The APhA-ASP Policy Process is one the most important activities of the Academy. APhA-ASP policy covers a wide variety of pharmacy issues and reflects many issues which students believe to be important to the profession. The policy process gives members the opportunity to voice their ideas and opinions to influence the goals and objectives of the Academy. Every APhA-ASP member is strongly encouraged to participate in the policy process on some level.

APhA policies begin as ideas brought forth to their chapter by individual members. After much discussion on the chapter, regional and national levels, the most prominent ideas are brought to the APhA-ASP House of Delegates during the APhA Annual Meeting each spring. Once passed by the House, those ideas become resolutions representing the collective voice of student pharmacists. Those resolutions are then addressed by the APhA-ASP Policy Standing Committee for further action.

APhA-ASP Policy Process - General Links

› APhA-ASP Capsule: The Policy Process in Detail

› APhA-ASP House of Delegates Rules of Procedure 

› APhA-ASP Policy Process Presentation: (Use to Educate Chapter Members) Please note this is a very large file and takes several minutes to download.

APhA-ASP House of Delegates Resources

› APhA-ASP Adopted Resolutions: 1973-2008

› APhA-ASP Mock House of Delegates Script

› Guidelines on Parliamentary Procedure

APhA2009 APhA-ASP House of Delegates Session Documents


› Report of the 2009 APhA-ASP House of Delegates

› 2009 APhA-ASP Resolutions Committee Report

› 2008 APhA-ASP Reference Committee Report

› 2008 APhA-ASP New Business Review Committee Report

› MRM 2009 Policy Proposal Form...Coming in September

Law and policy dramatically shape the practice of pharmacy. It is imperative that student pharmacists advocate for our profession to ensure our patients receive our services and the public recognizes our value. Advocacy can be as simple as voting or conducting a letter-writing campaign, planning a health fair at your state capital or meeting legislators face-to-face and can make a profound impact in the profession.

Increasing participation in grassroots advocacy can be challenging. Appoint a SPAN Liaison to educate your chapter on the legislative process and how to contact and effectively communicate with legislators. Keeping chapter members up-to-date on current issues can generate interest in advocacy and empower students to get involved. Informed and effective communication is a powerful tool we can develop as student pharmacists to become successful advocates for the profession. Our unique position as student pharmacists allows us to bring energy and enthusiasm to the grassroots advocacy movement for our profession. Get involved and help shape our professional future!

› APhA Legislative Action Center: Information about your legislators and current issues

› APhA-ASP SPAN Liaison Contact Information Form

› APhA-ASP Advocacy Powerpoint Presentation

› Participation in the Election Process

› APhA-ASP OneVote campaign

› Communicating with Legislators

› Planning a Chapter Legislative Information Day for your Chapter

› Planning a Pharmacy Legislative Day at your State Capitol

› Health Fair Provides Forum for UAMS' Advocacy (May/June 2005)

› Medicare Resources

› FAQs and Resources for Lower Cost Medications