Well, it's not really a secret, but there's lots our patients don't know about pharmacy. And it's our job to educate them, beginning with the knowledge of all that pharmacists do to help them manage their medications.

This October, I am counting on APhA’s thousands of members to mobilize and celebrate our great profession during American Pharmacists Month (APhM). Let’s use the celebration as the perfect opportunity to educate our patients and our communities about what we do, and let’s motivate and inspire our colleagues.

Now is the time to begin planning our celebrations. My colleagues at APhA have made planning easy, as all our needs can be found on the APhM website at www.pharmacist.com/aphm, including the American Pharmacists Month Planning Guide, promotional materials, logos, planning tips, photos from past celebrations, and more.

As flu season nears, we’ll hear the topic of pharmacist-provided immunizations mentioned quite frequently. This is one of the many services we provide to our patients that is not widely known. If those looking for a really meaningful way to get involved in celebrating the profession during APhM, plan to hold an immunization clinic for patients and the community. Read more about getting involved in the article entitled, “APhM offers opportunity for active immunization role,” which can be found the August 2009 issue of Pharmacy Today.

In September, APhA will be unveiling the results of the 2009 “Know Your Medicine—Know Your Pharmacist” consumer survey, as well as our plans for the promotion of APhM so stay tuned. I’m looking forward to hearing about the creative and varied ways pharmacists across the country plan to celebrate American Pharmacists Month 2009!