Summer steps

Abstract

August is approaching, and it’s an election year. That can only mean one thing: Your Members of Congress will be back home most of the time between now and November 4. The road to provider status for pharmacists will be a long one and could take many paths. One place the road is sure to go, though, is through your state, your congressional district, and even your pharmacy. When your senators and representative are home, they will sponsor town hall meetings and other open forums where you can make pharmacy’s voice heard. They are also available for the ultimate one on one: a visit to your pharmacy where they can see firsthand the needs of patients and ways in which you could help more if pharmacists and their services were recognized. As shown in the graphic on page 13 of this issue, supporting APhA’s Pharmacists Provide Care campaign is as simple as 1-2-3: Show your support by joining the campaign at PharmacistsProvideCare.com. Demand recognition and take action. And tell your friends. You can complete step 1 today, and step 2 begins by engaging your Members of Congress. The coming dog days of August and the weeks of campaigning leading up to the elections are your perfect opportunities to take your personal involvement to the next level. Help spread the excitement in Step 3 by encouraging your friends, fellow pharmacists, other health provider colleagues, and patients to get behind this initiative, which will help to improve care by increasing access to pharmacists’ patient care services. It’s a win-win-win proposition. It’s good for patients. It’s good for the health care system. It’s good for our profession—and for you as an individual pharmacist! Enjoy your July Today!