American Pharmacists Month Shines a Spotlight on Community Caregiving

The theme of this year’s event is Caring for Our Communities, “dedicated to the single thread that runs through all pharmacy professionals and the services they provide.” According to the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), there are more than 700,000 pharmacy professionals working in the US—a number inclusive of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and student pharmacists.

In recent years, the pharmacy profession has weathered many storms, including increasing workload, staffing shortages, drug shortages, rising drug costs, and public health crises. But through it all, pharmacists have retained their spot as one of the most trusted professions, according to research from Gallup. More than 90% of Americans live within 5 miles of a pharmacy, and pharmacists are—for some communities—the only accessible form of health care.

Throughout American Pharmacists Month, Drug Topics will be shining the spotlight on pharmacists who are making a difference across community, health system, and specialty pharmacy.

American Pharmacists Month also includes observance days focused on other areas of pharmacy practice:

• October 11 is National Student Pharmacist Day
• October 12 is Women Pharmacist Day
• October 15 is National Pharmacy Technician Day

Check back on Tuesday, October 8 for our first interview, and sign up for our e-newsletters to make sure you don’t miss a minute of our American Pharmacists Month Coverage.

READ MORE: American Pharmacists Month Resource Center

References

1. American Pharmacists Month. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://www.pharmacistsmonth.com/

2. Brenan M, Jones JM. Ethics ratings of nearly all professions down in US. Gallup. January 22, 2024. Accessed October 7, 2024. https://news.gallup.com/poll/608903/ethics-ratings-nearly-professions-down.aspx