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Official Newsjournal of the Illinois Council of Health-System Pharmacists

Professional Affairs
2019 ASHP House of Delegates Update

by Jen Phillips, PharmD, BCPS, FCCP, FASHP, Editor, KeePosted; IL Delegate to the ASHP HOD

In June 2019, ASHP House of Delegates met in Boston, MA to debate 18 policies and one resolution. All policies were approved, with 14 being amended or edited by the house. This year’s Illinois delegates were: Andy Donnelly, Bernice Man, Brian McCarthy, Jen Phillips, and Carrie Sincak.

Resolution: Minimum Educational Standards
The house voted on a resolution to oppose the requirement that the PharmD be the minimum degree needed in order to practice pharmacy. This resolution was in response to a qualification standard issued in September 2017 by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management that listed the PharmD as the minimum requirement. Many pharmacists still have a bachelor’s degree and it was felt that minimum qualifications should be consistent with state board of pharmacy requirements.

Joint Council Policy: Suicide Awareness and Prevention
This policy was created in response to an increase in the incidence of suicides in the United States in recent years. This policy outlines the role of the pharmacist in identifying and preventing suicide in at-risk patients and healthcare workers. The policy also advocates for the use of standardized tools and pharmacist education/training in the area of suicide awareness and prevention.

Additional policies proposed by the councils are included in the table below.

We look forward to the deliberations of the next House of Delegates Meeting, scheduled for June 6-10 in Seattle, WA! Hope to see you at the Summer Meeting!