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APhA-ASP Chapter Legislative Information Day
Students should be aware of legislation that exist or are under
consideration at the local and national level. Important legislation is
often complicated and their final impact can be difficult to determine.
To help chapter members better understand action taken concerning their
profession it may be beneficial to hold an APhA-ASP Chapter Legislative
Information Day on campus.
This day’s events can address issues confronting the profession
and provide students with the tools to influence their future. Start and
end the day with voter registration. Have the chapter SPIN Coordinator
give a presentation on current proposed laws, the status of federal and
state legislation and regulations that are subject to change. The SPIN
Coordinator can talk further about laws or rules that need modification
to allow pharmacists to practice to full extent of their abilities and
training. Review current elected officials’ actions, statements,
and voting habits on bill concerning pharmacy-related issues.
The APhA-ASP Chapter Legislative Information Day provides an
excellent opportunity to invite a legislator, state or local official,
or others working with pharmacy-related issues to campus to speak to
chapter members regarding pending legislation. In addition, a local
practicing pharmacist could come and talk about how current laws and
proposed changes can and will affect their practice.
Sample Letter >>
APhA “Call To Action”
If there is an issue pending that would strongly affect the
practice of pharmacy, there should be an official “Call To
Action” sent by APhA headquarters. If there is an APhA “Call
To Action” during the academic year, try to schedule your
chapter’s APhA-ASP Chapter Legislative Information Day to share
the specific information with chapter members and provide the tools to
influence a favorable solution.
Initiate a letter-writing or phone campaign that day and provide the
students with specific talking points including the bill or rule number,
how it affects pharmacists and why it would be detrimental or beneficial
to the profession and our patients. Provide the students with the proper
addresses and phone numbers to use, the appropriate time to call and the
date that the comments need to be made by. It is important not to
provide a script, but to allow individuals with the same concerns to
voice them in their own words.
Following is a sample agenda for a chapter meeting on APhA-ASP
Chapter Legislative Information Day:
APhA-ASP Chapter Legislative
Information Day
Idaho State
University College of
Pharmacy
Wednesday, October 1 st - 11:30am
– 2:00pm
Room 2284
11:30 a.m. Briefing session for APhA-ASP members regarding meeting
agenda
12:00 p.m. Welcoming Reception and Introduction of Special Guests
12:45 p.m. Presentation of Issues and Discussion of Legislation John
Doe, PharmD President, Idaho State Pharmacy Association
1:15 p.m. Guest Speaker - Assemblywoman Jane Smith
1:45 p.m. Question and Answer Session
2:00 p.m. “APhA Call To Action” – Chapter
Letter-Writing Campaign
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