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The Affordable Care Act and California Senate Bill 493 are changing the future of the profession, with pharmacists performing a wider range of duties than ever before. For more than a century, the USC School of Pharmacy has been ahead of the curve in innovating pharmacy education, practice, research and policy. As the pharmacist’s role becomes even more integral to directly improving patient outcomes, the School remains committed to maximizing professional preparation for the wide array of opportunities and responsibilities awaiting future pharmacists. The following pages highlight two recent conferences convened by the School about what lies ahead for the pharmacy profession, as well as a timeline of key milestones for the profession— and the School—over the past century-plus. As the USC School of Pharmacy helps pilot the profession forward, join us in viewing the future of pharmacy— including its challenges and opportunities—on this virtual flight over California and the nation.
1880 USC founded with aid of three donors, including pharmacist John G. Downey.
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People are living longer, which translates into more people needing more care. Meanwhile, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) is adding new patients to the system, physicians are already overloaded and spiraling costs must be contained without sacrificing the quality of care. As pharmacists hold a key piece of the solution to this challenge, the USC School of Pharmacy joined with the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA) and the California Pharmacists Association (CPhA) to convene “Provider Status for Pharmacists: Creating a National Action Plan” in Los Angeles last winter. The conference brought together nearly 200 pharmacy leaders from across the nation to address how to best integrate pharmacists into the evolving system of patient-centered, team-based healthcare to
1900
1915
U.S. population totals 76 million, served by 46,000 pharmacists.
Abraham Flexner describes pharmacy, plumbing, social work and banking as nonprofessional occupations in a speech at National Conference of Charities and Correction.
76,000,000 46,000
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The National Need for Provider Status
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1905
1935
USC School of Pharmacy established.
Social Security Act passes.
1937 American Hospital Association Committee on Pharmacy recommends 100+ bed hospitals employ a registered pharmacist.