Back in April, we shared an article that APhA contributed to from Forbes, “Fixing Healthcare Can Be As Close As Your Neighborhood Pharmacy,” which supported pharmacists’ “potential for an expanded role as a key member of the healthcare team.” 

Just last week, I shared with you an op-ed I wrote on the provider status issue that was published in The Hill, an “inside the Beltway” publication read by Members of Congress and their staff.

And now this week, I am pleased to share with you an op-ed from APhA President Matt Osterhaus, which was published in the Des Moines Register on July 4. Matt’s piece, “Healthcare laws leave pharmacists out,” focuses on the critical role pharmacists play in improving health care outcomes for patients. 

As Matt so deftly points out, “Unfortunately, pharmacists are often left on the sidelines, constrained by health care laws that prevent them from being full-fledged members of the health care team. For decades, pharmacists have been one of the few health care professions that lack recognition as health care providers in federal law. Nearly all other health care professionals are rightfully covered under Medicare laws, including chiropractors, midwives and dietitians.

“It's not just an oversight of the pharmacy profession. It's a serious flaw that affects my patients in Maquoketa and every patient in the country. The quality of care provided and health outcomes achieved are better, and overall health care costs are reduced, when pharmacists are included as a member of a patient's health care team.”

Not only are we seeing greater attention being paid to the provider status issue in the halls of Congress, we’re also seeing growing interest and awareness in mainstream media.  Matt writing an op-ed is a terrific example of ways that ALL pharmacists can get involved in the campaign to better recognize pharmacists and our services—not only by joining the Pharmacists Provide Care national advocacy campaign, but by talking about the issue to members of your local media.  

If you are looking for advice or assistance on how to communicate with your local media, we’re here to help! Contact us via the campaign at info@pharmacistsprovidecare.com.

And please continue to call on your Member of Congress to support recognizing pharmacists as a valuable—and critical—member of the patient’s health care team.