Reflecting on American Pharmacists Month
Since the first retail pharmacy opened in Philadelphia almost 300 years ago, pharmacists have played a critical role serving America’s communities. Today, there are more than 320,000 pharmacists in the U.S., and the profession continues to evolve.
Established in 2004 by the American Pharmacists Association, American Pharmacists Month celebrates the accomplishments and contributions of pharmacists. It also recognizes the impacts pharmacists have on their local communities and healthcare delivery.
For the past 185 years, McKesson has supported pharmacists and will be using this month to celebrate pharmacists for all you do each day to save lives.
The role of pharmacists
A Google search of “pharmacists as” shows the many roles that pharmacists play. Pharmacists are providers of healthcare services, are entrepreneurs, are leaders — and are so much more.
How people view pharmacists
In each role, pharmacists have achieved tremendous respect. Pharmacists are trusted, viewed as honest and ethical, and seen as tremendously accessible.
Douglas Hoey, CEO of the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), has explained that pharmacists’ high ratings are because pharmacists are “clinically trained medication experts who can answer patients’ questions and offer advice about their medications.” Community pharmacists are also easily accessible. The trust in pharmacists will only grow as pharmacists continue to adapt to the changing nature of healthcare delivery.1,2,3,4,5
McKesson Salutes You
For all the roles that you play, and for the trusted way in that you serve patients, McKesson celebrates and salutes pharmacists. McKesson looks forward to partnering with and supporting pharmacists for years to come.
Please follow us on our McKesson ideaShare social media channels for updates and to engage with fellow independent community pharmacists.