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Pharmacy Advocacy in the United States

Definition: Pharmacy advocacy is the promotion of pharmacy and pharmacists as experts on medication and medical device management while striving to portray the profession in a positive and professional light through ensuring exceptional patient care and education.

Organizations/Resources/Legislation: The American Pharmaceutical Association (APhA) advocates for pharmacists’ clinical responsibilities and activities in the healthcare system through Consumer Medication Information (CMI), medication guides, and Medication Therapy Management (MTM) services. Detailed information is available through the Government Affairs section of the APhA website. The American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) promotes pharmacy’s vital position on healthcare reform and the Affordable Care Act by promoting “a healthier America through safe and more appropriate use of medications by utilizing clinical pharmacists’ services.” ACCP emphasizes that all advocacy activities are patient-centered and seek to demonstrate the value of clinical pharmacist involvement in direct patient care and medication use processes. Additionally, ACCP is committed to efforts that improve our nation’s health care system, including the further development of team-based delivery systems that utilize the skills of qualified health professionals to achieve the highest quality of patient care. Further information is available at www.accp.com under Government and Professional Affairs, Advocacy Resources.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) advocates for members of healthcare, as well as the community, to recognize the extensive clinical knowledge that pharmacists possess. The society reaches out to legislators to ensure that patients benefit from the full expertise of a pharmacist. The society advocates for payment for patient care services, improving patient safety and quality of care, expansion of residency training programs, standardized technician training and pharmacist credentialing. Additional information is available at www.ashp.org, under Advocacy.

The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) ensures that pharmacy educators are equipped to successfully teach the next generation of pharmacists through innovative work in the classroom, clinical research and public service. AACP promotes the position of pharmacists in healthcare reform, including the Affordable Care Act and Script Your Future. Additional information can be found at www.aacp.org, under Policy and Advocacy.

Surgeon General Report: The U.S. Surgeon General endorses pharmacist-provided care in the 2011 report entitled “Improving Patient and Health System Outcomes through Advanced Pharmacy Practice.” The report provides evidence for the value of clinical services provided by a pharmacist. It examines how pharmacists are currently incorporated into the primary care system as well as presents limitations regarding current payment models. The report advocates for pharmacist provider status through legislative change.

For in-depth information on the article, readers are referred to the following link: http://www.usphs.gov/corpslinks/pharmacy/comms/sgreport2011.asp or http://www.usphs.gov/corpslinks/pharmacy/comms/pdf/2011advancedpharmacypracticereporttotheussg.pdf

Conclusion: Pharmacy advocacy efforts are imperative to demonstrate the value and role of pharmacists in a multidisciplinary workforce. Independent and cooperative advocacy initiatives among pharmacy organizations are especially important as we work toward improvements in the delivery of U.S. health care.