Students and local legislators discuss current issues in pharmacy

PLAID Day.

PharmD students and local legislators at 2021 PLAID Day

By Kara Sweet

Published November 9, 2021

The Student Pharmacists Association of Western New York (SPAWNY) held Pharmacy Legislative Advocacy Initiative Day (PLAID) on November 1, 2021.

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This annual event gives pharmacy students the opportunity to meet with area legislators to discuss new legislation that affects health care.

Legislators in attendance were Senator Timothy Kennedy, Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, Assemblymember Michael Norris, Assemblymember Karen McMahon, Senator Edward Rath and Senator Robert Ortt.

Students and legislators discussed three pending New York State bills:

  1. Comprehensive Medication Management Bill
    This bill would authorize a treating physician to refer selected patients to an individual pharmacist for services directly related to medications prescribed by the physician for treating chronic diseases.
  2. Point-of-Care (CLIA-Waived) Testing Bill
    This bill would add pharmacists to the list of licensed health care professionals who are qualified to perform clinical laboratory tests for conditions such as COVID-19, flu, strep, blood glucose, Hepatitis C and HIV.
  3. Long-Acting Injections Bill
    This bill would add long-acting injection medications to the definition of “administration” for treatment of substance abuse disorder and other mental health conditions.

“I hope that students were able to see how important it is to be up to date on legislation that affects pharmacy practice,” says Anastasia Kurdziel, PharmD ’22, SPAWNY president. “We’re using our voices to educate legislators about certain laws that, if passed, could help us to better serve our patients and community.”

For over 130 years, the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences has continually been a leader in the education of pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists, renowned for innovation in clinical practice and research. The school is accredited by the American Council of Pharmaceutical Education and is the No. 1 ranked school of pharmacy in New York State and No. 14 in the United States by U.S. News & World Report.

For more information about the UB School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences visit pharmacy.buffalo.edu.