{"id":397,"date":"2021-03-10T12:39:33","date_gmt":"2021-03-10T17:39:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cedarville.edu\/disruptive-healthcare\/?p=397"},"modified":"2021-07-09T10:49:55","modified_gmt":"2021-07-09T14:49:55","slug":"advocacy-for-the-pharmacy-profession","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cedarville.edu\/disruptive-healthcare\/advocacy-for-the-pharmacy-profession\/","title":{"rendered":"Advocacy for the Pharmacy Profession"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Matt Merical<\/p>\n

The Cedarville School of Pharmacy\u00a0 spends much of the month of February highlighting the importance of legislation and advocacy to the profession of pharmacy. Each year we promote the Ohio Pharmacists Association\u2019s Student Legislative Day as a \u201cbook end\u201d of sorts to foster conversations between students and local legislators in the state of Ohio. During the rest of the month, our student organizations produce events individually or in partnership that highlight the importance of the legislative process or showcase a business or individual\u2019s process for advocacy.<\/p>\n

Defining Pharmacy Advocacy<\/h3>\n

The American Pharmacists Association<\/a> defines pharmacy advocacy as \u201c… taking meaningful, specific action to make sure members of the government and those around them are educated about pharmacy issues and our concerns and priorities as pharmacists.\u201d As a student, having the opportunity to speak with pharmacists about the future of pharmacy has been eye-opening, an effect I try to pass on to others in classes behind me. Conversations with classmates sometimes can end with the common objections: \u201cWhy does this matter?\u201d or \u201cWhat sort of difference will this really make?\u201d And yet, patient conversation and utilization of important motivational interviewing skills when talking with classmates and peers has directed some of those same individuals to develop an appreciation for the importance of advocacy.<\/p>\n

Developing an Urgency for Advocacy Among Pharmacy Students<\/h3>\n
Student engagement springboards excitement about the pharmacy profession in Ohio as they … get hands-on experience with the legislative process and can meet those who are actively working in this space.<\/div>One tangible way of helping students see the importance of advocacy is an annual collaborative event we hold known as \u201cBill’s, Bill’s, Bill’s,\u201d a game-show version of the legislative process (named after a famed Dayton donut shop). At events like this we offer students a risk-free, casual opportunity to get a hands-on refresher of the \u201cI\u2019m Just a Bill\u201d process, meet with local legislators, and hear from Ohio Pharmacists Association staff regarding important legislative changes impacting pharmacists. I have had the privilege of attending this event for three years now, two years as a co-host. Student engagement springboards excitement about the pharmacy profession in Ohio as they, often for the first time, get hands-on experience with the legislative process and can meet those who are actively working in this space.<\/p>\n

I remember hearing something important during my orientation week as a first-year graduate student: paraphrased, our professor said \u201cyou will make pharmacy whatever you want it to be, but only so long as you take that opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n

I think this still holds true for all of us.<\/p>\n

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For a more in-depth discussion of pharmacy advocacy, listen to our two recent podcast episodes of DISRxUPT, a podcast from the Cedarville University Center for Pharmacy Innovation<\/a>. In these episodes we interview Dr. Melody Hartzler, Dr. Thad Franz, and Dr. Andrea Kowalski about how they serve as advocates for the profession and see more changes on the horizon for pharmacy practice.<\/p>\n