Ruth A. Smarinsky, PharmD

Ruth Arnold Smarinsky, PharmD, is Senior Advisor for Direct Relief, an international humanitarian organization that provides donations of medicines and other health resources to vulnerable people in more than 100 countries. Prior to becoming Senior Advisor, she served as Director of Pharmacy and Clinical Affairs for the organization. Ruth has actively been involved with growing the Direct Relief’s programs to increase access to medication at community clinics and health centers throughout the U.S., both on an ongoing basis and during times of disaster. She has developed a number of innovative programs, including a bulk patient assistance program, hurricane preparedness kits, and national distribution of naloxone. Direct Relief has since grown to be the largest charitable organization for the distribution of prescription drugs in the United States. In 2022, Direct Relief donated more than $61 million in funding and $1.9 billion (wholesale acquisition cost) of specifically requested products to 93 countries, all 50 U.S. states and 3 U.S. territories. Prior to working at Direct Relief, Ruth was Director of Pharmacy for Venice Family Clinic, the largest free clinic in the U.S., and set up its pharmacy services including clinical pharmacy programs. Much of her career has been devoted to providing access to quality pharmaceutical care for underserved patients. She has served as volunteer faculty for the University of California, San Francisco School of Pharmacy (her alma mater), Western University School of Pharmacy, and USC School of Pharmacy. She completed her residency training at University of California, Irvine in Ambulatory Care and Hospital Pharmacy Administration.