Beyond the Prescription: McKesson Celebrates Heroes in White Coats

Celebrating the expanded role of pharmacists across the nation, McKesson Corporation has kicked off an entire month of celebrations for American Pharmacists Month. Launched in 2004, American Pharmacists Month honors pharmacists and the many hats they wear, and aims to recognize the work they do to improve patient care.

McKesson has launched a new interactive site for the pharmacists’ official month, and McKesson employees have also created a video, thanking pharmacists for their role in supporting patients throughout their treatment journey.

“What makes me get up every day and come to work is that I know that we can make health care better,” said Amy Watson, PharmD, MBA, the pharmacy service line director of Asante health system. Amy is one of the pharmacist leaders highlighted by McKesson this month.

Retail pharmacists play a crucial role in keeping communities safe and healthy. They focus on delivering quality patient care, while addressing reimbursement and regulatory changes. Retail pharmacists continue to expand their role as a provider, serving on the frontline to directly impact patient care and striving to be fully reimbursed for the care they deliver every day. “All of our Pharmacy Managers and Staff Pharmacists at H-E-B are tremendous professionals as well as leaders in the communities in which we operate,” said Craig Norman, RPh, the senior vice president of pharmacy at H-E-B. “We directly attribute our success in pharmacy to their hard work and dedication to patient care.”

Specialty pharmacists play a critical role in pharmacy success and improving patients access and adherence to vital medicines. “Cancer patients are truly a unique segment of patients who look to pharmacists for encouragement, recommendations and invite you to be a part of their journey,” said Valerie Russo, PharmD, the director of dispensing operations for McKesson. “There is a heightened level of trust in which you are able to give a higher level of care, so thank you.” By medically integrating pharmacy services into community physician practices, pharmacists help optimize prescriptions filled in-house and enhance the patient experience, offering medications and education conveniently onsite to patients from a care team they know and trust.

American Pharmacists Month also recognizes pharmacy technicians, pharmacy buyers and women in pharmacy:

• On October 12, McKesson will honor the first-ever Women Pharmacist Day by highlighting women leaders in the field. The RxOwnership Women in Pharmacy program also commits to fostering more than 200 women in the mentorship program. More than two-thirds of the mentees are pharmacy school students and the Women in Pharmacy program will connect them with accomplished women pharmacy owners.
• Ahead of October 16, National Pharmacy Technician Day, pharmacists can download the Four Reasons to Thank Your Pharmacy Technician infographic. Pharmacy technicians contribute by streamlining the dispensing process and helping patients receive financial support from manufacturer drug programs.
• In support of pharmacy buyers, McKesson Buyer’s University will host a live webinar on October 25 in honor of National Pharmacy Buyer Day on October 26. McKesson Buyer’s University is an online training program designed to provide relevant educational content for pharmacy buyers. The webinar will feature industry experts who understand the challenges of drug purchasing and inventory management.

“Pharmacists are an integral part in a patient’s journey,” said Gregory D. Wolfe, PharmD, BCOP, the senior director of Pharmacy Operations for McKesson. “I am proud to be a pharmacist, and we at Biologics by McKesson are happy to celebrate those pharmacists who view their role as more than just a job, but an honorable duty to serve patients who need them.”

For more information about McKesson’s celebration of American Pharmacists Month, visit mckesson.com/americanpharmacistsmonth.