Got a gathering of pharmacists coming up? Why not take the opportunity to get everyone on board and motivated to show up at the polls and vote. Discount Drug Mart Inc. recently had their twice yearly pharmacists meeting, and with funding from NACDS RxIMPACT, they added a get-out-the vote component to their meeting, which is a mix of continuing education, best practices and vendor sessions.
It’s of real value to have that many folks up on Capitol Hill advocating on behalf of pharmacy…
Steve Ferris, Discount Drug Mart, Inc.’s government and public affairs director, arranged the event and tapped a speaker from the Greater Cleveland League of Women Voters, who stressed the importance of all Americans’ responsibility to participate in the process. She talked about the 2016 election cycle and also encouraged participants to think beyond presidential election years and to pay close attention to candidates and elections in the off years as well.
Ferris was in Washington, D.C., last week for NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill. He said, “It’s of real value to have that many folks up on Capitol Hill advocating on behalf of pharmacy and sharing our interests and concerns over issues that are so important to the profession.”
On advice for others who want to add a get-out-the-vote event to their programs, Ferris said, “Find similar events or other ways to potentially reach out to your pharmacists, pharmacy techs and others and bring someone in to share the importance of our right and our responsibility to vote.”
NACDS RxIMPACT Votes is actively engaged in motivating and educating the pharmacy community on the importance of getting out the vote. Also visit PharmacyVoter.org for more information, stay in the loop on the latest pharmacy advocacy news by joining the NACDS RxIMPACT Pharmacy Advocates group on LinkedIn, and be sure to view photos from the NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill event on Flickr.
