Ten years ago, CPhA sponsored legislation that officially declared that pharmacists are health care providers who have the authority to provide specific health care services. Since that time, we have increased our scope of practice, most recently by successfully passing legislation granting pharmacists the authority to independently initiate and provide PrEP and PEP, conduct CLIA-waived tests and provide all FDA approved and ACIP recommended vaccines.
Kaiser Permanente, the VA, US Public Health Service, Indian Health Service and numerous other health systems have long embraced the concept of putting pharmacists at the front line of primary patient care. To fulfil the intent of SB 493, it is time for the profession to push for pharmacists to be at the forefront of primary patient care in all settings – regional health systems, medical practices, and community pharmacies across the State.
While we have made great strides, there is still much work to do. Until pharmacists are paid for providing care, we cannot do what is within our scope of practice. In order to address this issue, CPhA is sponsoring AB 317 (Weber) to ensure pharmacists’ clinical services are covered fairly by health plans payers.
Additionally, CPhA sponsored legislation SB 339 (Weiner) to remove further barriers for PrEP and PEP pharmacy care and AB 913 (Petrie-Norris) that will require PBM’s to be licensed and regulated to protect patient rights in California, are progressing in the State Legislature. CPhA’s work continues, and we need your support to keep moving the needle forward.
We would like to express our gratitude to nearly 1,000 pharmacists, pharmacy students, CPhA Corporate sponsors, and friends of pharmacy who attended Western Pharmacy Exchange 2023 in Las Vegas. We look forward to seeing you at Planet Hollywood Las Vegas for Western Pharmacy Exchange 2024 next April.
In this edition of the Journal of Contemporary Pharmacy Practice, we have four outstanding articles from our peers regarding the SURMOUNT-1 Trial, nelumbo nucifera on anxiety, patient experience with medical information centers, and guidance for first time authors. We invite and encourage you all to submit your work for consideration for publication in the final two editions of 2023.
On behalf of the Editorial Review Board of the Journal of Contemporary Pharmacy Practice, thank you for your continued support of this Journal and CPhA.
Sincerely,