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American Pharmacists Month

It all started in October 1925. For one week, radio stations across the country broadcasted special programming to highlight the profession of pharmacy. In 2004, after celebrating National Pharmacy Week for nearly 8 decades, APhA recognized October as American Pharmacist Month and has so ever since.
It’s a time to celebrate our pharmacists and to give thanks and appreciation for the important role they play every day in our health, our communities, and our lives.
Pharmacy Heroes - Photo 1 Pharmacy Heroes - Photo 2 Pharmacy Heroes - Photo 3

Your Pharmacist: Improving Health. Increasing Access.

Pharmacists have long been considered one of the most trusted and accessible health care professionals. In fact, nearly 90% of the U.S. population lives within 5 miles of a pharmacy.
As the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the United States, pharmacists and their teammates contributed to protecting America's health and promoting recovery by providing lifesaving vaccinations and expanding clinical services in their pharmacies and communities.
According to a recent article in Journal of the American Pharmacists Association (JAPhA), pharmacists plausibly accounted for more than 50% of all COVID-19 vaccinations in the United States, with conservative estimates that pharmacists and their teammates averted over 1 million deaths, more than 8 million hospitalizations, and $450 billion in health care costs because of their pandemic interventions.
In addition to safely administering immunizations and providing medicine, pharmacists offer lots of different services as part of their commitment to helping patients live healthier lives. From treatments for everything from asthma to diabetes and heart disease as well as providing OTC medicines and supplements, pharmacists can simplify your care with easy access to answers that bring you relief.
Building a relationship and getting to know your local pharmacist can make a big difference in your health. Visit your local pharmacy today and see what your pharmacist can do for you!

How you can help celebrate your pharmacist and bring awareness to APhM

  • Take a moment this October to visit your local pharmacy and say “thank you” to your pharmacist for all that they do. Pointing to a specific time when they provided you with exceptional care is also a great way to show your appreciation.
  • Download our “Thank You, Pharmacists” images and share a story across your social media channels of when a pharmacist provided you outstanding patient care or made a big difference in your health. Be sure to use the official American Pharmacists Month hashtags (#APhM2022, #pharmacistsmonth, and #YouStandByUsAll) in your posts!
  • Throughout the month, APhA will be sharing stories of how pharmacists have been increasing access and improving the health of patients in their communities. Follow our campaign on social media and like, share, and retweet our posts to help amplify and bring awareness to the important role pharmacists play in public health.
APhA headquaters, Washington, D.C.
celebrates American Pharmacists Month.
APhA celebrates American Pharmacists Month

How Pharmacists Can Help

Safe Medication Use

You have medication questions; your pharmacist has answers.

Pharmacists can help you maximize the benefit and minimize the risk of your medications.

Did you know your pharmacist can explain a medication label, tell you about interactions with other drugs or foods, package your tablets, and be a bridge between you and your prescriber? Pharmacists are easy to reach and ready to help.

Make sense of your medications. Visit your pharmacist.

COVID, Flu, and Other Disease Prevention

There are more than 360,000 immunization-trained pharmacists in the U.S. As part of your immunization neighborhood, pharmacists are there for you. In fact, pharmacists plausibly accounted for more than 50% of all COVID-19 vaccinations in the U.S.

Your pharmacist also can talk about other vaccine-preventable diseases, such as pneumonia, shingles, or HPV, and help determine which immunizations are appropriate for you or a loved one.

Protect your health. Visit your pharmacist.

Diabetes Management

A spoonful of sugar doesn’t always help the medicine go down. Did you know that more than 30 million people in the United States have diabetes, and more than 96 million U.S. adults have prediabetes?

You can prevent—or manage—diabetes with help from your health care team, including your pharmacist. Pharmacists use their expertise to help you get your blood glucose under control and reach your goals.

You’re not alone in managing your diabetes. Visit your pharmacist.

Asthma and COPD

It’s time to breathe easier.

Did you know that more than 25 million people in the United States have asthma, of whom about 4 million are children? Or that 15 million people are currently diagnosed with COPD?

You can control your asthma or manage your COPD with help from your pharmacist, including instruction on how to use your inhaler properly to maximize your benefit.

Pharmacists provide care to improve your quality of life. Visit your pharmacist.

OTCs

Cough and cold. Pain. Fever. Upset stomach. Did you know that more than 300,000 OTC products are on the market to treat these and more?

Pharmacists are trained in both prescription and OTC medications. They can tell you about potential interactions with foods, other drugs, or dietary supplements. They can also help you pick the perfect product.

The right remedy is just a pharmacist away. Visit your pharmacist.

Supplements

Before you choose and use a dietary supplement, talk with your pharmacist.

Did you know that FDA does not regulate supplements as it does with prescription and OTC medications? Pharmacists can tell you whether a supplement is from a reputable manufacturer that follows quality standards. They can also tell you how supplements, medications, and foods may interact.

Team with your pharmacist to live your best life. Visit your pharmacist.

High Blood Pressure

Did you know that high blood pressure puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke? About one in two U.S. adults has high blood pressure.

Measure up to your health and wellness goals by controlling your blood pressure. Pharmacists can help you prevent and manage high blood pressure through team-based care and ensure your blood pressure is tested and documented on a regular basis.

Don’t stress about your blood pressure when pharmacists can save the day. Visit your pharmacist.

Pain Management

If you have pain, you want relief. Pharmacists can take an active role in your pain management and help you make the best use of your medications.

Pain is the leading cause of adult disability.

Manage pain safely with a plan from your care team, including your pharmacist. Visit your pharmacist.

To the over 300,000 practicing pharmacists working today:

Happy American Pharmacists Month!

As a pharmacist, the role you play in our health, our communities, and our lives has never been more crucial, more heroic, or more appreciated. This American Pharmacists Month, we celebrate your courage and thank you for standing by our patients throughout the pandemic and beyond.
Take a moment this October to reflect on your accomplishments, thank your peers and colleagues, and help spread the word about the valuable services pharmacists provide.

APhM Proclamation


Getting a local or state proclamation for American Pharmacists Month can be easier if you know how to go about it. In many areas, a mayor or governor can issue a proclamation without action from the city council or state legislature.

Here are some tips on how to get a proclamation issued with or without legislative action.

Download 

Other ways to get involved


Download APhM marketing assets and find out how you can help drive awareness for American Pharmacists Month.

Get involved 

Book Sale


To help celebrate American Pharmacists Month, we’re discounting all our book titles by at least 25%! Save on everything, from our latest release Evidence-Based Learning Strategies for Student Pharmacists to best-sellers such as Peripheral Brain for the Pharmacist and The Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs. Discounts will automatically be applied at checkout.

Start shopping 

September 25

World Pharmacists Day

#WPD2022

October 1

The Start of APhM!

#APhM2022

October 12

Women Pharmacist Day

#womenpharmacistday

October 18

National Pharmacy Technician Day

#rxtechday

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