The refrain “Words matter” is often heard in our D.C. office. This is a reminder that, in the business of government and policy, legislative and regulatory language is our primary tool – one that we must apply with appropriate, rigorous accuracy.

In the same spirit, the simple statement “Black lives matter” must be heard in the context of a reality in which social determinants are a scientifically significant factor in the health and well-being of all Americans and race is a major contributing factor to these social determinants. However, the grim data emerging from the ongoing COVID-19 crisis reveal the shocking extent of black Americans’ health disparities and starkly illustrate how often their lives seemingly don’t “matter” as much as those of their counterparts.

As we reflect on those who have sacrificed during this tumultuous period, it is vital that we focus on the disproportionate burden borne by African Americans and all who suffer as a consequence of racial injustice across society. As stated in our country’s Declaration of Independence and embodied in ACCP’s core values, each American has the right to a safe and healthy life. Yet racial injustice contributes to the denial of a healthy and safe life for so many Americans.

Words matter. To stand in solidarity with those whose lives are compromised every day by racial discrimination and intolerance, ACCP released the following statement on June 1:

ACCP celebrates the diversity of our members and staff. We stand together in our commitment to a culture of equality and inclusion. Racism and intolerance of any kind are antithetical to ACCP’s core values and have no place in health care or society.

ACCP was also proud to join with other organizations on June 5 in issuing a multi-organizational statement on behalf of the profession of pharmacy denouncing racism and intolerance, led by the National Pharmaceutical Association. A copy of the statement is available here.

Government and Professional Affairs June Advocacy Wrap-Up

Comments to Senate HELP on COVID-19 Testing

In response to an ongoing series of hearings into the coronavirus pandemic held by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), ACCP submitted a statement highlighting the vital contributions of board-certified clinical pharmacists in supervising a multifaceted process that connects patients and their extended care teams with clinical labs, state and federal public health departments, and other appropriate stakeholders.

The statement builds on the interprofessional communication that we submitted in March that called on Health & Human Services to provide additional guidance on pharmacist safety related to COVID-19 testing. In our comments to HELP, we called on the committee to seek opportunities to expand the integration of clinical pharmacists’ services across community practice settings. Click here to read the statement in full.

Multi-Stakeholder Student Loan Effort Continues

Expanding on the pharmacist-led effort to seek clarification on student loan forgiveness language, ACCP joined with a coalition of provider organizations and health care stakeholders to support the Strengthening the Public Health Workforce Act. Click here to read the interprofessional stakeholder letter.

GTMRx Webinars Highlight ACCP Members at the Heart of Medication Optimization

The exciting work of the Get the Medications Right Institute (GTMRx) continues to gain momentum. GTMRx brings together several national thought-leaders in a multidimensional effort that seeks to engage key stakeholders in advocating to Congress, CMS, and other payers on the need for tools, data, practice standards, and implementation resources to advance medication optimization through team-based practice.

ACCP members are encouraged to sign up as members of GTMRx to receive updates and access to exclusive programming. Click here to join this exciting effort today.

GTMRx members had special access to a recent webinar featuring ACCP member Melissa Badowski, Pharm.D., MPH, FCCP, BCIDP, BCPS, AAHIVP, Clinical Associate Professor, Pharmacy Practice, University of Illinois – Chicago: Telehealth During COVID-19: Opportunity to Expand Access to Comprehensive Medication Management?