The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) hosted its fourth Annual Capitol Hill Health Fair, September 22, as part of its advocacy and community outreach efforts in advance of American Pharmacists Month. APhA partnered with the Office of Representative Buddy Carter (R-GA) the only pharmacist in Congress, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, the National Community Pharmacists Association, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and Walgreens.
Flu shots and health screenings, including bone density, glucose, cholesterol, blood pressures and body composition were available to members of Congress, staff and the general public in the Rayburn House Office Building.
“This event is an excellent platform for pharmacists and student pharmacists 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, ScDE (Hon), FAPhA.
“It is important for our nation’s key decision makers to experience first-hand the pharmacists’ patient care services that are improving access to health care and health outcomes, particularly for those patients in medically underserved areas of the country,” Menighan said.
The annual Health Fair was also an opportunity for APhA, its members and partner associations to encourage US 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 and S. 314).
While the majority of the US House and half of the US Senate supports the value of pharmacists to patients, APhA hopes the Health Fair helped to increase Congress’ support of this bill, which seeks to improve patient access to health care through pharmacists’ patient care services.
