Nearly everyone can agree that doing business in Washington, DC, as a professional association is radically different than what we’ve experienced in the past two decades.

Michael D. Hogue, PharmD, FAPhA, FNAP, FFIP, Executive vice president and CEO of APhA

When I was in pharmacy school, I enrolled in stand-alone coursework and a clinical rotation in drug information. Domingo Martinez was in his final year of teaching at Samford University, and a new professor, Mike Kendrach, had started.

Michael D. Hogue, PharmD, FAPhA, FNAP, FFIP, Executive vice president and CEO of APhA

Over the past several months, independent pharmacy owners have occasionally let me know their wholesaler has discontinued business with them because of controlled substance thresholds or other reasons related to controlled substance dispensing.

Michael D. Hogue, PharmD, FAPhA, FNAP, FFIP, Executive vice president and CEO of APhA

I’m just old enough to remember when independent pharmacies had the ability to order branded and generic pharmaceuticals directly from the manufacturer.

Michael D. Hogue, PharmD, FAPhA, FNAP, FFIP, Executive vice president and CEO of APhA

Recently one of my board members at APhA made the point that we must stand for principles, and I agree.

Michael D. Hogue, PharmD, FAPhA, FNAP, FFIP, Executive vice president and CEO of APhA