As pharmacists, we tend to think of ourselves as patient advocates, and in a lot of ways we are! Consider the Flip the Pharmacy program and what some of the outcomes that we are achieving, viewed through the eyes of the patient. We’re building innovative practices that allow us to advocate for patients by becoming more involved in their care. In essence, your actions are showing the patients you serve that you care enough about them to do the (at times) uncomfortable, difficult, and time-consuming things necessary to remain viable and take care of them. Whether we realize it or not, we are patient advocates all, but what I want to talk about in this post is how our patients in many ways have our back just the same. And of course, why that’s important.
Let’s get right to it. If you haven’t heard already, DIR Fees stink. Earlier this month, NCPA asked us all to get on our phones and call our Senators and ask them to support pharmacy DIR reform. The Senate will vote on H.R.5376 (Build Back Better) in January 2022, now is the time to act. Like I mentioned before, our patients have our back. Ask for that favor.
Where to start:
1. Educate your staff. The more staff in the pharmacy that are informed on current events and actionable opportunities to advocate for the profession, the higher the likelihood that your patients might receive the same message and take action!
2. Don’t be shy. Asking for help is not always easy, especially when it’s our patients we are asking for assistance from. Truth is the majority of our patients want to help us. Consider the number of favors you’ve fulfilled without compensation, for no other reason that it was the right thing to do. You’ll quickly realize you’ve earned the right to ask for help.
3. Get your pitch ready. Have a succinct pitch that you can deliver over and over again, that can covey the urgency and importance of this action. Better yet, give it to someone else who will give it to someone else.
How simple?
Pretty simple… CPESN sent out an email on 12/8/2021. There a patient link and a pharmacist link that can help connect you and your patient with their Senator(s).
Pharmacist link: https://p2a.co/QBKq9Ut
Patient link: https://p2a.co/rLcVaUp
Christmas is fast approaching, make sure the entire family, your patients, and their families all know what to do:
Simple as…
1. Type in your name and address to get connected with your Senator via phone (talking points included).
2. Email your Senator, draft provided.
3. Post to Twitter, Senator tags provided.
Oh, and don’t forget so share with the friends and family!
Written on behalf of CPESN West Virginia by FtP coach, Evan Turco, PharmD