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Editorial: Multi-State Annual Pharmacy Association Meetings
Some states are having difficulty generating and keeping interest in annual association meetings, therefore attendance is down. This is rather sad because the state associations have a tremendous amount of responsibility in representing the practice of pharmacy to the state legislature and to the citizens of the state.
One possible causative factor is that too many pharmacists view pharmacy practice as simply a "job" and not a profession. These individuals take advantage of the hard work and effort of those that have helped make pharmacy what it is today and those that continue to strive to improve it. These individuals have no appreciation or concern for the expenses in time and money that it costs for the few pharmacy leaders in each state to carry on the work of the profession. They keep quiet until something adversely affects them; then they come alive and wonder if anybody is doing anything. These moocher-type pharmacists simply work their job, pull down their $100K per year in salary and benefits, and complain when things don't go their way and pharmacy loses important battles.
What can be done to correct this? Maybe the state boards of pharmacy could consider a requirement for some sort of "professional activity and participation" for license renewal each year; similar to the continuing education requirements. This professional activity could be defined by the individual states according to their laws and regulations. It could serve in the best interest of protecting the public.
Meanwhile... some states are joining together for their annual conventions. This can result in significantly better conventions for more diverse and better programming, larger exhibits halls, and more valuable interaction among pharmacists and networking opportunities.
This past week and weekend the Texas Pharmacists Association and the Oklahoma Pharmacists Association combined their meetings, which was held at the Gaylord Texan Hotel and Convention Center in the north Dallas area. This very successful meeting had approximately 1,100 to 1,200 registrants with a very large exhibit hall and excellent contemporary programming that was very well attended. In fact, the compounding session was moved to a larger room and still had "standing room only."
This editor has heard that other states either have been or are considering multi-state meetings. Until more pharmacists realize and accept their individual responsibilities to contribute to the profession, multi-state association meetings may be a great interim solution.
PS: Yes, Texans and Okies do get along great! (Except for one day of the year in the fall).
Loyd V. Allen, Jr., PhD, RPh
Editor-in-Chief
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