Celebrate pharmacists’ contributions to health care this month!

October is designated American Pharmacists Month by the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), and October 17-23 is National Pharmacy Week, hosted by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP). This is the time of year to recognize the important contributions pharmacists make to health care and the positive impact of their work in our communities.

“It’s truly a time to thank and recognize all those who contribute to the pharmacy profession,” said Dr. S. Suresh Madhavan, Dean of the HSC College of Pharmacy. “That includes pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, scientists, student pharmacists, and our HSC faculty and staff who support the College of Pharmacy’s mission every day.”

“The role of pharmacists goes above and beyond the traditional model of dispensing medication,” added Dr. Madhavan. “Pharmacists are highly accessible to help patients with many health care needs including medication use and safety advice, chronic disease management, patient health education, preventive care, health screenings, and vaccinations, and much more.”

Pharmacist Facts:

• Pharmacists have been at the forefront of the COVID-19 response as the most accessible health care providers, quickly adapting to the needs of communities by providing drive-thru testing, vaccinations and patient education. And federal and state authorities expanded pharmacists’ authority to meet the needs of communities fighting the pandemic.

• Pharmacists are also poised to address health disparities. “Pharmacists are integral members of the health care team due to their expertise in pharmacotherapy and their accessibility,” said Annesha White, PharmD, MS, PhD, Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Assessment in the College of Pharmacy. “People see their pharmacists more than their primary care physicians, and they can see health equity issues daily.”

• One in five vaccines are administered by pharmacists, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2018, 42% of all flu vaccines were given by a pharmacist. This year, flu shots are more important than ever amidst COVID-19. Look for more details soon about flu shots offered at HSC.

• There are more than 23,000 licensed pharmacists in Texas and nearly 7,000 alone in the DFW Metroplex. Pharmacists work in community pharmacies, clinics, hospitals, academia, pharmaceutical companies, drug discovery and development, and other healthcare environments.

Here are a number of ways to celebrate pharmacists and the pharmacy community this month:

• October 1 begins American Pharmacists Month. Take time to #thankapharmacist throughout the month.

• October 12 is #WomenPharmacistDay, celebrating the significant gains that women have made in pursuing careers in pharmacy.

• October 17-23 – National Pharmacy Week (#HSCPharmacyWeek): HSC pharmacy student organizations are busy planning activities for the week and will have more details to share soon.

• October 19 – It’s National Pharmacy Technician Day (#rxtechday). More than half of our student pharmacists started pharmacy school with experience as a pharmacy technician, and many of them work as technicians. Read about HSC student pharmacists.

• October 22, 1-4 pm, IREB 2nd floor foyer – College of Pharmacy Showcase Day (#HSCPharmacyShowcase and #thankapharmacist)
Join us for this come-and-go event featuring poster presentations highlighting research, education & teaching, clinical practice and service. Stop by for giveaways, delicious cookies and light snacks!