As part of its advocacy and community outreach efforts during American Pharmacists Month, the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) is partnering with the co-chairs of the House Community Pharmacy Caucus, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, the National Community Pharmacists Association, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, and Walgreens to host the 3^rd Annual Capitol Hill Health Fair on October 28. Flu shots and health screenings, including bone density, glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure, and body composition will be available to members of Congress, staff, and the general public in the Rayburn Foyer in the Rayburn House Office Building from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

“This is a significant event as pharmacists and student pharmacists get to demonstrate to Congress the valuable patient care services they provide in their communities every day,” said APhA Executive Vice President and CEO, Thomas E. Menighan, BSPharm, MBA, ScD (Hon), FAPhA. “It is important for our nation’s key decision makers to experience first-hand the pharmacist patient care services that are improving access to health care and health outcomes, particularly for those patients in medically underserved areas of the country.”

The annual Health Fair also is an opportunity for APhA, its members, and partner associations to encourage U.S. Representatives and Senators to recognize the value of pharmacists in improving patient access to health care by supporting the Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act (H.R. 592/S. 314). The bill has reached an important milestone with 219 supporters from the U.S. House of Representatives having signed on as sponsors and cosponsors. While the majority of the U.S. House supports the value of pharmacists to patients, APhA hopes the Health Fair will help increase Congress’ support for this bill, which seeks to improve patient access to health care through pharmacists’ patient care services.

Pharmacists from Walgreens and student pharmacists from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Pharmacy, Howard University College of Pharmacy, Shenandoah University Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy and Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy will provide free flu shots and health screenings at the one day event.