Yesterday, the National Governors Association (NGA) released a report that draws attention to the important role of pharmacists as members of integrated health care teams. This is a significant addition to the list of government and nongovernment entities recognizing the value of pharmacists and their patient care services.

NGA’s paper highlights numerous states that have expanded pharmacists’ scope of practice, integrated pharmacists into chronic care delivery teams, and developed other team-based models of care that include pharmacists. I am proud to say that many of the examples cited were based on articles published in APhA’s Pharmacy Today, in JAPhA, or on pharmacist.com. But those are your stories being told. They came from the thousands of pharmacists across the United States providing quality patient care. These stories truly matter, and I applaud you for pursuing innovative care models and continuing to stand up and earn the respect of governors and other policy makers all over the country.

Recognition of pharmacists’ value at the state level is a significant part of APhA’s provider status effort. Not only does the state-level success help individual states and their pharmacists, but it helps advance our pursuits at the federal level as well. So thank you to all of you for your tireless efforts in your states. State-level support for expanding pharmacists’ roles is a critical element to achieving provider status. APhA will continue to work with the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations and state-level organizations to promote opportunities for pharmacists and their services.

The momentum is building! Stay tuned. We’re not even a month into the new year and exciting things are happening! Please share this good news, and encourage others to support our efforts by joining PharmacistsProvideCare.com!