- Email: [email protected]
APhA Board Proposes New Missions for APhA and Profession
Cobb Forecasts More Success for APhA fter a year of changes and A tumultuous events in pharmacy, the American Pharmaceutical Association (APhA) has drafted a "road map to the future that will put the Association and its members squarely on track as we approach the 21st century," said outgoing APhA President R. David Cobb. Cobb, who addressed the first session of the APhA House of Delegates on Sunday, March 11, summarized the major events in pharmacy and APhA's leadership role. During the past year, APhA: • Worked to keep pharmacists on top of generic drug issues as the various scandals came to light. APhA established the Bioequivalency Working Group, which released its Guidelines for Pharmacists Who Perform Drug Product Selection in February. APhA also sent a generic drug fact sheet - with information for both pharmacists and patients - to more than 120,000 pharmacists nationwide. • Began its current intensive effort to dismantle Sandoz's restricted distribution of Clozaril (clozapine) a distribution system that unnecessarily violates the traditional pharmacist-patient relationship. • Continued its efforts to work with key congressmen to ensure adequate reimbursement for pharmacists, especially important in light of expected new legislation to replace the repealed Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act. • Continued its ongoing effort to strengthen partnerships with state associations by attending more state annual meetings and providing lobbying support, research, and . legal consultation on state issues. • Continued working with the Health Care Financing Administration to retain average wholesale price as the basis for reimbursement. • Sought to end manufacturer's discriminatory pricing practices. APhA, along with NARD, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, the Pharmacy Freedom Fund, and key legislators, is seeking legislation to address the problem. • Continued working with the Na-
Attendees of the Annual Meeting enjoyed a gala Opening 'Dessert Reception at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History, which features an exhibit of an old apothecary shop.
The APhA Board of Trustees responded to members' questions on the proposed mission statements for pharmacy. Pictured (l to r): Donald R. Gronewold, Dennis A. Smith, Robert E. Davis, and Raymond W. Roberts.
tional Association of Boards of Pharmacy to regulate the practice of mail order pharmacy. • Continueq to seek regulations for physician dispensing by working with the Department of Health and Human Services. "It has been a busy year," said Cobb, "and on balance, it has been a very good year. Our human and financial resources are solid. Our membership is growing, and we have a strong cadre of dedicated and talented APhA and Academy leaders. Pharmacy's credibility on Capitol Hill is at a peak. We are working closely and productively with our national and state organizations. And pharmacy's image in the public eye has never been better. "In my view, pharmacists, this Association, and the profession as a whole are heading for a very bright future."
American Pharmacy, Vol. NS30, No.6 June 1990/339
APhA Board Proposes New Missions for APhA and Profession
B
uilding on its continuing strategic planning process, the American Pharmaceutical Association (APhA) Board of Trustees has proposed two new mission statements - one for the pharmacy profession and one for the Association. The APhA Board is seeking members' reaction to the mission statements, unveiled by APhA President Philip P. Gerbino at the Second General Session of the Annual Meeting. '~PhA knows that this is an era of change, and there is much to be done," said Gerbino. "It is up to this Association to secure for the profession its proper health care role." The Board developed the proposed
35
mission statements after talking to members throughout the country, visiting state pharmacy association meetings, meeting with state pharmacy association executives, and meeting with leaders of APhA's academies. From the comments they received, Gerbino told session attendees, "we have a distillation of information that we think is very important for all of us to discuss." APhA members who attended the Second General Session asked the Board members specific questions about the statements. A questionnaire asking for member input appeared in the May 11 issue of Pharmacy Today. The comment period will be open for several more months to elicit as many responses as possible. The APhA Board will incorporate member suggestions before it formally adopts the final mission statements.
APhA members commented on the proposed statements during the open forum segment of the Second General Session.
Proposed Mission Statement The mission of the American Pharmaceutical Association, the national professional society of pharmacists, is to serve its members, enabling them to advance the practice and science ofpharmacy.
To fulfill the profession's mission, APhA will: • Enhance and support the profession of pharmacy. • Provide vision and leadership in developing the continually evolving mission of pharmacy. • Ensure the integrity of pharmacy through the estaolishment and enforcement of professional standards and ethics. • Provide a national, democratic forum for the development of policy to guide and advance the profession. • Provide activities and services to assist members in achieving practice excellence and professional growth. • Represent the profession in the public, governmental, and interprofessional sectors. • Efficiently and effectively manage the assets and resources of the Association. To accomplish its mission, APhA will have the following primary goals: • The promotion, elevation, and ex-
36
The Proposed Mission of Pharmacy he mission of pharmacy is to serve society as the profession T responsible for the appropriate use of medications, devices, and services to achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes. "Society" encompasses patients, health care providers, health policy decision makers, corporate health benefits managers, the healthy p:ublic, and other individuals and groups to whom health care and medIcation use are important. '~ppropriate" refers to the pharmacist's responsibility to assure that a medication regimen is specifically tailored for the individual patient, based on accepted clinical and pharmacological parameters. Further, the pharmacist should evaluate the regimen to assure maximum safety, cost-effectiveness, and compliance by the patient. "Medications" refers to legend and nonlegend therapeutic agents useful in the diagnosis, treatment, and/or cure of disease. The term is specifically and purposefully used and ~s distinguished from ~he ten;n "drug," which has an extremely negatIve and nontherapeutIc pubhc image. "Devices" refers to the equipment, processes, biotechnological entities, diagnostic agents, or other products that are used to assist in effective management of a medication regimen. "Services" refers to patient, health professional and public education services, screening and monitoring programs, medication regime~ m~n agement, and related activities that contribute to effective medIcatIon use by patients. . . "Optimal therapeutic outcomes" declares the profeSSIon's ultImate contribution to public health. Pharmacy asserts its unique rights and accepts the attendant liabilities - associated with medication uses. Pharmacy recognizes the need to effectively integrate its health care role with the complementary roles of patients and other health care professionals.
American Pharmacy, Vol. NS30, No.6 June 1990/340
pansion of the practice of the individual pharmacist. • The provision of leadership for the profession in the areas of spe-
cialization and credentialing in pharmacy practice. • The provision of leadership for the profession in legislative and reg-
Missions Are Praised by Pharmacy Panel
T
he APhA Board of Trustees invited a "reactor panel" to review the proposed mission statements for the pharmacy profession and for APhA and provide feedback to help the Association in its discussions. The four panelists gave their comments to the APhA Board ofTrustees during the Second General Session of the Annual Meeting.
Robert P. Marshall, executive vice-president of the California Pharmacists Association (CPhA). "I ap1 very encouraged by the Board's activities," said Marshall. "We're definitely on the right track. 1 was encouraged to see that APhA's mission statement [is in line] with what my colleagues in California had come up with." Marshall asked the Board to consider three questions as it finalizes the two statements: How does APhA intend to work together with other national pharmacy associations? What plans does APhA have to work with state pharmacy associations to ensure that this mission is translated into things that pharmacists practice each day? What are the Board's thoughts on the establishment of professional standards and ethics? James T. Doluisio, dean, University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy and an APhA past president. "I am very excited about this statement because it is a working document that the Board will roll out nationally to get true grass-roots feedback," Doluisio said. Doluisio commented that these are "excellent beginnings," but noted that the Board should look at the mission statements ''both collectively as a profession and individually as pharmacists." William A. Zellmer, editor of the American Journal of Hospital Pharmacy and Clinical Pharmacy. '~dd my compliments to APhA for taking the initiative for drafting a mission statement for pharmacy practice," sai<;l Zellmer. He brought up one point that he believes may be "subtle, but nonetheless controversial." Zellmer believes the mission statements equate the pharmacy profession with pharmacy practice, leaving out drug discovery and drug development. "I predict that not everyone will agree with this mission statement, but I would encourage APhA to stick with the existing approach because it could help establish the independence of pharmacists from the pharmaceutical industry, as well as the autonomy of the pharmacist as a professional who delivers a personal health care service that's focused on the patient's best interest." Jim Dickinson, nonpharmacist, writer, and publisher best known for Dickinson's Pharmacy, which appears in many state pharmacy journals. "This set of principles is almost perfect. 1 can't find anything to quarrel about, and 1 commend the Board of Trustees. "I do, however, question the inclusion of 'devices' in the mission statement. Will some view this as a potential 'turf-grab' by pharmacists?"
American Pharmacy, Vol. NS30, No. 6 J une 1990/341
ulatory matters and health policy issues. • The promotion and effective application of science and scientific information and principles in the practice of pharmacy. • The development of progressive payment methodologies for the full range of pharmacy services. • The provision of information, programs, and support systems to assist pharmacists in their ongoing career development, leadership development, and professional growth.
Gans Reports Pharmacists' Six Top Concerns
W
hen John A. Gans took the job of American Pharmaceutical Association (APhA) executive vice-president last June, his top priority was to, in his own words, "get out and meet with pharmacists on their own turf." Gans has spent much of his first six months in office traveling to state association meetings, meeting with pharmacy organization leaders and members, and talking with pharmacy practitioners. Through his travels, he has identified six major areas of concern to pharmacists, which he reported to the APhA House of Delegates: Reduction of professional autonomy. The corporatization of health care and restructuring of the pharmaceutical industry has "created an erosion of practicing pharmacists' ability to determine their own practice activities," Gans said.
APhA Executive Vice-President John A . Gans identifies pharmacists' concerns.
37
Attendees of the Annual Meeting enjoyed a gala Opening 'Dessert Reception at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History, which features an exhibit of an old apothecary shop.
The APhA Board of Trustees responded to members' questions on the proposed mission statements for pharmacy. Pictured (l to r): Donald R. Gronewold, Dennis A. Smith, Robert E. Davis, and Raymond W. Roberts.
tional Association of Boards of Pharmacy to regulate the practice of mail order pharmacy. • Continueq to seek regulations for physician dispensing by working with the Department of Health and Human Services. "It has been a busy year," said Cobb, "and on balance, it has been a very good year. Our human and financial resources are solid. Our membership is growing, and we have a strong cadre of dedicated and talented APhA and Academy leaders. Pharmacy's credibility on Capitol Hill is at a peak. We are working closely and productively with our national and state organizations. And pharmacy's image in the public eye has never been better. "In my view, pharmacists, this Association, and the profession as a whole are heading for a very bright future."
American Pharmacy, Vol. NS30, No.6 June 1990/339
APhA Board Proposes New Missions for APhA and Profession
B
uilding on its continuing strategic planning process, the American Pharmaceutical Association (APhA) Board of Trustees has proposed two new mission statements - one for the pharmacy profession and one for the Association. The APhA Board is seeking members' reaction to the mission statements, unveiled by APhA President Philip P. Gerbino at the Second General Session of the Annual Meeting. '~PhA knows that this is an era of change, and there is much to be done," said Gerbino. "It is up to this Association to secure for the profession its proper health care role." The Board developed the proposed
35
mission statements after talking to members throughout the country, visiting state pharmacy association meetings, meeting with state pharmacy association executives, and meeting with leaders of APhA's academies. From the comments they received, Gerbino told session attendees, "we have a distillation of information that we think is very important for all of us to discuss." APhA members who attended the Second General Session asked the Board members specific questions about the statements. A questionnaire asking for member input appeared in the May 11 issue of Pharmacy Today. The comment period will be open for several more months to elicit as many responses as possible. The APhA Board will incorporate member suggestions before it formally adopts the final mission statements.
APhA members commented on the proposed statements during the open forum segment of the Second General Session.
Proposed Mission Statement The mission of the American Pharmaceutical Association, the national professional society of pharmacists, is to serve its members, enabling them to advance the practice and science ofpharmacy.
To fulfill the profession's mission, APhA will: • Enhance and support the profession of pharmacy. • Provide vision and leadership in developing the continually evolving mission of pharmacy. • Ensure the integrity of pharmacy through the estaolishment and enforcement of professional standards and ethics. • Provide a national, democratic forum for the development of policy to guide and advance the profession. • Provide activities and services to assist members in achieving practice excellence and professional growth. • Represent the profession in the public, governmental, and interprofessional sectors. • Efficiently and effectively manage the assets and resources of the Association. To accomplish its mission, APhA will have the following primary goals: • The promotion, elevation, and ex-
36
The Proposed Mission of Pharmacy he mission of pharmacy is to serve society as the profession T responsible for the appropriate use of medications, devices, and services to achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes. "Society" encompasses patients, health care providers, health policy decision makers, corporate health benefits managers, the healthy p:ublic, and other individuals and groups to whom health care and medIcation use are important. '~ppropriate" refers to the pharmacist's responsibility to assure that a medication regimen is specifically tailored for the individual patient, based on accepted clinical and pharmacological parameters. Further, the pharmacist should evaluate the regimen to assure maximum safety, cost-effectiveness, and compliance by the patient. "Medications" refers to legend and nonlegend therapeutic agents useful in the diagnosis, treatment, and/or cure of disease. The term is specifically and purposefully used and ~s distinguished from ~he ten;n "drug," which has an extremely negatIve and nontherapeutIc pubhc image. "Devices" refers to the equipment, processes, biotechnological entities, diagnostic agents, or other products that are used to assist in effective management of a medication regimen. "Services" refers to patient, health professional and public education services, screening and monitoring programs, medication regime~ m~n agement, and related activities that contribute to effective medIcatIon use by patients. . . "Optimal therapeutic outcomes" declares the profeSSIon's ultImate contribution to public health. Pharmacy asserts its unique rights and accepts the attendant liabilities - associated with medication uses. Pharmacy recognizes the need to effectively integrate its health care role with the complementary roles of patients and other health care professionals.
American Pharmacy, Vol. NS30, No.6 June 1990/340
pansion of the practice of the individual pharmacist. • The provision of leadership for the profession in the areas of spe-
cialization and credentialing in pharmacy practice. • The provision of leadership for the profession in legislative and reg-
Missions Are Praised by Pharmacy Panel
T
he APhA Board of Trustees invited a "reactor panel" to review the proposed mission statements for the pharmacy profession and for APhA and provide feedback to help the Association in its discussions. The four panelists gave their comments to the APhA Board ofTrustees during the Second General Session of the Annual Meeting.
Robert P. Marshall, executive vice-president of the California Pharmacists Association (CPhA). "I ap1 very encouraged by the Board's activities," said Marshall. "We're definitely on the right track. 1 was encouraged to see that APhA's mission statement [is in line] with what my colleagues in California had come up with." Marshall asked the Board to consider three questions as it finalizes the two statements: How does APhA intend to work together with other national pharmacy associations? What plans does APhA have to work with state pharmacy associations to ensure that this mission is translated into things that pharmacists practice each day? What are the Board's thoughts on the establishment of professional standards and ethics? James T. Doluisio, dean, University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy and an APhA past president. "I am very excited about this statement because it is a working document that the Board will roll out nationally to get true grass-roots feedback," Doluisio said. Doluisio commented that these are "excellent beginnings," but noted that the Board should look at the mission statements ''both collectively as a profession and individually as pharmacists." William A. Zellmer, editor of the American Journal of Hospital Pharmacy and Clinical Pharmacy. '~dd my compliments to APhA for taking the initiative for drafting a mission statement for pharmacy practice," sai<;l Zellmer. He brought up one point that he believes may be "subtle, but nonetheless controversial." Zellmer believes the mission statements equate the pharmacy profession with pharmacy practice, leaving out drug discovery and drug development. "I predict that not everyone will agree with this mission statement, but I would encourage APhA to stick with the existing approach because it could help establish the independence of pharmacists from the pharmaceutical industry, as well as the autonomy of the pharmacist as a professional who delivers a personal health care service that's focused on the patient's best interest." Jim Dickinson, nonpharmacist, writer, and publisher best known for Dickinson's Pharmacy, which appears in many state pharmacy journals. "This set of principles is almost perfect. 1 can't find anything to quarrel about, and 1 commend the Board of Trustees. "I do, however, question the inclusion of 'devices' in the mission statement. Will some view this as a potential 'turf-grab' by pharmacists?"
American Pharmacy, Vol. NS30, No. 6 J une 1990/341
ulatory matters and health policy issues. • The promotion and effective application of science and scientific information and principles in the practice of pharmacy. • The development of progressive payment methodologies for the full range of pharmacy services. • The provision of information, programs, and support systems to assist pharmacists in their ongoing career development, leadership development, and professional growth.
Gans Reports Pharmacists' Six Top Concerns
W
hen John A. Gans took the job of American Pharmaceutical Association (APhA) executive vice-president last June, his top priority was to, in his own words, "get out and meet with pharmacists on their own turf." Gans has spent much of his first six months in office traveling to state association meetings, meeting with pharmacy organization leaders and members, and talking with pharmacy practitioners. Through his travels, he has identified six major areas of concern to pharmacists, which he reported to the APhA House of Delegates: Reduction of professional autonomy. The corporatization of health care and restructuring of the pharmaceutical industry has "created an erosion of practicing pharmacists' ability to determine their own practice activities," Gans said.
APhA Executive Vice-President John A . Gans identifies pharmacists' concerns.
37