Nancy Yousry is a third-year PharmD candidate at the St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
On the weekend of October 28, I had the opportunity to represent the St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences as chapter delegate and chapter policy vice president at the Region 1 Midyear Regional Meeting (MRM). I presented on the importance of medical intervention focusing on polypharmacy in the older and geriatric population through state and community support. It was a humbling experience, and one which has taught me more about myself and my profession.
While the 5-hour commute from Port Authority, NY, to Bristol, CT, was quite long, rainy, and eventful, I tried to think of this as part of the weekend’s theme of the importance of valuing exploration and expansion of horizons, of taking the chance to explore different perspectives and specialties within my profession.
Undeterred by opposition
I began discussion of my resolution during the APhA–ASP Policy Proposal Forum by providing a definition of polypharmacy, which some have incorrectly defined as the practice of visiting multiple pharmacies rather than the practice of prescribing multiple medications. This shed light on how little polypharmacy is discussed.
Upon presenting my idea during the forum, the reaction was unexpected. A lot of attendees from multiple schools questioned and commented on my proposal, ultimately rejecting it with full force due to the lack of familiarity and disagreement in feasibility. However, this did not stop me, and it has rather inspired me to keep thinking outside the box and to never stop finding unconventional solutions to real world problems.
Seed planted
The lack of support for my proposal sparked a different side of me—a side that is willing to accept not being accepted and have an unpopular idea get rejected. As Albert Einstein may have once said, “If at first the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it.”
As stated in my initial proposal, meaningful intervention is required to reduce the risks of falls and complications, which are linked to polypharmacy. As competent health care professionals who are socially and clinically aware of the potential deteriorating implications that affect a growing population of people in the United States, pharmacists are a critical component of patient care delivery that is personalized and efficient with maximized therapeutic benefit and minimized harm.
I hope my experience at the MRM has planted a seed in others to continue fighting for what they believe is right, and to never give up on their vision, even if it means being the only one standing in the room.