high school, obviously wearing a suit belonging to his father, given the ill fit, he looked frankly silly. Gangly and still growing, a sheepish awkward look on his face. I’d been around enough humans to read him, and knew he knew how ridiculous he looked in that shabby gray thing with his hair slick to excess and his face not as well shaved as it should have been.
“I’m ah… a little short.” He mumbled, and for this I knew just what to do. I reached for a clipboard and slid it across to him.
“Write your name and what you got, just come back and pay for it later.” I said. Suki had done the same thing for me when I got to Earth, while I was still figuring out how money worked here and everything. Honestly this place was a big part of the reason I could relax as much as I did after a hard week of painting.
It’s always easiest to relax, even for a swapper, when you’re around people who you just know want you to do well.
His voice cracked a little when he said, “Thank you.” His stomach rumbled again, and he scribbled out some information that I didn’t bother to check. I probably should have, but I wasn’t worried, worst case scenario, I’d cover it. I couldn’t help myself. I smiled as warmly as I could, reached out my hand and said, “Good luck.” while touching his arm. [D’oog kul] I cast the spell very quietly, whispering the words so softly he wouldn’t hear them, and accepted the pen back from his hand as soon as he was done.
I doubted I’d need to cover it. But even so?
The routine had to be kept up, so I waved goodbye and the other young men and women rushing through their morning routines rushed to the counter for whatever last minute things they needed.
A few women visited to buy their detergent for the common wash, some with small children on their hips and looking relieved to see that the prices hadn’t somehow gone up overnight. I wondered what it was like for them… to be honest I’d never really given that much thought to how everybody else lived their lives.
I was a happy NEET, after all. It didn’t occur to me that the people in Shinjai were struggling. I had to wonder, ‘How much of that was because of the Yakuza coming around here and taking money from these little family businesses?’
I might have inadvertently solved a number of problems by addressing this one. Maybe they’d still be back, but I had my doubts. If they were, then I’d have to deal with them with greater harshness.
The day went by faster than you might think, like… faster than a session binge watching that show about the pharmacist who knew lots of modern stuff that has been on my list of things to watch for… I dunno, at least a month now?
Once I was alone and things began to settle down, I went back to the rear office and began calling up numbers and paying past due bills. I didn’t sit down, it just didn’t feel right… plus her chair was just…awful.
Looking around the mess I could only feel worse, like I’d been taking advantage of the Toriyama kindness for a while now, and not really given anything back.
OkayK, I was helping now. But that was just so I wouldn’t be inconvenienced.
“Yes, pay in full. And can you arrange a delivery tomorrow for restocking?” I said to the representative over the phone. “Yes I’ll pay up front this time. Use this account number…” I read it off and moved on to the next one before more customers could appear.
As I began to stack up paid bills in one clean corner of the old work desk, I found something unexpected.
A bin, one of those shallow desk bins made of wood that were just a little larger than paper. It was buried under the incoming bills…and that’s what it was labeled.
It took a while, but I gradually exposed its mate, an ‘outgoing/paid’ labeled bin, and I began to use that instead.
By the time Jin came in, I was nearly done. “Kayobi… what are you doing back there?” He asked, he had a mix of horror and confusion on his face when he saw the phone in my right hand and the letter of lateness in the other.
“Yes, go ahead and pay that now. It’s fine, and up front for the rest, go ahead and charge it.” I then wrote down the confirmation number, hung up the phone, and set the letter and the phone down.
“Just paying the bills, I saw that some were late, so I took care of it.” I said, and the blood drained from his face.
“But… but we don’t… there’s no money… what have you done…” He whispered, and I thought the poor boy was going to faint.
“Of course there was.” I said as I walked past him to go to the register. “There was an envelope full of cash right here.” I replied, and he blinked dumbly for several seconds.
“But that was… that had a special purpose, there’s ah… a cost of business in Shinjai that ah… it isn’t on paper.” He cleared his throat and started to shake from head to toe.
“No, there’s not.” I said and flicked my hair back. “I took care of it.”
Jin’s mouth dropped, “I… what? With…I don’t… what do you mean you took care of it?” He emphasized.
“Oh, a few men came by yesterday morning,” I gave a casual shrug, “I stopped by their building yesterday evening, I had a conversation with their bossman, and now the problem is solved.”
His brow furrowed, “You’re joking, right?” He asked.
“No.” I said and waved to another young customer, “Welcome to Toriyama’s!”
Jin stared at me until the customer was gone, then said, “I need to know what you did.”
“No, you don’t.” I replied. “You had a problem. I did something, and now that problem does not exist. You worry too much. All you need to know is that the debt is cleared and it will not be coming back. So with what used to be paid, I’ve now paid off most of the bills. I also went ahead and reordered the usual goods, that way you’ll stay fully stocked.”
“But-” Jin started to speak, but I cut him off.
“Nope.” I quipped and said, “No buts. The problem is solved, now why are you even here? Go visit your mother, I’ll cover the store for a few more hours, I’ll let you handle the lock up if you really insist.”
“I… you’re the best, Kayobi!” He shouted with glee and all but ran out of the store.
“I know. It’s true. I am the best.” I said to myself, sure that he hadn’t heard me or seen what was probably a goofy grin on my face.
Oddly enough, it felt pretty good to help out.
But I still wanted to watch my favorite shows…
‘I’ll watch some tonight, after a quick call to Celia.’ I promised myself, and went to wipe down the counter again.
submitted by endersgame69 to TheWorldMaker [link] [comments]


2023.06.04 17:51 Carboncrypto WoW Authenticator App Issue

I'm struggling a bit with this and probably shouldnt be so sorry in advance....lol. I havent used the authenticator in a long time, I remember BNET and Authenticator being two separate apps but now I see that they are now merged? so now when I am being asked for authenticator code I login to get but the Authenticator app now functions like the BNET app and says to check Authenticator for request of a 4 digit/letter code but I am not getting that request since the Authenticator App no longer does what it did (so it seems)
submitted by Carboncrypto to wow [link] [comments]


2023.06.04 15:56 imihevc Safeguarding your crypto investments - tips and tricks

With the recent Atomic Wallet hack sending shockwaves through the cryptocurrency community, it has become more crucial than ever to prioritize the security of your crypto investment. Whether you are a newbie or an average user, implementing some basic tips and tricks can significantly enhance the safety of your digital assets. I will outline essential measures that you can take to secure your crypto investment effectively.
  1. Research and Select a Trustworthy Wallet: Choosing a reliable cryptocurrency wallet is the foundation of securing your investment. Conduct thorough research to identify wallets with a solid reputation, positive user reviews, and a track record of security. Opt for wallets that offer two-factor authentication (2FA) and advanced encryption protocols to safeguard your funds. Well-known options include hardware wallets (e.g., Ledger Nano S, Trezor) or software wallets (e.g., Exodus, Trust Wallet).
  2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Implementing 2FA adds an extra layer of security to your crypto wallet. It typically requires you to enter a secondary verification code from your mobile device or an authenticator app. By enabling 2FA, even if someone manages to obtain your login credentials, they will be unable to access your wallet without the secondary code.
  3. Use Strong and Unique Passwords: Avoid using weak, easily guessable passwords for your crypto accounts. Instead, create strong and unique passwords that incorporate a combination of upper and lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters. Consider using a reliable password manager to securely store and generate strong passwords for each of your crypto-related accounts.
  4. Enhance Password Complexity: When creating passwords, aim for a minimum length of 12 characters. Additionally, avoid using common words, personal information, or predictable patterns. Instead, consider using passphrases, which are longer combinations of words or sentences that are easier to remember but harder to crack. For example, "[email protected]!" is stronger than "Password123."
  5. Be Wary of Smart Contract Vulnerabilities: If you participate in decentralized finance (DeFi) or use decentralized applications (dApps) that rely on smart contracts, it's crucial to understand the associated risks. Smart contracts can have vulnerabilities that hackers may exploit to manipulate funds. Thoroughly research and review the code of the smart contracts you interact with, and consider relying on well-established and audited contracts whenever possible.
  6. Be Cautious of Torrent and Pirate/Crack Sites: Avoid downloading cryptocurrency-related software, wallets, or any other tools from torrent sites or pirate/crack sites. These sources often provide modified or tampered versions of legitimate software, which can compromise your security and lead to the theft of your funds. Always obtain software and wallets directly from official sources or reputable app stores.
  7. Regularly Update Your Software: Ensure that both your operating system and wallet software are up to date with the latest security patches and bug fixes. Developers often release updates to address vulnerabilities and enhance the overall security of their applications. By keeping your software updated, you reduce the risk of falling victim to known security flaws.
  8. Utilize Cold Storage for Long-Term Storage: For long-term storage of your crypto assets, consider utilizing cold storage options like hardware wallets or offline paper wallets. Cold storage keeps your private keys offline and significantly reduces the chances of unauthorized access or hacking attempts. Keep these offline wallets in a secure location, preferably a safe or a safety deposit box.
  9. Exercise Caution on Public Wi-Fi Networks: Avoid accessing your crypto wallets or conducting transactions on public Wi-Fi networks. These networks are often unsecured, making them vulnerable to potential attacks. If necessary, use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to create a secure connection before accessing your crypto accounts over public Wi-Fi.
By implementing these measures, you can protect your crypto investment and navigate the cryptocurrency ecosystem with greater peace of mind.
Feel free to share your experiences, insights, and recommendations on securing crypto investments. Your input can provide valuable perspectives to the community and help others enhance their security measures.
submitted by imihevc to CryptoCurrency [link] [comments]


2023.06.04 15:43 _Gandalf_Greybeard_ Prasad elective in Brooklyn

Prasad elective in Brooklyn
Came across this elective today, since many were DMing about electives, thought I'd share it here.
Can anyone who's done this rotation share some insights?
submitted by _Gandalf_Greybeard_ to IMGreddit [link] [comments]


2023.06.04 14:34 Dirtclodkoolaid AMA RESOLUTION 235

AMA RESOLUTION 235
AMA RESOLUTION 235 November 2018 INAPPROPRIATE USE OF CDC Guidelines FOR PRESCRIBING OPIOIDS (Entire Document)
“Resolution 235 asks that our AMA applaud the CDC for its efforts to prevent the incidence of new cases of opioid misuse, addiction, and overdose deaths; and be it further, that no entity should use MME thresholds as anything more than guidance and that MME thresholds should not be used to completely prohibit the prescribing of, or the filling of prescriptions for, medications used in oncology care, palliative medicine care, and addiction medicine care: and be it further, that our AMA communicate with the nation’s largest pharmacy chains and pharmacy benefit managers to recommend that they cease and desist with writing threatening letters to physicians and cease and desist with presenting policies, procedures and directives to retail pharmacists that include a blanket proscription against filling prescriptions for opioids that exceed certain numerical thresholds without taking into account the diagnosis and previous response to treatment for a patient and any clinical nuances that would support such prescribing as falling within standards of good quality patient care; and be it further, that AMA Policy opposing the legislating of numerical limits on medication dosage, duration of therapy, numbers of pills/tablets, etc., be reaffirmed; and be it further, that physicians should not be subject to professional discipline or loss of board certification or loss of clinical privileges simply for prescribing opioids at a quantitative level that exceeds the MME thresholds found in the CDC Guidelines; and be it further, that our AMA encourage the Federation of State Medical Boards and its member boards, medical specialty societies, and other entities to develop improved guidance on management of pain and management of potential withdrawal syndromes and other aspects of patient care for “legacy patients” who may have been treated for extended periods of time with high-dose opioid therapy for chronic non-malignant pain.
RESOLVED, that our American Medical Association (AMA) applaud the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for its efforts to prevent the incidence of new cases of opioid misuse, addiction, and overdose deaths
RESOLVED, that our AMA actively continue to communicate and engage with the nation’s largest pharmacy chains, pharmacy benefit managers, National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Federation of State Medical Boards, and National Association of Boards of Pharmacy in opposition to communications being sent to physicians that include a blanket proscription against filing prescriptions for opioids that exceed numerical thresholds without taking into account the diagnosis and previous response to treatment for a patient and any clinical nuances that would support such prescribing as falling within standards of good quality patient care.
RESOLVED, that our AMA affirms that some patients with acute or chronic pain can benefit from taking opioid pain medications at doses greater than generally recommended in the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain and that such care may be medically necessary and appropriate, and be it further
RESOLVED, that our AMA advocate against misapplication of the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids by pharmacists, health insurers, pharmacy benefit managers, legislatures, and governmental and private regulatory bodies in ways that prevent or limit patients’ medical access to opioid analgesia, and be it further
RESOLVED, that our AMA advocate that no entity should use MME (morphine milligram equivalents) thresholds as anything more than guidance, and physicians should not be subject to professional discipline, loss of board certification, loss of clinical privileges, criminal prosecution, civil liability, or other penalties or practice limitations solely for prescribing opioids at a quantitative level above the MME thresholds found in the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids.””
Pain Management Best Practices Inter-Agency Task Force - Draft Report on Pain Management Best Practices: Updates, Gaps, Inconsistencies, and Recommendations Official Health and Human Services Department Released December 2018
“The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) of 2016 led to the creation of the Pain Management Best Practices Inter-Agency Task Force (Task Force), whose mission is to determine whether gaps in or inconsistencies between best practices for acute and chronic pain management exist and to propose updates and recommendations to those best practices. The Task Force consists of 29 experts who have significant experience across the disciplines of pain management, patient advocacy, substance use disorders, mental health, and minority health.”
In addition to identifying approximately 60 gaps in clinical best practices and the current treatment of pain in the United States, HHS PMTF provided recommendations for each of these major areas of concern. In alignment with their original charter, the PMTF will submit these recommendations to Congress to become our ‘National Pain Policy’. The 60+ gaps and inconsistencies with their recommendations will serve to fill gaps in pain treatment at both the state and federal level; and the overwhelming consensus was that the treatment of pain should be multimodal and completely individualized based on the individual patient. The heart of each recommendation in each section was a resounding call for individualization for each patient, in regards to both non-pharmacological and pharmacological modalities; including individualizations in both opioid and non-opioid pharmacological treatments.
While each of the gap+recommendation sections of what is poised to become our national pain policy is extremely important, one that stands out the most (in regards to opioid prescribing) is the Stigma section. Contained in this section is one of the core statements that shows our Health and Human Services agency - the one that should have always been looked to and followed - knew the true depth of the relationship (or lack of) between the overdose crisis and compassionate prescribing to patients with painful conditions:
“The national crisis of illicit drug use, with overdose deaths, is confused with appropriate therapy for patients who are being treated for pain. This confusion has created a stigma that contributes to raise barriers to proper access to care.”
The recommendation that follows - “Identify strategies to reduce stigma in opioid use so that it is never a barrier to patients receiving appropriate treatment, with all cautions and considerations for the management of their chronic pain conditions” - illustrates an acknowledgment by the top health agency of the federal government that the current national narrative conflating and confusing compassionate treatment of pain with illicit drug use, addiction, and overdose death is incorrect and only serving to harm patients.
Since March of 2016 when the CDC Guidelines were released, advocates, patients, clinicians, stakeholders, and others, have began pointing out limitations and unintended consequences as they emerged. In order to address the unintended consequences emerging from the CDC Guidelines, this task force was also charged with review of these guidelines; from expert selection, evidence selection, creation, and continuing to current misapplication in order to provide recommendations to begin to remedy these issues.
“A commentary by Busse et al. identified several limitations to the CDC guideline related to expert selection, evidence inclusion criteria, method of evidence quality grading, support of recommendations with low-quality evidence, and instances of vague recommendations. In addition, the CDC used the criterion of a lack of clinical trials with a duration of one year or longer as lack of evidence for the clinical effectiveness of opioids, whereas Tayeb et al. found that that was true for all common medication and behavioral therapy studies.
Interpretation of the guideline, in addition to some gaps in the guideline, have led to unintended consequences, some of which are the result of misapplication or misinterpretation of the CDC guideline.
However, at least 28 states have enacted legislation related to opioid prescription limits, and many states and organizations have implemented the guideline without recognizing that the intended audience was PCPs; have used legislation for what should be medical decision making by healthcare professionals; and have applied them to all physicians, dentists, NPs, and PAs, including pain specialists.441–444 Some stakeholders have interpreted the guideline as intended to broadly reduce the amount of opioids prescribed for treating pain; some experts have noted that the guideline emphasizes the risk of opioids while minimizing the benefit of this medication class when properly managed.”
“The CDC guideline was not intended to be model legislation for state legislators to enact”
“In essence, clinicians should be able to use their clinical judgment to determine opioid duration for their patients”
https://www.hhs.gov/ash/advisory-committees/pain/reports/2018-12-draft-report-on-updates-gaps-inconsistencies-recommendations/index.html
HHS Review of 2016 CDC Guidelines for responsible opioid prescribing
The Pain Management Task Force addressed 8 areas that are in need of update or expansion with recommendations to begin remediation for each problem area:
Lack of high-quality data exists for duration of effectiveness of opioids for chronic pain; this has been interpreted as a lack of benefit Conduct studies Focus on patient variability and response for effectiveness of opioids; use real-world applicable trials
Absence of criteria for identifying patients for whom opioids make up significant part of their pain treatment Conduct clinical trials and/or reviews to identify sub-populations of patients where long-term opioid treatment is appropriate
Wide variation in factors that affect optimal dose of opioids Consider patient variables for opioid therapy: Respiratory compromise Patient metabolic variables Differences in opioid medications/plasma concentrations Preform comprehensive initial assessment it’s understanding of need for comprehensive reevaluations to adjust dose Give careful considerations to patients on opioid pain regimen with additional risk factors for OUD
Specific guidelines for opioid tapering and escalation need to be further clarified A thorough assessment of risk-benefit ratio should occur whenever tapering or escalation of dose This should include collaboration with patient whenever possible Develop taper or dose escalation guidelines for sub-populations that include consideration of their comorbidities When benefit outweighs the risk, consider maintaining therapy for stable patients on long term opioid therapy
Causes of worsening pain are not often recognized or considered. Non-tolerance related factors: surgery, flares, increased physical demands, or emotional distress Avoid increase in dose for stable patient (2+ month stable dose) until patient is re-evaluated for underlying cause of elevated pain or possible OUD risk Considerations to avoid dose escalation include: Opioid rotation Non-opioid medication Interventional strategies Cognitive behavior strategies Complementary and integrative health approaches Physical therapy
In patients with chronic pain AND anxiety or spasticity, benzodiazepine co-prescribed with opioids still have clinical value; although the risk of overdose is well established When clinically indicated, co-prescription should be managed by specialist who have knowledge, training, and experience with co-prescribing. When co-prescribed for anxiety or SUD collaboration with mental health should be considered Develop clinical practice guidelines focused on tapering for co-prescription of benzodiazepines and opioids
The risk-benefit balance varies for individual patients. Doses >90MME may be favorable for some where doses <90MME may be for other patients due to individual patient factors. Variability in effectiveness and safety between high and low doses of opioids are not clearly defined. Clinicians should use caution with higher doses in general Using carefully monitored trial with frequent monitoring with each dose adjustment and regular risk reassessment, physicians should individualize doses, using lowest effective opioid dose that balances benefit, risk, and adverse reactions Many factors influence benefits and risk, therefore, guidance of dose should not be applied as strict limits. Use established and measurable goals: Functionality ADL Quality of Life
Duration of pain following acute and severely painful event is widely variable Appropriate duration is best considered within guidelines, but is ultimately determined by treating clinician. CDC recommendation for duration should be emphasized as guidance only with individualized patient care as the goal Develop acute pain management guidelines for common surgical procedures and traumas To address variability and provide easy solution, consideration should be given to partial refill system
Human Rights Watch December 2018 (Excerpt from 109 page report)
“If harms to chronic pain patients are an unintended consequence of policies to reduce inappropriate prescribing, the government should seek to immediately minimize and measure the negative impacts of these policies. Any response should avoid further stigmatizing chronic pain patients, who are increasingly associated with — and sometimes blamed for — the overdose crisis and characterized as “drug seekers,” rather than people with serious health problems that require treatment.
Top government officials, including the President, have said the country should aim for drastic cutbacks in prescribing. State legislatures encourage restrictions on prescribing through new legislation or regulations. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has investigated medical practitioners accused of overprescribing or fraudulent practice. State health agencies and insurance companies routinely warn physicians who prescribe more opioids than their peers and encourage them to reduce prescribing. Private insurance companies have imposed additional requirements for covering opioids, some state Medicaid programs have mandated tapering to lower doses for patients, and pharmacy chains are actively trying to reduce the volumes of opioids they dispense.
The medical community at large recognized that certain key steps were necessary to tackle the overdose crisis: identifying and cracking down on “pill mills” and reducing the use of opioids for less severe pain, particularly for children and adolescents. However, the urgency to tackle the overdose crisis has put pressure on physicians in other potentially negative ways: our interviews with dozens of physicians found that the atmosphere around prescribing for chronic pain had become so fraught that physicians felt they must avoid opioid analgesics even in cases when it contradicted their view of what would provide the best care for their patients. In some cases, this desire to cut back on opioid prescribing translated to doctors tapering patients off their medications without patient consent, while in others it meant that physicians would no longer accept patients who had a history of needing high-dose opioids.
The consequences to patients, according to Human Rights Watch research, have been catastrophic.”
[https://www.hrw.org/report/2018/12/18/not-allowed-be-compassionate/chronic-pain-overdose-crisis-and-unintended-harms-us](
Opioid Prescribing Workgroup December 2018
This is material from the Board of Scientific Counselors in regards to their December 12, 2018 meeting that culminated the works of a project titled the “Opioid Prescribing Estimates Project.” This project is a descriptive study that is examining opioid prescribing patterns at a population level. Pain management is a very individualized process that belongs with the patient and provider. The Workgroup reviewed work done by CDC and provided additional recommendations.
SUMMARY There were several recurrent themes throughout the sessions.
Repeated concern was voiced from many Workgroup members that the CDC may not be able to prevent conclusions from this research (i.e. the benchmarks, developed from limited data) from being used by states or payors or clinical care systems to constrain clinical care or as pay-for- performance standards – i.e. interpreted as “guidelines”. This issue was raised by several members on each of the four calls, raising the possibility that providers or clinical systems could thus be incentivized against caring for patients requiring above average amounts of opioid medication.
Risk for misuse of the analysis. Several members expressed concerns that this analysis could be interpreted as guidance by regulators, health plans, or clinical care systems. Even though the CDC does not plan to issue this as a guideline, but instead as research, payors and clinical care systems searching for ways to reign in opioid prescribing may utilize CDC “benchmarks” to establish pay-for-performance or other means to limit opioid prescribing. Such uses of this work could have the unintended effect of incentivizing providers against caring for patients reliant upon opioids.
…It was also noted that, in order to obtain sufficient granularity to establish the need for, dosage, and duration of opioid therapy, it would be necessary to have much more extensive electronic medical record data. In addition, pain and functional outcomes are absent from the dataset, but were felt to be important when considering risk and benefit of opioids.
...Tapering: Concerns about benchmarks and the implications for tapering were voiced. If tapering occurs, guidance was felt to be needed regarding how, when, in whom tapering should occur. This issue was felt to be particularly challenging for patients on chronic opioids (i.e. “legacy” patients). In addition, the importance of measuring risk and benefit of tapering was noted. Not all high-dose patient populations benefit from tapering.
Post-Surgical Pain
General comments. Workgroup members noted that most patients prescribed opioids do not experience adverse events, including use disorder. Many suggested that further discussion of opioids with patients prior to surgery was important, with an emphasis on expectations and duration of treatment. A member suggested that take-back programs would be more effective than prescribing restrictions.
Procedure-related care. Members noted that patient factors may drive opioid need more than characteristics of a procedure.
Patient-level factors. Members noted that opioid-experienced patients should be considered differently from opioid-inexperienced patients, due to tolerance.
Chronic Pain
It was noted that anything coming out of the CDC might be considered as guidelines and that this misinterpretation can be difficult to counter. There was extensive discussion of the 50 and 90 MME levels included in the CDC Guidelines. It was recommended that the CDC look into the adverse effects of opioid tapering and discontinuation, such as illicit opioid use, acute care utilization, dropping out of care, and suicide. It was also noted that there are major gaps in guidelines for legacy patients, patients with multiple diagnoses, pediatric and geriatric patients, and patients transitioning to lower doses.
There were concerns that insufficient clinical data will be available from the dataset to appropriately consider the individual-level factors that weigh into determination of opioid therapy. The data would also fail to account for the shared decision-making process involved in opioid prescribing for chronic pain conditions, which may be dependent on primary care providers as well as ancillary care providers (e.g. physical therapists, psychologists, etc).
Patient-level factors. Members repeatedly noted that opioid-experienced patients should be considered differently from opioid-experienced patients, due to tolerance.
Members noted that the current CDC guidelines have been used by states, insurance companies, and some clinical care systems in ways that were not intended by the CDC, resulting in cases of and the perception of patient abandonment. One option raised in this context was to exclude patients on high doses of opioids, as those individuals would be qualitatively different from others. A variant of this concern was about management of “legacy” patients who are inherited on high doses of opioids. Members voiced concerns that results of this work has caused harm to patients currently reliant upon opioids prescribed by their providers.
Acute Non-Surgical Pain
Patient-level factors. Members felt that opioid naïve versus experienced patients might again be considered separately, as opioid requirements among those experienced could vary widely.
...Guidelines were also noted to be often based on consensus, which may be incorrect.
Cancer-Related and Palliative Care Pain
It was noted that the CDC guidelines have been misinterpreted to create a limit to the dose of opioids that can be provided to people at all stages of cancer and its treatment. It was also noted that the cancer field is rapidly evolving, with immunotherapy, CAR-T, and other novel treatments that affect response rates and limit our ability to rely upon historical data in establishing opioid prescribing benchmarks.
Concern that data would not be able to identify all of the conditions responsible for pain in a patient with a history of cancer (e.g. people who survive cancer but with severe residual pain). Further, it was noted that certain complications of cancer and cancer treatment may require the least restrictive long-term therapy with opioids.
The definition of palliative care was also complicated and it was suggested that this include patients with life-limiting conditions.
Overall, it was felt that in patients who may not have long to live, and/or for whom returning to work is not a possibility, higher doses of opioids may be warranted.
https://www.cdc.gov/injury/pdfs/bsc/NCIPC_BSC_OpioidPrescribingEstimatesWorkgroupReport_December-12_2018-508.pdf
CDC Scientists Anonymous ‘Spider Letter’ to CDC
Carmen S. Villar, MSW Chief of Staff Office of the Director MS D­14 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 1600 Clifton Road Atlanta, Georgia 30329­-4027
August 29, 2016
Dear Ms. Villar:
We are a group of scientists at CDC that are very concerned about the current state of ethics at our agency. It appears that our mission is being influenced and shaped by outside parties and rogue interests. It seems that our mission and Congressional intent for our agency is being circumvented by some of our leaders. What concerns us most, is that it is becoming the norm and not the rare exception. Some senior management officials at CDC are clearly aware and even condone these behaviors. Others see it and turn the other way. Some staff are intimidated and pressed to do things they know are not right. We have representatives from across the agency that witness this unacceptable behavior. It occurs at all levels and in all of our respective units. These questionable and unethical practices threaten to undermine our credibility and reputation as a trusted leader in public health. We would like to see high ethical standards and thoughtful, responsible management restored at CDC. We are asking that you do your part to help clean up this house!
It is puzzling to read about transgressions in national media outlets like USA Today, The Huffington Post and The Hill. It is equally puzzling that nothing has changed here at CDC as a result. It’s business as usual. The litany of issues detailed over the summer are of particular concern:
Recently, the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP) has been implicated in a “cover up” of inaccurate screening data for the Wise Woman (WW) Program. There was a coordinated effort by that Center to “bury” the fact that screening numbers for the WW program were misrepresented in documents sent to Congress; screening numbers for 2014 and 2015 did not meet expectations despite a multi­million dollar investment; and definitions were changed and data “cooked” to make the results look better than they were. Data were clearly manipulated in irregular ways. An “internal review” that involved staff across CDC occurred and its findings were essentially suppressed so media and/or Congressional staff would not become aware of the problems. Now that both the media and Congresswoman DeLauro are aware of these issues, CDC staff have gone out of their way to delay FOIAs and obstruct any inquiry. Shouldn’t NCCDPHP come clean and stop playing games? Would the ethical thing be to answer the questions fully and honestly. The public should know the true results of what they paid for, shouldn’t they?
Another troubling issue at the NCCDPHP are the adventures of Drs. Barbara Bowman and Michael Pratt (also detailed in national media outlets). Both seemed to have irregular (if not questionable) relationships with Coca­Cola and ILSI representatives. Neither of these relationships were necessary (or appropriate) to uphold our mission. Neither organization added any value to the good work and science already underway at CDC. In fact, these ties have now called into question and undermined CDC’s work. A cloud has been cast over the ethical and excellent work of scientists due to this wanton behavior. Was cultivating these relationships worth dragging CDC through the mud? Did Drs. Bowman and Pratt have permission to pursue these relationships from their supervisor Dr. Ursula Bauer? Did they seek and receive approval of these outside activities? CDC has a process by which such things should be vetted and reported in an ethics review, tracking and approval system (EPATS). Furthermore, did they disclose these conflicts of interest on their yearly OGE 450 filing. Is there an approved HHS 520, HHS 521 or “Request for Official Duty Activities Involving an Outside Organization” approved by Dr. Bauer or her Deputy Director Ms. Dana Shelton? An August 28, 2016 item in The Hill details these issues and others related to Dr. Pratt.
It appears to us that something very strange is going on with Dr. Pratt. He is an active duty Commissioned Corps Officer in the USPHS, yet he was “assigned to” Emory University for a quite some time. How and under what authority was this done? Did Emory University pay his salary under the terms of an IPA? Did he seek and receive an outside activity approval through EPATS and work at Emory on Annual Leave? Formal supervisor endorsement and approval (from Dr. Bauer or Ms. Shelton) is required whether done as an official duty or outside activity.
If deemed official, did he file a “Request for Official Duty Activities Involving an Outside Organization” in EPATS? Apparently Dr. Pratt’s position at Emory University has ended and he has accepted another position at the University of California ­ San Diego? Again, how is this possible while he is still an active duty USPHS Officer. Did he retire and leave government service? Is UCSD paying for his time via an IPA? Does he have an outside activity approval to do this? Will this be done during duty hours? It is rumored that Dr. Pratt will occupy this position while on Annual Leave? Really? Will Dr. Pratt be spending time in Atlanta when not on Annual Leave? Will he make an appearance at NCCDPHP (where he hasn’t been seen for months). Most staff do not enjoy such unique positions supported and approved by a Center Director (Dr. Bauer). Dr. Pratt has scored a sweet deal (not available to most other scientists at CDC). Concerns about these two positions and others were recently described in The Huffington Post and The Hill. His behavior and that of management surrounding this is very troubling.
Finally, most of the scientists at CDC operate with the utmost integrity and ethics. However, this “climate of disregard” puts many of us in difficult positions. We are often directed to do things we know are not right. For example, Congress has made it very clear that domestic funding for NCCDPHP (and other CIOs) should be used for domestic work and that the bulk of NCCDPHP funding should be allocated to program (not research). If this is the case, why then is NCCDPHP taking domestic staff resources away from domestic priorities to work on global health issues? Why in FY17 is NCCDPHP diverting money away from program priorities that directly benefit the public to support an expensive research FOA that may not yield anything that benefits the public? These actions do not serve the public well. Why is nothing being done to address these problems? Why has the CDC OD turned a blind eye to these things. The lack of respect for science and scientists that support CDC’s legacy is astonishing.
Please do the right thing. Please be an agent of change.
Respectfully,
CDC Spider (CDC Scientists Preserving Integrity, Diligence and Ethics in Research)
https://usrtk.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/CDC_SPIDER_Letter-1.pdf
January 13, 2016
Thomas Frieden, MD, MPH Director Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1600 Clifton Road Atlanta, GA 30329-4027
Re: Docket No. CDC-2015-0112; Proposed 2016 Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain
Dear Dr. Frieden:
There is no question that there is an opioid misuse epidemic and that efforts need to be made to control it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is applauded for its steps to undertake this lofty effort. However, based on the American Academy of Family Physicians’ (AAFP’s) review of the guideline, it is apparent that the presented recommendations are not graded at a level consistent with currently available evidence. The AAFP certainly wants to promote safe and appropriate prescribing of opioids; however, we recommend that the CDC still adhere to the rigorous standards for reliable and trustworthy guidelines set forth by the Institute of Medicine (IOM). The AAFP believes that giving a strong recommendation derived from generalizations based on consensus expert opinion does not adhere to evidence-based standards for developing clinical guideline recommendations.
The AAFP’s specific concerns with the CDC’s methodology, evidence base, and recommendations are outlined below.
Methodology and Evidence Base
All of the recommendations are based on low or very low quality evidence, yet all but one are Category A (or strong) recommendations. The guideline states that in the GRADE methodology "a particular quality of evidence does not necessarily imply a particular strength of recommendation." While this is true, it applies when benefits significantly outweigh harms (or vice versa). When there is insufficient evidence to determine the benefits and harms of a recommendation, that determination should not be made.
When evaluating the benefits of opioids, the evidence review only included studies with outcomes of at least one year. However, studies with shorter intervals were allowed for analysis of the benefits of nonopioid treatments. The guideline states that no evidence shows long-term benefit of opioid use (because there are few studies), yet the guideline reports "extensive evidence" of potential harms, even though these studies were of low quality. The accompanying text also states "extensive evidence" of the benefits of non-opioid treatments, yet this evidence was from shorter term studies, was part of the contextual review rather than the clinical systematic review, and did not compare non- opioid treatments to opioids.
The patient voice and preferences were not explicitly included in the guideline. This raises concerns about the patient-centeredness of the guideline.
https://www.aafp.org/dam/AAFP/documents/advocacy/prevention/risk/LT-CDC-OpioidGuideline011516.pdf The Myth of Morphine Equivalent Daily Dosage Medscape Neuro Perspective
For far too many years, pain researchers and clinicians have relied on the concept of the morphine equivalent daily dosage (MEDD), or some variant of it, as a means of comparing the "relative corresponding quantity" of the numerous opioid molecules that are important tools in the treatment of chronic pain.
...And, most unfortunately, opioid prescribing guideline committees have relied on this concept as a means of placing (usually arbitrary) limits on the levels of opioids that a physician or other clinician should be allowed to prescribe. Although these guidelines typically bill themselves as "voluntary," their chilling effect on prescribers and adaptation into state laws[2] makes calling them "voluntary" disingenuous.
Although some scientists and clinicians have been questioning the conceptual validity of MEDD for several years, a recent study[3] has indicated that the concept is unequivocally flawed—thereby invalidating its use empirically and as a tool in prescribing guideline development.
The authors used survey data from pharmacists, physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants to estimate daily morphine equivalents and found great inconsistency in their conversions of hydrocodone, fentanyl transdermal patches, methadone, oxycodone, and hydromorphone—illustrating the potential for dramatic underdosing or, in other cases, fatal overdosing.
Patients with chronic pain (particularly that of noncancer origin) who are reliant on opioid analgesia are already sufficiently stigmatized and marginalized[7] to allow this type of practice to continue to be the norm.
Although the use of MEDD in research and, to a greater extent, in practice, is probably due to unawareness of its inaccuracy, we posit that the use of MEDD by recent opioid guideline committees (eg, the Washington State Opioid Guideline Committee[8] and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guideline Committee[9]) in the drafting of their guidelines is based more heavily on disregarding available evidence rather than ignorance. Furthermore, their misconduct in doing so has been more pernicious than the use of MEDD by researchers and individual clinicians, because these guidelines widely affect society as a whole as well as individual patients with persistent pain syndromes. We opine that these committees are strongly dominated by the antiopioid community, whose agenda is to essentially restrict opioid access—irrespective of the lack of data indicating that opioids cannot be a useful tool in the comprehensive treatment of carefully selected and closely monitored patients with chronic pain.
Above 100% extracted from: Medscape Journal Brief https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/863477_2
Actual Study https://www.dovepress.com/the-medd-myth-the-impact-of-pseudoscience-on-pain-research-and-prescri-peer-reviewed-article-JPR
Are Non-Opioid Medications Superior in Treatment of Pain than Opioid Pain Medicine? Ice Cream Flavor Analogy...
In the Oxford University Press, a November 2018 scientific white paper[5] was released that examined the quality of one of the primary studies that have been used to justify the urgent call to drastically reduce opioid pain medication prescribing while claiming that patients are not being harmed in the process.
The study is commonly referred to as ‘the Krebs study’. “The authors concluded that treatment with opioids was not superior to treatment with non opioid medications for improving pain-related function over 12 months.”
Here is an excerpt from the first paragraph of the design section (usually behind a paywall) from the Krebs study that gives the first hint of the bias that led to them to ‘prove’ that opioids were not effective for chronic pain:
“The study was intended to assess long-term outcomes of opioids compared with non opioid medications for chronic pain. The patient selection, though, specifically excluded patients on long-term opioid therapy.” 
Here is an analogy given in the Oxford Journal white paper to illustrate how the study design was compromised:
If I want to do a randomized control study about ice cream flavor preferences (choices being: vanilla, chocolate, or no preference), the results could be manipulated as follows based on these scenarios:
Scenario A: If a study was done that included only current ice-cream consumers, the outcome would certainly be vanilla or chocolate, because of course they have tried it and know which they like.
Scenario B: If a study was done that included all consumers of all food, then it can change the outcome. If the majority of study participants do not even eat ice-cream, than the result would certainly be ‘no preference’. If the majority do eat ice-cream it would likely be ‘chocolate’. Although this study is wider based, it still does not reflect real world findings.
Scenario C: In an even more extreme example, if this same study is conducted excluding anyone who has ever ate ice-cream at all, then the conclusion will again be ‘no preference’ and the entire study/original question becomes so ludicrous that there is no useful information to be extracted from this study and one would logically question why this type of study would even be conducted (although we know the answer to that)
Scenario C above is how the study that has been used to shift the attitudes towards the treatment of pain in our nation's medical community was designed. “One has to look deep into the study to find that they began with 9403 possible patients and excluded 3836 of them just because they had opioids in their EMR. In the JAMA article, they do not state these obvious biases and instead begin the explanation of participants stating they started with 4485 patients and excluded 224 who were opioid or benzo users.” That is the tip of the iceberg to how it is extremely misleading. The Oxford white paper goes into further detail of the studies “many flaws and biases (including the narrow focus on conditions that are historically known to respond poorly to opioid medication management of pain)”, but the study design and participant selection criteria is enough to discredit this entire body of work. Based on study design alone, regardless of what happened next, the result would be that opioids are no more effective than NSAIDs and other non-opioid alternatives.
The DEA Is Fostering a Bounty Hunter Culture in its Drug Diversion Investigators[8]
A Good Man Speaks Truth to Power January 2019
Because I write and speak widely on public health issues and the so-called “opioid crisis”, people frequently send me references to others’ work. One of the more startling articles I’ve seen lately was published November 20, 2018 in Pharmacy Times. It is titled “Should We Believe Patients With Pain?”[9]. The unlikely author is Commander John Burke, “a 40-year veteran of law enforcement, the past president of the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators, and the president and cofounder of the International Health Facility Diversion Association.”
The last paragraph of Commander Burke’s article is worth repeating here.
“Let’s get back to dealing with each person claiming to be in legitimate pain and believe them until we have solid evidence that they are scamming the system. If they are, then let’s pursue them through vigorous prosecution, but let’s not punish the majority of people receiving opioids who are legitimate patients with pain.”
This seems a remarkable insight from anyone in law enforcement — especially from one who has expressed this view in both Pain News Network, and Dr Lynn Webster’s video “The Painful Truth”. Recognizing Commander Burke’s unique perspective, I followed up by phone to ask several related questions. He has granted permission to publish my paraphrases of his answers here.
“Are there any available source documents which establish widely accepted standards for what comprises “over-prescription?” as viewed by diversion investigators?” Burke’s answer was a resounding “NO”. Each State and Federal Agency that investigates doctors for potentially illegal or inappropriate opioid prescribing is pretty much making up their own standards as they go. Some make reference to the 2016 CDC Guidelines, but others do not.
  1. “Thousands of individual doctors have left pain management practice in recent years due to fears they may be investigated, sanctioned, and lose their licenses if they continue to treat patients with opioid pain relievers.. Are DEA and State authorities really pursuing the worst “bad actors”, or is something else going on?
Burke’s answer: “Regulatory policy varies greatly between jurisdictions. But a hidden factor may be contributing significantly to the aggressiveness of Federal investigators. Federal Agencies may grant financial bonuses to their in-house diversion investigators, based on the volume of fines collected from doctors, nurse practitioners, PAs and others whom they investigate.

"No law enforcement agency at any level should be rewarded with monetary gain and/or promotion due to their work efforts or successes. This practice has always worried me with Federal investigators and is unheard of at the local or state levels of enforcement.”

Commander Burke’s revelation hit me like a thunder-clap. It would explain many of the complaints I have heard from doctors who have been “investigated” or prosecuted. It’s a well known principle that when we subsidize a behavior, we get more of it. Financial rewards to investigators must inevitably foster a “bounty hunter” mentality in some. It seems at least plausible that such bonuses might lead DEA regulators to focus on “low hanging fruit” among doctors who may not be able to defend themselves without being ruined financially. The practice is at the very least unethical. Arguably it can be corrupting.
I also inquired concerning a third issue:
  1. I read complaints from doctors that they have been pursued on trumped-up grounds, coerced and denied appropriate legal defense by confiscation of their assets – which are then added to Agency funds for further actions against other doctors. Investigations are also commonly announced prominently, even before indictments are obtained – a step that seems calculated to destroy the doctor’s practice, regardless of legal outcomes. Some reports indicate that DEA or State authorities have threatened employees with prosecution if they do not confirm improper practices by the doctor. Do you believe such practices are common?”

Burke’s answer: “I hear the same reports you do – and the irony is that such tactics are unnecessary. Lacking an accepted standard for over-prescribing, the gross volume of a doctor’s prescriptions or the dose levels prescribed to their patients can be poor indicators of professional misbehavior. Investigators should instead be looking into the totality of the case, which can include patient reports of poor doctor oversight, overdose-related hospital admissions, and patterns of overdose related deaths that may be linked to a “cocktail” of illicit prescribing. Especially important can be information gleaned from confidential informants – with independent verification – prior patients, and pharmacy information.”

No formal legal prosecution should ever proceed from the testimony of only one witness — even one as well informed as Commander John Burke. But it seems to me that it is high time for the US Senate Judiciary Committee to invite the testimony of others in open public hearings, concerning the practice of possible bounty hunting among Federal investigators.
C50 Patient, Civil Rights Attorney, Maine Department of Health, and Maine Legislature Collaborative Enacted Definition of Palliative Care
One suggestion that our organization would like to make is altering the definition of “palliative care” in such a manner that it can include high-impact or intractable patients; those who are not dying this year, but our lives have been shattered and/or shortened by our diseases and for whom Quality of Life should be the focus. Many of our conditions may not SIGNIFICANTLY shorten my life, therefore I could legitimately be facing 30-40 years of severe pain with little relief; that is no way to live and therefore the concern is a rapidly increasing suicide rate.
This is a definition that one of our coalition members with a civil rights attorney and the Maine Department of Health agreed upon and legislators enacted into statues in Maine. This was in response to a 100mme restriction. This attorney had prepared a lawsuit based on the Americans with Disability Act that the Department of Health in Maine agreed was valid; litigation was never the goal, it was always patient-centered care.
A. "Palliative care" means patient-centered and family-focused medical care that optimizes quality of life by anticipating, preventing and treating suffering caused by a medical illness or a physical injury or condition that substantially affects a patient's quality of life, including, but not limited to, addressing physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs; facilitating patient autonomy and choice of care; providing access to information; discussing the patient's goals for treatment and treatment options, including, when appropriate, hospice care; and managing pain and symptoms comprehensively. Palliative care does not always include a requirement for hospice care or attention to spiritual needs. B. "Serious illness" means a medical illness or physical injury or condition that substantially affects quality of life for more than a short period of time. "Serious illness" includes, but is not limited to, Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, lung disease, cancer, heart, renal or liver failure and chronic, unremitting or intractable pain such as neuropathic pain.
Here is the link to the most recent update, including these definitions within the entire statute: https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/22/title22sec1726.html?fbclid=IwAR0dhlwEh56VgZI9HYczdjdyYoJGpMdA9TuuJLlQrO3AsSljIZZG0RICFZc
January 23, 2019
Dear Pharmacists,
The Board of Pharmacy has had an influx of communication concerning patients not able to get controlled substance prescriptions filled for various reasons, even when signs of forgery or fraudulence were not presented. As a result of the increased “refusals to fill,” the board is issuing the following guidance and reminders regarding the practice of pharmacy and dispensing of controlled substances:
  1. Pharmacists must use reasonable knowledge, skill, and professional judgment when evaluating whether to fill a prescription. Extreme caution should be used when deciding not to fill a prescription. A patient who suddenly discontinues a chronic medication may experience negative health consequences;
  2. Part of being a licensed healthcare professional is that you put the patient first. This means that if a pharmacist has any concern regarding a prescription, they should attempt to have a professional conversation with the practitioner to resolve those concerns and not simply refuse the prescription. Being a healthcare professional also means that you use your medication expertise during that dialogue in offering advice on potential alternatives, changes in the prescription strength, directions etc. Simply refusing to fill a prescription without trying to resolve the concern may call into question the knowledge, skill or judgment of the pharmacist and may be deemed unprofessional conduct;
  3. Controlled substance prescriptions are not a “bartering” mechanism. In other words, a pharmacist should not tell a patient that they have refused to fill a prescription and then explain that if they go to a pain specialist to get the same prescription then they will reconsider filling it. Again, this may call into question the knowledge, skill or judgment of the pharmacist;
  4. Yes, there is an opioid crisis. However, this should in no way alter our professional approach to treatment of patients in end-of-life or palliative care situations. Again, the fundamentals of using our professional judgment, skill and knowledge of treatments plays an integral role in who we are as professionals. Refusing to fill prescriptions for these patients without a solid medical reason may call into question whether the pharmacist is informed of current professional practice in the treatment of these medical cases.
  5. If a prescription is refused, there should be sound professional reasons for doing so. Each patient is a unique medical case and should be treated independently as such. Making blanket decisions regarding dispensing of controlled substances may call into question the motivation of the pharmacist and how they are using their knowledge, skill or judgment to best serve the public.
As a professional reminder, failing to practice pharmacy using reasonable knowledge, skill, competence, and safety for the public may result in disciplinary actions under Alaska statute and regulation. These laws are:
AS 08.80.261 DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
(a)The board may deny a license to an applicant or, after a hearing, impose a disciplinary sanction authorized under AS 08.01.075 on a person licensed under this chapter when the board finds that the applicant or licensee, as applicable, …
(7) is incapable of engaging in the practice of pharmacy with reasonable skill, competence, and safety for the public because of
(A) professional incompetence; (B) failure to keep informed of or use current professional theories or practices; or (E) other factors determined by the board;
(14) engaged in unprofessional conduct, as defined in regulations of the board.
12 AAC 52.920 DISCIPLINARY GUIDELINES
(a) In addition to acts specified in AS 08.80 or elsewhere in this chapter, each of the following constitutes engaging in unprofessional conduct and is a basis for the imposition of disciplinary sanctions under AS 08.01.075; …
(15) failing to use reasonable knowledge, skills, or judgment in the practice of pharmacy;
(b) The board will, in its discretion, revoke a license if the licensee …
(4) intentionally or negligently engages in conduct that results in a significant risk to the health or safety of a patient or injury to a patient; (5) is professionally incompetent if the incompetence results in a significant risk of injury to a patient.
(c) The board will, in its discretion, suspend a license for up to two years followed by probation of not less than two years if the licensee ...
(2) is professionally incompetent if the incompetence results in the public health, safety, or welfare being placed at risk.
We all acknowledge that Alaska is in the midst of an opioid crisis. While there are published guidelines and literature to assist all healthcare professionals in up to date approaches and recommendations for medical treatments per diagnosis, do not confuse guidelines with law; they are not the same thing.
Pharmacists have an obligation and responsibility under Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations 1306.04(a), and a pharmacist may use professional judgment to refuse filling a prescription. However, how an individual pharmacist approaches that particular situation is unique and can be complex. The Board of Pharmacy does not recommend refusing prescriptions without first trying to resolve your concerns with the prescribing practitioner as the primary member of the healthcare team. Patients may also serve as a basic source of information to understand some aspects of their treatment; do not rule them out in your dialogue.
If in doubt, we always recommend partnering with the prescribing practitioner. We are all licensed healthcare professionals and have a duty to use our knowledge, skill, and judgment to improve patient outcomes and keep them safe.
Professionally,
Richard Holt, BS Pharm, PharmD, MBA Chair, Alaska Board of Pharmacy
https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/portals/5/pub/pha_ControlledSubstanceDispensing_2019.01.pdf
FDA in Brief: FDA finalizes new policy to encourage widespread innovation and development of new buprenorphine treatments for opioid use disorder
February 6, 2018
Media Inquiries Michael Felberbaum 240-402-9548
“The opioid crisis has had a tragic impact on individuals, families, and communities throughout the country. We’re in urgent need of new and better treatment options for opioid use disorder. The guidance we’re finalizing today is one of the many steps we’re taking to help advance the development of new treatments for opioid use disorder, and promote novel formulations or delivery mechanisms of existing drugs to better tailor available medicines to individuals’ needs,” said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. “Our goal is to advance the development of new and better ways of treating opioid use disorder to help more Americans access successful treatments. Unfortunately, far too few people who are addicted to opioids are offered an adequate chance for treatment that uses medications. In part, this is because private insurance coverage for treatment with medications is often inadequate. Even among those who can access some sort of treatment, it’s often prohibitively difficult to access FDA-approved addiction medications. While states are adopting better coverage owing to new legislation and resources, among public insurance plans there are still a number of states that are not covering all three FDA-approved addiction medications. To support more widespread adoption of medication-assisted treatment, the FDA will also continue to take steps to address the unfortunate stigma that’s sometimes associated with use of these products. It’s part of the FDA’s public health mandate to promote appropriate use of therapies.
Misunderstanding around these products, even among some in the medical and addiction fields, enables stigma to attach to their use. These views can serve to keep patients who are seeking treatment from reaching their goal. That stigma reflects a perspective some have that a patient is still suffering from addiction even when they’re in full recovery, just because they require medication to treat their illness. This owes to a key misunderstanding of the difference between a physical dependence and an addiction. Because of the biology of the human body, everyone who uses a meaningful dose of opioids for a modest length of time develops a physical dependence. This means that there are withdrawal symptoms after the use stops.
A physical dependence to an opioid drug is very different than being addicted to such a medication. Addiction requires the continued use of opioids despite harmful consequences on someone’s life. Addiction involves a psychological preoccupation to obtain and use opioids above and beyond a physical dependence.
But someone who is physically dependent on opioids as a result of the treatment of pain but who is not craving the drugs is not addicted.
The same principle applies to replacement therapy used to treat opioid addiction. Someone who requires long-term treatment for opioid addiction with medications, including those that are partial or complete opioid agonists and can create a physical dependence, isn’t addicted to those medications. With the right treatments coupled to psychosocial support, recovery from opioid addiction is possible. The FDA remains committed to using all of our tools and authorities to help those currently addicted to opioids, while taking steps to prevent new cases of addiction.”
Above is the full statement, find full statement with options for study requests: https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/FDAInBrief/ucm630847.htm
Maryland’s co-prescribing new laws/ amendments regarding benzos and opioids
Chapter 215 AN ACT concerning Health Care Providers – Opioid and Benzodiazepine Prescriptions – Discussion of Information Benefits and Risks
FOR the purpose of requiring that certain patients be advised of the benefits and risks associated with the prescription of certain opioids, and benzodiazepines under certain circumstances, providing that a violation of this Act is grounds for disciplinary action by a certain health occupations board; and generally relating to advice regarding benefits and risks associated with opioids and benzodiazepines that are controlled dangerous substances.
Section 1–223 Article – Health Occupations Section 4–315(a)(35), 8–316(a)(36), 14–404(a)(43), and 16–311(a)(8) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article – Health Occupations (a) In this section, “controlled dangerous substance” has the meaning stated in § 5–101 of the Criminal Law Article.
Ch. 215 2018 LAWS OF MARYLAND (B) On treatment for pain, a health care provider, based on the clinical judgment of the health care provider, shall prescribe: (1) The lowest effective dose of an opioid; and (2)A quantity that is no greater than the quantity needed for the expected duration of pain severe enough to require an opioid that is a controlled dangerous substance unless the opioid is prescribed to treat: (a.) A substance–related disorder; (b.) Pain associated with a cancer diagnosis; (c.) Pain experienced while the patient is receiving end–of–life, hospice, or palliative care services; or (d.) Chronic pain
(C.) The dosage, quantity, and duration of an opioid prescribed under [subsection (b)] of this [section] shall be based on an evidence–based clinical guideline for prescribing controlled dangerous substances that is appropriate for: (1.) The health care service delivery setting for the patient; (2.) The type of health care services required by the patient; (3.) and The age and health status of the patient.
(D) (1) WHEN A PATIENT IS PRESCRIBED AN OPIOID UNDER SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION, THE PATIENT SHALL BE ADVISED OF THE BENEFITS AND RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE OPIOID.
 (2) WHEN A PATIENT IS CO–PRESCRIBED A BENZODIAZEPINE WITH AN OPIOID THAT IS PRESCRIBED UNDER SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION, THE PATIENT SHALL BE ADVISED OF THE BENEFITS AND RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE BENZODIAZEPINE AND THE CO–PRESCRIPTION OF THE BENZODIAZEPINE. 
(E) A violation of [subsection (b) OR (D) of] this section is grounds for disciplinary action by the health occupations board that regulates the health care provider who commits the violation.
4-315 (a) Subject to the hearing provisions of § 4–318 of this subtitle, the Board may deny a general license to practice dentistry, a limited license to practice dentistry, or a teacher’s license to practice dentistry to any applicant, reprimand any licensed dentist, place any licensed dentist on probation, or suspend or revoke the license of any licensed dentist, if the applicant or licensee: (35) Fails to comply with § 1–223 of this article.
8–316. (a) Subject to the hearing provisions of § 8–317 of this subtitle, the Board may deny a license or grant a license, including a license subject to a reprimand, probation, or suspension, to any applicant, reprimand any licensee, place any licensee on probation, or suspend or revoke the license of a licensee if the applicant or licensee: (36) Fails to comply with § 1–223 of this article.
14–404. (a) Subject to the hearing provisions of § 14–405 of this subtitle, a disciplinary panel, on the affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum of the disciplinary panel, may reprimand any licensee, place any licensee on probation, or suspend or revoke a license if the licensee: (43) Fails to comply with § 1–223 of this article.
16–311. (a) Subject to the hearing provisions of § 16–313 of this subtitle, the Board, on the affirmative vote of a majority of its members then serving, may deny a license or a limited license to any applicant, reprimand any licensee or holder of a limited license, impose an administrative monetary penalty not exceeding $50,000 on any licensee or holder of a limited license, place any licensee or holder of a limited license on probation, or suspend or revoke a license or a limited license if the applicant, licensee, or holder:
(8) Prescribes or distributes a controlled dangerous substance to any other person in violation of the law, including in violation of § 1–223 of this article;
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect October 1, 2018.
Approved by the Governor, April 24, 2018.
https://legiscan.com/MD/text/HB653/id/1788719/Maryland-2018-HB653-Chaptered.pdf
submitted by Dirtclodkoolaid to ChronicPain [link] [comments]


2023.06.03 23:28 ARandomComputerGuy [Recruiting] [Code: C6R3GWMK] Rewarding a stranger

Use for rewards, never hear from me !
What to know: Won't work if you're in Free Trial, so you have to buy the game (any edition) first but use it before buying your first subscription/game time) The rewards are made of Friendship Circlet (item giving 20% as long as your current class/job is 25 or below), 99 Aetheryte Ticket (free teleport, should use at higher levels), Ballroom Etiquette - Improper Greetings which will unlock the exclusive Fist Bump emote (/brofist /fistbump and 10 Silver Chocobo Feathers (use to buy catch-up or early dungeon gear)
How does this work : 1. Create your account and login at the Mog Station: http://sqex.to/Msp 2. Go to "Manage Service Options" 3. Click "Enter Recruitment Code" and enter my code C6R3GWMK 4. Pick up your rewards from a "Delivery Moogle" in-game (icon on map looks like a letter)
Go to the wiki if you have more questions http://ffxiv.consolegameswiki.com/wiki/Recruit_a_Friend_Campaign
submitted by ARandomComputerGuy to ffxivraf [link] [comments]


2023.06.03 17:47 liberal_alien Unable to login with new phone

I bought a new phone. Installed Polar Flow app. Tried to log in, but got "Check your username or password". Tried again, same. Tried logging in at the web site on a desktop computer, works fine. Check and recheck the letters on when typing, not getting in on the phone. Changed password on the website, tried new password on website, it works, but not on new mobile. Old mobile is logged in and I did not find a way to logout from it. But just for good measure, I tried the "forgot your password" link, reset again and still website login works, but app login doesn't.
My google-fu fails me. Any ideas what to try next?
Watch is Vantage V in case it matters.
submitted by liberal_alien to Polarfitness [link] [comments]


2023.06.03 03:54 casualfan0 Having trouble with setting up Yubikey 5C

I have a windows 11, and for some reason, I can't disable having a password required to sign into my computer. So I got yubikey thinking it would be my panacea to this because not even microsoft support could help me?? I made a password to sign in and when I tap my key, it just puts in a bunch of random string of letters and says "oh sorry wrong password" so I scoped around and read I have to disable OTP and did that using the yubikey manager. this is really annoying, is it really too much to ask to just not have to sign into my pc everytime I use it??? Like, I read all over the place, "Oh, turn your account into a local account and get yubico login for windows configuration" (which makes a new profile for me btw) or "oh yeah just get microsoft azure and blahblah" like can anyone help me on this subreddit please I'm absolutely raging already. I disabled my pin btw to try to get this to work. idk!!!
submitted by casualfan0 to yubikey [link] [comments]


2023.06.02 11:02 Phpreadymadescript01 Monster Job Portal Clone Script - DOD IT SOLUTIONS

Our Monster Job Portal Clone Script consists of Job Seeker Panel, Employer Panel and more advanced features to start your Online Job portal. A fully customizable Monster Job Portal Clone Script System, with advanced ERP Module features. Monster Job Portal would require a significant amount of development work and a team of experienced software engineers. While I can provide you with a high-level overview of the features and components you might need, it's important to note that implementing DOD IT SOLUTIONS as a fully functional job portal clone is a complex task that involves various modules and considerations. Your customers get a branded Monster Job Portal Clone Website with Hybrid Apps for both iOS & Android.
Here's a general outline of the key components and features you would need to consider:
User Registration and Authentication:
User registration: Allow job seekers and employers to create accounts and provide the necessary information.
User authentication: Implement a secure login system to authenticate users.
Job Posting and Search:
Resume/CV Management:
Application and Communication:
Employer Company Profiles:
Job Alerts and Notifications:
Users can set up job alerts based on their preferences and receive notifications when new relevant job listings are posted.
Advanced Search and Filters:
Implement advanced search functionality with filters to help users refine their job search based on specific criteria.
Social Features:
Payment Integration:
If you plan to monetize the platform, you may need to integrate payment gateways for employers to purchase job listings or access premium features.
Admin Dashboard:
An administrative panel to manage and monitor user accounts, job listings, applications, and other system activities.
Analytics and Reporting:
Implement analytics to track user activity, job listing performance, and generate reports for employers or system administrators.
Security and Privacy:
Ensure data security and privacy by implementing necessary measures such as encryption, secure data storage, and compliance with relevant regulations.
Please note that this is a high-level overview, and there are many more aspects to consider when developing a job portal clone system. The actual implementation will require detailed planning, design, development, testing, and deployment phases. With our Monster Job Portal Clone App, You can completely transform your Job Portal Solutions with a custom-build you need, Customer App and a powerful Admin panel to manage the business. Check our detailed Monster Job Portal Clone Script Proposal for more details.
Contact :
Mobile: +91 8778595579
Landline: +0431 4000616
Email : [email protected] , [email protected]
Link: https://www.doditsolutions.com/monster-job-portal-clone/
submitted by Phpreadymadescript01 to u/Phpreadymadescript01 [link] [comments]


2023.06.02 09:13 petrolhead44 Work experience

I'm working as a full time pharmacist at local pharmacy shop and yesterday I saw a post where people said you need to have pay slips to count work ex now my problem is I don't have any slips the best I can do is joining letter and work ex letter. Now what should I do to overcome this ?
submitted by petrolhead44 to CATpreparation [link] [comments]


2023.06.02 04:45 Acceptable-Name6105 Looking for employment but no luck so far. Truly appreciate any help!

Looking for employment but no luck so far. Truly appreciate any help!
TLDR: I'm having a hard time getting a job at Walgreens despite multiple attempts; in need of help/tips to get me farther in hiring process to at least score an interview.
Hello! I've been applying to Walgreens since mid April or so and I've had no luck being called for at least ab interview. I have 2+ years experience as a pharmacy tech (California license but NO PTCB) and 1+ year of being a shift supervisor (both of my experience comes from having worked at a previous pharmacy retail chain asides from Walgreens). I sent in/attached my license for the pharm tech positions bc they ask for that during the online application process. I'm a 20 almost 21 yr female, and I've been in the workforce since I was 17/18, so hopefully it's not an experience thing.
Does anyone know why I'm getting flat out rejected or any possibilities? Sometimes, it's only a few hours to a few days and I get an email saying "thank you for your consideration, we've decided to move forward with other candidates etc." Am I red flag in their HR system or something by now? Maybe there's a hiring freeze idk about ? :( I've done 2 of those assessments required for being a shift lead where they ask you questions about yourself and you answer on a scale from Strongly Agree to Strongly Disagree. Obviously I didn't choose Strongly Agree for all, that's just sketchy, but I did not put answers that would outright make me a bad candidate for the job. I do enjoy working in a team etc., all that jazz.
I went to several stores in person to express my interest in a position; many managers/pharmacists spoke to me kindy but I never heard back from any. I really need a job since my last company laid off all employees and I have to pay for my expenses and school. I hope it's not a flexibility issue since I can only really close in the pharmacy or front store bc I have school 8am-12pm Mon-Fri. Weekends I'm available whenever.
If someone could guide me as to what I'm doing wrong to be rejected so quick, I'd really appreciate it. I'm running out of options and time as to where and when I need to start work. I'm happy to DM someone my resume to see if it's a resume issue. (I've also submitted cover letters to try to stand out in online applications asides from submitting resume). Thank you to everyone in advance.
https://preview.redd.it/m6bbqf04qi3b1.png?width=2798&format=png&auto=webp&s=479b33080c2d8466f2e97f8a1fe2b3065cdabda6
submitted by Acceptable-Name6105 to WalgreensStores [link] [comments]


2023.06.02 00:25 Wizard_IT Battlenet launcher randomly opened a webpage and said failed to authenticate, wondering if the page it opened is harmful?

As the title, basically I opened by battlenet launcher and upon it attempting to sign in it opened up a web page and just kept spinning. After closing the app and relogging in it seemed to work fine. Just wondering if that is suspicious at all or if I am good, the page does not seem to load and just says something went wrong for edge.
The web address was basically: http:// localhost:0/?ST%3DUS- bunch of number and letters -more numbers &accountId=more numbers &flow_type=login_challenge
submitted by Wizard_IT to antivirus [link] [comments]


2023.06.01 23:59 BoyofCreation HP Pavilion 15-n273sa keyboard only works on the lock screen

I have a HP Pavilion 15-n273sa TouchSmart still running Windows 8.1. I wanted to get it running again and the only problem was the keyboard (randomly holding down a key and misinputting letters) so I ordered a replacement.
Here's where things get weird. The new keyboard only works on the login screen. Once I reach the desktop, I can't type with it at all; almost none of the keys work. Not even the Windows button works.
Weirder still is that only the function keys work when arriving at the desktop (F1-F12). I can change the brightness and volume and I'm even able to turn flight mode on and off.
I've installed Windows updates which didn't help so I did an install refresh (reinstalling the OS without removing personal files) and that still didn't help. I uninstalled the keyboard driver and the function keys still worked after supposedly "uninstalling" the driver.
At this point, I'm stumped and have no idea on how I can fix this
submitted by BoyofCreation to HPLaptops [link] [comments]


2023.06.01 19:52 BuckRowdy A modmail macro you can use in your subreddit

Here is a modmail macro you can use in your subreddit. If you are using toolbox, just create a new mod macro and drop in this text: Note that toolbox placeholders utilize one set of curly braces, whereas automoderator requires double curly braces. {}
Thank you for your message to {subreddit}.
Did you know that on July 1st, 2023, Reddit will enact a new policy that will render all third party mobile apps too expensive to run?
The new policy that governs how an app interacts with and fetches data from reddit to display in app on your phone is changing and in a nutshell it will be too expensive to maintain. Indeed, the developer of Apollo, the most popular app for iOS estimates it will cost upwards of $20 million per year just to continue to run the app as it exists today.
Unless enough pressure is brought to bear on reddit to reconsider the impact this policy will have on users, mods, and developers alike, on July 1st, if you use a third party Reddit app, you will login to find the app simply does not work any longer.
Please read and sign on to the open letter to reddit found here
Thank you.
submitted by BuckRowdy to ModCoord [link] [comments]


2023.06.01 19:46 Learningmore1231 Helping my church

Hey all. Our church is planning to set up multiple news letters at some point. I’d like to help but they are stingy with logins and such. Is there anyway I could create templates or something in a speedster account that they could use?
submitted by Learningmore1231 to MailChimp [link] [comments]


2023.06.01 19:42 BuckRowdy Here's an automod rule you can copy paste into your config page so that you can notify users on each post about this initiative if you so choose.

Go into your automod page here: http://reddit.com/{{YOUR_SUBREDDIT}}/wiki/config/automoderator and drop this rule into place. It will sticky a comment on each new post to the sub.
--- type: submission comment: Thanks for your submission to {{subreddit}}. Did you know that effective July 1st, 2023, Reddit will enact a policy that will make third party reddit apps like Apollo, Reddit is Fun, Boost, and others too expensive to run? On this day, users will login to find that their primary method for interacting with reddit will simply cease to work unless something changes regarding reddit's new API usage policy. Concerned users should read and sign on to this [open letter to reddit.](https://www.reddit.com/ModCoord/comments/13xh1e7/an_open_letter_on_the_state_of_affairs_regarding/) comment_stickied: true --- 
submitted by BuckRowdy to ModCoord [link] [comments]


2023.06.01 13:40 kokesnyc Email headers for non-existent domain leading to phish attempt

One of our clients were responding to an email and assuming they manually typed in the address and forgot a letter. Two hours later some TA registers that domain and is somehow able to start emailing the client including the details of our original user email including signature trying to change banking info. Is this even possible? We have seen a large number of attempts to login to our users 365 account that happened around this time (all failed due to conditional access methods) and have thoroughly checked our users system for any compromisation and don’t see anything.
submitted by kokesnyc to cybersecurity [link] [comments]


2023.06.01 12:41 Maximelene What the fuck Adobe?

What the fuck Adobe? submitted by Maximelene to mildlyinfuriating [link] [comments]


2023.06.01 08:19 Saeigan Director Letter vol.6

https://overlord-game.com/2023060101
It's been half a month, everyone.
This is Fujita, director of MftD.
First of all, I would like to thank all of you for your inquiries and opinions. We will do our best to meet everyone's expectations. Today, I would like to delve a little deeper into the content I introduced last time, and write down the information that I can tell you at the moment.
■Regarding the status of version update support for the game engine (Unity)
Currently, our engineers are working on it, and we are investigating and fixing the problems caused by the version update.
(As for what kind of problems are occurring, there are problems such as in-game VFX not being displayed, and effects not being played, and we are dealing with these one by one.)
We are also investigating the cause of the abnormally heavy operation during the title screen processing, and we are investigating and responding to this in parallel with the update.
It's quite difficult to improve everything all at once, so we've discussed with the development team a plan to deal with this.
■Improvement policy currently under consideration
We have received a lot of feedback regarding the frequency and content of events, and we would like to share this with you.
Currently, until the end of August, we plan to proceed according to the schedule set by the previous management team.
Recently, I think there is a period when you do not feel that something has changed significantly.
I'm hoping that starting in September we can gradually modify what we consider to be our issues, and while we are still considering it, the frequency of reprint events has been quite worrying. If you just reduce the number of reprint events, there will be nothing to play, so we are considering revising the rewards and play methods for content that can be played regularly outside of events, and increasing the frequency of holding new events that are not reprints.
As for other things we are considering, we feel that MftD is set up to be very difficult for newcomers, we are currently working on improvements to make it easier for newcomers to play the game.
I think I'll be able to talk about various things in more detail in the next director letter, so I'll let you know at that time.
■Lastly, it may be sudden, but we plan to add the main story in the middle of this month. We will continue to update the main story on an irregular basis, so please look forward to it. Also, as already announced in the game, we will hold a management transfer commemorative campaign to commemorate the start of management by us.
(I'm sure I'll get a lot of "what's this all about? We would like to say hello to all of you as we start our new operation after replacing the previous one, we hope you will understand it as a commemoration of our continued support for you in the future...!)
You can receive more luxurious rewards than usual login bonuses, so please log in during the campaign to receive them.
That's all for today.
In addition, from now on, we will send out information in a director letter once a month, to keep you up to date on the progress of the project and the policies of the management team.
Thank you for your continued support of "MASS FOR THE DEAD"!
MASS FOR THE DEAD Director Fujita
submitted by Saeigan to MassForTheDead [link] [comments]