APhA supports the establishment and enforcement of laws, regulations, and policies through Boards of Pharmacy that restrict the use of the words "pharmacy", "drug store", "apothecary" or any other words or symbols of similar meaning or signage and business names to entities in which the practice of pharmacy is conducted.

Topic: Advertising

(JAPhA. NS37:460; July/August 1997) (Reviewed 2002) (Reviewed 2006) (Reviewed 2011) (JAPhA. 56(4): 380; July/August 2016) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports laws, regulations, and policies permitting direct-to-consumer advertising concerning medical or health conditions treatable by prescription or nonprescription drug products. These advertisements must conform to existing laws, regulations, and policies that ensure complete, comprehensive, and understandable information that informs consumers of potential benefits and risks of the product.

2. APhA opposes false or misleading advertising for prescription or nonprescription drugs or any promotional efforts that encourage indiscriminate use of medication.

3. APhA supports the availability of accurate information to consumers about medication use and recognizes the responsibility of pharmacists to provide appropriate responses to consumer inquiries stimulated by direct-to-consumer advertising as a compensated pharmaceutical service. In addition, APhA recommends that health care professionals, including but not limited to pharmacists, receive new product information on direct-to-consumer advertising campaigns prior to this information being made available to consumers.

Topic: Advertising

(JAPhA. 39(4):447; July/August 1999) (Reviewed 2004) (Reviewed 2006) (Reviewed 2011) (Reviewed 2016) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA opposes the replacement of a pharmacist's professional judgment or patient's access to their pharmacist with artificial intelligence.

2. APhA calls on the profession of pharmacy and all related organizations to proactively assess and respond to the evolving role of artificial intelligence in pharmacy practice and workforce dynamics.

3. APhA encourages judicious use of artificial intelligence by pharmacists and pharmacy personnel as a tool to elevate pharmacy practice and enhance patient care.

4. APhA advocates for the integration of pharmacists into the development, design, validation, implementation, and maintenance of artificial intelligence solutions.

5. APhA calls on regulatory bodies, employers, and other relevant parties to develop laws, regulations, and policies as applicable for artificial intelligence to ensure patient safety, privacy, public awareness, and public protection.

6. APhA calls on those providing artificial intelligence solutions to implement processes that identify and mitigate bias and misinformation in artificial intelligence.

7. APhA advocates for education providers to facilitate, and pharmacy personnel to seek out, education and training on the lawful, ethical, and clinical use of artificial intelligence.

Topic: Automation And Technology In Pharmacy Practice

(JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA asserts that pharmacists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy support staff are essential members of the healthcare team and should be actively engaged and supported in surveillance, mitigation, preparedness, planning, response, recovery, and countermeasure activities related to public health and other emergencies.

2. APhA reaffirms the 2016 policy on the Role of the Pharmacist in National Defense, and calls for the active and coordinated engagement of all pharmacists in public health and other emergency planning and response activities.

3. APhA advocates for the timely removal of legal, regulatory, and policy restrictions; practice limitations; and financial barriers during public health and other emergencies to meet immediate patient care needs.

4. APhA urges regulatory bodies and government agencies to recognize pharmacists' training and ability to evaluate patient needs, provide care, and appropriately refer patients during public health and other emergencies.

5. APhA advocates for pharmacists' authority to ensure patient access to care through the prescribing, dispensing, and administering of medications, as well as provision of other patient care services during times of public health and other emergencies.

6. APhA calls for processes to ensure that any willing and able pharmacy and pharmacy practitioner is not excluded from providing pharmacist patient care services during public health and other emergencies.

7. APhA calls on public and private payers to establish and implement payment policies that compensate pharmacists providing patient care services, including during public health and other emergencies, within their recognized authority.

8. APhA advocates for the inclusion of pharmacists as essential members in the planning, development, and implementation of alternate care sites or delivery models during public health and other emergencies.

9. APhA reaffirms the 2015 Interoperability of Communications Among Health Care Providers to Improve Quality of Care and encourages pharmacists, as members of the healthcare team, to communicate care decisions made during public health and other emergencies with other members of the healthcare team to ensure continuity of care.

Topic: Automation And Technology In Pharmacy Practice

(JAPhA. 61(4):e15; July/August 2021) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA advocates for implementation and maintenance of cybersecurity systems, safeguards, and response mechanisms to mitigate risk and minimize harm or disruption for all pharmacies and related parties who manage or access electronic health and business information.

2. APhA advocates for all pharmacies and related business entities responsible for electronic health and business information to have cyber liability insurance or an equivalent self-funded plan to protect all relevant parties in the event of a cyberattack and data breach.

3. APhA advocates for education providers to facilitate, and pharmacy personnel to seek out, education and training on cybersecurity laws, regulations, and best practices.

Topic: Automation And Technology In Pharmacy Practice

(JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports the standardization of user interfaces to improve quality and reduce errors unique to e-prescribing.

2. APhA supports reporting mechanisms and research efforts to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and quality of e-prescribing systems, computerized prescriber order entry (CPOE) systems, and the e-prescriptions that they produce, in order to improve health information technology systems and, ultimately, patient care.

3. APhA supports the development of financial incentives for pharmacists and prescribers to provide high quality e-prescribing activities.

4. APhA supports the inclusion of pharmacists in quality improvement and meaningful use activities related to the use of e-prescribing and other health information technology that would positively impact patient health outcomes.

5. APhA supports laws, regulations, and policies that require e-prescribing of controlled substances to reduce fraudulent prescriptions.

Topic: Automation And Technology In Pharmacy Practice

(JAPhA. NS40(4):471; July/August 2010) (Reviewed 2012) (Reviewed 2014) (Reviewed 2015) (JAPhA. 60:(5):e10); September/October 2020) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA advocates for nationwide integration and uniformity of prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMP) that incorporate federal, state, and territory databases for the purpose of providing health care professionals with accurate and real-time information to assist in clinical decision making when providing patient care services related to controlled substances.

2. APhA supports pharmacist involvement in the development of uniform standards for an integrated nationwide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) that includes the definition of authorized registered users, documentation, reporting requirements, system response time, security of information, minimum reporting data sets, and standard transaction format.

3. APhA supports mandatory prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) enrollment by all health care providers, mandatory reporting by all those who dispense controlled substances, and appropriate system query by registrants during the patient care process related to controlled substances.

4. APhA advocates for the development of seamless workflow integration systems that would enable consistent use of a nationwide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) by registrants to facilitate prospective drug review as part of the patient care process related to controlled substances.

5. APhA advocates for continuous, sustainable federal funding sources for practitioners and system operators to utilize and maintain a standardized integrated and real-time nationwide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP).

6. APhA supports the use of interprofessional advisory boards that include pharmacists to coordinate collaborative efforts for (a) compiling, analyzing, and using prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data trends to identify misuse of controlled substances and/or fraud; (b) providing focused provider education and patient referral to treatment programs; and (c) supporting research activities on the impact of PDMPs.

7. APhA supports education and training for registrants about a nationwide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) to ensure proper data integrity, use, and confidentiality.

Topic: Automation And Technology In Pharmacy Practice

(JAPhA. N55(4):364-365; July/August 2015) (JAPhA. 60(5):e10; September/October 2020) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

APhA supports laws, regulations, and policies that would allow pharmacies to transfer prescriptions for controlled substances for the purposes of an initial fill.

Topic: Automation And Technology In Pharmacy Practice

(JAPhA. 60(5):e10); September/October 2020) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA urges the development of laws, regulations, and policies that facilitate patient access to and affordability of biologic products.

2. APhA urges the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expedite the development of standards and pathways that will evaluate the interchangeability of biologic products.

3. APhA recognizes the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Purple Book as an authoritative reference about biologic product interchangeability within the United States.

4. APhA opposes interchangeable biologic product substitution processes that require authorization, recordkeeping, or reporting beyond generic product substitution processes.

5. APhA encourages scientific justification for extrapolation of indications for biologic products to ensure patient safety and optimal therapeutic outcomes.

Topic: Biotechnology

(JAPhA. 56(4):369; July/August 2016) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA asserts that pharmacists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy support staff are essential members of the healthcare team and should be actively engaged and supported in surveillance, mitigation, preparedness, planning, response, recovery, and countermeasure activities related to public health and other emergencies.

2. APhA reaffirms the 2016 policy on the Role of the Pharmacist in National Defense, and calls for the active and coordinated engagement of all pharmacists in public health and other emergency planning and response activities.

3. APhA advocates for the timely removal of legal, regulatory, and policy restrictions; practice limitations; and financial barriers during public health and other emergencies to meet immediate patient care needs.

4. APhA urges regulatory bodies and government agencies to recognize pharmacists' training and ability to evaluate patient needs, provide care, and appropriately refer patients during public health and other emergencies.

5. APhA advocates for pharmacists' authority to ensure patient access to care through the prescribing, dispensing, and administering of medications, as well as provision of other patient care services during times of public health and other emergencies.

6. APhA calls for processes to ensure that any willing and able pharmacy and pharmacy practitioner is not excluded from providing pharmacist patient care services during public health and other emergencies.

7. APhA calls on public and private payers to establish and implement payment policies that compensate pharmacists providing patient care services, including during public health and other emergencies, within their recognized authority.

8. APhA advocates for the inclusion of pharmacists as essential members in the planning, development, and implementation of alternate care sites or delivery models during public health and other emergencies.

9. APhA reaffirms the 2015 Interoperability of Communications Among Health Care Providers to Improve Quality of Care and encourages pharmacists, as members of the healthcare team, to communicate care decisions made during public health and other emergencies with other members of the healthcare team to ensure continuity of care.

Topic: Disaster Preparedness

(JAPhA. 61(4):e15; July/August 2021) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

APhA encourages pharmacist involvement in surveillance, mitigation, preparedness, planning, response, and recovery related to natural, technological, or human-caused incidents.

Topic: Disaster Preparedness

(JAPhA. N55(4):365; July/August 2015) (Reviewed 2021)(JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA affirms that pharmacists are trained to provide patient care, and have the ability to address patient needs, regardless of geographic location.

2. APhA advocates for the continued development of uniform laws, regulations and policies that facilitate pharmacists', student pharmacists', and pharmacy technicians' timely ability to practice in multiple states to meet practice and patient care needs.

3. APhA supports individual pharmacists' and student pharmacists' authority to provide patient care services across state lines whether in person or remotely.

4. APhA supports consistent and efficient centralized processes across all states for obtaining and maintaining pharmacist, pharmacy intern, and pharmacy technician licensure and/or registration.

5. APhA urges state boards of pharmacy to reduce administratively and financially burdensome requirements for licensure while continuing to uphold patient safety.

6. APhA encourages the evaluation of current law exam requirements for obtaining and maintaining initial state licensure, as well as licensure in additional states, to enhance uniformity and reduce duplicative requirements.

7. APhA urges state boards of pharmacy and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) to involve a member of the board of pharmacy and a practicing pharmacist in the review and updating of state jurisprudence licensing exam questions.

8. APhA calls for development of profession-wide consensus on licensing requirements for pharmacists and pharmacy personnel to support contemporary pharmacy practice.

Topic: Disaster Preparedness

(JAPhA. 61(4):e14-e15;July/August 2021) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA urges government authorities to hold pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesalers, pharmacies, and other pharmaceutical supply distributors and providers accountable to state and federal price gouging laws, regulations and policies in selling those items to patients, pharmacies, hospitals, and other health care providers during times of local, state, or national emergency.

2. APhA urges government authorities to aggressively enforce laws and regulations against adulterated products and false and misleading claims by entities offering to sell pharmaceutical and medical products to health care providers and consumers.

Topic: Disaster Preparedness

(JAPhA. 60(5):e11; September/October 2020) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA asserts that the quality and safety of pharmaceutical and other medical products and the global pharmaceutical and medical product supply chain are essential to the United States national security and public health.

2. APhA advocates for pharmacist engagement in the development and implementation of national and global strategies to ensure the availability, quality, and safety of pharmaceutical and other medical products.

3. APhA calls for the development, implementation, and oversight of enhanced and transparent processes, standards, and information that ensure quality and safety of all pharmaceutical ingredients and manufacturing processes.

4. APhA calls on the federal government to penalize entities who create barriers that threaten the availability, quality, and safety of United States pharmaceutical and other medical product supplies.

5. APhA calls for the development of redundancy and risk mitigation strategies in the manufacturing process to ensure reliable and consistent availability of safe and high-quality pharmaceutical and other medical products.

6. APhA advocates for legal regulatory, policy and market incentives that bolster the availability, quality, and safety of pharmaceutical and other medical products.

7. APhA calls for greater transparency, accuracy, and timeliness of information and notification to health care professionals regarding drug shortages, product quality and manufacturing issues, supply disruption, and recalls.

8. APhA encourages pharmacy providers, health systems, and payers to develop coordinated response plans, including the use of therapeutic alternatives, to mitigate the impact of drug shortages and supply disruptions.

9. APhA supports federal legislation and regulations that engages pharmacists, other health professionals, and manufacturers in developing a United States-specific essential medicines list and provides funding mechanisms to ensure consistent availability of these products.

10. APhA recommends the use of pharmacists in the delivery of public messages, through media and other communication channels, regarding pharmaceutical supply and quality issues.

Topic: Disaster Preparedness

(JAPhA. 60(5):e9; September/October 2020) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA recognizes and supports pharmacist administration of prescription and non-prescription drugs as a component of pharmacy practice.

2. APhA supports the development of educational programs and practice guidelines for student pharmacists and practitioners for the administration of prescription and non-prescription drugs.

3. APhA supports pharmacist compensation for administration of prescription and non-prescription drugs and services related to such administration.

.4. APhA urges adoption of laws, regulations, and policies authorizing pharmacist administration of prescription and non-prescription drugs.

Topic: Dispensing Authority

(JAPhA. 38(4):417; July/August 1998) (JAPhA. NS45(5):559; September/October 2005) (Reviewed 2006)(Reviewed 2011) (Reviewed 2012) (Reviewed 2017) (Reviewed 2020) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

APhA supports vigorous enforcement of laws, regulations, and policies to ensure that all those who sell or dispense prescription and non-prescription drugs comply with legal criteria.

Topic: Dispensing Authority

(Am Pharm. NS18(8):42; July 1978) (JAPhA. NS44(5):551; September/October 2004) JAPhA. NS46(5):562; September/October 2006) (Reviewed 2015) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

APhA supports the repeal of state laws, regulations, and policies that prohibit the dispensing of an otherwise legal prescription order, issued by a prescriber licensed in another state.

Topic: Dispensing Authority

(Am Pharm. NS19(7):67; June 1979) (Reviewed 2004) (Reviewed 2006) (Reviewed 2011) (Reviewed 2016) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) efforts to revise the drug and medical device classification paradigms for prescription and nonprescription medications and medical devices to allow greater access to certain medications and medical devices under conditions of safe use while maintaining patients' relationships with their pharmacists and other health care providers.

2. APhA supports the implementation or modification of state laws, regulations, and policies to facilitate pharmacists' implementation and provision of services related to a revised drug and medical device classification system.

3. APhA supports a patient care delivery model built on coordination and communication between pharmacists and other health care team members in the evaluation and management of care delivery.

4. APhA affirms that pharmacists are qualified to provide clinical interventions on medications and medical devices under FDA's approved conditions of safe use.

5. APhA urges manufacturers, FDA, and other stakeholders to include pharmacists' input in the development and adoption of technology and standardized processes for services related to medications and medical devices under FDA's defined conditions of safe use.

6. APhA supports the utilization of best practices, treatment algorithms, and clinical judgment of pharmacists and other health care providers to guide the evaluation and management of care delivery related to medications and medical devices under FDA's approved conditions of safe use.

7. APhA encourages the inclusion of medications, medical devices, and their associated services provided under FDA's defined conditions of safe use within health benefit coverage.

8. APhA supports compensation of pharmacists and other health care professionals for the provision of services related to FDA's defined conditions of safe use programs.

Topic: Dispensing Authority

(JAPhA. 53(4):365; July/August 2013) (JAPhA. 58(4):356; July/August 2018) (Reviewed 2022) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports legal, regulatory, and policy changes to further facilitate clinical research related to the clinical efficacy and safety associated with the use of cannabis and its various components.

2. APhA encourages health care provider education related to the clinical efficacy, safety, and management of patients using cannabis and its various components.

3. APhA advocates that the pharmacist collect and document information in the pharmacy patient profile about patient use of cannabis and its various components and provide appropriate patient counseling.

4. APhA supports pharmacist participation in independently prescribing cannabis and its various components when scientific data support the legitimate medical use of the products and delivery mechanisms, and federal, state, or territory laws or regulations permit pharmacists to independently prescribe them.

5. APhA opposes pharmacist involvement in independently prescribing cannabis and its various components for recreational use.

Topic: Dispensing Authority

(JAPhA. N55(4):365; July/August 2015) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports education for pharmacists and student pharmacists to address issues of pain management, palliative care, appropriate use of opioid reversal agents in opioid-associated emergencies, drug diversion, and substance use disorders.

2. APhA supports recognition of pharmacists as the health care providers who must exercise professional judgment in the assessment of a patient's conditions to fulfill corresponding responsibility for the use of controlled substances and other medications with the potential for misuse and/or diversion.

3. APhA supports pharmacists' access to and use of prescription monitoring programs to identify and prevent drug misuse and/or diversion.

4. APhA supports the development and implementation of state and federal laws, regulations, and policies that permit pharmacists to independently prescribe opioid reversal agents to prevent deaths due to opioid-associated emetgencies.

5. APhA supports the pharmacist's role in selecting appropriate therapy and dosing and initiating and providing education about the proper use of opioid reversal agents to prevent deaths due to opioid-associated emergencies.

Topic: Drug Abuse, Control And Education

(JAPhA. 54(4):358; July/August 2014) (Reviewed 2015)(Reviewed 2018) (Reviewed 2021) (Reviewed 2022) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

APhA urges pharmacists to expand patient access to secure, convenient, and environmentally responsible drug disposal options, in accordance with the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010, by implementing disposal programs they deem appropriate for their individual practice sites, patient care settings, and business models in an effort to reduce the amount of dispensed but unused prescription drug product available for diversion and misuse.

Topic: Drug Abuse, Control And Education

(JAPhA. 57(4):441; July/August 2017) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports the use of evidence-based medicine as first-line treatment for patients with opioid-use disorder, including healthcare professionals in and out of the workplace, for as long as needed to treat their disease.

2. APhA encourages pharmacies to maintain an inventory of medications used in treatment of opioid-use disorder (MOUD), to ensure access for patients.

3. APhA encourages pharmacists and payers to ensure patients have equitable access to, and coverage for, at least one medication from each class of medications used in the treatment of opioid-use disorder.

Topic: Drug Abuse, Control And Education

(JAPhA. 60(5):e11; September/October 2020) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports laws, regulations, policies and practices that increase the availability of naloxone.

2. APhA supports the availability of naloxone as both a prescription and non-prescription medication.

3. APhA encourages pharmacists and payers to ensure equitable access to and affordability of at least one naloxone formulation regardless of prescription status.

4. APhA encourages payers to provide fair reimbursement to dispensers of naloxone.

Topic: Drug Abuse, Control And Education

(JAPhA. 61(4):e16; July/August) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA advocates for nationwide integration and uniformity of prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMP) that incorporate federal, state, and territory databases for the purpose of providing health care professionals with accurate and real-time information to assist in clinical decision making when providing patient care services related to controlled substances.

2. APhA supports pharmacist involvement in the development of uniform standards for an integrated nationwide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) that includes the definition of authorized registered users, documentation, reporting requirements, system response time, security of information, minimum reporting data sets, and standard transaction format.

3. APhA supports mandatory prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) enrollment by all health care providers, mandatory reporting by all those who dispense controlled substances, and appropriate system query by registrants during the patient care process related to controlled substances.

4. APhA advocates for the development of seamless workflow integration systems that would enable consistent use of a nationwide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) by registrants to facilitate prospective drug review as part of the patient care process related to controlled substances.

5. APhA advocates for continuous, sustainable federal funding sources for practitioners and system operators to utilize and maintain a standardized integrated and real-time nationwide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP).

6. APhA supports the use of interprofessional advisory boards that include pharmacists to coordinate collaborative efforts for (a) compiling, analyzing, and using prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data trends to identify misuse of controlled substances and/or fraud; (b) providing focused provider education and patient referral to treatment programs; and (c) supporting research activities on the impact of PDMPs.

7. APhA supports education and training for registrants about a nationwide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) to ensure proper data integrity, use, and confidentiality.

Topic: Drug Abuse, Control And Education

(JAPhA. N55(4):364-365; July/August 2015) (JAPhA. 60(5):e10; September/October 2020) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports access to third-party (non-patient recipient) prescriptions for opioid reversal agents that are independently prescribed by pharmacists.

2. APhA affirms that third-party (non-patient-recipient) prescriptions should be reimbursed by public and private payers.

Topic: Drug Abuse, Control And Education

(JAPhA. 56(4):370; July/August 2016) (Reviewed 2020) (Reviewed 2022) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports laws, regulations, and policies, and private sector efforts that include pharmacists' input and that will balance patients'need for access to medications for legitimate medical purposes with the need to prevent the diversion and misuse of medications.

2. APhA supports consumer sales limits of nonprescription drug products, such as methamphetamine precursors, that may be illegally converted into drugs for illicit use.

3. APhA encourages education of all personnel involved in the distribution chain of nonprescription products so they understand the potential for certain products, such as methamphetamine precursors, to be illegally converted into drugs for illicit use. APhA supports comprehensive substance use disorder education, prevention, treatment, and recovery programs.

4. APhA supports public and private initiatives to fund treatment and prevention of substance use disorders.

5. APhA supports stringent enforcement of criminal laws against individuals who engage in drug trafficking.

Topic: Drug Abuse, Control And Education

(JAPhA. 56(4):369; July/August 2016) (JAPhA. 59(4): e28; July/August 2019) (Reviewed 2022) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

APhA supports laws, regulations, and policies that would allow pharmacies to transfer prescriptions for controlled substances for the purposes of an initial fill.

Topic: Drug Abuse, Control And Education

(JAPhA. 60(5):e10); September/October 2020) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports research by properly qualified investigators operating under the investigational new drug (IND) process to explore fully the potential medicinal uses of marijuana and its constituents or derivatives.

2. APhA opposes state by state, marijuana specific, or other drug specific legislation intended to circumvent the federal laws, regulations, and policies pertaining to: (a) marketing approval of new drugs based on demonstrated safety and efficacy, or (b) controlling restrictions relating to those substances having a recognized hazard of abuse.

Topic: Drug Abuse, Control And Education

(Am Pharm. NS20(7):71; July 1980) (Reviewed 2003) (Reviewed 2006) (Reviewed 2011) (Reviewed 2015) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports legal, regulatory, and policy changes to further facilitate clinical research related to the clinical efficacy and safety associated with the use of cannabis and its various components.

2. APhA encourages health care provider education related to the clinical efficacy, safety, and management of patients using cannabis and its various components.

3. APhA advocates that the pharmacist collect and document information in the pharmacy patient profile about patient use of cannabis and its various components and provide appropriate patient counseling.

4. APhA supports pharmacist participation in independently prescribing cannabis and its various components when scientific data support the legitimate medical use of the products and delivery mechanisms, and federal, state, or territory laws or regulations permit pharmacists to independently prescribe them.

5. APhA opposes pharmacist involvement in independently prescribing cannabis and its various components for recreational use.

Topic: Drug Abuse, Control And Education

(JAPhA. N55(4):365; July/August 2015) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports changes in laws, regulations, and policies to permit DEA-registered and trained opioid treatment program clinicians and other providers the ability to prescribe methadone for opioid use disorder and refer patients for additional services as needed.

2. APhA supports changes in laws, regulations, and policies to permit community pharmacy dispensing of methadone for opioid use disorder and appropriate compensation for these services.

3. APhA supports partnerships and collaborations to increase patient access to opioid treatment programs (OTPs) and clinicians.

4. APhA advocates for interprofessional education on laws, regulations, and policies regarding office-based prescribing and community pharmacy dispensing of methadone in curricula, postgraduate training, and continuing professional development programs of all health professions.

Topic: Drug Abuse, Control And Education

(JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA is opposed to the use of performance-enhancing drugs by athletes.

2. APhA should educate the public on the dangers of the use of performance-enhancing drugs by athletes.

3. APhA encourages enforcement of laws, regulations, and policies related to the use of performance-enhancing drugs by athletes.

Topic: Drug Abuse, Control And Education

(Am Pharm. NS26(6):420; June 1986) (Reviewed 2003) (Reviewed 2006) (Reviewed 2015) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA encourages state legislatures and boards of pharmacy to revise laws, regulations, and policies to support the patient-centered care of people who use non-medically sanctioned psychotropic or psychoactive substances.

2. To reduce the consequences of stigma associated with drug use, APhA supports the expansion of interprofessional harm reduction education in the curriculum of schools and colleges of pharmacy, postgraduate training, and continuing professional development programs.

3. APhA encourages pharmacists to initiate, sustain, and integrate evidence-based harm reduction principles and programs into their practice to optimize the health of people who use non-medically sanctioned psychotropic or psychoactive substances.

4. APhA supports pharmacists' roles to provide and promote consistent, unrestricted, and immediate access to evidence-based, mortality- and morbidity-reducing interventions to enhance the health of people who inject nonmedically sanctioned psychotropic or psychoactive substances and their communities, including sterile syringes, needles, and other safe injection equipment, syringe disposal, fentanyl test strips, immunizations, condoms, wound care supplies, pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis medications for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), point-of-care testing for HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV), opioid reversal agents, and medications for opioid use disorder.

5. APhA urges pharmacists to refer people who use non-medically sanctioned psychotropic or psychoactive substances to specialists in mental health, infectious diseases, and substance use disorder treatment; to housing, vocational, harm reduction, and recovery support services; and to safe consumption facilities and syringe service programs.

Topic: Drug Abuse, Control And Education

(JAPhA. 59(4):e17; July/August 2019) (Reviewed 2021) (Reviewed 2022) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA urges the development of laws, regulations, and policies that facilitate patient access to and affordability of biologic products.

2. APhA urges the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expedite the development of standards and pathways that will evaluate the interchangeability of biologic products.

3. APhA recognizes the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Purple Book as an authoritative reference about biologic product interchangeability within the United States.

4. APhA opposes interchangeable biologic product substitution processes that require authorization, recordkeeping, or reporting beyond generic product substitution processes.

5. APhA encourages scientific justification for extrapolation of indications for biologic products to ensure patient safety and optimal therapeutic outcomes.

Topic: Drug Classification

(JAPhA. 56(4):369; July/August 2016) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA opposes drug manufacturers' refusal to supply certain drugs to correctional health services units necessary to provide medical treatment of those who are incarcerated.

2. APhA advocates for those who are incarcerated to have an opportunity, equal to that of nonmates, to access medications that correctional healthcare providers deem medically necessary for appropriate and humane health care treatment.

3. APhA advocates for correctional healthcare providers to have opportunity, equal to that of non-correctional healthcare providers, to access, prescribe, and procure pharmaceuticals deemed necessary for medical treatment of those incarcerated.

Topic: Drug Classification

(JAPhA. 60(5):e11; September/October 2020) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) efforts to revise the drug and medical device classification paradigms for prescription and nonprescription medications and medical devices to allow greater access to certain medications and medical devices under conditions of safe use while maintaining patients' relationships with their pharmacists and other health care providers.

2. APhA supports the implementation or modification of state laws, regulations, and policies to facilitate pharmacists' implementation and provision of services related to a revised drug and medical device classification system.

3. APhA supports a patient care delivery model built on coordination and communication between pharmacists and other health care team members in the evaluation and management of care delivery.

4. APhA affirms that pharmacists are qualified to provide clinical interventions on medications and medical devices under FDA's approved conditions of safe use.

5. APhA urges manufacturers, FDA, and other stakeholders to include pharmacists' input in the development and adoption of technology and standardized processes for services related to medications and medical devices under FDA's defined conditions of safe use.

6. APhA supports the utilization of best practices, treatment algorithms, and clinical judgment of pharmacists and other health care providers to guide the evaluation and management of care delivery related to medications and medical devices under FDA's approved conditions of safe use.

7. APhA encourages the inclusion of medications, medical devices, and their associated services provided under FDA's defined conditions of safe use within health benefit coverage.

8. APhA supports compensation of pharmacists and other health care professionals for the provision of services related to FDA's defined conditions of safe use programs.

Topic: Drug Classification

(JAPhA. 53(4):365; July/August 2013) (JAPhA. 58(4):356; July/August 2018) (Reviewed 2022) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

APhA advocates for laws, regulations, and policies that recognize access to quality and affordable essential medicines as a fundamental human right.

Topic: Drug Pricing And Distribution

(JAPhA. 63(4):1266; July/August 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA urges the development of laws, regulations, and policies that facilitate patient access to and affordability of biologic products.

2. APhA urges the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expedite the development of standards and pathways that will evaluate the interchangeability of biologic products.

3. APhA recognizes the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Purple Book as an authoritative reference about biologic product interchangeability within the United States.

4. APhA opposes interchangeable biologic product substitution processes that require authorization, recordkeeping, or reporting beyond generic product substitution processes.

5. APhA encourages scientific justification for extrapolation of indications for biologic products to ensure patient safety and optimal therapeutic outcomes.

Topic: Drug Pricing And Distribution

(JAPhA. 56(4):369; July/August 2016) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA asserts that pharmacists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy support staff are essential members of the healthcare team and should be actively engaged and supported in surveillance, mitigation, preparedness, planning, response, recovery, and countermeasure activities related to public health and other emergencies.

2. APhA reaffirms the 2016 policy on the Role of the Pharmacist in National Defense, and calls for the active and coordinated engagement of all pharmacists in public health and other emergency planning and response activities.

3. APhA advocates for the timely removal of legal, regulatory, and policy restrictions; practice limitations; and financial barriers during public health and other emergencies to meet immediate patient care needs.

4. APhA urges regulatory bodies and government agencies to recognize pharmacists' training and ability to evaluate patient needs, provide care, and appropriately refer patients during public health and other emergencies.

5. APhA advocates for pharmacists' authority to ensure patient access to care through the prescribing, dispensing, and administering of medications, as well as provision of other patient care services during times of public health and other emergencies.

6. APhA calls for processes to ensure that any willing and able pharmacy and pharmacy practitioner is not excluded from providing pharmacist patient care services during public health and other emergencies.

7. APhA calls on public and private payers to establish and implement payment policies that compensate pharmacists providing patient care services, including during public health and other emergencies, within their recognized authority.

8. APhA advocates for the inclusion of pharmacists as essential members in the planning, development, and implementation of alternate care sites or delivery models during public health and other emergencies.

9. APhA reaffirms the 2015 Interoperability of Communications Among Health Care Providers to Improve Quality of Care and encourages pharmacists, as members of the healthcare team, to communicate care decisions made during public health and other emergencies with other members of the healthcare team to ensure continuity of care.

Topic: Drug Pricing And Distribution

(JAPhA. 61(4):e15; July/August 2021) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

APhA opposes distribution programs, laws, regulations, and policies by manufacturers, governmental agencies, and voluntary health groups that circumvent the pharmacist and promote the dispensing of prescription, legend drugs by non-pharmacists. These programs and policies should, in the public interest, be eliminated.

Topic: Drug Pricing And Distribution

(JAPhA. NS6:293; June 1966) (JAPhA. NS44(5):551; September/October 2004) (Reviewed 2006) (Reviewed 2011) (Reviewed 2016) (Reviewed 2021) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports the immediate reporting by manufacturers to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of disruptions that may impact the market supply of medically necessary drug products to prevent, mitigate, or resolve drug shortage issues and supports the authority for FDA to impose penalties for failing to report.

2. APhA supports revising current laws, regulations, and policies that restrict the FDA's ability to provide timely communication to pharmacists, other health care providers, health systems, and professional associations regarding potential or real drug shortages.

3. APhA encourages the FDA, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and other stakeholders to collaborate in order to minimize barriers (e.g., aggregate production quotas, annual assessment of needs, unapproved drug initiatives) that contribute to or exacerbate drug shortages.

4. APhA should actively support legislation to hasten the development of an efficient regulatory process to approve therapeutically equivalent generic versions of biologic drug products.

5. APhA encourages pharmacists and other health care providers to assist in maintaining continuity of care during drug shortage situations by (a) creating a practice site drug shortage plan as well as policies and procedures; (b) using reputable drug shortage management and information resources in decision making; (c) communicating with patients and coordinating with other health care providers; (d) avoiding excessive ordering and stockpiling of drugs; (e) acquiring drugs from reputable distributors; and (f) heightening their awareness of the potential for counterfeit or adulterated drugs entering the drug distribution system.

6. APhA encourages accrediting and regulatory agencies and the pharmaceutical science and manufacturing communities to evaluate policies/procedures related to the establishment and use of drug expiration dates and any impact those policies/procedures may have on drug shortages.

7. APhA encourages the active investigation and appropriate prosecution of entities that engage in price gouging and profiteering of medically necessary drug products in response to drug shortages.

Topic: Drug Pricing And Distribution

(JAPhA. NS52(4): 457; July/August 2012) (Reviewed 2017) (Reviewed 2021) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA opposes drug manufacturers' refusal to supply certain drugs to correctional health services units necessary to provide medical treatment of those who are incarcerated.

2. APhA advocates for those who are incarcerated to have an opportunity, equal to that of nonmates, to access medications that correctional healthcare providers deem medically necessary for appropriate and humane health care treatment.

3. APhA advocates for correctional healthcare providers to have opportunity, equal to that of non-correctional healthcare providers, to access, prescribe, and procure pharmaceuticals deemed necessary for medical treatment of those incarcerated.

Topic: Drug Pricing And Distribution

(JAPhA. 60(5):e11; September/October 2020) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports access to third-party (non-patient recipient) prescriptions for opioid reversal agents that are independently prescribed by pharmacists.

2. APhA affirms that third-party (non-patient-recipient) prescriptions should be reimbursed by public and private payers.

Topic: Drug Pricing And Distribution

(JAPhA. 56(4):370; July/August 2016) (Reviewed 2020) (Reviewed 2022) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA urges government authorities to hold pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesalers, pharmacies, and other pharmaceutical supply distributors and providers accountable to state and federal price gouging laws, regulations and policies in selling those items to patients, pharmacies, hospitals, and other health care providers during times of local, state, or national emergency.

2. APhA urges government authorities to aggressively enforce laws and regulations against adulterated products and false and misleading claims by entities offering to sell pharmaceutical and medical products to health care providers and consumers.

Topic: Drug Pricing And Distribution

(JAPhA. 60(5):e11; September/October 2020) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

APhA opposes any laws, regulations, and policies that would grant FDA authority to restrict the channels of drug distribution for any prescription drug as a condition for approval for marketing the drug under approved labeling.

Topic: Drug Pricing And Distribution

(Am Pharm. NS18(8):30; July 1978) (Reviewed 2004) (Reviewed 2006) (Reviewed 2011) (Reviewed 2016) (Reviewed 2021) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA asserts that the quality and safety of pharmaceutical and other medical products and the global pharmaceutical and medical product supply chain are essential to the United States national security and public health.

2. APhA advocates for pharmacist engagement in the development and implementation of national and global strategies to ensure the availability, quality, and safety of pharmaceutical and other medical products.

3. APhA calls for the development, implementation, and oversight of enhanced and transparent processes, standards, and information that ensure quality and safety of all pharmaceutical ingredients and manufacturing processes.

4. APhA calls on the federal government to penalize entities who create barriers that threaten the availability, quality, and safety of United States pharmaceutical and other medical product supplies.

5. APhA calls for the development of redundancy and risk mitigation strategies in the manufacturing process to ensure reliable and consistent availability of safe and high-quality pharmaceutical and other medical products.

6. APhA advocates for legal regulatory, policy and market incentives that bolster the availability, quality, and safety of pharmaceutical and other medical products.

7. APhA calls for greater transparency, accuracy, and timeliness of information and notification to health care professionals regarding drug shortages, product quality and manufacturing issues, supply disruption, and recalls.

8. APhA encourages pharmacy providers, health systems, and payers to develop coordinated response plans, including the use of therapeutic alternatives, to mitigate the impact of drug shortages and supply disruptions.

9. APhA supports federal legislation and regulations that engages pharmacists, other health professionals, and manufacturers in developing a United States-specific essential medicines list and provides funding mechanisms to ensure consistent availability of these products.

10. APhA recommends the use of pharmacists in the delivery of public messages, through media and other communication channels, regarding pharmaceutical supply and quality issues.

Topic: Drug Pricing And Distribution

(JAPhA. 60(5):e9; September/October 2020) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports public education about the risk of using medications whose production, distribution, or sale does not comply with U.S. federal and state laws, regulations, and policies.

4. APhA urges pharmacists and other health care professionals to report suspected counterfeit products to the Food and Drug Administration.

Topic: Drug Pricing And Distribution

(JAPhA. NS44(5):551; September/October 2004) (Reviewed 2006) (Reviewed 2007) (Reviewed 2012) (Reviewed 2013) (Reviewed 2018) (Reviewed 2021) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports development, distribution, and use of unit-of-use packaging as the pharmaceutical industry standard to enhance patient safety, patient adherence, drug distribution efficiencies, and Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) regulations.

2. APhA encourages collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry, repackagers, third-party payers, and appropriate federal agencies to effect the changes necessary for the adoption of unit-of-use packaging as the industry standard.

3. APhA supports the enactment of laws, regulations, and policies to permit pharmacists to modify prescribed quantities to correspond with commercially available unit-of-use packages.

Topic: Drug Product Packaging

(JAPhA. NS43(5:)(suppl 1):S57; September/October 2003) (JAPhA. NS46(5):562; September/October 2006) (Reviewed 2007) (Reviewed 2012) (Reviewed 2013) (Reviewed 2018) (JAPhA. 59(4):e17; July/August 2019) (Reviewed 2020) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA calls for education and collaboration among health professional organizations, federal agencies, and other stakeholders to ensure that all manufacturer, distributor, and repackaged marketed prescription drugs used in patient care have been FDA-approved as safe and effective.

2. APhA supports initiatives aimed at closing legislative, regulatory, policy and distribution-system loopholes that facilitate market entry of new prescription drugs products without FDA approval.

3. APhA encourages health professionals to consider FDA approval status of prescription drug products when making decisions about prescribing, dispensing, substitution, purchasing, formulary development, and in the development of pharmacy/medical education programs and drug information compendia.

Topic: Drug Product Selection

(JAPhA. NS49(4):492; July/August 2009) (Reviewed 2014) (Reviewed 2019) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) efforts to revise the drug and medical device classification paradigms for prescription and nonprescription medications and medical devices to allow greater access to certain medications and medical devices under conditions of safe use while maintaining patients' relationships with their pharmacists and other health care providers.

2. APhA supports the implementation or modification of state laws, regulations, and policies to facilitate pharmacists' implementation and provision of services related to a revised drug and medical device classification system.

3. APhA supports a patient care delivery model built on coordination and communication between pharmacists and other health care team members in the evaluation and management of care delivery.

4. APhA affirms that pharmacists are qualified to provide clinical interventions on medications and medical devices under FDA's approved conditions of safe use.

5. APhA urges manufacturers, FDA, and other stakeholders to include pharmacists' input in the development and adoption of technology and standardized processes for services related to medications and medical devices under FDA's defined conditions of safe use.

6. APhA supports the utilization of best practices, treatment algorithms, and clinical judgment of pharmacists and other health care providers to guide the evaluation and management of care delivery related to medications and medical devices under FDA's approved conditions of safe use.

7. APhA encourages the inclusion of medications, medical devices, and their associated services provided under FDA's defined conditions of safe use within health benefit coverage.

8. APhA supports compensation of pharmacists and other health care professionals for the provision of services related to FDA's defined conditions of safe use programs.

Topic: Drug Product Selection

(JAPhA. 53(4):365; July/August 2013) (JAPhA. 58(4):356; July/August 2018) (Reviewed 2022) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

APhA supports state substitution laws, regulations, and policies that emphasize pharmacists' professional responsibility for determining, on the basis of available evidence, including professional literature, clinical studies, drug recalls, manufacturer reputation and other pertinent factors, that the drug products they dispense are therapeutically effective.

Topic: Drug Product Selection

(JAPhA. NS11:260; May 1971) (JAPhA. NS 44(5):551; September/October 2004) (Reviewed 2006) (Reviewed 2011) (Reviewed 2016) (Reviewed 2017) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA urges the development of laws, regulations, and policies that facilitate patient access to and affordability of biologic products.

2. APhA urges the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expedite the development of standards and pathways that will evaluate the interchangeability of biologic products.

3. APhA recognizes the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Purple Book as an authoritative reference about biologic product interchangeability within the United States.

4. APhA opposes interchangeable biologic product substitution processes that require authorization, recordkeeping, or reporting beyond generic product substitution processes.

5. APhA encourages scientific justification for extrapolation of indications for biologic products to ensure patient safety and optimal therapeutic outcomes.

Topic: Drug Product Selection

(JAPhA. 56(4):369; July/August 2016) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

APhA opposes the enactment of laws, regulations, and policies that would act to restrict the clinical judgments of medical practitioners and other health professionals.

Topic: Drug Product Selection

(Am Pharm. NS22(7):32; July 1982) (Reviewed 2004) (Reviewed 2006) (Reviewed 2007) (Reviewed 2012) (JAPhA. 57(4):441; July/August 2017) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports education for pharmacists and student pharmacists to address issues of pain management, palliative care, appropriate use of opioid reversal agents in opioid-associated emergencies, drug diversion, and substance use disorders.

2. APhA supports recognition of pharmacists as the health care providers who must exercise professional judgment in the assessment of a patient's conditions to fulfill corresponding responsibility for the use of controlled substances and other medications with the potential for misuse and/or diversion.

3. APhA supports pharmacists' access to and use of prescription monitoring programs to identify and prevent drug misuse and/or diversion.

4. APhA supports the development and implementation of state and federal laws, regulations, and policies that permit pharmacists to independently prescribe opioid reversal agents to prevent deaths due to opioid-associated emetgencies.

5. APhA supports the pharmacist's role in selecting appropriate therapy and dosing and initiating and providing education about the proper use of opioid reversal agents to prevent deaths due to opioid-associated emergencies.

Topic: Education, Curriculum And Competence For Pharmacy

(JAPhA. 54(4):358; July/August 2014) (Reviewed 2015)(Reviewed 2018) (Reviewed 2021) (Reviewed 2022) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA opposes the replacement of a pharmacist's professional judgment or patient's access to their pharmacist with artificial intelligence.

2. APhA calls on the profession of pharmacy and all related organizations to proactively assess and respond to the evolving role of artificial intelligence in pharmacy practice and workforce dynamics.

3. APhA encourages judicious use of artificial intelligence by pharmacists and pharmacy personnel as a tool to elevate pharmacy practice and enhance patient care.

4. APhA advocates for the integration of pharmacists into the development, design, validation, implementation, and maintenance of artificial intelligence solutions.

5. APhA calls on regulatory bodies, employers, and other relevant parties to develop laws, regulations, and policies as applicable for artificial intelligence to ensure patient safety, privacy, public awareness, and public protection.

6. APhA calls on those providing artificial intelligence solutions to implement processes that identify and mitigate bias and misinformation in artificial intelligence.

7. APhA advocates for education providers to facilitate, and pharmacy personnel to seek out, education and training on the lawful, ethical, and clinical use of artificial intelligence.

Topic: Education, Curriculum And Competence For Pharmacy

(JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports changes in laws, regulations, and policies to permit DEA-registered and trained opioid treatment program clinicians and other providers the ability to prescribe methadone for opioid use disorder and refer patients for additional services as needed.

2. APhA supports changes in laws, regulations, and policies to permit community pharmacy dispensing of methadone for opioid use disorder and appropriate compensation for these services.

3. APhA supports partnerships and collaborations to increase patient access to opioid treatment programs (OTPs) and clinicians.

4. APhA advocates for interprofessional education on laws, regulations, and policies regarding office-based prescribing and community pharmacy dispensing of methadone in curricula, postgraduate training, and continuing professional development programs of all health professions.

Topic: Education, Curriculum And Competence For Pharmacy

(JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA advocates for the identification of medical conditions that may be safely and effectively treated by community-based pharmacists.

2. APhA encourages the training and education of pharmacists and student pharmacists regarding identification, treatment, monitoring, documentation, follow-up, and referral for medical conditions treated by community-based pharmacists

3. APhA advocates for laws, regulations, and policies that allow pharmacists to identify and manage medical conditions treated by community-based pharmacists.

4. APhA advocates for appropriate remuneration for the assessment and treatment of medical conditions treated by community-based pharmacists from government and private payers to ensure sustainability and access for patients.

5. APhA supports research to examine the outcomes of services that focus on medical conditions treated by community-based pharmacists.

Topic: Education, Curriculum And Competence For Pharmacy

(JAPhA. 60(5):e10; September/October 2020) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA asserts that pharmacists should have the authority and support to practice to the full extent of their education, training, and experience in delivering patient care.

2. APhA opposes burdensome legal and regulatory requirements beyond continuing professional development for the provision of patient care services.

3. APhA supports continuing efforts toward establishing a consistent and accurate perception of the contemporary role and practice of pharmacists by the general public, patients, and all persons and institutions engaged in health care policy, administration, payment, and delivery.

4. APhA supports continued collaboration with stakeholders to facilitate adoption of standardized practice acts, appropriate related laws, regulations, and policies that reflect contemporary pharmacy practice.

5. APhA supports the establishment of multistate pharmacist licensure agreements to address the evolving needs of the pharmacy profession and pharmacist-provided patient care.

6. APhA urges the continued development of consensus documents, in collaboration with medical associations and other stakeholders, that recognize and support pharmacists' roles in patient care as health care providers.

7. APhA urges universal recognition of pharmacists as health care providers and compensation based on the level of patient care provided using standardized and future health care payment models.

Topic: Education, Curriculum And Competence For Pharmacy

(JAPhA. NS52(4):457; July/August 2012) (Reviewed 2016) (JAPhA. 57(4):441; July/August 2017) (Reviewed 2019) (Reviewed 2021) (Reviewed 2022) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA strongly believes that all pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians should be safe in their work and learning environments and be free from firearm-related violence.

2. APhA strongly recommends that technician training programs, schools and colleges of pharmacy, postgraduate training programs, and employers should develop programs to increase readiness in the event of an active shooter.

3. APhA strongly believes pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians should be trained to recognize and refer patients at high risk of violence to themselves or others.

4. APhA encourages pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians who are survivors of firearm-related violence to seek the help of counselors and other trained mental health professionals.

Topic: Education, Curriculum And Competence For Pharmacy

(JAPhA. 59(4):e17; July/August 2019) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA advocates for implementation and maintenance of cybersecurity systems, safeguards, and response mechanisms to mitigate risk and minimize harm or disruption for all pharmacies and related parties who manage or access electronic health and business information.

2. APhA advocates for all pharmacies and related business entities responsible for electronic health and business information to have cyber liability insurance or an equivalent self-funded plan to protect all relevant parties in the event of a cyberattack and data breach.

3. APhA advocates for education providers to facilitate, and pharmacy personnel to seek out, education and training on cybersecurity laws, regulations, and best practices.

Topic: Education, Curriculum And Competence For Pharmacy

(JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA encourages all stakeholders to develop and adopt evidence-based approaches to educate the public and all health care professionals to reduce the stigma associated with mental health diagnoses.

2. APhA supports the increased utilization of pharmacists and student pharmacists with appropriate training to actively participate in the care of patients with mental health conditions as members of interprofessional health care teams in all practice settings.

3. APhA supports the expansion of mental health education and training in the curriculum of all schools and colleges of pharmacy, post-graduate training, and within continuing professional development programs.

4. APhA supports the development of education and resources to address health care professional resiliency and burnout.

Topic: Education, Curriculum And Competence For Pharmacy

(JAPhA. 58(4):356; July/August 2018) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA calls for employers to adopt and implement just culture principles to improve patient safety and support pharmacy personnel.

2. APhA encourages transparency between employers and employees by sharing deidentified medication error and near-miss data and trends as well as actions taken to promote continuous quality improvement.

3. APhA urges the integration of non-disciplinary and non-punitive mechanisms for use by boards of pharmacy to promote just culture principles when addressing people, systems, and processes involved in medication errors.

4. APhA encourages national and state associations to advocate for laws, regulations, and policies to provide protections to individuals utilizing error reporting systems to promote just culture.

5. APhA encourages the creation of a mechanism for an industrywide effort to engage in confidential and transparent sharing of learnings and root cause findings helpful in reducing the risk of medication errors.

6. APhA supports the integration of just culture principles in PharmD and pharmacy technician education, postgraduate training, and continuing professional development programs.

Topic: Education, Curriculum And Competence For Pharmacy

(JAPhA. 63(4):1265; July/August 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA calls for education and collaboration among health professional organizations, federal agencies, and other stakeholders to ensure that all manufacturer, distributor, and repackaged marketed prescription drugs used in patient care have been FDA-approved as safe and effective.

2. APhA supports initiatives aimed at closing legislative, regulatory, policy and distribution-system loopholes that facilitate market entry of new prescription drugs products without FDA approval.

3. APhA encourages health professionals to consider FDA approval status of prescription drug products when making decisions about prescribing, dispensing, substitution, purchasing, formulary development, and in the development of pharmacy/medical education programs and drug information compendia.

Topic: Education, Curriculum And Competence For Pharmacy

(JAPhA. NS49(4):492; July/August 2009) (Reviewed 2014) (Reviewed 2019) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA calls for employers to develop policies and procedures to support pharmacy personnel's ability to retreat or withdraw, without retaliation, from interactions that threaten their safety and well-being.

2. APhA encourages the development or utilization of educational programs and resources by the Association, employers, and other institutions to prepare pharmacy personnel to respond to situations that threaten their safety and well-being.

Topic: Education, Curriculum And Competence For Pharmacy

(JAPhA. 59(4):e17; July/August 2019) (Reviewed 2021) (Reviewed 2024) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA affirms that pharmacists play a vital role in improving outcomes in patients with or at risk of sexually transmitted infections.

2. APhA supports the pharmacist's role in the development of education and resources for individuals with Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT), Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) in order to increase awareness and access.

3. APhA advocates for revision of state practice acts to permit pharmacists to independently prescribe for individuals with Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT), Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) therapy.

Topic: Education, Curriculum And Competence For Pharmacy

(JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports the enactment of laws, regulations, and policies to end discriminatory practices that limit access to care for persons who are transgender or gender-diverse.

2. APhA encourages equity in care for persons who are transgender or gender-diverse through: (a) Continuing education on the pharmacist's role in transgender care, gender-affirming therapy, and health disparities in patients who are transgender or gender-diverse. (b) Systematic integration and utilization of affirmed name and pronouns, gender identity, and anatomical inventory. (c) Availability and implementation of education and resources related to gender-diverse care for all persons employed in health care settings.

Topic: Education, Curriculum And Competence For Pharmacy

(JAPhA. 63(4):1266; July/August 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA opposes the replacement of a pharmacist's professional judgment or patient's access to their pharmacist with artificial intelligence.

2. APhA calls on the profession of pharmacy and all related organizations to proactively assess and respond to the evolving role of artificial intelligence in pharmacy practice and workforce dynamics.

3. APhA encourages judicious use of artificial intelligence by pharmacists and pharmacy personnel as a tool to elevate pharmacy practice and enhance patient care.

4. APhA advocates for the integration of pharmacists into the development, design, validation, implementation, and maintenance of artificial intelligence solutions.

5. APhA calls on regulatory bodies, employers, and other relevant parties to develop laws, regulations, and policies as applicable for artificial intelligence to ensure patient safety, privacy, public awareness, and public protection.

6. APhA calls on those providing artificial intelligence solutions to implement processes that identify and mitigate bias and misinformation in artificial intelligence.

7. APhA advocates for education providers to facilitate, and pharmacy personnel to seek out, education and training on the lawful, ethical, and clinical use of artificial intelligence.

Topic: Education, Curriculum And Competence For Pharmacy

(JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports changes in laws, regulations, and policies to permit DEA-registered and trained opioid treatment program clinicians and other providers the ability to prescribe methadone for opioid use disorder and refer patients for additional services as needed.

2. APhA supports changes in laws, regulations, and policies to permit community pharmacy dispensing of methadone for opioid use disorder and appropriate compensation for these services.

3. APhA supports partnerships and collaborations to increase patient access to opioid treatment programs (OTPs) and clinicians.

4. APhA advocates for interprofessional education on laws, regulations, and policies regarding office-based prescribing and community pharmacy dispensing of methadone in curricula, postgraduate training, and continuing professional development programs of all health professions.

Topic: Education, Curriculum And Competence For Pharmacy

(JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA advocates for implementation and maintenance of cybersecurity systems, safeguards, and response mechanisms to mitigate risk and minimize harm or disruption for all pharmacies and related parties who manage or access electronic health and business information.

2. APhA advocates for all pharmacies and related business entities responsible for electronic health and business information to have cyber liability insurance or an equivalent self-funded plan to protect all relevant parties in the event of a cyberattack and data breach.

3. APhA advocates for education providers to facilitate, and pharmacy personnel to seek out, education and training on cybersecurity laws, regulations, and best practices.

Topic: Education, Curriculum And Competence For Pharmacy

(JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA advocates for nationwide integration and uniformity of prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMP) that incorporate federal, state, and territory databases for the purpose of providing health care professionals with accurate and real-time information to assist in clinical decision making when providing patient care services related to controlled substances.

2. APhA supports pharmacist involvement in the development of uniform standards for an integrated nationwide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) that includes the definition of authorized registered users, documentation, reporting requirements, system response time, security of information, minimum reporting data sets, and standard transaction format.

3. APhA supports mandatory prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) enrollment by all health care providers, mandatory reporting by all those who dispense controlled substances, and appropriate system query by registrants during the patient care process related to controlled substances.

4. APhA advocates for the development of seamless workflow integration systems that would enable consistent use of a nationwide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) by registrants to facilitate prospective drug review as part of the patient care process related to controlled substances.

5. APhA advocates for continuous, sustainable federal funding sources for practitioners and system operators to utilize and maintain a standardized integrated and real-time nationwide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP).

6. APhA supports the use of interprofessional advisory boards that include pharmacists to coordinate collaborative efforts for (a) compiling, analyzing, and using prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data trends to identify misuse of controlled substances and/or fraud; (b) providing focused provider education and patient referral to treatment programs; and (c) supporting research activities on the impact of PDMPs.

7. APhA supports education and training for registrants about a nationwide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) to ensure proper data integrity, use, and confidentiality.

Topic: Education, Curriculum And Competence For Pharmacy

(JAPhA. N55(4):364-365; July/August 2015) (JAPhA. 60(5):e10; September/October 2020) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA opposes the sale of e-cigarettes and other vaporized nicotine products in pharmacies until such time that scientific data support the health and environmental safety of these products.

2. APhA opposes the use of e-cigarettes and other vaporized nicotine products in areas subject to current clean air laws, regulations, and policies for combustible tobacco products until such time that scientific data support the health and environmental safety of these products.

3. APhA urges pharmacists to become more knowledgeable about e-cigarettes and other vaporized nicotine products.

Topic: Education, Curriculum And Competence For Pharmacy

(JAPhA. 54(4): 358; July/August 2014) (Reviewed 2019) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA opposes the replacement of a pharmacist's professional judgment or patient's access to their pharmacist with artificial intelligence.

2. APhA calls on the profession of pharmacy and all related organizations to proactively assess and respond to the evolving role of artificial intelligence in pharmacy practice and workforce dynamics.

3. APhA encourages judicious use of artificial intelligence by pharmacists and pharmacy personnel as a tool to elevate pharmacy practice and enhance patient care.

4. APhA advocates for the integration of pharmacists into the development, design, validation, implementation, and maintenance of artificial intelligence solutions.

5. APhA calls on regulatory bodies, employers, and other relevant parties to develop laws, regulations, and policies as applicable for artificial intelligence to ensure patient safety, privacy, public awareness, and public protection.

6. APhA calls on those providing artificial intelligence solutions to implement processes that identify and mitigate bias and misinformation in artificial intelligence.

7. APhA advocates for education providers to facilitate, and pharmacy personnel to seek out, education and training on the lawful, ethical, and clinical use of artificial intelligence.

Topic: Education, Curriculum And Competence For Pharmacy

(JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports changes in laws, regulations, and policies to permit DEA-registered and trained opioid treatment program clinicians and other providers the ability to prescribe methadone for opioid use disorder and refer patients for additional services as needed.

2. APhA supports changes in laws, regulations, and policies to permit community pharmacy dispensing of methadone for opioid use disorder and appropriate compensation for these services.

3. APhA supports partnerships and collaborations to increase patient access to opioid treatment programs (OTPs) and clinicians.

4. APhA advocates for interprofessional education on laws, regulations, and policies regarding office-based prescribing and community pharmacy dispensing of methadone in curricula, postgraduate training, and continuing professional development programs of all health professions.

Topic: Education, Curriculum And Competence For Pharmacy

(JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA strongly believes that all pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians should be safe in their work and learning environments and be free from firearm-related violence.

2. APhA strongly recommends that technician training programs, schools and colleges of pharmacy, postgraduate training programs, and employers should develop programs to increase readiness in the event of an active shooter.

3. APhA strongly believes pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians should be trained to recognize and refer patients at high risk of violence to themselves or others.

4. APhA encourages pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians who are survivors of firearm-related violence to seek the help of counselors and other trained mental health professionals.

Topic: Education, Curriculum And Competence For Pharmacy

(JAPhA. 59(4):e17; July/August 2019) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA advocates for implementation and maintenance of cybersecurity systems, safeguards, and response mechanisms to mitigate risk and minimize harm or disruption for all pharmacies and related parties who manage or access electronic health and business information.

2. APhA advocates for all pharmacies and related business entities responsible for electronic health and business information to have cyber liability insurance or an equivalent self-funded plan to protect all relevant parties in the event of a cyberattack and data breach.

3. APhA advocates for education providers to facilitate, and pharmacy personnel to seek out, education and training on cybersecurity laws, regulations, and best practices.

Topic: Education, Curriculum And Competence For Pharmacy

(JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA encourages all stakeholders to develop and adopt evidence-based approaches to educate the public and all health care professionals to reduce the stigma associated with mental health diagnoses.

2. APhA supports the increased utilization of pharmacists and student pharmacists with appropriate training to actively participate in the care of patients with mental health conditions as members of interprofessional health care teams in all practice settings.

3. APhA supports the expansion of mental health education and training in the curriculum of all schools and colleges of pharmacy, post-graduate training, and within continuing professional development programs.

4. APhA supports the development of education and resources to address health care professional resiliency and burnout.

Topic: Education, Curriculum And Competence For Pharmacy

(JAPhA. 58(4):356; July/August 2018) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA encourages state legislatures and boards of pharmacy to revise laws, regulations, and policies to support the patient-centered care of people who use non-medically sanctioned psychotropic or psychoactive substances.

2. To reduce the consequences of stigma associated with drug use, APhA supports the expansion of interprofessional harm reduction education in the curriculum of schools and colleges of pharmacy, postgraduate training, and continuing professional development programs.

3. APhA encourages pharmacists to initiate, sustain, and integrate evidence-based harm reduction principles and programs into their practice to optimize the health of people who use non-medically sanctioned psychotropic or psychoactive substances.

4. APhA supports pharmacists' roles to provide and promote consistent, unrestricted, and immediate access to evidence-based, mortality- and morbidity-reducing interventions to enhance the health of people who inject nonmedically sanctioned psychotropic or psychoactive substances and their communities, including sterile syringes, needles, and other safe injection equipment, syringe disposal, fentanyl test strips, immunizations, condoms, wound care supplies, pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis medications for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), point-of-care testing for HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV), opioid reversal agents, and medications for opioid use disorder.

5. APhA urges pharmacists to refer people who use non-medically sanctioned psychotropic or psychoactive substances to specialists in mental health, infectious diseases, and substance use disorder treatment; to housing, vocational, harm reduction, and recovery support services; and to safe consumption facilities and syringe service programs.

Topic: Education, Curriculum And Competence For Pharmacy

(JAPhA. 59(4):e17; July/August 2019) (Reviewed 2021) (Reviewed 2022) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA recommends that health plans and payers contract with and appropriately compensate individual pharmacist providers for the level of care rendered without requiring the pharmacist to be associated with a pharmacy.

2. APhA supports adoption of laws, regulations, and policies pertaining to the independent practice of pharmacists when those laws, regulations, and policies and rules are consistent with APhA policy.

3. APhA, recognizing the positive impact that pharmacists can have in meeting unmet needs and managing medical conditions, supports the adoption of laws, regulations, and policies and the creation of payment mechanisms for appropriately trained pharmacists to autonomously provide patient care services, including prescribing, as part of the health care team.

Topic: Employer/employee Relations

(JAPhA. NS49(4):492; July/August 2009) (Reviewed 2012) (JAPhA. 53(4):366; July/August 2013) (Reviewed 2018) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA calls for employers to adopt and implement just culture principles to improve patient safety and support pharmacy personnel.

2. APhA encourages transparency between employers and employees by sharing deidentified medication error and near-miss data and trends as well as actions taken to promote continuous quality improvement.

3. APhA urges the integration of non-disciplinary and non-punitive mechanisms for use by boards of pharmacy to promote just culture principles when addressing people, systems, and processes involved in medication errors.

4. APhA encourages national and state associations to advocate for laws, regulations, and policies to provide protections to individuals utilizing error reporting systems to promote just culture.

5. APhA encourages the creation of a mechanism for an industrywide effort to engage in confidential and transparent sharing of learnings and root cause findings helpful in reducing the risk of medication errors.

6. APhA supports the integration of just culture principles in PharmD and pharmacy technician education, postgraduate training, and continuing professional development programs.

Topic: Employer/employee Relations

(JAPhA. 63(4):1265; July/August 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

APhA supports vaccinations, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as a condition of employment, training, or volunteering within an organization that provides pharmacy services or operates a pharmacy or pharmacy department (unless a valid medical or religious reason precludes vaccination).

Topic: Employer/employee Relations

(JAPhA. NS51(4):482; July/August 2011) (Reviewed 2012) (Reviewed 2017) 2024

1. APhA supports staffing models that promote safe provision of patient care services and access to medications.

2. APhA encourages the adoption of patient centered quality and performance measures that align with safe delivery of patient care services and opposes the setting and use of operational quotas or time-oriented metrics that negatively impact patient care and safety.

3. APhA denounces any policies or practices of third-party administrators, processors, and payers that contribute to a workplace environment that negatively impacts patient safety. APhA calls upon public and private policy makers to establish provider payment laws, regulations, and policies that support the safe provision of medications and delivery of effective patient care.

4. APhA urges pharmacy personnel to establish collaborative mechanisms that engage the pharmacist in charge of each practice, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy staff in addressing workplace issues that may have an impact on patient safety.

5. APhA urges employers to collaborate with the pharmacy staff to regularly and systematically examine and resolve workplace issues that may have a negative impact on patient safety.

6. APhA opposes retaliation against pharmacy personnel for reporting workplace issues that may negatively impact patient safety.

Topic: Employer/employee Relations

(JAPhA. 58(4):355; July/August 2018) (Reviewed 2020) (Reviewed 2021) (Reviewed 2022) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA affirms the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights that collective bargaining is a fundamental human right.

2. APhA supports pharmacists' participation in organizations that promote the discretion or professional prerogatives exercised by pharmacists in their practice, including the provision of patient care.

3. APhA supports the rights of pharmacists to negotiate with their respective employers for working conditions that will foster compliance with the standards of patient care as established by the profession.

Topic: Employer/employee Relations

(JAPhA. 39(4) 447; July/August 1999) (Reviewed 2001) (Reviewed 2007) (JAPhA. NS52(4):458; July/August 2012) (Reviewed 2017) (Reviewed 2019) (Reviewed 2020) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

The employment relationship between pharmacists and their employers must start with the principle that pharmacists have a professional, inherent right to practice in a manner that will engender self-respect in pursuit of their professional and economic objectives.

It is the policy of APhA to further the following basic employment standards:

1. Employers are obligated to respect the professional status, privileges, and responsibilities of employed pharmacists.

2. Employers are obligated to provide working conditions that enhance the ability of employed pharmacists to utilize their full professional capacity in providing patient care service to the public.

3. Employers are obligated to provide employed pharmacists opportunities to increase their professional knowledge and experience.

4. Employers are obligated to fairly compensate employed pharmacists commensurate with their duties and performances. Such compensation should include benefits generally available to other professionals including, but not limited to, vacation, sick leave, insurance plans, and retirement programs.

5. Employed pharmacists are obligated to use their best efforts to further the services offered to the public by their employers.

6. Employed pharmacists are obligated to bring to the attention of their employers all matters that will assist the employers in maintaining professional standards and successful practices.

7. Employed pharmacists are obligated, when negotiating compensation, to consider not only prevailing economic conditions in their community, but also their economic position relative to other health care professionals.

8. Employed pharmacists are obligated to recognize that their responsibility includes not depriving the public of their patient care services by striking in support of their economic demands or those of others.

9. Both employers and employed pharmacists are obligated to reach and maintain definite understandings with regards to their respective economic rights and duties by resolving employment issues fairly, promptly, and in good faith.

It is the policy of APhA to support these basic employment standards by:

1. Encouraging and assisting state and national associations to establish broadly representative bodies to study the subject of professional and economic relations and to establish locally responsive guidelines to assist employers and employed pharmacists in developing satisfactory employment relationships.

2. Encouraging and assisting state and national pharmacy associations to use their good offices, whenever invited, to resolve specific issues that may arise.

3. Assisting state pharmacists associations and national specialty associations to develop procedures for mediation or arbitration of disputes that may arise between employers and employed pharmacists so that pharmacists can call on their profession for such assistance when required.

4. Increasing its activities directed towards educating the profession about the mutual employment responsibilities of employers and employed pharmacists.

5. Developing benefits programs wherever possible to assist employers in providing employed pharmacists with economic security.

6. Continuously reminding pharmacists that the future development and status of pharmacy as a health profession rests in their willingness and ability to maintain control of their profession.

Topic: Employer/employee Relations

(JAPhA. NS10:363; June 1970) (Reviewed 2001) (JAPhA. NS45(5):580; September-October 2007) (JAPhA. NS52(4): 458; July/August 2012) (Reviewed 2017) (Reviewed 2018) (Reviewed 2020) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA calls for employers to develop policies and procedures to support pharmacy personnel's ability to retreat or withdraw, without retaliation, from interactions that threaten their safety and well-being.

2. APhA encourages the development or utilization of educational programs and resources by the Association, employers, and other institutions to prepare pharmacy personnel to respond to situations that threaten their safety and well-being.

Topic: Employer/employee Relations

(JAPhA. 59(4):e17; July/August 2019) (Reviewed 2021) (Reviewed 2024) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports staffing models that promote safe provision of patient care services and access to medications.

2. APhA encourages the adoption of patient centered quality and performance measures that align with safe delivery of patient care services and opposes the setting and use of operational quotas or time-oriented metrics that negatively impact patient care and safety.

3. APhA denounces any policies or practices of third-party administrators, processors, and payers that contribute to a workplace environment that negatively impacts patient safety. APhA calls upon public and private policy makers to establish provider payment laws, regulations, and policies that support the safe provision of medications and delivery of effective patient care.

4. APhA urges pharmacy personnel to establish collaborative mechanisms that engage the pharmacist in charge of each practice, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy staff in addressing workplace issues that may have an impact on patient safety.

5. APhA urges employers to collaborate with the pharmacy staff to regularly and systematically examine and resolve workplace issues that may have a negative impact on patient safety.

6. APhA opposes retaliation against pharmacy personnel for reporting workplace issues that may negatively impact patient safety.

Topic: Employer/employee Relations

(JAPhA. 58(4):355; July/August 2018) (Reviewed 2020) (Reviewed 2021) (Reviewed 2022) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

APhA urges pharmacists to expand patient access to secure, convenient, and environmentally responsible drug disposal options, in accordance with the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010, by implementing disposal programs they deem appropriate for their individual practice sites, patient care settings, and business models in an effort to reduce the amount of dispensed but unused prescription drug product available for diversion and misuse.

Topic: Environmental Concerns

(JAPhA. 57(4):441; July/August 2017) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA encourages pharmacist involvement in the planning and coordination of medication take-back programs for the purpose of disposal.

2. APhA supports increasing public awareness regarding medication take-back programs for the purpose of disposal.

3. APhA urges public and private stakeholders, including local, state, and federal agencies, to coordinate and create uniform, standardized laws, regulations and policies, including issues related to liability and sustainable funding sources, for the proper and safe disposal of unused medications.

4. APhA recommends ongoing medication take-back and disposal programs.

Topic: Environmental Concerns

(JAPhA. 53(4):365; July/August 2013) (Reviewed 2018) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

APhA supports research and development of pharmaceutical packaging disposal by pharmacists, pharmaceutical manufacturers, waste product managers, and other stakeholders to increase recycling, reduce unnecessary waste, and minimize the opportunity for counterfeiters to use discarded packaging.

Topic: Environmental Concerns

(Am Pharm. NS32(6):516; June 1992) (Reviewed 2004) (JAPhA. NS45(5):580; September/October 2007) (Reviewed 2012) (Reviewed 2017) 2024

1. APhA opposes the sale of e-cigarettes and other vaporized nicotine products in pharmacies until such time that scientific data support the health and environmental safety of these products.

2. APhA opposes the use of e-cigarettes and other vaporized nicotine products in areas subject to current clean air laws, regulations, and policies for combustible tobacco products until such time that scientific data support the health and environmental safety of these products.

3. APhA urges pharmacists to become more knowledgeable about e-cigarettes and other vaporized nicotine products.

Topic: Environmental Concerns

(JAPhA. 54(4): 358; July/August 2014) (Reviewed 2019) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA opposes drug manufacturers' refusal to supply certain drugs to correctional health services units necessary to provide medical treatment of those who are incarcerated.

2. APhA advocates for those who are incarcerated to have an opportunity, equal to that of nonmates, to access medications that correctional healthcare providers deem medically necessary for appropriate and humane health care treatment.

3. APhA advocates for correctional healthcare providers to have opportunity, equal to that of non-correctional healthcare providers, to access, prescribe, and procure pharmaceuticals deemed necessary for medical treatment of those incarcerated.

Topic: Ethical Issues

(JAPhA. 60(5):e11; September/October 2020) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA opposes the use of the term "drug" for chemicals when used in lethal injections.

2. APhA opposes laws, regulations, and policies that mandate or prohibit the participation of pharmacists in the process of execution by lethal injection.

Topic: Ethical Issues

(Am Pharm. NS25(5):51; May 1985) (JAPhA. NS44(5):551; September/October 2004) (Reviewed 2010) (Reviewed 2015) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports informed decision-making based upon the professional judgment of pharmacists, rather than endorsing a particular moral stance on the issue of physician-assisted suicide.

2. APhA opposes laws, regulations, and policies that mandate or prohibit the participation of pharmacists in physician-assisted suicide.

Topic: Ethical Issues

(JAPhA. NS37(4):459; July/August 1997) (JAPhA. NS44(5):551; September/October 2004) (Reviewed 2010) (Reviewed 2015) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA urges the development of laws, regulations, and policies that facilitate patient access to and affordability of biologic products.

2. APhA urges the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expedite the development of standards and pathways that will evaluate the interchangeability of biologic products.

3. APhA recognizes the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Purple Book as an authoritative reference about biologic product interchangeability within the United States.

4. APhA opposes interchangeable biologic product substitution processes that require authorization, recordkeeping, or reporting beyond generic product substitution processes.

5. APhA encourages scientific justification for extrapolation of indications for biologic products to ensure patient safety and optimal therapeutic outcomes.

Topic: Federal Programs And Policies

(JAPhA. 56(4):369; July/August 2016) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports the immediate reporting by manufacturers to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of disruptions that may impact the market supply of medically necessary drug products to prevent, mitigate, or resolve drug shortage issues and supports the authority for FDA to impose penalties for failing to report.

2. APhA supports revising current laws, regulations, and policies that restrict the FDA's ability to provide timely communication to pharmacists, other health care providers, health systems, and professional associations regarding potential or real drug shortages.

3. APhA encourages the FDA, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and other stakeholders to collaborate in order to minimize barriers (e.g., aggregate production quotas, annual assessment of needs, unapproved drug initiatives) that contribute to or exacerbate drug shortages.

4. APhA should actively support legislation to hasten the development of an efficient regulatory process to approve therapeutically equivalent generic versions of biologic drug products.

5. APhA encourages pharmacists and other health care providers to assist in maintaining continuity of care during drug shortage situations by (a) creating a practice site drug shortage plan as well as policies and procedures; (b) using reputable drug shortage management and information resources in decision making; (c) communicating with patients and coordinating with other health care providers; (d) avoiding excessive ordering and stockpiling of drugs; (e) acquiring drugs from reputable distributors; and (f) heightening their awareness of the potential for counterfeit or adulterated drugs entering the drug distribution system.

6. APhA encourages accrediting and regulatory agencies and the pharmaceutical science and manufacturing communities to evaluate policies/procedures related to the establishment and use of drug expiration dates and any impact those policies/procedures may have on drug shortages.

7. APhA encourages the active investigation and appropriate prosecution of entities that engage in price gouging and profiteering of medically necessary drug products in response to drug shortages.

Topic: Federal Programs And Policies

(JAPhA. NS52(4): 457; July/August 2012) (Reviewed 2017) (Reviewed 2021) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA advocates for nationwide integration and uniformity of prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMP) that incorporate federal, state, and territory databases for the purpose of providing health care professionals with accurate and real-time information to assist in clinical decision making when providing patient care services related to controlled substances.

2. APhA supports pharmacist involvement in the development of uniform standards for an integrated nationwide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) that includes the definition of authorized registered users, documentation, reporting requirements, system response time, security of information, minimum reporting data sets, and standard transaction format.

3. APhA supports mandatory prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) enrollment by all health care providers, mandatory reporting by all those who dispense controlled substances, and appropriate system query by registrants during the patient care process related to controlled substances.

4. APhA advocates for the development of seamless workflow integration systems that would enable consistent use of a nationwide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) by registrants to facilitate prospective drug review as part of the patient care process related to controlled substances.

5. APhA advocates for continuous, sustainable federal funding sources for practitioners and system operators to utilize and maintain a standardized integrated and real-time nationwide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP).

6. APhA supports the use of interprofessional advisory boards that include pharmacists to coordinate collaborative efforts for (a) compiling, analyzing, and using prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data trends to identify misuse of controlled substances and/or fraud; (b) providing focused provider education and patient referral to treatment programs; and (c) supporting research activities on the impact of PDMPs.

7. APhA supports education and training for registrants about a nationwide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) to ensure proper data integrity, use, and confidentiality.

Topic: Federal Programs And Policies

(JAPhA. N55(4):364-365; July/August 2015) (JAPhA. 60(5):e10; September/October 2020) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

APhA supports amendment of personal income tax laws, regulations, and policies to permit all personal expenditures for medicines and drugs to be totally deductible and exempt from any exclusionary limits.

Topic: Federal Programs And Policies

(Am Pharm. NS20(7):61; July 1980) (JAPhA. NS44(5):551; September/October 2004) (Reviewed 2010) (Reviewed 2015) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA opposes drug manufacturers' refusal to supply certain drugs to correctional health services units necessary to provide medical treatment of those who are incarcerated.

2. APhA advocates for those who are incarcerated to have an opportunity, equal to that of nonmates, to access medications that correctional healthcare providers deem medically necessary for appropriate and humane health care treatment.

3. APhA advocates for correctional healthcare providers to have opportunity, equal to that of non-correctional healthcare providers, to access, prescribe, and procure pharmaceuticals deemed necessary for medical treatment of those incarcerated.

Topic: Federal Programs And Policies

(JAPhA. 60(5):e11; September/October 2020) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA asserts that the quality and safety of pharmaceutical and other medical products and the global pharmaceutical and medical product supply chain are essential to the United States national security and public health.

2. APhA advocates for pharmacist engagement in the development and implementation of national and global strategies to ensure the availability, quality, and safety of pharmaceutical and other medical products.

3. APhA calls for the development, implementation, and oversight of enhanced and transparent processes, standards, and information that ensure quality and safety of all pharmaceutical ingredients and manufacturing processes.

4. APhA calls on the federal government to penalize entities who create barriers that threaten the availability, quality, and safety of United States pharmaceutical and other medical product supplies.

5. APhA calls for the development of redundancy and risk mitigation strategies in the manufacturing process to ensure reliable and consistent availability of safe and high-quality pharmaceutical and other medical products.

6. APhA advocates for legal regulatory, policy and market incentives that bolster the availability, quality, and safety of pharmaceutical and other medical products.

7. APhA calls for greater transparency, accuracy, and timeliness of information and notification to health care professionals regarding drug shortages, product quality and manufacturing issues, supply disruption, and recalls.

8. APhA encourages pharmacy providers, health systems, and payers to develop coordinated response plans, including the use of therapeutic alternatives, to mitigate the impact of drug shortages and supply disruptions.

9. APhA supports federal legislation and regulations that engages pharmacists, other health professionals, and manufacturers in developing a United States-specific essential medicines list and provides funding mechanisms to ensure consistent availability of these products.

10. APhA recommends the use of pharmacists in the delivery of public messages, through media and other communication channels, regarding pharmaceutical supply and quality issues.

Topic: Federal Programs And Policies

(JAPhA. 60(5):e9; September/October 2020) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

APhA supports the reduction and simplification of laws, regulations, and policies for record-keeping requirements that affect pharmacy practice and are not beneficial in protecting the public welfare.

Topic: Federal Programs And Policies

(Am Pharm. NS25(5):51; May 1985) (Reviewed 2001) (Reviewed 2004) (Reviewed 2010) (Reviewed 2015)(Reviewed 2021) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) efforts to revise the drug and medical device classification paradigms for prescription and nonprescription medications and medical devices to allow greater access to certain medications and medical devices under conditions of safe use while maintaining patients' relationships with their pharmacists and other health care providers.

2. APhA supports the implementation or modification of state laws, regulations, and policies to facilitate pharmacists' implementation and provision of services related to a revised drug and medical device classification system.

3. APhA supports a patient care delivery model built on coordination and communication between pharmacists and other health care team members in the evaluation and management of care delivery.

4. APhA affirms that pharmacists are qualified to provide clinical interventions on medications and medical devices under FDA's approved conditions of safe use.

5. APhA urges manufacturers, FDA, and other stakeholders to include pharmacists' input in the development and adoption of technology and standardized processes for services related to medications and medical devices under FDA's defined conditions of safe use.

6. APhA supports the utilization of best practices, treatment algorithms, and clinical judgment of pharmacists and other health care providers to guide the evaluation and management of care delivery related to medications and medical devices under FDA's approved conditions of safe use.

7. APhA encourages the inclusion of medications, medical devices, and their associated services provided under FDA's defined conditions of safe use within health benefit coverage.

8. APhA supports compensation of pharmacists and other health care professionals for the provision of services related to FDA's defined conditions of safe use programs.

Topic: Federal Programs And Policies

(JAPhA. 53(4):365; July/August 2013) (JAPhA. 58(4):356; July/August 2018) (Reviewed 2022) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports equitable patient access to evidence-based comprehensive reproductive health care, including, but not limited to, the management of pregnancy loss, ectopic pregnancy, infertility, pregnancy termination, contraception, and permanent contraception.

2. APhA recognizes patient autonomy in choosing reproductive health care services and the essential role of all health care professionals in facilitating access and advancing informed decision making.

3. APhA supports evidence-based laws, regulations, and policies that ensures patient access to comprehensive reproductive health care services.

4. APhA opposes legal actions against pharmacies, pharmacists, and pharmacy personnel that provide patient access to, or information regarding, reproductive health care services that are within pharmacist scope of practice.

Topic: Freedom Of Access (freedom Of Choice)

(JAPhA. 63(4):1266; July/August 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA opposes drug manufacturers' refusal to supply certain drugs to correctional health services units necessary to provide medical treatment of those who are incarcerated.

2. APhA advocates for those who are incarcerated to have an opportunity, equal to that of nonmates, to access medications that correctional healthcare providers deem medically necessary for appropriate and humane health care treatment.

3. APhA advocates for correctional healthcare providers to have opportunity, equal to that of non-correctional healthcare providers, to access, prescribe, and procure pharmaceuticals deemed necessary for medical treatment of those incarcerated.

Topic: Freedom Of Access (freedom Of Choice)

(JAPhA. 60(5):e11; September/October 2020) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

APhA supports reform of the U.S. health care system and believes that any reform at the state or national level must provide for the following

1. Universal coverage for pharmacy service benefits that include both medications and pharmacists' services;

2. Specific provisions for the access to and payment for pharmacists' patient care services;

3. A single set of pricing rules, eliminating class-of-trade distinctions, for medications, medication delivery systems, and other equipment so that no payer, patient, or provider is disadvantaged by cost shifting;

4. The right for every American to choose his/her own provider of medications and pharmacists' services and for all pharmacists to participate in the health plans of their choice under equally applied terms and conditions;

5. Quality assurance mechanisms to improve and substantiate the effectiveness of medications and health services;

6. Information and administrative systems designed to enhance patient care, eliminate needless bureaucracy, and provide patients and providers price and quality information needed to make informed patient-care decisions;

7. Relief from antitrust laws, regulations, and policies to enable pharmacists to establish systems that balance provider needs relative to corporate and governmental interests;

8. Reform in the professional liability system, including caps on non-economic damages, attorneys' fees, and other measures;

9. Representation on the controlling board of each plan by an active health care practitioner from each discipline within the scope of the plan; and

10. Recognition of the pharmacist's role in delivering primary health care services.

Topic: Healthcare Reform

(Am Pharm. NS34(6):58; June 1994) (Reviewed 2004) (Reviewed 2010) (Reviewed 2011) (JAPhA. 56(4):379; July/August 2016) (Reviewed 2018) (Reviewed 2021) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports the expansion and increased sources of funding for pharmacies and pharmacist-provided care services that serve the needs of underserved populations to provide better health outcomes and lower healthcare costs.

2. APhA supports charitable pharmacies and pharmacy services that ensure the quality, safety, drug storage, and integrity of the drug product and supply chain, in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.

Topic: Healthcare Reform

(JAPhA. 60(5):e11; September/October 2020) (Reviewed 2022) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports the pharmacist as the only appropriate provider of telepharmacy services, a component of telehealth, for which compensation should be provided. Telepharmacy is defined as the provision of pharmaceutical care to patients through the use of telecommunications and information technologies.

2. APhA shall assist pharmacists and student pharmacists in becoming knowledgeable about telepharmacy and telehealth.

3. APhA shall participate in the ongoing development of the telehealth infrastructure, including but not limited to laws, regulations, policies, standards development, security guidelines, information systems, and compensation.

4. APhA acknowledges that state boards of pharmacy are primarily responsible for the regulation of the practice of telepharmacy, encourages appropriate laws, regulations, and policies that facilitate the practice of telepharmacy and maintain appropriate guidelines to protect the public health and patient confidentiality.

Topic: Internet Pharmacy

(JAPhA. 39(4):447; July/August 1999) (JAPhA. NS44(5):551; September/October 2004) (JAPhA. NS45(5):559; September/October 2005) (Reviewed 2009) (Reviewed 2012) (Reviewed 2014) (Reviewed 2019) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA urges government authorities to hold pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesalers, pharmacies, and other pharmaceutical supply distributors and providers accountable to state and federal price gouging laws, regulations and policies in selling those items to patients, pharmacies, hospitals, and other health care providers during times of local, state, or national emergency.

2. APhA urges government authorities to aggressively enforce laws and regulations against adulterated products and false and misleading claims by entities offering to sell pharmaceutical and medical products to health care providers and consumers.

Topic: Interprofessional Relations

(JAPhA. 60(5):e11; September/October 2020) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA encourages all stakeholders to develop and adopt evidence-based approaches to educate the public and all health care professionals to reduce the stigma associated with mental health diagnoses.

2. APhA supports the increased utilization of pharmacists and student pharmacists with appropriate training to actively participate in the care of patients with mental health conditions as members of interprofessional health care teams in all practice settings.

3. APhA supports the expansion of mental health education and training in the curriculum of all schools and colleges of pharmacy, post-graduate training, and within continuing professional development programs.

4. APhA supports the development of education and resources to address health care professional resiliency and burnout.

Topic: Interprofessional Relations

(JAPhA. 58(4):356; July/August 2018) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports the establishment of collaborative practice agreements between pharmacists and other health care professionals designed to optimize patient care outcomes.

2. APhA supports the establishment of collaborative practice agreements between one or multiple pharmacists and one or multiple prescribers or entities.

3. APhA supports state laws, regulations, and policies that do not require a referral or a prior provider-patient relationship as a prerequisite to access services provided under a collaborative practice agreement.

4. APhA opposes state laws, regulations, and policies that limit collaborative practice agreements to specific patients.

5. APhA supports state laws, regulations, and policies that allow for pharmacists' prescriptive authority.

6. APhA supports state collaborative practice laws, regulations, and policies that allow all licensed pharmacists, in all practice settings, to establish collaborative practice agreements with other health care professionals or entities.

7. APhA shall promote the establishment and dissemination of guidelines and information to pharmacists and other health care professionals to facilitate the development of collaborative practice agreements.

Topic: Interprofessional Relations

(JAPhA. NS37(4):459; July/August 1997) (Reviewed 2003) (Reviewed 2007) (Reviewed 2009) (Reviewed 2011) (Reviewed 2012) (Reviewed 2017) (JAPhA. 59(4):e17; July/August 2019) (Reviewed 2020) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA asserts that pharmacists should have the authority and support to practice to the full extent of their education, training, and experience in delivering patient care.

2. APhA opposes burdensome legal and regulatory requirements beyond continuing professional development for the provision of patient care services.

3. APhA supports continuing efforts toward establishing a consistent and accurate perception of the contemporary role and practice of pharmacists by the general public, patients, and all persons and institutions engaged in health care policy, administration, payment, and delivery.

4. APhA supports continued collaboration with stakeholders to facilitate adoption of standardized practice acts, appropriate related laws, regulations, and policies that reflect contemporary pharmacy practice.

5. APhA supports the establishment of multistate pharmacist licensure agreements to address the evolving needs of the pharmacy profession and pharmacist-provided patient care.

6. APhA urges the continued development of consensus documents, in collaboration with medical associations and other stakeholders, that recognize and support pharmacists' roles in patient care as health care providers.

7. APhA urges universal recognition of pharmacists as health care providers and compensation based on the level of patient care provided using standardized and future health care payment models.

Topic: Interprofessional Relations

(JAPhA. NS52(4):457; July/August 2012) (Reviewed 2016) (JAPhA. 57(4):441; July/August 2017) (Reviewed 2019) (Reviewed 2021) (Reviewed 2022) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

Because of the broad implications of the pharmacist's role in public health, the committee recommends that pharmacists and pharmacy associations seek to have the state laws, regulations, and policies amended to require that a pharmacist serve on the state and local boards of health. One part of this effort should be an increased interest on the part of the pharmacist in his local health boards and commissions.

Topic: Interprofessional Relations

(JAPhA. NS7:324; June 1967) (Reviewed 2002) (Reviewed 2007) (Reviewed 2012) (Reviewed 2017) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA encourages state legislatures and boards of pharmacy to revise laws, regulations, and policies to support the patient-centered care of people who use non-medically sanctioned psychotropic or psychoactive substances.

2. To reduce the consequences of stigma associated with drug use, APhA supports the expansion of interprofessional harm reduction education in the curriculum of schools and colleges of pharmacy, postgraduate training, and continuing professional development programs.

3. APhA encourages pharmacists to initiate, sustain, and integrate evidence-based harm reduction principles and programs into their practice to optimize the health of people who use non-medically sanctioned psychotropic or psychoactive substances.

4. APhA supports pharmacists' roles to provide and promote consistent, unrestricted, and immediate access to evidence-based, mortality- and morbidity-reducing interventions to enhance the health of people who inject nonmedically sanctioned psychotropic or psychoactive substances and their communities, including sterile syringes, needles, and other safe injection equipment, syringe disposal, fentanyl test strips, immunizations, condoms, wound care supplies, pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis medications for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), point-of-care testing for HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV), opioid reversal agents, and medications for opioid use disorder.

5. APhA urges pharmacists to refer people who use non-medically sanctioned psychotropic or psychoactive substances to specialists in mental health, infectious diseases, and substance use disorder treatment; to housing, vocational, harm reduction, and recovery support services; and to safe consumption facilities and syringe service programs.

Topic: Interprofessional Relations

(JAPhA. 59(4):e17; July/August 2019) (Reviewed 2021) (Reviewed 2022) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports the immediate reporting by manufacturers to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of disruptions that may impact the market supply of medically necessary drug products to prevent, mitigate, or resolve drug shortage issues and supports the authority for FDA to impose penalties for failing to report.

2. APhA supports revising current laws, regulations, and policies that restrict the FDA's ability to provide timely communication to pharmacists, other health care providers, health systems, and professional associations regarding potential or real drug shortages.

3. APhA encourages the FDA, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and other stakeholders to collaborate in order to minimize barriers (e.g., aggregate production quotas, annual assessment of needs, unapproved drug initiatives) that contribute to or exacerbate drug shortages.

4. APhA should actively support legislation to hasten the development of an efficient regulatory process to approve therapeutically equivalent generic versions of biologic drug products.

5. APhA encourages pharmacists and other health care providers to assist in maintaining continuity of care during drug shortage situations by (a) creating a practice site drug shortage plan as well as policies and procedures; (b) using reputable drug shortage management and information resources in decision making; (c) communicating with patients and coordinating with other health care providers; (d) avoiding excessive ordering and stockpiling of drugs; (e) acquiring drugs from reputable distributors; and (f) heightening their awareness of the potential for counterfeit or adulterated drugs entering the drug distribution system.

6. APhA encourages accrediting and regulatory agencies and the pharmaceutical science and manufacturing communities to evaluate policies/procedures related to the establishment and use of drug expiration dates and any impact those policies/procedures may have on drug shortages.

7. APhA encourages the active investigation and appropriate prosecution of entities that engage in price gouging and profiteering of medically necessary drug products in response to drug shortages.

Topic: Labeling

(JAPhA. NS52(4): 457; July/August 2012) (Reviewed 2017) (Reviewed 2021) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

APhA supports a federal requirement that a name, trademark, number, or code be included on the drug dosage form.

Topic: Labeling

(Am Pharm. NS20(7):62; July 1980) (JAPhA. NS44(5):551; September/October 2004) (Reviewed 2010) (Reviewed 2015) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

APhA supports requirements for the name of the actual manufacturer of the dosage forms on all drug products.

Topic: Labeling

(JAPhA. NS9:361; July 1969) (JAPhA. NS44(5):551; September/October 2004) (Reviewed 2010) (Reviewed 2015) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

APhA supports requirements for full disclosure of therapeutically inactive, as well as active ingredients of all drug products.

Topic: Labeling

(JAPhA. NS10:357; June 1970) (JAPhA. NS44(5):551; September/October 2004) (Reviewed 2010) (Reviewed 2015) (Reviewed 2019) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA shall work with Congress to modify the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act or enact other laws, regulation, or policies to require that dietary supplement manufacturers provide evidence of efficacy and safety for all products, including products currently in the marketplace.

2. APhA supports the establishment and implementation of clear and effective enforcement policies to remove promptly unsafe or ineffective dietary supplement products from the marketplace.

3. APhA shall work with the FDA to improve dietary supplement product labeling to ensure full disclosure of all product components and their source with associated strengths and recommendations for use in specific patient populations.

4. APhA supports the development and enforcement of dietary supplement good manufacturing practices (GMPs) and compliance with USP/NF standards to ensure quality, safe, contaminant-free products.

5. APhA encourages health care professionals, manufacturers, and consumers to report adverse health events associated with dietary supplements. APhA encourages the FDA to create a database with this information and make it available to all interested parties.

Topic: Labeling

(JAPhA. NS1(9):40; September/October 2000) (Reviewed 2005) (Reviewed 2007) (Reviewed 2012) (Reviewed 2017) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports protecting pharmacist, student pharmacist, and pharmacy technician personal information (e.g. home address, telephone, and personal email address).

2. APhA opposes legal, regulatory, and policy requirements that mandate the publication of pharmacist, student pharmacist and pharmacy technician personal information (e.g., home address, telephone, and personal email address).

3. APhA encourages state boards of pharmacy to remove from their websites personal addresses, phone numbers, email, and other non-business contact information of pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians.

Topic: Licensure, Registration, And Regulation

(JAPhA. NS45(5):580; September-October 2007) (Reviewed 2012) (Reviewed 2017) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

APhA encourages state pharmaceutical associations to actively seek appointment of public members to their respective boards of pharmacy and other health profession licensing and regulatory agencies.

Topic: Licensure, Registration, And Regulation

(JAPhA. NS12:281; June 1972) (Reviewed 2004) (Reviewed 2010) (Reviewed 2015) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA encourages state boards of pharmacy to develop laws, regulations, and policies allowing expanded pharmacy technician roles that allow both technicians and pharmacists to practice at the top of their training and license or certification.

2. APhA supports state board of pharmacy regulations that standardize and set minimum didactic and experiential standards for technicians to allow for functioning in expanded roles.

Topic: Licensure, Registration, And Regulation

(JAPhA. 59(4):e17; July/August 2019) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports the following minimum requirements for all new pharmacy technicians: (a) Successful completion of an accredited or state-approved education and training program. (b) Certification by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).

2. APhA supports state board of pharmacy laws, regulations, and policies that require pharmacy technicians to meet minimum standards of education, training, certification, and recertification. APhA encourages state boards of pharmacy to develop a phase-in process for current pharmacy technicians. APhA also encourages boards of pharmacy to delineate between pharmacy technicians and student pharmacists for the purposes of education, training, certification, and recertification.

3. APhA recognizes the important contribution and role of pharmacy technicians in assisting pharmacists and student pharmacists with the delivery of patient care.

4. APhA supports the development of resources and programs that promote the recruitment and retention of qualified pharmacy technicians.

5. APhA supports the development of continuing pharmacy education programs that enhance and support the continued professional development of pharmacy technicians.

6. APhA encourages the development of compensation models for pharmacy technicians that promote sustainable career opportunities.

Topic: Licensure, Registration, And Regulation

(JAPhA. 57(4):442; July/August 2017) (Reviewed 2021) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

APhA supports laws, regulations, and policies that require registration with the state boards of pharmacy of all facilities involved in the storage, wholesale distribution, and issuance of legend drugs to patients, provided that such registration does not restrict the pharmacists from providing professional services independent of a facility.

Topic: Licensure, Registration, And Regulation

(JAPhA. NS52(4):458; July/August 2012) (Reviewed 2017) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

APhA supports enactment of laws, regulations, and policies that would require registration with the state boards of pharmacy of all facilities involved in the storage and issuing of legend drugs to patients, provided that such registration does not restrict the pharmacist from providing professional services independent of a facility.

Topic: Licensure, Registration, And Regulation

(Am Pharm. NS25(5):51 May; 1985) (Reviewed 2004) (Reviewed 2010) (Reviewed 2012) (Reviewed 2013) (Reviewed 2018) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

APhA supports enactment of laws, regulations and policies which would govern the dispensing and issuing of legend drugs from mobile facilities.

Topic: Licensure, Registration, And Regulation

(Am Pharm. NS25(5):51; May 1985) (Reviewed 2004) (Reviewed 2010) (Reviewed 2015) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports equitable patient access to evidence-based comprehensive reproductive health care, including, but not limited to, the management of pregnancy loss, ectopic pregnancy, infertility, pregnancy termination, contraception, and permanent contraception.

2. APhA recognizes patient autonomy in choosing reproductive health care services and the essential role of all health care professionals in facilitating access and advancing informed decision making.

3. APhA supports evidence-based laws, regulations, and policies that ensures patient access to comprehensive reproductive health care services.

4. APhA opposes legal actions against pharmacies, pharmacists, and pharmacy personnel that provide patient access to, or information regarding, reproductive health care services that are within pharmacist scope of practice.

Topic: Licensure, Registration, And Regulation

(JAPhA. 63(4):1266; July/August 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA asserts that pharmacists should have the authority and support to practice to the full extent of their education, training, and experience in delivering patient care.

2. APhA opposes burdensome legal and regulatory requirements beyond continuing professional development for the provision of patient care services.

3. APhA supports continuing efforts toward establishing a consistent and accurate perception of the contemporary role and practice of pharmacists by the general public, patients, and all persons and institutions engaged in health care policy, administration, payment, and delivery.

4. APhA supports continued collaboration with stakeholders to facilitate adoption of standardized practice acts, appropriate related laws, regulations, and policies that reflect contemporary pharmacy practice.

5. APhA supports the establishment of multistate pharmacist licensure agreements to address the evolving needs of the pharmacy profession and pharmacist-provided patient care.

6. APhA urges the continued development of consensus documents, in collaboration with medical associations and other stakeholders, that recognize and support pharmacists' roles in patient care as health care providers.

7. APhA urges universal recognition of pharmacists as health care providers and compensation based on the level of patient care provided using standardized and future health care payment models.

Topic: Licensure, Registration, And Regulation

(JAPhA. NS52(4):457; July/August 2012) (Reviewed 2016) (JAPhA. 57(4):441; July/August 2017) (Reviewed 2019) (Reviewed 2021) (Reviewed 2022) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA asserts that pharmacists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy support staff are essential members of the healthcare team and should be actively engaged and supported in surveillance, mitigation, preparedness, planning, response, recovery, and countermeasure activities related to public health and other emergencies.

2. APhA reaffirms the 2016 policy on the Role of the Pharmacist in National Defense, and calls for the active and coordinated engagement of all pharmacists in public health and other emergency planning and response activities.

3. APhA advocates for the timely removal of legal, regulatory, and policy restrictions; practice limitations; and financial barriers during public health and other emergencies to meet immediate patient care needs.

4. APhA urges regulatory bodies and government agencies to recognize pharmacists' training and ability to evaluate patient needs, provide care, and appropriately refer patients during public health and other emergencies.

5. APhA advocates for pharmacists' authority to ensure patient access to care through the prescribing, dispensing, and administering of medications, as well as provision of other patient care services during times of public health and other emergencies.

6. APhA calls for processes to ensure that any willing and able pharmacy and pharmacy practitioner is not excluded from providing pharmacist patient care services during public health and other emergencies.

7. APhA calls on public and private payers to establish and implement payment policies that compensate pharmacists providing patient care services, including during public health and other emergencies, within their recognized authority.

8. APhA advocates for the inclusion of pharmacists as essential members in the planning, development, and implementation of alternate care sites or delivery models during public health and other emergencies.

9. APhA reaffirms the 2015 Interoperability of Communications Among Health Care Providers to Improve Quality of Care and encourages pharmacists, as members of the healthcare team, to communicate care decisions made during public health and other emergencies with other members of the healthcare team to ensure continuity of care.

Topic: Licensure, Registration, And Regulation

(JAPhA. 61(4):e15; July/August 2021) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA calls for employers to adopt and implement just culture principles to improve patient safety and support pharmacy personnel.

2. APhA encourages transparency between employers and employees by sharing deidentified medication error and near-miss data and trends as well as actions taken to promote continuous quality improvement.

3. APhA urges the integration of non-disciplinary and non-punitive mechanisms for use by boards of pharmacy to promote just culture principles when addressing people, systems, and processes involved in medication errors.

4. APhA encourages national and state associations to advocate for laws, regulations, and policies to provide protections to individuals utilizing error reporting systems to promote just culture.

5. APhA encourages the creation of a mechanism for an industrywide effort to engage in confidential and transparent sharing of learnings and root cause findings helpful in reducing the risk of medication errors.

6. APhA supports the integration of just culture principles in PharmD and pharmacy technician education, postgraduate training, and continuing professional development programs.

Topic: Licensure, Registration, And Regulation

(JAPhA. 63(4):1265; July/August 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA affirms that pharmacists are trained to provide patient care, and have the ability to address patient needs, regardless of geographic location.

2. APhA advocates for the continued development of uniform laws, regulations and policies that facilitate pharmacists', student pharmacists', and pharmacy technicians' timely ability to practice in multiple states to meet practice and patient care needs.

3. APhA supports individual pharmacists' and student pharmacists' authority to provide patient care services across state lines whether in person or remotely.

4. APhA supports consistent and efficient centralized processes across all states for obtaining and maintaining pharmacist, pharmacy intern, and pharmacy technician licensure and/or registration.

5. APhA urges state boards of pharmacy to reduce administratively and financially burdensome requirements for licensure while continuing to uphold patient safety.

6. APhA encourages the evaluation of current law exam requirements for obtaining and maintaining initial state licensure, as well as licensure in additional states, to enhance uniformity and reduce duplicative requirements.

7. APhA urges state boards of pharmacy and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) to involve a member of the board of pharmacy and a practicing pharmacist in the review and updating of state jurisprudence licensing exam questions.

8. APhA calls for development of profession-wide consensus on licensing requirements for pharmacists and pharmacy personnel to support contemporary pharmacy practice.

Topic: Licensure, Registration, And Regulation

(JAPhA. 61(4):e14-e15;July/August 2021) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA affirms that pharmacists play a vital role in improving outcomes in patients with or at risk of sexually transmitted infections.

2. APhA supports the pharmacist's role in the development of education and resources for individuals with Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT), Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) in order to increase awareness and access.

3. APhA advocates for revision of state practice acts to permit pharmacists to independently prescribe for individuals with Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT), Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) therapy.

Topic: Licensure, Registration, And Regulation

(JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA encourages the revision of pharmacy laws, regulations, and policies to assign the responsibility and accountability to the pharmacy license holder for the operations of the pharmacy, including but not limited to quality improvement, staffing, inventory, and financial activities. Further, APhA supports the responsibility and accountability of the pharmacist for dispensing of the pharmaceutical product and for the provision of pharmaceutical care services.

2. APhA encourages the pharmacy license holder to provide adequate resources and support for pharmacists to meet their professional responsibilities, and for pharmacists to utilize the resources and support appropriately and efficiently. APhA encourages state boards of pharmacy to hold pharmacy license holders accountable for failure to provide such adequate resources and support.

Topic: Licensure, Registration, And Regulation

(JAPhA. NS42(5)(suppl 1):S60; September/October 2002) (Reviewed 2007) (Reviewed 2008) (Reviewed 2011) (Reviewed 2016) (Reviewed 2021) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports the use of manual and automated blood pressure measurement devices that are clinically validated initially and then undergo routine calibration to ensure accurate results.

2. APhA supports laws, regulations, policies, and peer-reviewed clinical validation testing for automated blood pressure measurement devices.

3. APhA promotes public awareness of accuracy of automated blood pressure measurement devices.

Topic: Medical And Pharmaceutical Equipment And Products

(JAPhA. 57(4):442; July/August 2017) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA encourages implementation of a standard pharmacy benefit card to improve the dispensing process and encourages the use of technology in this implementation.

2. APhA supports the use of technology to facilitate record-keeping of patient prescription information for third-party audit purposes and regulatory compliance.

3. APhA supports education of the public regarding the responsibility to be informed consumers of their pharmacy benefits provided through third-party plans.

4. APhA encourages third-party plans to provide pharmacies all information necessary for benefits administration in a timely organized manner or to provide access to the information through the Internet or similar technologies at no cost to the pharmacy.

5. APhA supports clear communication during the pharmacy claims adjudication process. APhA supports the communication of all plan management options available from the claims processor to the pharmacist.

6. APhA supports the development and use of systems to communicate in-pharmacy drug utilization review messages with online claims processing systems to eliminate redundant and/or repetitive messages.

7. APhA encourages the transmission of pre-adjudication drug utilization review messages (i.e., drug utilization review communication between the prescriber and claims processor) to the pharmacist.

8. APhA supports efforts to: (a) improve on-line drug utilization review messages by the establishment of evidence-based criteria to prevent drug-related conflicts that have the potential for causing serious harm; and (b) eliminate drug utilization review messages that have questionable or inconsequential impact on patient outcomes.

Topic: Patient/pharmacist Relationships

(JAPhA. NS4(5)(suppl 1):57; September/October 2001) (Reviewed 2003) (Reviewed 2007) (Reviewed 2009) (Reviewed 2014) (Reviewed 2019) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA will work to ensure pharmacy is the profession responsible for providing leadership in developing a safe, error-free medication use process.

2. APhA supports continuation and expansion of medication error reporting programs.

3. APhA supports identifying the system-based causes of errors and building systems to support safe medication practice.

Topic: Patient/pharmacist Relationships

(JAPhA. NS(9):40; September/October 2000) (Reviewed 2007) (Reviewed 2009) (Reviewed 2014) (Reviewed 2019) 2024

1. APhA supports pharmacists, as licensed health care professionals, in their use of professional judgment throughout the course of their practice to act in the best interest of patients.

2. APhA asserts that a pharmacist's independent medication review and use of professional judgment in the medication distribution process is essential to patient safety.

3. APhA opposes laws, regulations, and policies that limit a pharmacist's responsibility to exercise professional judgment in the best interest of patients.

4. APhA calls for civil, criminal, and professional liability protections for pharmacists and pharmacies if the pharmacist's responsibility to use professional judgment is limited by laws, regulations, and policies.

Topic: Pharmaceutical Care

(JAPhA. 62(4):942; July 2022) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports pharmacist involvement in appropriate laboratory testing and health screening, including pharmacists directly conducting the activity, supervising such activity, ordering and interpreting such tests, and communicating such tests results.

2. APhA supports revision of relevant laws, regulations, and policies to facilitate pharmacist involvement in appropriate laboratory testing and health screening as essential components of patient care.

3. APhA encourages research to further demonstrate the value of pharmacist involvement in laboratory testing and health screening services.

4. APhA supports public and private sector compensation for pharmacist involvement in laboratory testing and health screening services.

5. APhA supports training and education of pharmacists and student pharmacists to direct, perform, and interpret appropriate laboratory testing and health screening services. Such education and training should include proficiency testing, quality control, and quality assurance.

6. APhA encourages collaboration and research with other health care providers to ensure appropriate interpretation and use of laboratory monitoring and health screening results.

Topic: Pharmaceutical Care

(JAPhA. NS43(5)(suppl 1):S58; September/October 2003) (Reviewed 2007) (Reviewed 2009) (Reviewed 2010) (JAPhA. NS52(4):460; July/August 2012) (Reviewed 2013) (Reviewing 2016) (Reviewed 2017) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA strongly believes that all pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians should be safe in their work and learning environments and be free from firearm-related violence.

2. APhA strongly recommends that technician training programs, schools and colleges of pharmacy, postgraduate training programs, and employers should develop programs to increase readiness in the event of an active shooter.

3. APhA strongly believes pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians should be trained to recognize and refer patients at high risk of violence to themselves or others.

4. APhA encourages pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians who are survivors of firearm-related violence to seek the help of counselors and other trained mental health professionals.

Topic: Pharmacy Crime And Security

(JAPhA. 59(4):e17; July/August 2019) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA calls for employers to develop policies and procedures to support pharmacy personnel's ability to retreat or withdraw, without retaliation, from interactions that threaten their safety and well-being.

2. APhA encourages the development or utilization of educational programs and resources by the Association, employers, and other institutions to prepare pharmacy personnel to respond to situations that threaten their safety and well-being.

Topic: Pharmacy Crime And Security

(JAPhA. 59(4):e17; July/August 2019) (Reviewed 2021) (Reviewed 2024) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

The committee recommends that APhA support laws, regulations, and policies to require that a prescription department must be secured whenever the pharmacist or persons authorized by the pharmacist are not present.

Topic: Pharmacy Crime And Security

(JAPhA. NS11:267; May 1971) (Reviewed 2006) (Reviewed 2011) (Reviewed 2016) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports protecting pharmacist, student pharmacist, and pharmacy technician personal information (e.g. home address, telephone, and personal email address).

2. APhA opposes legal, regulatory, and policy requirements that mandate the publication of pharmacist, student pharmacist and pharmacy technician personal information (e.g., home address, telephone, and personal email address).

3. APhA encourages state boards of pharmacy to remove from their websites personal addresses, phone numbers, email, and other non-business contact information of pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians.

Topic: Pharmacy Crime And Security

(JAPhA. NS45(5):580; September-October 2007) (Reviewed 2012) (Reviewed 2017) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports equitable patient access to evidence-based comprehensive reproductive health care, including, but not limited to, the management of pregnancy loss, ectopic pregnancy, infertility, pregnancy termination, contraception, and permanent contraception.

2. APhA recognizes patient autonomy in choosing reproductive health care services and the essential role of all health care professionals in facilitating access and advancing informed decision making.

3. APhA supports evidence-based laws, regulations, and policies that ensures patient access to comprehensive reproductive health care services.

4. APhA opposes legal actions against pharmacies, pharmacists, and pharmacy personnel that provide patient access to, or information regarding, reproductive health care services that are within pharmacist scope of practice.

Topic: Pharmacy Practice

(JAPhA. 63(4):1266; July/August 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

APhA advocates for laws, regulations, and policies that recognize access to quality and affordable essential medicines as a fundamental human right.

Topic: Pharmacy Practice

(JAPhA. 63(4):1266; July/August 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

APhA advocates for policy and legislation laws, regulations, and policies that increase patient access to radiopharmaceuticals.

Topic: Pharmacy Practice

(JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA encourages implementation of a standard pharmacy benefit card to improve the dispensing process and encourages the use of technology in this implementation.

2. APhA supports the use of technology to facilitate record-keeping of patient prescription information for third-party audit purposes and regulatory compliance.

3. APhA supports education of the public regarding the responsibility to be informed consumers of their pharmacy benefits provided through third-party plans.

4. APhA encourages third-party plans to provide pharmacies all information necessary for benefits administration in a timely organized manner or to provide access to the information through the Internet or similar technologies at no cost to the pharmacy.

5. APhA supports clear communication during the pharmacy claims adjudication process. APhA supports the communication of all plan management options available from the claims processor to the pharmacist.

6. APhA supports the development and use of systems to communicate in-pharmacy drug utilization review messages with online claims processing systems to eliminate redundant and/or repetitive messages.

7. APhA encourages the transmission of pre-adjudication drug utilization review messages (i.e., drug utilization review communication between the prescriber and claims processor) to the pharmacist.

8. APhA supports efforts to: (a) improve on-line drug utilization review messages by the establishment of evidence-based criteria to prevent drug-related conflicts that have the potential for causing serious harm; and (b) eliminate drug utilization review messages that have questionable or inconsequential impact on patient outcomes.

Topic: Pharmacy Practice

(JAPhA. NS4(5)(suppl 1):57; September/October 2001) (Reviewed 2003) (Reviewed 2007) (Reviewed 2009) (Reviewed 2014) (Reviewed 2019) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA opposes the replacement of a pharmacist's professional judgment or patient's access to their pharmacist with artificial intelligence.

2. APhA calls on the profession of pharmacy and all related organizations to proactively assess and respond to the evolving role of artificial intelligence in pharmacy practice and workforce dynamics.

3. APhA encourages judicious use of artificial intelligence by pharmacists and pharmacy personnel as a tool to elevate pharmacy practice and enhance patient care.

4. APhA advocates for the integration of pharmacists into the development, design, validation, implementation, and maintenance of artificial intelligence solutions.

5. APhA calls on regulatory bodies, employers, and other relevant parties to develop laws, regulations, and policies as applicable for artificial intelligence to ensure patient safety, privacy, public awareness, and public protection.

6. APhA calls on those providing artificial intelligence solutions to implement processes that identify and mitigate bias and misinformation in artificial intelligence.

7. APhA advocates for education providers to facilitate, and pharmacy personnel to seek out, education and training on the lawful, ethical, and clinical use of artificial intelligence.

Topic: Pharmacy Practice

(JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports the establishment of collaborative practice agreements between pharmacists and other health care professionals designed to optimize patient care outcomes.

2. APhA supports the establishment of collaborative practice agreements between one or multiple pharmacists and one or multiple prescribers or entities.

3. APhA supports state laws, regulations, and policies that do not require a referral or a prior provider-patient relationship as a prerequisite to access services provided under a collaborative practice agreement.

4. APhA opposes state laws, regulations, and policies that limit collaborative practice agreements to specific patients.

5. APhA supports state laws, regulations, and policies that allow for pharmacists' prescriptive authority.

6. APhA supports state collaborative practice laws, regulations, and policies that allow all licensed pharmacists, in all practice settings, to establish collaborative practice agreements with other health care professionals or entities.

7. APhA shall promote the establishment and dissemination of guidelines and information to pharmacists and other health care professionals to facilitate the development of collaborative practice agreements.

Topic: Pharmacy Practice

(JAPhA. NS37(4):459; July/August 1997) (Reviewed 2003) (Reviewed 2007) (Reviewed 2009) (Reviewed 2011) (Reviewed 2012) (Reviewed 2017) (JAPhA. 59(4):e17; July/August 2019) (Reviewed 2020) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA advocates for the identification of medical conditions that may be safely and effectively treated by community-based pharmacists.

2. APhA encourages the training and education of pharmacists and student pharmacists regarding identification, treatment, monitoring, documentation, follow-up, and referral for medical conditions treated by community-based pharmacists

3. APhA advocates for laws, regulations, and policies that allow pharmacists to identify and manage medical conditions treated by community-based pharmacists.

4. APhA advocates for appropriate remuneration for the assessment and treatment of medical conditions treated by community-based pharmacists from government and private payers to ensure sustainability and access for patients.

5. APhA supports research to examine the outcomes of services that focus on medical conditions treated by community-based pharmacists.

Topic: Pharmacy Practice

(JAPhA. 60(5):e10; September/October 2020) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA asserts that pharmacists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy support staff are essential members of the healthcare team and should be actively engaged and supported in surveillance, mitigation, preparedness, planning, response, recovery, and countermeasure activities related to public health and other emergencies.

2. APhA reaffirms the 2016 policy on the Role of the Pharmacist in National Defense, and calls for the active and coordinated engagement of all pharmacists in public health and other emergency planning and response activities.

3. APhA advocates for the timely removal of legal, regulatory, and policy restrictions; practice limitations; and financial barriers during public health and other emergencies to meet immediate patient care needs.

4. APhA urges regulatory bodies and government agencies to recognize pharmacists' training and ability to evaluate patient needs, provide care, and appropriately refer patients during public health and other emergencies.

5. APhA advocates for pharmacists' authority to ensure patient access to care through the prescribing, dispensing, and administering of medications, as well as provision of other patient care services during times of public health and other emergencies.

6. APhA calls for processes to ensure that any willing and able pharmacy and pharmacy practitioner is not excluded from providing pharmacist patient care services during public health and other emergencies.

7. APhA calls on public and private payers to establish and implement payment policies that compensate pharmacists providing patient care services, including during public health and other emergencies, within their recognized authority.

8. APhA advocates for the inclusion of pharmacists as essential members in the planning, development, and implementation of alternate care sites or delivery models during public health and other emergencies.

9. APhA reaffirms the 2015 Interoperability of Communications Among Health Care Providers to Improve Quality of Care and encourages pharmacists, as members of the healthcare team, to communicate care decisions made during public health and other emergencies with other members of the healthcare team to ensure continuity of care.

Topic: Pharmacy Practice

(JAPhA. 61(4):e15; July/August 2021) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports education for pharmacists and student pharmacists to address issues of pain management, palliative care, appropriate use of opioid reversal agents in opioid-associated emergencies, drug diversion, and substance use disorders.

2. APhA supports recognition of pharmacists as the health care providers who must exercise professional judgment in the assessment of a patient's conditions to fulfill corresponding responsibility for the use of controlled substances and other medications with the potential for misuse and/or diversion.

3. APhA supports pharmacists' access to and use of prescription monitoring programs to identify and prevent drug misuse and/or diversion.

4. APhA supports the development and implementation of state and federal laws, regulations, and policies that permit pharmacists to independently prescribe opioid reversal agents to prevent deaths due to opioid-associated emetgencies.

5. APhA supports the pharmacist's role in selecting appropriate therapy and dosing and initiating and providing education about the proper use of opioid reversal agents to prevent deaths due to opioid-associated emergencies.

Topic: Pharmacy Practice

(JAPhA. 54(4):358; July/August 2014) (Reviewed 2015)(Reviewed 2018) (Reviewed 2021) (Reviewed 2022) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports the immediate reporting by manufacturers to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of disruptions that may impact the market supply of medically necessary drug products to prevent, mitigate, or resolve drug shortage issues and supports the authority for FDA to impose penalties for failing to report.

2. APhA supports revising current laws, regulations, and policies that restrict the FDA's ability to provide timely communication to pharmacists, other health care providers, health systems, and professional associations regarding potential or real drug shortages.

3. APhA encourages the FDA, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and other stakeholders to collaborate in order to minimize barriers (e.g., aggregate production quotas, annual assessment of needs, unapproved drug initiatives) that contribute to or exacerbate drug shortages.

4. APhA should actively support legislation to hasten the development of an efficient regulatory process to approve therapeutically equivalent generic versions of biologic drug products.

5. APhA encourages pharmacists and other health care providers to assist in maintaining continuity of care during drug shortage situations by (a) creating a practice site drug shortage plan as well as policies and procedures; (b) using reputable drug shortage management and information resources in decision making; (c) communicating with patients and coordinating with other health care providers; (d) avoiding excessive ordering and stockpiling of drugs; (e) acquiring drugs from reputable distributors; and (f) heightening their awareness of the potential for counterfeit or adulterated drugs entering the drug distribution system.

6. APhA encourages accrediting and regulatory agencies and the pharmaceutical science and manufacturing communities to evaluate policies/procedures related to the establishment and use of drug expiration dates and any impact those policies/procedures may have on drug shortages.

7. APhA encourages the active investigation and appropriate prosecution of entities that engage in price gouging and profiteering of medically necessary drug products in response to drug shortages.

Topic: Pharmacy Practice

(JAPhA. NS52(4): 457; July/August 2012) (Reviewed 2017) (Reviewed 2021) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports drug usage evaluation (DUE) as one element of a quality assurance program for medication use.

2. APhA advocates that DUE must address enhancement of the quality of care as well as the control of costs.

3. APhA advocates pharmacists' participation along with other health care providers and patients or caregivers in the development, implementation, and administration of DUE programs.

4. APhA encourages further development of data collection systems to improve the extent and accuracy of DUE programs.

5. APhA maintains that the primary emphasis of DUE intervention should be educational with the goal of positive behavior modification.

Topic: Pharmacy Practice

(Am Pharm. NS28(6):394; June 1988) (Reviewed 2004) (Reviewed 2010) (Reviewed 2015) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA encourages all stakeholders to develop and adopt evidence-based approaches to educate the public and all health care professionals to reduce the stigma associated with mental health diagnoses.

2. APhA supports the increased utilization of pharmacists and student pharmacists with appropriate training to actively participate in the care of patients with mental health conditions as members of interprofessional health care teams in all practice settings.

3. APhA supports the expansion of mental health education and training in the curriculum of all schools and colleges of pharmacy, post-graduate training, and within continuing professional development programs.

4. APhA supports the development of education and resources to address health care professional resiliency and burnout.

Topic: Pharmacy Practice

(JAPhA. 58(4):356; July/August 2018) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA recommends that health plans and payers contract with and appropriately compensate individual pharmacist providers for the level of care rendered without requiring the pharmacist to be associated with a pharmacy.

2. APhA supports adoption of laws, regulations, and policies pertaining to the independent practice of pharmacists when those laws, regulations, and policies and rules are consistent with APhA policy.

3. APhA, recognizing the positive impact that pharmacists can have in meeting unmet needs and managing medical conditions, supports the adoption of laws, regulations, and policies and the creation of payment mechanisms for appropriately trained pharmacists to autonomously provide patient care services, including prescribing, as part of the health care team.

Topic: Pharmacy Practice

(JAPhA. NS49(4):492; July/August 2009) (Reviewed 2012) (JAPhA. 53(4):366; July/August 2013) (Reviewed 2018) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA advocates for nationwide integration and uniformity of prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMP) that incorporate federal, state, and territory databases for the purpose of providing health care professionals with accurate and real-time information to assist in clinical decision making when providing patient care services related to controlled substances.

2. APhA supports pharmacist involvement in the development of uniform standards for an integrated nationwide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) that includes the definition of authorized registered users, documentation, reporting requirements, system response time, security of information, minimum reporting data sets, and standard transaction format.

3. APhA supports mandatory prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) enrollment by all health care providers, mandatory reporting by all those who dispense controlled substances, and appropriate system query by registrants during the patient care process related to controlled substances.

4. APhA advocates for the development of seamless workflow integration systems that would enable consistent use of a nationwide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) by registrants to facilitate prospective drug review as part of the patient care process related to controlled substances.

5. APhA advocates for continuous, sustainable federal funding sources for practitioners and system operators to utilize and maintain a standardized integrated and real-time nationwide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP).

6. APhA supports the use of interprofessional advisory boards that include pharmacists to coordinate collaborative efforts for (a) compiling, analyzing, and using prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data trends to identify misuse of controlled substances and/or fraud; (b) providing focused provider education and patient referral to treatment programs; and (c) supporting research activities on the impact of PDMPs.

7. APhA supports education and training for registrants about a nationwide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) to ensure proper data integrity, use, and confidentiality.

Topic: Pharmacy Practice

(JAPhA. N55(4):364-365; July/August 2015) (JAPhA. 60(5):e10; September/October 2020) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA calls for employers to adopt and implement just culture principles to improve patient safety and support pharmacy personnel.

2. APhA encourages transparency between employers and employees by sharing deidentified medication error and near-miss data and trends as well as actions taken to promote continuous quality improvement.

3. APhA urges the integration of non-disciplinary and non-punitive mechanisms for use by boards of pharmacy to promote just culture principles when addressing people, systems, and processes involved in medication errors.

4. APhA encourages national and state associations to advocate for laws, regulations, and policies to provide protections to individuals utilizing error reporting systems to promote just culture.

5. APhA encourages the creation of a mechanism for an industrywide effort to engage in confidential and transparent sharing of learnings and root cause findings helpful in reducing the risk of medication errors.

6. APhA supports the integration of just culture principles in PharmD and pharmacy technician education, postgraduate training, and continuing professional development programs.

Topic: Pharmacy Practice

(JAPhA. 63(4):1265; July/August 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA encourages pharmacist involvement in the planning and coordination of medication take-back programs for the purpose of disposal.

2. APhA supports increasing public awareness regarding medication take-back programs for the purpose of disposal.

3. APhA urges public and private stakeholders, including local, state, and federal agencies, to coordinate and create uniform, standardized laws, regulations and policies, including issues related to liability and sustainable funding sources, for the proper and safe disposal of unused medications.

4. APhA recommends ongoing medication take-back and disposal programs.

Topic: Pharmacy Practice

(JAPhA. 53(4):365; July/August 2013) (Reviewed 2018) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA affirms that pharmacists are trained to provide patient care, and have the ability to address patient needs, regardless of geographic location.

2. APhA advocates for the continued development of uniform laws, regulations and policies that facilitate pharmacists', student pharmacists', and pharmacy technicians' timely ability to practice in multiple states to meet practice and patient care needs.

3. APhA supports individual pharmacists' and student pharmacists' authority to provide patient care services across state lines whether in person or remotely.

4. APhA supports consistent and efficient centralized processes across all states for obtaining and maintaining pharmacist, pharmacy intern, and pharmacy technician licensure and/or registration.

5. APhA urges state boards of pharmacy to reduce administratively and financially burdensome requirements for licensure while continuing to uphold patient safety.

6. APhA encourages the evaluation of current law exam requirements for obtaining and maintaining initial state licensure, as well as licensure in additional states, to enhance uniformity and reduce duplicative requirements.

7. APhA urges state boards of pharmacy and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) to involve a member of the board of pharmacy and a practicing pharmacist in the review and updating of state jurisprudence licensing exam questions.

8. APhA calls for development of profession-wide consensus on licensing requirements for pharmacists and pharmacy personnel to support contemporary pharmacy practice.

Topic: Pharmacy Practice

(JAPhA. 61(4):e14-e15;July/August 2021) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA opposes drug manufacturers' refusal to supply certain drugs to correctional health services units necessary to provide medical treatment of those who are incarcerated.

2. APhA advocates for those who are incarcerated to have an opportunity, equal to that of nonmates, to access medications that correctional healthcare providers deem medically necessary for appropriate and humane health care treatment.

3. APhA advocates for correctional healthcare providers to have opportunity, equal to that of non-correctional healthcare providers, to access, prescribe, and procure pharmaceuticals deemed necessary for medical treatment of those incarcerated.

Topic: Pharmacy Practice

(JAPhA. 60(5):e11; September/October 2020) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA calls for education and collaboration among health professional organizations, federal agencies, and other stakeholders to ensure that all manufacturer, distributor, and repackaged marketed prescription drugs used in patient care have been FDA-approved as safe and effective.

2. APhA supports initiatives aimed at closing legislative, regulatory, policy and distribution-system loopholes that facilitate market entry of new prescription drugs products without FDA approval.

3. APhA encourages health professionals to consider FDA approval status of prescription drug products when making decisions about prescribing, dispensing, substitution, purchasing, formulary development, and in the development of pharmacy/medical education programs and drug information compendia.

Topic: Pharmacy Practice

(JAPhA. NS49(4):492; July/August 2009) (Reviewed 2014) (Reviewed 2019) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA encourages state legislatures and boards of pharmacy to revise laws, regulations, and policies to support the patient-centered care of people who use non-medically sanctioned psychotropic or psychoactive substances.

2. To reduce the consequences of stigma associated with drug use, APhA supports the expansion of interprofessional harm reduction education in the curriculum of schools and colleges of pharmacy, postgraduate training, and continuing professional development programs.

3. APhA encourages pharmacists to initiate, sustain, and integrate evidence-based harm reduction principles and programs into their practice to optimize the health of people who use non-medically sanctioned psychotropic or psychoactive substances.

4. APhA supports pharmacists' roles to provide and promote consistent, unrestricted, and immediate access to evidence-based, mortality- and morbidity-reducing interventions to enhance the health of people who inject nonmedically sanctioned psychotropic or psychoactive substances and their communities, including sterile syringes, needles, and other safe injection equipment, syringe disposal, fentanyl test strips, immunizations, condoms, wound care supplies, pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis medications for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), point-of-care testing for HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV), opioid reversal agents, and medications for opioid use disorder.

5. APhA urges pharmacists to refer people who use non-medically sanctioned psychotropic or psychoactive substances to specialists in mental health, infectious diseases, and substance use disorder treatment; to housing, vocational, harm reduction, and recovery support services; and to safe consumption facilities and syringe service programs.

Topic: Pharmacy Practice

(JAPhA. 59(4):e17; July/August 2019) (Reviewed 2021) (Reviewed 2022) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA encourages pharmacists to take an active role in achieving the goals of the Healthy People program regarding immunizations through (a) advocacy; (b) contracting with other health care professionals; or (c) administering vaccines to patients facing barriers to health.

2. APhA encourages the availability of all vaccines to all pharmacies in order to meet public health needs.

3. APhA supports the compensation of pharmacists for the administration of immunizations and the reimbursement for vaccine distribution.

4. APhA should facilitate the development of programs that educate pharmacists about their role in immunizations in public health.

Topic: Pharmacy Practice

(JAPhA. NS36(6):395; June 1996) (JAPhA. NS43(5)(suppl 1):S57; September/October 2003) (JAPhA. NS45(5):556; September/October 2005) (Reviewed 2007) (Reviewed 2009) (Reviewed 2012) (Reviewed 2014) (Reviewed 2019) (Reviewed 2020) (Reviewed 2021) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA affirms that pharmacists play a vital role in improving outcomes in patients with or at risk of sexually transmitted infections.

2. APhA supports the pharmacist's role in the development of education and resources for individuals with Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT), Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) in order to increase awareness and access.

3. APhA advocates for revision of state practice acts to permit pharmacists to independently prescribe for individuals with Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT), Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) therapy.

Topic: Pharmacy Practice

(JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports pharmacists, as licensed health care professionals, in their use of professional judgment throughout the course of their practice to act in the best interest of patients.

2. APhA asserts that a pharmacist's independent medication review and use of professional judgment in the medication distribution process is essential to patient safety.

3. APhA opposes laws, regulations, and policies that limit a pharmacist's responsibility to exercise professional judgment in the best interest of patients.

4. APhA calls for civil, criminal, and professional liability protections for pharmacists and pharmacies if the pharmacist's responsibility to use professional judgment is limited by laws, regulations, and policies.

Topic: Pharmacy Practice

(JAPhA. 62(4):942; July 2022) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports the expansion and increased sources of funding for pharmacies and pharmacist-provided care services that serve the needs of underserved populations to provide better health outcomes and lower healthcare costs.

2. APhA supports charitable pharmacies and pharmacy services that ensure the quality, safety, drug storage, and integrity of the drug product and supply chain, in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.

Topic: Pharmacy Practice

(JAPhA. 60(5):e11; September/October 2020) (Reviewed 2022) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA, in cooperation with other national pharmacy organizations, shall take a leadership role in the establishment and maintenance of standards of practice for existing and emerging areas in the profession of pharmacy.

2. APhA encourages a cooperative process in the development, enforcement, and review of laws, regulations, and policies by agencies that affect any aspect of pharmacy practice, and this process must utilize the expertise of affected pharmacist specialists and their organizations.

3. APhA supports the right of pharmacists to exercise professional judgment in the implementation of standards of practice in their practice settings.

Topic: Pharmacy Practice

(Am Pharm. NS30(6):45; June 1990) (JAPhA. NS4(5)(suppl 1):S7; September/October, 2001) (Reviewed 2007) (Reviewed 2012) (Reviewed 2017) (Reviewed 2020) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) efforts to revise the drug and medical device classification paradigms for prescription and nonprescription medications and medical devices to allow greater access to certain medications and medical devices under conditions of safe use while maintaining patients' relationships with their pharmacists and other health care providers.

2. APhA supports the implementation or modification of state laws, regulations, and policies to facilitate pharmacists' implementation and provision of services related to a revised drug and medical device classification system.

3. APhA supports a patient care delivery model built on coordination and communication between pharmacists and other health care team members in the evaluation and management of care delivery.

4. APhA affirms that pharmacists are qualified to provide clinical interventions on medications and medical devices under FDA's approved conditions of safe use.

5. APhA urges manufacturers, FDA, and other stakeholders to include pharmacists' input in the development and adoption of technology and standardized processes for services related to medications and medical devices under FDA's defined conditions of safe use.

6. APhA supports the utilization of best practices, treatment algorithms, and clinical judgment of pharmacists and other health care providers to guide the evaluation and management of care delivery related to medications and medical devices under FDA's approved conditions of safe use.

7. APhA encourages the inclusion of medications, medical devices, and their associated services provided under FDA's defined conditions of safe use within health benefit coverage.

8. APhA supports compensation of pharmacists and other health care professionals for the provision of services related to FDA's defined conditions of safe use programs.

Topic: Pharmacy Practice

(JAPhA. 53(4):365; July/August 2013) (JAPhA. 58(4):356; July/August 2018) (Reviewed 2022) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports legal, regulatory, and policy changes to further facilitate clinical research related to the clinical efficacy and safety associated with the use of cannabis and its various components.

2. APhA encourages health care provider education related to the clinical efficacy, safety, and management of patients using cannabis and its various components.

3. APhA advocates that the pharmacist collect and document information in the pharmacy patient profile about patient use of cannabis and its various components and provide appropriate patient counseling.

4. APhA supports pharmacist participation in independently prescribing cannabis and its various components when scientific data support the legitimate medical use of the products and delivery mechanisms, and federal, state, or territory laws or regulations permit pharmacists to independently prescribe them.

5. APhA opposes pharmacist involvement in independently prescribing cannabis and its various components for recreational use.

Topic: Pharmacy Practice

(JAPhA. N55(4):365; July/August 2015) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA opposes the sale of e-cigarettes and other vaporized nicotine products in pharmacies until such time that scientific data support the health and environmental safety of these products.

2. APhA opposes the use of e-cigarettes and other vaporized nicotine products in areas subject to current clean air laws, regulations, and policies for combustible tobacco products until such time that scientific data support the health and environmental safety of these products.

3. APhA urges pharmacists to become more knowledgeable about e-cigarettes and other vaporized nicotine products.

Topic: Pharmacy Practice

(JAPhA. 54(4): 358; July/August 2014) (Reviewed 2019) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

APhA supports laws, regulations, and policies that would allow pharmacies to transfer prescriptions for controlled substances for the purposes of an initial fill.

Topic: Pharmacy Practice

(JAPhA. 60(5):e10); September/October 2020) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports the enactment of laws, regulations, and policies to end discriminatory practices that limit access to care for persons who are transgender or gender-diverse.

2. APhA encourages equity in care for persons who are transgender or gender-diverse through: (a) Continuing education on the pharmacist's role in transgender care, gender-affirming therapy, and health disparities in patients who are transgender or gender-diverse. (b) Systematic integration and utilization of affirmed name and pronouns, gender identity, and anatomical inventory. (c) Availability and implementation of education and resources related to gender-diverse care for all persons employed in health care settings.

Topic: Pharmacy Practice

(JAPhA. 63(4):1266; July/August 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA strongly believes that all pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians should be safe in their work and learning environments and be free from firearm-related violence.

2. APhA strongly recommends that technician training programs, schools and colleges of pharmacy, postgraduate training programs, and employers should develop programs to increase readiness in the event of an active shooter.

3. APhA strongly believes pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians should be trained to recognize and refer patients at high risk of violence to themselves or others.

4. APhA encourages pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians who are survivors of firearm-related violence to seek the help of counselors and other trained mental health professionals.

Topic: Pharmacy Technicians

(JAPhA. 59(4):e17; July/August 2019) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA encourages state boards of pharmacy to develop laws, regulations, and policies allowing expanded pharmacy technician roles that allow both technicians and pharmacists to practice at the top of their training and license or certification.

2. APhA supports state board of pharmacy regulations that standardize and set minimum didactic and experiential standards for technicians to allow for functioning in expanded roles.

Topic: Pharmacy Technicians

(JAPhA. 59(4):e17; July/August 2019) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports the following minimum requirements for all new pharmacy technicians: (a) Successful completion of an accredited or state-approved education and training program. (b) Certification by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).

2. APhA supports state board of pharmacy laws, regulations, and policies that require pharmacy technicians to meet minimum standards of education, training, certification, and recertification. APhA encourages state boards of pharmacy to develop a phase-in process for current pharmacy technicians. APhA also encourages boards of pharmacy to delineate between pharmacy technicians and student pharmacists for the purposes of education, training, certification, and recertification.

3. APhA recognizes the important contribution and role of pharmacy technicians in assisting pharmacists and student pharmacists with the delivery of patient care.

4. APhA supports the development of resources and programs that promote the recruitment and retention of qualified pharmacy technicians.

5. APhA supports the development of continuing pharmacy education programs that enhance and support the continued professional development of pharmacy technicians.

6. APhA encourages the development of compensation models for pharmacy technicians that promote sustainable career opportunities.

Topic: Pharmacy Technicians

(JAPhA. 57(4):442; July/August 2017) (Reviewed 2021) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports protecting pharmacist, student pharmacist, and pharmacy technician personal information (e.g. home address, telephone, and personal email address).

2. APhA opposes legal, regulatory, and policy requirements that mandate the publication of pharmacist, student pharmacist and pharmacy technician personal information (e.g., home address, telephone, and personal email address).

3. APhA encourages state boards of pharmacy to remove from their websites personal addresses, phone numbers, email, and other non-business contact information of pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians.

Topic: Pharmacy Technicians

(JAPhA. NS45(5):580; September-October 2007) (Reviewed 2012) (Reviewed 2017) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports changes in laws, regulations, and policies to permit DEA-registered and trained opioid treatment program clinicians and other providers the ability to prescribe methadone for opioid use disorder and refer patients for additional services as needed.

2. APhA supports changes in laws, regulations, and policies to permit community pharmacy dispensing of methadone for opioid use disorder and appropriate compensation for these services.

3. APhA supports partnerships and collaborations to increase patient access to opioid treatment programs (OTPs) and clinicians.

4. APhA advocates for interprofessional education on laws, regulations, and policies regarding office-based prescribing and community pharmacy dispensing of methadone in curricula, postgraduate training, and continuing professional development programs of all health professions.

Topic: Prescribing Authority

(JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA asserts that pharmacists should have the authority and support to practice to the full extent of their education, training, and experience in delivering patient care.

2. APhA opposes burdensome legal and regulatory requirements beyond continuing professional development for the provision of patient care services.

3. APhA supports continuing efforts toward establishing a consistent and accurate perception of the contemporary role and practice of pharmacists by the general public, patients, and all persons and institutions engaged in health care policy, administration, payment, and delivery.

4. APhA supports continued collaboration with stakeholders to facilitate adoption of standardized practice acts, appropriate related laws, regulations, and policies that reflect contemporary pharmacy practice.

5. APhA supports the establishment of multistate pharmacist licensure agreements to address the evolving needs of the pharmacy profession and pharmacist-provided patient care.

6. APhA urges the continued development of consensus documents, in collaboration with medical associations and other stakeholders, that recognize and support pharmacists' roles in patient care as health care providers.

7. APhA urges universal recognition of pharmacists as health care providers and compensation based on the level of patient care provided using standardized and future health care payment models.

Topic: Prescribing Authority

(JAPhA. NS52(4):457; July/August 2012) (Reviewed 2016) (JAPhA. 57(4):441; July/August 2017) (Reviewed 2019) (Reviewed 2021) (Reviewed 2022) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA advocates for implementation and maintenance of cybersecurity systems, safeguards, and response mechanisms to mitigate risk and minimize harm or disruption for all pharmacies and related parties who manage or access electronic health and business information.

2. APhA advocates for all pharmacies and related business entities responsible for electronic health and business information to have cyber liability insurance or an equivalent self-funded plan to protect all relevant parties in the event of a cyberattack and data breach.

3. APhA advocates for education providers to facilitate, and pharmacy personnel to seek out, education and training on cybersecurity laws, regulations, and best practices.

Topic: Prescribing Authority

(JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA recommends that health plans and payers contract with and appropriately compensate individual pharmacist providers for the level of care rendered without requiring the pharmacist to be associated with a pharmacy.

2. APhA supports adoption of laws, regulations, and policies pertaining to the independent practice of pharmacists when those laws, regulations, and policies and rules are consistent with APhA policy.

3. APhA, recognizing the positive impact that pharmacists can have in meeting unmet needs and managing medical conditions, supports the adoption of laws, regulations, and policies and the creation of payment mechanisms for appropriately trained pharmacists to autonomously provide patient care services, including prescribing, as part of the health care team.

Topic: Prescribing Authority

(JAPhA. NS49(4):492; July/August 2009) (Reviewed 2012) (JAPhA. 53(4):366; July/August 2013) (Reviewed 2018) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA affirms that pharmacists play a vital role in improving outcomes in patients with or at risk of sexually transmitted infections.

2. APhA supports the pharmacist's role in the development of education and resources for individuals with Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT), Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) in order to increase awareness and access.

3. APhA advocates for revision of state practice acts to permit pharmacists to independently prescribe for individuals with Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT), Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) therapy.

Topic: Prescribing Authority

(JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports the use of evidence-based medicine as first-line treatment for patients with opioid-use disorder, including healthcare professionals in and out of the workplace, for as long as needed to treat their disease.

2. APhA encourages pharmacies to maintain an inventory of medications used in treatment of opioid-use disorder (MOUD), to ensure access for patients.

3. APhA encourages pharmacists and payers to ensure patients have equitable access to, and coverage for, at least one medication from each class of medications used in the treatment of opioid-use disorder.

Topic: Prescriptions And Prescription Orders

(JAPhA. 60(5):e11; September/October 2020) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA advocates for nationwide integration and uniformity of prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMP) that incorporate federal, state, and territory databases for the purpose of providing health care professionals with accurate and real-time information to assist in clinical decision making when providing patient care services related to controlled substances.

2. APhA supports pharmacist involvement in the development of uniform standards for an integrated nationwide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) that includes the definition of authorized registered users, documentation, reporting requirements, system response time, security of information, minimum reporting data sets, and standard transaction format.

3. APhA supports mandatory prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) enrollment by all health care providers, mandatory reporting by all those who dispense controlled substances, and appropriate system query by registrants during the patient care process related to controlled substances.

4. APhA advocates for the development of seamless workflow integration systems that would enable consistent use of a nationwide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) by registrants to facilitate prospective drug review as part of the patient care process related to controlled substances.

5. APhA advocates for continuous, sustainable federal funding sources for practitioners and system operators to utilize and maintain a standardized integrated and real-time nationwide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP).

6. APhA supports the use of interprofessional advisory boards that include pharmacists to coordinate collaborative efforts for (a) compiling, analyzing, and using prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data trends to identify misuse of controlled substances and/or fraud; (b) providing focused provider education and patient referral to treatment programs; and (c) supporting research activities on the impact of PDMPs.

7. APhA supports education and training for registrants about a nationwide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) to ensure proper data integrity, use, and confidentiality.

Topic: Prescriptions And Prescription Orders

(JAPhA. N55(4):364-365; July/August 2015) (JAPhA. 60(5):e10; September/October 2020) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

APhA supports laws, regulations, and policies that would allow pharmacies to transfer prescriptions for controlled substances for the purposes of an initial fill.

Topic: Prescriptions And Prescription Orders

(JAPhA. 60(5):e10); September/October 2020) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

APhA advocates for laws, regulations, and policies that recognize access to quality and affordable essential medicines as a fundamental human right.

Topic: Public Health

(JAPhA. 63(4):1266; July/August 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports the expansion and increased sources of funding for pharmacies and pharmacist-provided care services that serve the needs of underserved populations to provide better health outcomes and lower healthcare costs.

2. APhA supports charitable pharmacies and pharmacy services that ensure the quality, safety, drug storage, and integrity of the drug product and supply chain, in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.

Topic: Public Health

(JAPhA. 60(5):e11; September/October 2020) (Reviewed 2022) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports laws, regulations, and policies, and private sector efforts that include pharmacists' input and that will balance patients'need for access to medications for legitimate medical purposes with the need to prevent the diversion and misuse of medications.

2. APhA supports consumer sales limits of nonprescription drug products, such as methamphetamine precursors, that may be illegally converted into drugs for illicit use.

3. APhA encourages education of all personnel involved in the distribution chain of nonprescription products so they understand the potential for certain products, such as methamphetamine precursors, to be illegally converted into drugs for illicit use. APhA supports comprehensive substance use disorder education, prevention, treatment, and recovery programs.

4. APhA supports public and private initiatives to fund treatment and prevention of substance use disorders.

5. APhA supports stringent enforcement of criminal laws against individuals who engage in drug trafficking.

Topic: Public Health

(JAPhA. 56(4):369; July/August 2016) (JAPhA. 59(4): e28; July/August 2019) (Reviewed 2022) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA opposes the sale of e-cigarettes and other vaporized nicotine products in pharmacies until such time that scientific data support the health and environmental safety of these products.

2. APhA opposes the use of e-cigarettes and other vaporized nicotine products in areas subject to current clean air laws, regulations, and policies for combustible tobacco products until such time that scientific data support the health and environmental safety of these products.

3. APhA urges pharmacists to become more knowledgeable about e-cigarettes and other vaporized nicotine products.

APhA supports standardizing patient records and clinical decision support tools (including pharmacy dispensing systems) to collect, document, and utilize information regarding the patient's tobacco and nicotine use.

Topic: Public Health

(JAPhA. 54(4): 358; July/August 2014) (Reviewed 2019) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA recognizes the unique role and accessibility of pharmacy personnel in public health.

2. APhA encourages pharmacy personnel to provide services, education, and information on public health issues.

3. APhA encourages the development of public health programs for use by pharmacy personnel.

4. APhA should provide necessary information and materials for pharmacy personnel to carry out their role in disseminating public health information.

5. APhA encourages organizations to include pharmacy personnel in the development of public health programs.

Topic: Public Health

(Am Pharm. NS32(6):515; June 1992) (JAPhA. 45(5):556; September/October 2005) (Reviewed 2009) (Reviewed 2010) (JAPhA. NS52(4):460; July/August 2012) (Reviewed 2017) (Reviewed 2020) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA affirms that pharmacists play a vital role in improving outcomes in patients with or at risk of sexually transmitted infections.

2. APhA supports the pharmacist's role in the development of education and resources for individuals with Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT), Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) in order to increase awareness and access.

3. APhA advocates for revision of state practice acts to permit pharmacists to independently prescribe for individuals with Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT), Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) therapy.

Topic: Public Health

(JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA encourages pharmacists to take an active role in achieving the goals of the Healthy People program regarding immunizations through (a) advocacy; (b) contracting with other health care professionals; or (c) administering vaccines to patients facing barriers to health.

2. APhA encourages the availability of all vaccines to all pharmacies in order to meet public health needs.

3. APhA supports the compensation of pharmacists for the administration of immunizations and the reimbursement for vaccine distribution.

4. APhA should facilitate the development of programs that educate pharmacists about their role in immunizations in public health.

Topic: Public Health

(JAPhA. NS36(6):395; June 1996) (JAPhA. NS43(5)(suppl 1):S57; September/October 2003) (JAPhA. NS45(5):556; September/October 2005) (Reviewed 2007) (Reviewed 2009) (Reviewed 2012) (Reviewed 2014) (Reviewed 2019) (Reviewed 2020) (Reviewed 2021) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

APhA supports vaccinations, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as a condition of employment, training, or volunteering within an organization that provides pharmacy services or operates a pharmacy or pharmacy department (unless a valid medical or religious reason precludes vaccination).

Topic: Public Health

(JAPhA. NS51(4):482; July/August 2011) (Reviewed 2012) (Reviewed 2017) 2024

1. APhA supports equitable patient access to evidence-based comprehensive reproductive health care, including, but not limited to, the management of pregnancy loss, ectopic pregnancy, infertility, pregnancy termination, contraception, and permanent contraception.

2. APhA recognizes patient autonomy in choosing reproductive health care services and the essential role of all health care professionals in facilitating access and advancing informed decision making.

3. APhA supports evidence-based laws, regulations, and policies that ensures patient access to comprehensive reproductive health care services.

4. APhA opposes legal actions against pharmacies, pharmacists, and pharmacy personnel that provide patient access to, or information regarding, reproductive health care services that are within pharmacist scope of practice.

Topic: Public Health

(JAPhA. 63(4):1266; July/August 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA asserts that pharmacists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy support staff are essential members of the healthcare team and should be actively engaged and supported in surveillance, mitigation, preparedness, planning, response, recovery, and countermeasure activities related to public health and other emergencies.

2. APhA reaffirms the 2016 policy on the Role of the Pharmacist in National Defense, and calls for the active and coordinated engagement of all pharmacists in public health and other emergency planning and response activities.

3. APhA advocates for the timely removal of legal, regulatory, and policy restrictions; practice limitations; and financial barriers during public health and other emergencies to meet immediate patient care needs.

4. APhA urges regulatory bodies and government agencies to recognize pharmacists' training and ability to evaluate patient needs, provide care, and appropriately refer patients during public health and other emergencies.

5. APhA advocates for pharmacists' authority to ensure patient access to care through the prescribing, dispensing, and administering of medications, as well as provision of other patient care services during times of public health and other emergencies.

6. APhA calls for processes to ensure that any willing and able pharmacy and pharmacy practitioner is not excluded from providing pharmacist patient care services during public health and other emergencies.

7. APhA calls on public and private payers to establish and implement payment policies that compensate pharmacists providing patient care services, including during public health and other emergencies, within their recognized authority.

8. APhA advocates for the inclusion of pharmacists as essential members in the planning, development, and implementation of alternate care sites or delivery models during public health and other emergencies.

9. APhA reaffirms the 2015 Interoperability of Communications Among Health Care Providers to Improve Quality of Care and encourages pharmacists, as members of the healthcare team, to communicate care decisions made during public health and other emergencies with other members of the healthcare team to ensure continuity of care.

Topic: Public Health

(JAPhA. 61(4):e15; July/August 2021) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

APhA encourages pharmacist involvement in surveillance, mitigation, preparedness, planning, response, and recovery related to terrorism and infectious diseases.

APhA encourages pharmacist involvement in surveillance, mitigation, preparedness, planning, response, and recovery related to natural, technological, or human-caused incidents.

Topic: Public Health

(JAPhA. N55(4):365; July/August 2015) (Reviewed 2021)(JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

APhA urges pharmacists to expand patient access to secure, convenient, and environmentally responsible drug disposal options, in accordance with the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010, by implementing disposal programs they deem appropriate for their individual practice sites, patient care settings, and business models in an effort to reduce the amount of dispensed but unused prescription drug product available for diversion and misuse.

Topic: Public Health

(JAPhA. 57(4):441; July/August 2017) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA encourages all stakeholders to develop and adopt evidence-based approaches to educate the public and all health care professionals to reduce the stigma associated with mental health diagnoses.

2. APhA supports the increased utilization of pharmacists and student pharmacists with appropriate training to actively participate in the care of patients with mental health conditions as members of interprofessional health care teams in all practice settings.

3. APhA supports the expansion of mental health education and training in the curriculum of all schools and colleges of pharmacy, post-graduate training, and within continuing professional development programs.

4. APhA supports the development of education and resources to address health care professional resiliency and burnout.

Topic: Public Health

(JAPhA. 58(4):356; July/August 2018) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA encourages pharmacist involvement in the planning and coordination of medication take-back programs for the purpose of disposal.

2. APhA supports increasing public awareness regarding medication take-back programs for the purpose of disposal.

3. APhA urges public and private stakeholders, including local, state, and federal agencies, to coordinate and create uniform, standardized laws, regulations and policies, including issues related to liability and sustainable funding sources, for the proper and safe disposal of unused medications.

4. APhA recommends ongoing medication take-back and disposal programs.

Topic: Public Health

(JAPhA. 53(4):365; July/August 2013) (Reviewed 2018) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA affirms that pharmacists are trained to provide patient care, and have the ability to address patient needs, regardless of geographic location.

2. APhA advocates for the continued development of uniform laws, regulations and policies that facilitate pharmacists', student pharmacists', and pharmacy technicians' timely ability to practice in multiple states to meet practice and patient care needs.

3. APhA supports individual pharmacists' and student pharmacists' authority to provide patient care services across state lines whether in person or remotely.

4. APhA supports consistent and efficient centralized processes across all states for obtaining and maintaining pharmacist, pharmacy intern, and pharmacy technician licensure and/or registration.

5. APhA urges state boards of pharmacy to reduce administratively and financially burdensome requirements for licensure while continuing to uphold patient safety.

6. APhA encourages the evaluation of current law exam requirements for obtaining and maintaining initial state licensure, as well as licensure in additional states, to enhance uniformity and reduce duplicative requirements.

7. APhA urges state boards of pharmacy and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) to involve a member of the board of pharmacy and a practicing pharmacist in the review and updating of state jurisprudence licensing exam questions.

8. APhA calls for development of profession-wide consensus on licensing requirements for pharmacists and pharmacy personnel to support contemporary pharmacy practice.

Topic: Public Health

(JAPhA. 61(4):e14-e15;July/August 2021) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA urges government authorities to hold pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesalers, pharmacies, and other pharmaceutical supply distributors and providers accountable to state and federal price gouging laws, regulations and policies in selling those items to patients, pharmacies, hospitals, and other health care providers during times of local, state, or national emergency.

2. APhA urges government authorities to aggressively enforce laws and regulations against adulterated products and false and misleading claims by entities offering to sell pharmaceutical and medical products to health care providers and consumers.

Topic: Public Health

(JAPhA. 60(5):e11; September/October 2020) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA shall work with Congress to modify the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act or enact other laws, regulation, or policies to require that dietary supplement manufacturers provide evidence of efficacy and safety for all products, including products currently in the marketplace.

2. APhA supports the establishment and implementation of clear and effective enforcement policies to remove promptly unsafe or ineffective dietary supplement products from the marketplace.

3. APhA shall work with the FDA to improve dietary supplement product labeling to ensure full disclosure of all product components and their source with associated strengths and recommendations for use in specific patient populations.

4. APhA supports the development and enforcement of dietary supplement good manufacturing practices (GMPs) and compliance with USP/NF standards to ensure quality, safe, contaminant-free products.

5. APhA encourages health care professionals, manufacturers, and consumers to report adverse health events associated with dietary supplements. APhA encourages the FDA to create a database with this information and make it available to all interested parties.

Topic: Public Health

(JAPhA. NS1(9):40; September/October 2000) (Reviewed 2005) (Reviewed 2007) (Reviewed 2012) (Reviewed 2017) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports legal, regulatory, and policy changes to further facilitate clinical research related to the clinical efficacy and safety associated with the use of cannabis and its various components.

2. APhA encourages health care provider education related to the clinical efficacy, safety, and management of patients using cannabis and its various components.

3. APhA advocates that the pharmacist collect and document information in the pharmacy patient profile about patient use of cannabis and its various components and provide appropriate patient counseling.

4. APhA supports pharmacist participation in independently prescribing cannabis and its various components when scientific data support the legitimate medical use of the products and delivery mechanisms, and federal, state, or territory laws or regulations permit pharmacists to independently prescribe them.

5. APhA opposes pharmacist involvement in independently prescribing cannabis and its various components for recreational use.

Topic: Public Health

(JAPhA. N55(4):365; July/August 2015) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports the use of manual and automated blood pressure measurement devices that are clinically validated initially and then undergo routine calibration to ensure accurate results.

2. APhA supports laws, regulations, policies, and peer-reviewed clinical validation testing for automated blood pressure measurement devices.

3. APhA promotes public awareness of accuracy of automated blood pressure measurement devices.

Topic: Public Health

(JAPhA. 57(4):442; July/August 2017) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports the enactment of laws, regulations, and policies to end discriminatory practices that limit access to care for persons who are transgender or gender-diverse.

2. APhA encourages equity in care for persons who are transgender or gender-diverse through: (a) Continuing education on the pharmacist's role in transgender care, gender-affirming therapy, and health disparities in patients who are transgender or gender-diverse. (b) Systematic integration and utilization of affirmed name and pronouns, gender identity, and anatomical inventory. (c) Availability and implementation of education and resources related to gender-diverse care for all persons employed in health care settings.

Topic: Public Health

(JAPhA. 63(4):1266; July/August 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

APhA supports education of patients or caregivers about the importance of selecting their personal pharmacist to assist them in the proper use of all medications and medical devices.

Topic: Public Relations

(JAPhA. NS4:429; August 1964) (JAPhA. NS42(5)(suppl 1):S62; September/October 2002) (Reviewed 2007) (JAPhA. NS52(4):459; July/August 2012) (Reviewed 2017) (Reviewed 2018) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA calls for employers to adopt and implement just culture principles to improve patient safety and support pharmacy personnel.

2. APhA encourages transparency between employers and employees by sharing deidentified medication error and near-miss data and trends as well as actions taken to promote continuous quality improvement.

3. APhA urges the integration of non-disciplinary and non-punitive mechanisms for use by boards of pharmacy to promote just culture principles when addressing people, systems, and processes involved in medication errors.

4. APhA encourages national and state associations to advocate for laws, regulations, and policies to provide protections to individuals utilizing error reporting systems to promote just culture.

5. APhA encourages the creation of a mechanism for an industrywide effort to engage in confidential and transparent sharing of learnings and root cause findings helpful in reducing the risk of medication errors.

6. APhA supports the integration of just culture principles in PharmD and pharmacy technician education, postgraduate training, and continuing professional development programs.

Topic: Quality Assurance

(JAPhA. 63(4):1265; July/August 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports staffing models that promote safe provision of patient care services and access to medications.

2. APhA encourages the adoption of patient centered quality and performance measures that align with safe delivery of patient care services and opposes the setting and use of operational quotas or time-oriented metrics that negatively impact patient care and safety.

3. APhA denounces any policies or practices of third-party administrators, processors, and payers that contribute to a workplace environment that negatively impacts patient safety. APhA calls upon public and private policy makers to establish provider payment laws, regulations, and policies that support the safe provision of medications and delivery of effective patient care.

4. APhA urges pharmacy personnel to establish collaborative mechanisms that engage the pharmacist in charge of each practice, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy staff in addressing workplace issues that may have an impact on patient safety.

5. APhA urges employers to collaborate with the pharmacy staff to regularly and systematically examine and resolve workplace issues that may have a negative impact on patient safety.

6. APhA opposes retaliation against pharmacy personnel for reporting workplace issues that may negatively impact patient safety.

Topic: Quality Assurance

(JAPhA. 58(4):355; July/August 2018) (Reviewed 2020) (Reviewed 2021) (Reviewed 2022) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. Recognizing pharmacists work in all facets of the medication use system and have varying responsibilities, APhA advocates pharmacist responsibilities align with the Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners (JCPP) Pharmacist Patient Care Process and the Oath of a Pharmacist.

2. Recognizing patients are the focus of the medication use system, APhA advocates patients and caregivers assume responsibility for their health and well-being, actively engage in their care plan, communicate with health professionals, and learn more about their options for accessing care and associated costs for products and services.

3. Recognizing prescribers play a vital role in the medication use system, APhA advocates prescribers engage with patients and caregivers, in the assessment, development and implementation of the patient care plan. APhA also advocates that prescribers communicate, engage, and provide necessary information for pharmacists to engage in the care plan to ensure optimal patient care.

4. Recognizing payers' role in the medication use system, APhA advocates payers fairly design coverage benefits for products and services utilizing patient, pharmacist, and prescriber input to optimize health outcomes. Additionally, APhA advocates payers assume responsibility for providing efficient, clear, and uniform communication, as well as administrative and payment processes that are adaptable for advances in care.

Topic: Quality Assurance

(Am Pharm. NS34(6):57; June 1994) (JAPhA NS41(5)(suppl 1):S9; September/October 2001) (Reviewed 2008) (Reviewed 2010) (Reviewed 2011) (Reviewed 2012) (JAPhA. 53(4):367; July/August 2013) (Reviewed 2018) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA asserts that the quality and safety of pharmaceutical and other medical products and the global pharmaceutical and medical product supply chain are essential to the United States national security and public health.

2. APhA advocates for pharmacist engagement in the development and implementation of national and global strategies to ensure the availability, quality, and safety of pharmaceutical and other medical products.

3. APhA calls for the development, implementation, and oversight of enhanced and transparent processes, standards, and information that ensure quality and safety of all pharmaceutical ingredients and manufacturing processes.

4. APhA calls on the federal government to penalize entities who create barriers that threaten the availability, quality, and safety of United States pharmaceutical and other medical product supplies.

5. APhA calls for the development of redundancy and risk mitigation strategies in the manufacturing process to ensure reliable and consistent availability of safe and high-quality pharmaceutical and other medical products.

6. APhA advocates for legal regulatory, policy and market incentives that bolster the availability, quality, and safety of pharmaceutical and other medical products.

7. APhA calls for greater transparency, accuracy, and timeliness of information and notification to health care professionals regarding drug shortages, product quality and manufacturing issues, supply disruption, and recalls.

8. APhA encourages pharmacy providers, health systems, and payers to develop coordinated response plans, including the use of therapeutic alternatives, to mitigate the impact of drug shortages and supply disruptions.

9. APhA supports federal legislation and regulations that engages pharmacists, other health professionals, and manufacturers in developing a United States-specific essential medicines list and provides funding mechanisms to ensure consistent availability of these products.

10. APhA recommends the use of pharmacists in the delivery of public messages, through media and other communication channels, regarding pharmaceutical supply and quality issues.

Topic: Quality Assurance

(JAPhA. 60(5):e9; September/October 2020) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports the standardization of user interfaces to improve quality and reduce errors unique to e-prescribing.

2. APhA supports reporting mechanisms and research efforts to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and quality of e-prescribing systems, computerized prescriber order entry (CPOE) systems, and the e-prescriptions that they produce, in order to improve health information technology systems and, ultimately, patient care.

3. APhA supports the development of financial incentives for pharmacists and prescribers to provide high quality e-prescribing activities.

4. APhA supports the inclusion of pharmacists in quality improvement and meaningful use activities related to the use of e-prescribing and other health information technology that would positively impact patient health outcomes.

5. APhA supports laws, regulations, and policies that require e-prescribing of controlled substances to reduce fraudulent prescriptions.

Topic: Record Systems

(JAPhA. NS40(4):471; July/August 2010) (Reviewed 2012) (Reviewed 2014) (Reviewed 2015) (JAPhA. 60:(5):e10); September/October 2020) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA advocates for nationwide integration and uniformity of prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMP) that incorporate federal, state, and territory databases for the purpose of providing health care professionals with accurate and real-time information to assist in clinical decision making when providing patient care services related to controlled substances.

2. APhA supports pharmacist involvement in the development of uniform standards for an integrated nationwide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) that includes the definition of authorized registered users, documentation, reporting requirements, system response time, security of information, minimum reporting data sets, and standard transaction format.

3. APhA supports mandatory prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) enrollment by all health care providers, mandatory reporting by all those who dispense controlled substances, and appropriate system query by registrants during the patient care process related to controlled substances.

4. APhA advocates for the development of seamless workflow integration systems that would enable consistent use of a nationwide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) by registrants to facilitate prospective drug review as part of the patient care process related to controlled substances.

5. APhA advocates for continuous, sustainable federal funding sources for practitioners and system operators to utilize and maintain a standardized integrated and real-time nationwide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP).

6. APhA supports the use of interprofessional advisory boards that include pharmacists to coordinate collaborative efforts for (a) compiling, analyzing, and using prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data trends to identify misuse of controlled substances and/or fraud; (b) providing focused provider education and patient referral to treatment programs; and (c) supporting research activities on the impact of PDMPs.

7. APhA supports education and training for registrants about a nationwide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) to ensure proper data integrity, use, and confidentiality.

Topic: Record Systems

(JAPhA. N55(4):364-365; July/August 2015) (JAPhA. 60(5):e10; September/October 2020) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA advocates for the identification of medical conditions that may be safely and effectively treated by community-based pharmacists.

2. APhA encourages the training and education of pharmacists and student pharmacists regarding identification, treatment, monitoring, documentation, follow-up, and referral for medical conditions treated by community-based pharmacists

3. APhA advocates for laws, regulations, and policies that allow pharmacists to identify and manage medical conditions treated by community-based pharmacists.

4. APhA advocates for appropriate remuneration for the assessment and treatment of medical conditions treated by community-based pharmacists from government and private payers to ensure sustainability and access for patients.

5. APhA supports research to examine the outcomes of services that focus on medical conditions treated by community-based pharmacists.

Topic: Reimbursement And Compensation

(JAPhA. 60(5):e10; September/October 2020) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA asserts that pharmacists should have the authority and support to practice to the full extent of their education, training, and experience in delivering patient care.

2. APhA opposes burdensome legal and regulatory requirements beyond continuing professional development for the provision of patient care services.

3. APhA supports continuing efforts toward establishing a consistent and accurate perception of the contemporary role and practice of pharmacists by the general public, patients, and all persons and institutions engaged in health care policy, administration, payment, and delivery.

4. APhA supports continued collaboration with stakeholders to facilitate adoption of standardized practice acts, appropriate related laws, regulations, and policies that reflect contemporary pharmacy practice.

5. APhA supports the establishment of multistate pharmacist licensure agreements to address the evolving needs of the pharmacy profession and pharmacist-provided patient care.

6. APhA urges the continued development of consensus documents, in collaboration with medical associations and other stakeholders, that recognize and support pharmacists' roles in patient care as health care providers.

7. APhA urges universal recognition of pharmacists as health care providers and compensation based on the level of patient care provided using standardized and future health care payment models.

Topic: Reimbursement And Compensation

(JAPhA. NS52(4):457; July/August 2012) (Reviewed 2016) (JAPhA. 57(4):441; July/August 2017) (Reviewed 2019) (Reviewed 2021) (Reviewed 2022) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA recommends that health plans and payers contract with and appropriately compensate individual pharmacist providers for the level of care rendered without requiring the pharmacist to be associated with a pharmacy.

2. APhA supports adoption of laws, regulations, and policies pertaining to the independent practice of pharmacists when those laws, regulations, and policies and rules are consistent with APhA policy.

3. APhA, recognizing the positive impact that pharmacists can have in meeting unmet needs and managing medical conditions, supports the adoption of laws, regulations, and policies and the creation of payment mechanisms for appropriately trained pharmacists to autonomously provide patient care services, including prescribing, as part of the health care team.

Topic: Reimbursement And Compensation

(JAPhA. NS49(4):492; July/August 2009) (Reviewed 2012) (JAPhA. 53(4):366; July/August 2013) (Reviewed 2018) (Reviewed 2023) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports staffing models that promote safe provision of patient care services and access to medications.

2. APhA encourages the adoption of patient centered quality and performance measures that align with safe delivery of patient care services and opposes the setting and use of operational quotas or time-oriented metrics that negatively impact patient care and safety.

3. APhA denounces any policies or practices of third-party administrators, processors, and payers that contribute to a workplace environment that negatively impacts patient safety. APhA calls upon public and private policy makers to establish provider payment laws, regulations, and policies that support the safe provision of medications and delivery of effective patient care.

4. APhA urges pharmacy personnel to establish collaborative mechanisms that engage the pharmacist in charge of each practice, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy staff in addressing workplace issues that may have an impact on patient safety.

5. APhA urges employers to collaborate with the pharmacy staff to regularly and systematically examine and resolve workplace issues that may have a negative impact on patient safety.

6. APhA opposes retaliation against pharmacy personnel for reporting workplace issues that may negatively impact patient safety.

Topic: Reimbursement And Compensation

(JAPhA. 58(4):355; July/August 2018) (Reviewed 2020) (Reviewed 2021) (Reviewed 2022) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA encourages pharmacists to take an active role in achieving the goals of the Healthy People program regarding immunizations through (a) advocacy; (b) contracting with other health care professionals; or (c) administering vaccines to patients facing barriers to health.

2. APhA encourages the availability of all vaccines to all pharmacies in order to meet public health needs.

3. APhA supports the compensation of pharmacists for the administration of immunizations and the reimbursement for vaccine distribution.

4. APhA should facilitate the development of programs that educate pharmacists about their role in immunizations in public health.

Topic: Reimbursement And Compensation

(JAPhA. NS36(6):395; June 1996) (JAPhA. NS43(5)(suppl 1):S57; September/October 2003) (JAPhA. NS45(5):556; September/October 2005) (Reviewed 2007) (Reviewed 2009) (Reviewed 2012) (Reviewed 2014) (Reviewed 2019) (Reviewed 2020) (Reviewed 2021) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports the expansion and increased sources of funding for pharmacies and pharmacist-provided care services that serve the needs of underserved populations to provide better health outcomes and lower healthcare costs.

2. APhA supports charitable pharmacies and pharmacy services that ensure the quality, safety, drug storage, and integrity of the drug product and supply chain, in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.

Topic: Reimbursement And Compensation

(JAPhA. 60(5):e11; September/October 2020) (Reviewed 2022) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) efforts to revise the drug and medical device classification paradigms for prescription and nonprescription medications and medical devices to allow greater access to certain medications and medical devices under conditions of safe use while maintaining patients' relationships with their pharmacists and other health care providers.

2. APhA supports the implementation or modification of state laws, regulations, and policies to facilitate pharmacists' implementation and provision of services related to a revised drug and medical device classification system.

3. APhA supports a patient care delivery model built on coordination and communication between pharmacists and other health care team members in the evaluation and management of care delivery.

4. APhA affirms that pharmacists are qualified to provide clinical interventions on medications and medical devices under FDA's approved conditions of safe use.

5. APhA urges manufacturers, FDA, and other stakeholders to include pharmacists' input in the development and adoption of technology and standardized processes for services related to medications and medical devices under FDA's defined conditions of safe use.

6. APhA supports the utilization of best practices, treatment algorithms, and clinical judgment of pharmacists and other health care providers to guide the evaluation and management of care delivery related to medications and medical devices under FDA's approved conditions of safe use.

7. APhA encourages the inclusion of medications, medical devices, and their associated services provided under FDA's defined conditions of safe use within health benefit coverage.

8. APhA supports compensation of pharmacists and other health care professionals for the provision of services related to FDA's defined conditions of safe use programs.

Topic: Reimbursement And Compensation

(JAPhA. 53(4):365; July/August 2013) (JAPhA. 58(4):356; July/August 2018) (Reviewed 2022) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA believes that Health care, including the essential component of patient care services, should be made available to as many people as possible in our society through the most economical system compatible with an acceptable standard of quality.

2. APhA should support the Part B mechanism which is the voluntary supplementary medical insurance program financed equally by beneficiaries and the government.

3. APhA should oppose laws, regulations, and policies that would restrict the Medicare drug benefit to specific, chronic diseases.

4. APhA should support the inclusion of patient care services under Medicare or any other federal financing mechanism, providing the program is designed to help persons who need it most and is administratively efficient and economical.

Topic: Reimbursement And Compensation

(JAPhA. NS9:363; July 1969) (JAPhA. NS45(5):558; September/October 2005) (Reviewed 2009) (JAPhA. NS52(4):460; July/August 2012) (Reviewed 2017) (Reviewed 2018) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

It is essential that laws, regulations, and policies governing pharmacist professional fees in federally-supported, health care programs require review and equitable adjustments on a regularized, periodic basis.

Topic: Reimbursement And Compensation

(JAPhA. NS15:330; June 1975) (Reviewed 2005) (Reviewed 2009) (Reviewed 2014) (Reviewed 2019) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

APhA seeks introduction of laws, regulations, and policies exempting state, third-party, and prescription programs from preemption by ERISA.

Topic: Reimbursement And Compensation

(Am Pharm. NS24(7):61; July 1984) (Reviewed 2005) (Reviewed 2009) (Reviewed 2014) (Reviewed 2019) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

APhA supports enactment of laws, regulations, and policies requiring that third-party program reimbursement to pharmacists be at least equal to the pharmacists prevailing charges to the self-paying public for comparable services and products, plus additional documented direct and indirect costs, which are generated by participating in the program.

Topic: Reimbursement And Compensation

(Am Pharm. NS21(5):40; May 1981) (Reviewed 2005) (Reviewed 2009) (Reviewed 2014) (Reviewed 2019) (Reviewed 2021) (Reviewed 2022) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA urges the development of laws, regulations, and policies that facilitate patient access to and affordability of biologic products.

2. APhA urges the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expedite the development of standards and pathways that will evaluate the interchangeability of biologic products.

3. APhA recognizes the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Purple Book as an authoritative reference about biologic product interchangeability within the United States.

4. APhA opposes interchangeable biologic product substitution processes that require authorization, recordkeeping, or reporting beyond generic product substitution processes.

5. APhA encourages scientific justification for extrapolation of indications for biologic products to ensure patient safety and optimal therapeutic outcomes.

Topic: Research

(JAPhA. 56(4):369; July/August 2016) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA urges the sponsors of drug research to permit pharmacists to serve as principal investigators.

2. APhA encourages agencies to eliminate laws, regulations, and policies that prohibit pharmacists from being investigators, including principal investigators, in drug research or sponsors of Investigational New Drug Applications, Investigational Device Evaluations, and Animal Investigational New Drug Applications.

Topic: Research

(Am Pharm. NS29(7):465; July 1989) (Reviewed 2005) (Reviewed 2009) (Reviewed 2014) (Reviewed 2019) (Reviewed 2022) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports legal, regulatory, and policy changes to further facilitate clinical research related to the clinical efficacy and safety associated with the use of cannabis and its various components.

2. APhA encourages health care provider education related to the clinical efficacy, safety, and management of patients using cannabis and its various components.

3. APhA advocates that the pharmacist collect and document information in the pharmacy patient profile about patient use of cannabis and its various components and provide appropriate patient counseling.

4. APhA supports pharmacist participation in independently prescribing cannabis and its various components when scientific data support the legitimate medical use of the products and delivery mechanisms, and federal, state, or territory laws or regulations permit pharmacists to independently prescribe them.

5. APhA opposes pharmacist involvement in independently prescribing cannabis and its various components for recreational use.

Topic: Research

(JAPhA. N55(4):365; July/August 2015) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA recognizes that animal experiments continue to be an essential, and indeed irreplaceable, component of biomedical research and testing.

2. When animals must be used for biomedical research and testing, APhA strongly supports humane treatment and adequate laws, regulations, and policies, controls, and enforcement of appropriate measures relating to animal procurement, transportation, housing, care, and treatment.

3. APhA encourages the further development of methods of biomedical research and testing which do not require the use of animals.

4. APhA opposes laws, regulations, and policies that would penalize the properly controlled and conducted use of animals for biomedical research and testing.

Topic: Research

(Am Pharm. NS21(5):41; May 1981) (Am Pharm. NS26(6):420; June 1986) (JAPhA. NS45(5):559; September/October 2005) (Reviewed 2009) (Reviewed 2014) (Reviewed 2019) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports the use of representative populations in clinical studies, including, but not limited to protected populations such as women, persons who are underrepresented or historically marginalized, older adults, persons who are transgender and gender-diverse, and children when appropriate.

2. APhA encourages the development of research techniques which would identify possible problems not readily detected in adult clinical investigations to aid in the safe and effective evaluation of drugs in children.

Topic: Research

(Am Pharm. NS30(6):46; June 1990) (JAPhA. NS45(5):559; September/October 2005) (Reviewed 2009) (Reviewed 2014) (JAPhA. 59(4):e28; July/August 2019) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA supports the concept of state boards of pharmacy retaining their authority to regulate all aspects of professional pharmacy practice including nuclear pharmacy practice.

2. APhA urges state boards of pharmacy to promptly adopt appropriate laws, regulations, and policies for the practice of nuclear pharmacy, using the NABP Model Regulations for the Licensure of Nuclear Pharmacies as a model.

Topic: Specialties In Pharmacy

(Am Pharm. NS20:69; July 1980) (Reviewed 2006) (Reviewed 2011) (Reviewed 2016) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

1. APhA encourages pharmacists to take an active role in achieving the goals of the Healthy People program regarding immunizations through (a) advocacy; (b) contracting with other health care professionals; or (c) administering vaccines to patients facing barriers to health.

2. APhA encourages the availability of all vaccines to all pharmacies in order to meet public health needs.

3. APhA supports the compensation of pharmacists for the administration of immunizations and the reimbursement for vaccine distribution.

4. APhA should facilitate the development of programs that educate pharmacists about their role in immunizations in public health.

Topic: Vaccines

(JAPhA. NS36(6):395; June 1996) (JAPhA. NS43(5)(suppl 1):S57; September/October 2003) (JAPhA. NS45(5):556; September/October 2005) (Reviewed 2007) (Reviewed 2009) (Reviewed 2012) (Reviewed 2014) (Reviewed 2019) (Reviewed 2020) (Reviewed 2021) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)

APhA supports vaccinations, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as a condition of employment, training, or volunteering within an organization that provides pharmacy services or operates a pharmacy or pharmacy department (unless a valid medical or religious reason precludes vaccination).

Topic: Vaccines

(JAPhA. NS51(4):482; July/August 2011) (Reviewed 2012) (Reviewed 2017) 2024

1. APhA shall work with Congress to modify the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act or enact other laws, regulation, or policies to require that dietary supplement manufacturers provide evidence of efficacy and safety for all products, including products currently in the marketplace.

2. APhA supports the establishment and implementation of clear and effective enforcement policies to remove promptly unsafe or ineffective dietary supplement products from the marketplace.

3. APhA shall work with the FDA to improve dietary supplement product labeling to ensure full disclosure of all product components and their source with associated strengths and recommendations for use in specific patient populations.

4. APhA supports the development and enforcement of dietary supplement good manufacturing practices (GMPs) and compliance with USP/NF standards to ensure quality, safe, contaminant-free products.

5. APhA encourages health care professionals, manufacturers, and consumers to report adverse health events associated with dietary supplements. APhA encourages the FDA to create a database with this information and make it available to all interested parties.

Topic: Vitamins, Minerals, Nutritional Supplements And Food

(JAPhA. NS1(9):40; September/October 2000) (Reviewed 2005) (Reviewed 2007) (Reviewed 2012) (Reviewed 2017) (JAPhA 64(4);102117, July/August 2024)