From the Desk of the CEO

All around us, the pharmacy landscape is changing rapidly. Rite-Aid is working through bankruptcy. Walgreens just announced closure of up to 25% of its stores. Winn-Dixie pharmacies are gone. The National Community Pharmacists Association indicates in verbal communications that one independent pharmacy and three community pharmacies are closing every single day in 2024. Much has been said and written about the impact of PBMs on these closures, but I want to speak to another culprit impacting decisions to close pharmacies: retail theft.

Early in my career, when I was practicing in Alabama there was a bill before the state legislature related to pharmacy technicians. The state pharmacy association strongly supported the bill, yet one of the big hospitals in the state opposed the bill. I can distinctly remember visiting a legislator’s office to ask for support for the bill and the senator said, “Michael, why do you expect me to support something you can’t even get your profession to agree on?” It was a humbling moment.

One year ago, I had the honor of becoming APhA’s 15^th CEO and Executive Vice President. It’s been a tremendous year with challenges I did not anticipate and joys I never could have predicted.

As I write this week’s blog, I’m preparing for commencement addresses at two schools of pharmacy: Auburn University’s Harrison School of Pharmacy, and Howard University School of Pharmacy. Walking around college campuses this time of year reminds me of the hope of the future, and as I strolled around the Loveliest Village on the Plains it hit me that there is a stark contrast between this week and next month for these graduates.

As I write, I’m in awe of the sun as it rises over the U.S. Capitol building. APhA headquarters is a great location to watch both sunrises and sunsets, and today’s sunrise is particularly gorgeous with gentle wind-swept cloud wisps combing the sky over the Washington Monument. I’m reminded that today is a new day with a new start, and an opportunity to do good in the world. It’s a chance to work hard to make a difference in people’s lives and to tell the story of our profession to folks who have the power to make change happen.