Faculty and Students Honored as “Community Pharmacy Great Communicators”

National Association of Chain Drug Stores honors School of Pharmacy faculty and staff for their advocacy efforts

By Jeff Raymond
March 7, 2008

A trip to Annapolis to speak on issues relating to their school and their profession earned the students and faculty of the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy an honor as “Community Pharmacy Great Communicators” from the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS).

NACDS created the “Community Pharmacy Great Communicator” program last year to recognize leaders who speak out in order to improve or advance pharmacy. It is awarded on a case-by-case basis as NACDS officers deem appropriate. This is the fifth time the award has been granted, but the first time it has been granted to a group, rather than one individual.

On February 14th, about 200 School of Pharmacy students and faculty members descended upon the Maryland state capitol, in large part to convince legislators to approve funding for the long-sought Pharmacy Hall addition. The School sends a delegation to Annapolis during each legislative session to speak with lawmakers about issues relating to pharmacy, but this year’s turnout was regarded as the largest in memory.

In a letter announcing the honor, NACDS President and Chief Executive Officer Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE, said, “In congratulating you today, I also make a plea: ensure that your recent actions indicate a career-long commitment to advocacy. You know you will make a difference in the lives of patients. I hope you also know you can make a difference in the decisions of government officials. Shaping these decisions is essential, because public policy can devastate a profession and a business, or foster their ability to improve peoples’ lives. Advocacy is not an interruption of a pharmacist’s primary duties, but rather makes them possible.

“It is through your efforts that pharmacies will be known as the face of neighborhood healthcare, and that their policy priorities will receive attention and action.”