Christopher Federico, PharmD, BCACP

Chris Federico PharmD, BCACP is currently the President of the Rhode Island Pharmacists Association (RIPA), one of longest operating state associations in the country. He graduated from The University of Rhode Island, College of Pharmacy in 2010, and continues to support the mission of the college as the Vice Chair of the Dean’s Advisory Board.

His career started as a clinical pharmacist performing innovative disease management under a collaborative practice agreement with Coastal Medical Inc., a primary care ACO in Rhode Island.

Chris developed a strong interest for advocacy, particularly through social media engagement, and dedicated efforts towards several pieces of legislation to advance pharmacy practice. Through the Association, he joined committees to strengthen these advocacy efforts. Notably, Chris joined the Rhode Island Leadership Academy for Wellness and Tobacco Free Recovery, the Rhode Island Coalition for Reproductive Freedom (RICRF), and partners with the RI Society of Health Systems Pharmacists.

In 2023, Chris successfully led 3 legislative efforts authorizing pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraception and HIV PE and PrEP medications, and modernize pharmacy-related licensures in Rhode Island. Additionally, Chris helped advance tobacco cessation prescriptive authority the furthest in 5 years. Prior to this, he worked with colleagues Ginger Lemay, Jeffrey Bratberg, Matt Lacroix, and the College to expand education on these initiatives, and pediatric COVID-19 immunizations.

At the onset of COVID-19, Chris and RIPA delivered over 50 town halls educating pharmacy professionals on relevant public health updates. This led the Association to be recognized with a 2021 APhA Immunization Champion Award. Subsequently, they published a paper in JAPhA, titled “Pharmacists’ response during a pandemic: A survey on readiness to test during COVID-19”.

Chris serves on multiple APhA committees, member of the House of Delegates, NASPA, a practicing pharmacist at Rhode Island Hospital, and a Sr. Medical Science Liaison with AstraZeneca.