Association Perspective
Scott J. Knoer, MS, PharmD, FASHP, APhA EVP and CEO
Statements condemning systemic, institutionalized racism against Black Americans are important, but they are only a first step to creating a better world. In June, APhA, the National Pharmaceutical Association, and 12 other pharmacy organizations created a joint statement opposing racial injustice. Read the statement at https://apha.us/AgainstRacism. APhA sees this as the beginning of our work to right centuries of wrong, not the end.
While APhA and the other signatories explicitly denounce law enforcement violence and misconduct, we have a powerful platform right where we stand—in our pharmacies.
The joint statement refers to the oath we all took as pharmacists, “I will consider the welfare of humanity and relief of suffering my primary concerns.” We’re seeing a glaring example of suffering in COVID-19’s disproportionate impact on communities of color. We cannot ignore the connection between historic oppression and poorer health outcomes, and these are far from limited to COVID-19. Dismal disparities in maternal and infant health and chronic conditions like hypertension and heart disease are a disgrace to our nation. These disparities persist even when controlling for socioeconomic status. Something more sinister is at play, and pharmacists and pharmacy staff must be a part of disrupting that cycle.
The APhA Board of Trustees set in motion an action plan to influence personal, professional, and societal change. First, the Board approved the formation of a task force to guide APhA and the profession on policy, communications, and activities geared at dismantling racial injustice. LCDR Andrew Gentles, PharmD, BCPS, AQ-ID, will chair this important group. APhA will also host forums, including town halls, for members to share their thoughts on fighting racism. We hope you will participate.
As APhA and our 13 sister organizations vowed in our joint statement, we will work together to provide opportunities to address health care disparities and strengthen affected communities. APhA will build educational resources for pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians to tackle health care challenges for marginalized communities. The dialogue between pharmacy organizations, pharmacy stakeholders, and pharmacy practitioners will continue, with an eye toward identifying and implementing strategies to improve health outcomes for historically underserved Americans.
We must capitalize on the momentum of this time in history and keep fighting until medical disparities and racism in health care are eliminated. I look forward to working with all of you on these vital efforts.