You have been front and center during the pandemic, providing vaccines, tests, treatments, and continuity of care. You are providing care in pockets of the country where patients would otherwise be without health care, and you are helping address health equity in the U.S. You and our profession are shining.
APhA will continue to be the place for you to turn to for resources, information, and education. We will continue to be a platform for you to connect with peers and leaders in the industry, and we will continue to advocate for you at both the state and national levels in order to drive change and move the profession forward.
APhA’s work continues to be guided by the strategic priorities that the APhA Board of Trustees established. These priorities guide our efforts to lead the profession, equip you for your role as medication experts, and advance opportunities for pharmacists and pharmacy. Our priorities include
- Strengthening authorities that enable pharmacists to provide patient care services and get paid for providing this care, both at the state and federal levels. We’ve demonstrated our value and ability to provide care in all corners of the country; it’s time to be recognized as such and appropriately paid.
- Reforming the payment system for pharmacies and bringing fairness, transparency, and accountability into the system, with a focus on PBM reform. No more pharmacy doors should close because of PBMs’ schemes and manipulation of loopholes.
- Providing tools, resources, and advocacy to drive change for pharmacists personally and across the profession. Patient safety is at risk, and pharmacists cannot provide appropriate patient care if they are overstretched and overworked.
There are many more issues that we work on that impact you, ranging from compounding, opioid use disorder, digital health, supply-chain integrity and drug shortages, prior authorization, support for APhA’s special interest groups, and more.
I have been a member of APhA since I was a student pharmacist, and I am both honored and excited to continue my journey with APhA as the interim CEO and executive vice president. APhA’s success would not be possible without all of you. I look forward to the opportunity to work with, learn from, and advocate for you in my new role.