6 minute read
Practice Advancement
The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Board of Directors and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Board of Trustees have approved updates to the profession’s Oath of a Pharmacist to incorporate contemporary language and address diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism. The updates were recommended by a joint AACP and APhA Oath Revision Steering Committee and approved by the boards of AACP and APhA at their respective November 2021 meetings.
“The joint committee led a critical charge of boldly expanding our professional oath to include the necessary elements of equity, inclusion, and diversity. The revised oath challenges all pharmacists to take an active responsibility in promoting health equity and commit to being change agents in the system of pharmacy practice and beyond,” said Lakesha M. Butler, PharmD, CDFT, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy.
The Oath of a Pharmacist was first developed in 1983 by the AACP Board of Directors and revised in 1994 and 2007 by the joint APhA Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA–ASP) and AACP Council of Deans Task Force on Professionalism. The 2021 Oath Revision Steering Committee conducted several joint sessions from June to October to review and discuss the oath. In addition, the committee developed and conducted a survey and town hall meetings for faculty members, student pharmacists, and pharmacists to address concerns.
"The Oath of a Pharmacist’s intent is to be both a fluid and long-lasting representation of pharmacists and student pharmacists’ dedication toward our profession and patients. Our collective efforts in recognizing and leading these efforts is a proud moment for the entire profession," said Juan Rodriguez, APhA–ASP National President and student pharmacist at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy.
The newly revised Oath of a Pharmacist should be utilized for all Spring 2022 pharmacy commencement ceremonies.
OATH OF A PHARMACIST
I promise to devote myself to a lifetime of service to others through the profession of pharmacy. In fulfilling this vow:
I will consider the welfare of humanity and relief of suffering my primary concerns.
I will promote inclusion, embrace diversity, and advocate for justice to advance health equity.
I will apply my knowledge, experience, and skills to the best of my ability to assure optimal outcomes for all patients.
I will respect and protect all personal and health information entrusted to me.
I will accept the responsibility to improve my professional knowledge, expertise, and self-awareness.
I will hold myself and my colleagues to the highest principles of our profession’s moral, ethical and legal conduct.
I will embrace and advocate changes that improve patient care.
I will utilize my knowledge, skills, experiences, and values to prepare the next generation of pharmacists.
I take these vows voluntarily with the full realization of the responsibility with which I am entrusted by the public.
HEARTLAND AEA PHARMACY CAREER MODULE UPDATE
In December, IPA staff met with faculty of Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy to review the Heartland AEA Pharmacy Career Module. The module is being designed for seventh through twelfth graders in the state of Iowa to promote the profession of pharmacy. During the meeting, IPA gathered valuable feedback from the colleges and is in the process of sharing this information with the module designer. Once updates have been made, IPA will have a second meeting with the colleges for a final run-through before the module goes live in schools across Iowa. The module is expected to launch in March.
If you or someone you know is interested in reviewing the Pharmacy Career Module, please contact Elizabeth Orput at eorput@iarx.org.
1815 UPDATE
IPA continues to work closely with the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) in partnering with Iowa pharmacies to advance education and services that improve outcomes for patients with chronic diseases. The 1815 project largely focuses on diabetes but also looks at expanding care and addressing the needs of patients with hypertension and dyslipidemia. IPA is excited to work with the new cohort of pharmacies for the 2021-2022 grant cycle. If your pharmacy is interested in expanding diabetes services as future grant opportunities arise, please contact Emmeline Paintsil at epaintsil@iarx.org.
NEW TEST & TREAT TOOLKIT
On July 1, 2021, all Iowa pharmacies became eligible to provide test and treat services for individuals six years of age and older. Along with testing for influenza, strep and COVID-19, pharmacies can prescribe treatment following a positive test result via the Statewide Protocols developed by the Iowa Board of Pharmacy in collaboration with IDPH. To assist your pharmacy in implementing test and treat services, IPA has developed a toolkit of resources with information on the CLIA waiver process, education requirements, supply procurement and much more!
Specific chapters of the toolkit include: 1. Point-of-care Testing FAQ 2. CLIA Certification 3. Education and Training 4. Supplies 5. Billing & Payment 6. Statewide Protocols 7. Sample Screening Tool & Patient Evaluation 8. Sample Follow-up Documentation & Communication The Test & Treat Toolkit is available in IPA’s online store and is a FREE member benefit for ENGAGED Pharmacists, Associates, Platinum Business Partners and Pharmacy Technician members. The toolkit is available for purchase for INFORMED and CONNECTED Pharmacist members. Visit www.iarx.org/store_home.asp.
VACCINE EQUITY GRANT
IPA continues to partner with IDPH in working to increase COVID-19 vaccine confidence, engaging trusted messengers, and addressing vaccine hesitancy for populations that have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The IPA team has been exploring new and innovative ways to engage the membership and deliver timely information. To revamp the association’s Connecting Over COVID-19 webinars, IPA will be shifting this content to a podcast format to provide members a new way to engage and listen at their leisure.
In addition, IPA is looking forward to getting back on the road and into communities for IPA Goes Local events starting in April of 2022. We look forward to engaging with trusted messengers across the state and providing education on how to address hesitancy, navigate misinformation and promote confidence in COVID-19 vaccines. A full listing of upcoming IPA Goes Local events is available on Page 38.
For more information on this project and how to collaborate with IPA, please contact Emmeline Paintsil at epaintsil@iarx.org.
HIV TESTING PROJECT ENTERS YEAR 4
In collaboration with IDPH’s Bureau of HIV, STD and Hepatitis, IPA has been managing a multi-year project implementing HIV screenings in community pharmacies since 2019. Ten community pharmacies from across the state have been offering free HIV screenings for their communities. In the fall of 2021, two additional pharmacies joined the project and are also offering free HCV screenings.
The CDC estimates 50% of persons living with HCV are undiagnosed. HIV and HCV cases in the state of Iowa have been steadily climbing since 2009; HCV diagnoses have tripled since 2009. The Bureau recently worked with the Bureau of Substance Use to conduct a vulnerability study, assessing the risk of HIV and HCV outbreaks as well as the risk of opioid overdoses. The full report is available on IDPH’s website. Based on this vulnerability study, the project will begin strategically identifying locations for HCV testing.
IPA is working to add additional pharmacies to both the HCV and HIV project. With the goal of 40 sites, IPA looks to gain interest in offering HIV testing in the following counties: Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Calhoun, Webster, Humboldt, Kossuth, Clarke, Decatur, Wayne, Lucas, Monroe, Appanoose, Lee, Wapello. These are areas of the state the Iowa Department of Public Health considers focus areas based on their epidemiology reporting.
To participate in the project or to learn more, please contact Kellie Staiert at kstaiert@iarx.org.
