AzPA Students Attend Pharmacy Day at the Capitol
Fifteen students from the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy recently traveled to Phoenix to participate in Pharmacy Day at the Capitol, an event intended for pharmacists, students, and technicians to meet with state legislators to discuss key issues affecting the field of pharmacy. The event, held on April 2, was a unique opportunity for students to connect over issues important to their profession and bring those issues to the attention of state legislators.
Hosted by the Arizona Pharmacy Association (AzPA), Pharmacy Day at the Capital focused on Senate Bill 1214 (SB1214), which would allow pharmacists to test and treat common ailments under specific conditions. Currently, Arizona ranks 42nd in the country for access to health care services. The majority of the state’s population is considered medically underserved, with large portions reporting that they do not have a primary care physician at all. Under the proposed bill, pharmacists will bridge that gap and provide care for routine and non-chronic health issues like the flu, COVID-19, and strep throat.
The University of Arizona AzPA chapter was founded in 2010, with a mission to serve and represent all pharmacy professionals in all practice settings by fostering safe and effective medication therapy, promoting innovative practice, and empowering its members to serve the healthcare needs of the public. One of the main goals of the organization is to perform political advocacy at the state and national level, giving these students a look into how federal and state law shapes how they practice their profession.
AzPA 2024-2025 Chair, Nguyen Pham, highlighted the unique opportunity this event provides to attendees. “Most students who participated in the AzPA Pharmacy Day at the Capitol are in rural health profession programs (RHPP), so they have experience from the student's point of view and were able to contribute significantly to the discussion,” he said. Pham, along with the rest of the U of A student group, had lunch with senators and representatives on the capitol lawn, after which they had the opportunity to witness the legislative floor in session.
The most exciting part of the event for Pham was the chance to meet with State Senator Brian Fernandez and discuss the bill and other important issues in the Arizona healthcare system. “He is very passionate about health access and is from Yuma,” Pham added. “We had a very productive conversation with him.”
Faculty advisor Chris Edwards, PharmD joined the UA AzPA group in Phoenix. “Pharmacy day at the capital is such a wonderful event,” he shared. “Pharmacy students from all three colleges of pharmacy in the state gather in the capitol to meet with legislators to discuss issues pertinent to pharmacy practice in the state of Arizona. The Arizona Pharmacy Association does a great job preparing students to discuss the issues relevant to their patients using real world anecdotes from their experiences in the pharmacy workforce.” Student attendees included:
Nguyen Pham, AzPA Chair
Juan Chong
Jerdawn Robinson
Rxyl Jade Jinon, AzPA Treasurer
Jermaine Javellana
Kalena Schelwat
Jason Agundez
Dona John
Michelle Valenzuela
Misk Al Qaderi
Ivana Karac
Kareli Vazquez
Jacklyn Amundsen
Leah Rios
Luis F Verdugo Castro
“It’s inspiring to see these young pharmacists take an interest in ensuring we can provide the best possible care to our patients by practicing at the top of our license,” Edwards added, highlighting the importance of pharmacists as community advocates as well as healthcare providers.
Thank you to all our PharmCATS for going out and making a difference in the community! You can view more photos from the event here.