Catalyst: Advocacy Day at the NC General Assembly
Faculty, students, and staff meet with state leaders to discuss the challenges facing the profession of pharmacy
Story by Jon Easter | Published June 18, 2024
As North Carolina’s only public pharmacy school, we are committed to impacting the health and economics of our state. An important part of this strategy involves the School working to convene, educate, and advocate for the role pharmacists play in addressing health challenges across the state.
Under the leadership of Jon Easter, Vice Chair of Practice Advancement, the School is helping educate legislators at both the state and federal levels. In our Catalyst series, Carolina Pharmacy has asked Jon to share updates on key policy and practice advancement issues. This installment highlights the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy’s recent trip to Raleigh for an Advocacy Day at the NC General Assembly.
On Wednesday, May 29th a determined group of faculty, students, and staff ventured down to the NC General Assembly (NCGA) legislative building to advocate for our profession. The day was originally scheduled as the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists (NCAP) legislative day, but it was postponed the day before the event due to Speaker Tim Moore’s father’s funeral, which understandably shut down activities in the House that day.
Our UNC pharmily group of 35 pivoted and quickly partnered with NCAP lobbyists to organize meetings with influential members, Senator Jim Burgin and Benton Sawrey. After very lively discussions with the members on key issues impacting pharmacy, the group received a tour of the house and senate chambers. The day concluded with a luncheon at a downtown Raleigh restaurant, which was sponsored by Walgreens.
The luncheon keynote, Representative Wayne Sasser, educated the group on the workings of the NC General Assembly, while joining other speakers, Penny Shelton, NCAP Executive Director, Josh McDuffie of Walgreens, and Ouita Gatton, Eshelman School of Pharmacy Professor of the Practice and NCAP Board Chair. The common theme expressed to our students and faculty was the importance of getting involved and working together so we can collectively make a positive change for patients and our profession. The pharmily left on the bus ride back to Chapel Hill both inspired and excited about moving our profession forward.
One student participant was Chandler Keith, a rising 4th year PharmD candidate from Walkertown, NC. Chandler’s dad has run their family community pharmacy for years and Chandler plans to go to work with his dad upon graduation. Chandler shared his perspective on advocacy:
The adage that the only constant in life is change holds true to the practice of pharmacy. Pharmacists over the past decade have seen expanded scope of practice and, between our work with the COVID pandemic to prescribing hormonal contraceptives, the position of a pharmacist has been elevated. Faculty and students spent May 29th educating Senators from the NCGA about contemporary issues affecting the practice of pharmacy. One of the main topics discussed was PBM reform. PBM’s lack of adequate reimbursement to pharmacies has caused many closures and this is a hot button issue. Nearly 2,200 independent pharmacies closed between December 2017-2020 and 39 NC independent pharmacies have closed in the past five years. Students educated Senators Burgin and Sawrey about this unfortunate reality and asked for their support with PBM reform which would improve access for patients and payment to independent pharmacies.
As a student it was rewarding to be able to share these concerns but also bring an awareness of the integral role that independent pharmacies play in communities. Growing up, it was always fascinating to watch as my dad would learn the stories of people in the community and function as both a medical expert and friend. Though the barriers with PBMs remain, I’m excited to continue the work he has done in Walkertown. From my first job of picking up cigarette butts at 8 years old to counseling patients on the dangers of smoking, this journey has been one that will soon come full circle. I look forward to advocating for justice in the profession and I’m excited to see where else community pharmacy will take me. I would ask for you to join me in advocating for our profession by writing your state legislator. The link to find your Senator or House member can be found at https://ncleg.gov/FindYourLegislators.
To summarize the day spent in Raleigh, we think about the ‘why’ behind investing our time and energy to advocate for our profession. The first is to educate our students about the long-term benefits of advocating for our profession, while collaborating with our state pharmacy association as a united front. Advocating is both a team sport and a marathon. We must be aligned on our priorities, amplify our voice with many pharmacists, and persist over time as legislative change is never a quick process. The second ‘why’ is around consistently messaging policymakers in order to positively influence the direction of pharmacy practice in NC. Your voice matters! Messaging can take the form of writing letters, hosting local legislators to your pharmacy, or visiting them in Raleigh at the General Assembly. The final ‘why’ has to do with potential impact as we work together to expand access to care and enhance patient outcomes through new models of reimbursable patient care services.
Other stories from the Catalyst series:
Catalyst: CPP Expansion
Catalyst: Community Pharmacy at a Crossroads