My First Day with MPA

by Erica Boroughs, CPhT

I would like to thank Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA) for reaching out to the Genesee County Pharmacists Association (GCPA), and offering the opportunity for one of its members to join in the presentation of the Good Public Health Policy Award to Sen. Jim Ananich. Secondly, I would like to thank my fellow GCPA members for once again supporting me in my journey on becoming a pharmacist and always offering me the best opportunities to help me grow professionally.

When I pulled into the parking lot of the MPA office in Lansing, that’s when everything started to set in. Not only would this be my first time at MPA, but also my first time at the Capitol. The first thing I did before I got out of my car was say a prayer to thank God for all the wonderful things that have occurred in my  the last two years, since I have started this new adventure in pharmacy. While walking toward the building, I saw the sign outside with a little history about how MPA was established, and I immediately took a picture. I wanted to capture every moment of this day. After walking in, I was greeted by some of the friendliest staff I have ever met; they all seemed just as excited for me to be there as I was myself.

Meeting the manager of advocacy, governmental and regulatory affairs Amanda Lick for the first time was intriguing to say the least. Within the first five minutes of meeting her, I saw this powerhouse personality that shines through in everything that she talked with me about. Amanda started with introducing me to all of the staff as we walked by and went on to explain how the day’s events would occur. This was the first of many moments of the day that I found myself to be speechless.

Our last stop before leaving was chief executive officer (CEO) Larry Wagenknecht’s office. Amanda had asked for me to sit with Larry while the others were getting ready to join us to head over to the Capitol. As a pharmacy technician, I am assuming it is normal to feel like a little fish in a big pond while sitting across from the CEO of MPA. I never once felt like the little fish while I was with the members of the MPA staff. Larry finished an e-mail and was eager to hear my story about my involvement with GCPA and my goals of attending pharmacy school. We talked about my recent recognition as Local Member of the Year and the Board position that I now hold with GCPA.

One of the highlights of my day, aside from meeting Sen. Ananich, was our trip over to the Capitol. I found myself smiling, as I watched Larry, Amanda, director of professional practice Eric Roath and director of communications Leah Ball interacting with one another. They seemed so comfortable, almost like a family. Each one would take a turn talking about upcoming events, while occasionally throwing out a lighthearted joke. It made the experience all that more enjoyable and I felt included in their conversations. As we were walking up to the Capitol, I expressed that this was my first time ever being in Lansing and that I have never seen the Capitol in person. They all decided that after we met with Sen. Ananich, they would show me around.

Meeting with Sen. Ananich to present the Good Public Health Policy Award made me nervous. Before that day, I had never been to the Capitol, let alone met with a Senator in their office. Although Sen. Ananich has been active with GCPA, this happened to be my first time meeting him. The Senator warmly welcomed us into his office and took the time to speak about his appreciation for the award. After the video and pictures, I personally spoke with him about the upcoming GCPA legislative breakfast and how I looked forward to his future work with MPA and my local association. Sen. Ananich notably received the Good Public Health Policy Award for his work with MPA, GCPA and his efforts on health policy, supporting pharmacy issues such as Maximum Allowable Cost pricing and the new technician licensure law.

Once we arrived back at MPA, Amanda brought me into her office and went over a new initiative called the Pharmacy Advocacy Response Team (PART) that MPA and the Michigan Pharmacy Political Action Council began in 2014. Out of all of the events that day, this might be my favorite one. Pharmacy law is something that I am passionate about. Amanda explained how PART gives a sense of accomplishment and why being an advocate for pharmacy is so important. There are many misconceptions about the pharmacy profession and it is our job to make sure that we educate our legislators. 

Sen. Ananich, thank you for all of your efforts in working with MPA and GCPA. In my opinion, pharmacy technician licensure is a positive change for pharmacy; this will open many new possibilities for fellow technicians and myself. To the staff at MPA, thank you for allowing me to join in this wonderful experience. Advocating will now be a big part of my future in pharmacy. I may only be one person, but when we all come together I believe that we truly can make a difference. 

Pharmaco-Political Economics: About the Michigan Pharmacy Political Action Council, Why it’s Important and Why it’s Important to Donate

By Malak Abbas, 2017 Pharm.D. candidate, Wayne State University Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Are you caught up in the demanding profession of pharmacy? I sure am! Between juggling a complex pharmacy school course load, being involved with professional organizations and maintaining an internship, I rarely find extra time to actively advocate for my profession. Since we are amid a fight for provider status at the federal level, this is a crucial time to be continuously involved in advocacy, especially among our national decision makers. However, as a student, I have been struggling with finding balance. Luckily, there is an organization I have found to help me become involved with pharmacy political advocacy!

As a member of Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA), I recently discovered the organization that is involved with advocating for a pharmacy-friendly legislative agenda: the Michigan Pharmacy Political Action Council (PAC). Michigan Pharmacy PAC is a collective group of MPA member pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and student pharmacists with a common interest and goal: the promotion and protection of the pharmacy profession.

Pharmacy PAC is a “voluntary, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization of pharmacy professionals who actively seek to promote positive good government and public health.” The focus of Pharmacy PAC is to defend the relevant professional interests of pharmacy, advocate for public policy that improves patient health and wellness, increase pharmacy’s awareness and heighten pharmacy’s influence in the Michigan Legislature. They are involved with legislators in numerous ways, including reaching out to elected officials to discuss pharmacy issues and contributions to candidates who have or who make pharmacy and patients their top priorities.

Legislators tend to be impacted by those who contribute to their campaign process. However, supporting a political candidate’s campaign on your own comes with a hefty cost. I can relate to the difficulty of offering monetary contributions, especially since I have student loans that keep racking up, bills to pay and minimal income. Nevertheless, if each individual can contribute a small amount to Pharmacy PAC, then our joint monetary resources will have a much larger impact in creating awareness by legislators and candidates. Let us not forget that the Michigan Legislature does not have a pharmacy professional serving in office and, as a result, we need to work hard to ensure our voice is heard. Therefore, it is necessary that we support Pharmacy PAC and, through our contributions, the organization will provide financial support to the candidates who support our mission. This support will lead to the development of long-lasting relationships with key decision makers. Working together, we will have a stronger, more collective voice.

Many people wonder where their money goes when they donate to a PAC. To help contributors gain a better understanding of what Michigan Pharmacy PAC funds are used for, an annual report was developed to share with you. Starting this year, the annual report of PAC functions, titled The Advocate, was released. The report contains a complete review of 2014 PAC activities and fundraisers as well as additional facts about Michigan Pharmacy PAC. The Advocate 2014 report can be found online.

Of course, as with any organization and advocacy group, MPA’s efforts can only be made possible with our support. It is rather important for many reasons to contribute to Pharmacy PAC and become part of the united voice protecting pharmacy. Not only will your donations allow the organization to support legislators, but it will also allow them to participate in events and speak on behalf of pharmacy’s interests. Pharmacy is at risk of being overshadowed, as jobs continue to decline due to technology and mail-order pharmacy. Pharmacy PAC makes a promise to work hard to preserve the importance of face-to-face health care. As we all know, personalized patient-pharmacist relationships are vital to improving health outcomes. Legislators need to be educated on the importance of patient care and pharmacy involvement.

Contributions from pharmacy professionals will provide Pharmacy PAC with the tools to attend important events to educate legislators and speak on behalf of pharmacy’s interests. We need unceasing activity and action promoting our concerns, especially as new legislators take office, as they have this year. If we do not unite and have a voice defending our profession, then other health care professionals, third party payers, health plans and other organizations will advocate on our behalf. They have large amounts of funds available to them and that will push for agendas that may not be in our best interest or in best interest of our patients. If there is a larger group of people involved with a collective interest, then they will have a greater influence with legislators. With this in mind, legislators would eventually have to listen to what we have to say and will undoubtedly work to make sure our constituent needs are met.

I found that by contributing monetarily and becoming a member of Pharmacy PAC, I can make my voice heard without having to be present at all the events that take place. Through this small contribution, I am moving one step closer with making a difference in advancing the profession.

It is rather simple for YOU to be an active member in defending our profession. By donating to Michigan Pharmacy PAC, you will promote pharmacy priorities and take part in educating legislators on essential health care issues so we can continue to move forward in our profession. Through your contribution and by becoming a member, not only will you be recognized, but you will also have access to key legislators and continue to be informed and educated about public policy issues of importance to the profession. For more information and to donate, please visit http://www.michiganpharmacists.org/pharmacypac.

You can take your efforts one step further by joining the Pharmacy Advocacy Response Team (PART)! If you are interested in becoming a PART of our advocacy efforts, please call Amanda Lick, MPA manager of advocacy, governmental and regulatory affairs at (517) 377-0254 or Amanda@MichiganPharmacists.org.