September/October SPARCStudent Political Action Resources

and Communications

• Writing an Effective Resolution• Provider Status• American Pharmacists Month• Dive into the Policy Process• Policy Vice President Toolkit

• Update on 2013 Resolutions• Chapter Spotlight

In This Issue…

• What do you wish was different about the practice of pharmacy?

• Drafting a proposed resolution for the APhA-ASP House of Delegates is one of the most powerful ways you can make your voice as a student pharmacist heard!

• Brainstorm potential ideas with your chapter and select the best topic.

Writing the Best Resolutions

• Chapters submit their proposed resolutions and discuss during the regional Webinar.

• Chapters revise their resolution and then receive final list of proposed resolutions from each chapter in their region (sent at least one week prior to the MRM).

• Be prepared for some great discussion at MRM!• If passed at MRM, your resolution will be submitted to the APhA-ASP

Resolutions Committee for discussion.• If your resolution is accepted, it will be placed on the agenda for the

APhA-ASP House of Delegates where your peers will have the opportunity to discuss and vote on your idea!

• Make your voice heard and make a positive impact on the future of pharmacy, draft a resolution today!

Writing the Best Resolutions

• Ensure resolution is: – Actionable– Addresses national concerns in pharmacy– Timely and not covered in previous policy

• Do your research!• Be creative!• Don’t get stuck on the wording…

Tips for Writing Resolutions

What is provider status?– Pharmacists and pharmacists’ patient care services are not

included in key sections of the Social Security Act (SSA), which determines eligibility for health care programs such as Medicare Part B.

What are the barriers to Provider Status?– Because of immense financial pressures being experienced in

all three sectors, decision makers are focusing on initiatives that save money, referred to as “savers,” rather than those that require new spending, referred to as “costers.”

Provider Status Update

What can we, as student pharmacists, do?• There are 3 major activities that that you and your

chapter can take part in. – Participate in an Academy-wide Facebook campaign promoting

provider status.– Attend several webinars throughout the year related to provider

status.– Compete in the APhA-ASP Policy Postcard Challenge that will be

addressed to legislators and written from the perspective of patients explaining the value of student pharmacists and the healthcare services student pharmacists and pharmacists can provide.

Provider Status Update

• October is American Pharmacists Month (APhM), and it is an excellent opportunity to put your skills to work by advocating for the profession of pharmacy.

• With the theme of “Know Your PHARMACIST, Know Your MEDICINE,” APhM presents an opportunity to plan numerous activities that integrate policy and advocacy into the month-long celebration of the profession.

October is American Pharmacists Month

• Organize a health screening at your state capitol.

• Invite elected officials to visit a local pharmacy.

• Invite elected officials to visit your school of pharmacy.

• Write and opinion editorial for your school or local newspaper.

• Pass out advocacy flyers at sporting events.

• Include advocacy pamphlets in patient medication bags .

• Hang APhM Logo in local pharmacy windows.

• Utilize social media. • Create a PhamFlix video. • Public proclamation of

October as American Pharmacists Month.

Suggested Ideas for American Pharmacists Month