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Professional Pharmacy Associations & Organizations

Whether you are a practicing pharmacist or an aspiring pharmacist, you should be aware of a plethora of resources that are available to you through a variety of local, state, and national pharmaceutical associations in the U.S. Each association offers a variety of resources to its members, such as providing information for pharmacists on new drugs, working with state legislatures, and helping students who are interested in pharmacy. The national associations also advocate for political issues relating to pharmacy. Almost every state has a pharmaceutical association and there are four major national organizations. Below, you will find a list of these associations and links to their websites.

 National Organizations  - State Organizations

National Pharmacy Associations

The Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy's goal is to have quality health care for all.

The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education is the national agency for the accreditation of professional degree programs in pharmacy and providers of continuing pharmacy education.

Founded in 1900, the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy is the national organization representing pharmacy education in the United States. The association publishes links to all accredited pharmacy schools. Membership Cost: $100.

The American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists provides an international forum for the exchange of knowledge among scientists to enhance their contributions to health. It offers scientific programs, ongoing education, opportunities for networking, and professional development. As a member you have access to the AAPS publications and member directory. Membership Cost: $140.

The American College of Clinical Pharmacy is a professional and scientific society that provides leadership, education, advocacy, and resources enabling clinical pharmacists to achieve excellence in practice and research. Membership is composed of practitioners, scientists, educators, administrators, students, residents, fellows, and others committed to excellence in clinical pharmacy and patient pharmacotherapy. Membership Cost: $220.

APhA was the first-established national professional society of pharmacists and was founded 1852 as the American Pharmaceutical Association. It remains the largest association of pharmacists in the United States. APhA provides a forum for discussion, consensus building, and policy setting for the pharmacy profession.

ASHP is the only national organization of hospital and health-system pharmacists and has a long history of improving medication use and enhancing patient safety. The association provides grants for research and education. Membership Cost: $250.

Founded in 1904, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy is the impartial professional organization that supports the state boards of pharmacy in protecting public health.

NACDS is the organization that serves the interests of both chain drug stores and their suppliers.

The National Community Pharmacists Association , founded in 1898 as the National Association of Retail Druggists (NARD), represents the pharmacist owners, managers, and employees more than 23,000 independent community pharmacies across the United States.

This association is a professional organization specifically for pharmacy technicians and is dedicated to advancing the value of pharmacy technicians and the roles they play in pharmaceutical care. Membership Cost: $69.

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State Pharmacy Associations

 

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