Like with most careers, it is important to network with other individuals and stay abreast of the current trends within the industry, and the pharmacy field is no different. Joining one or more associations within the pharmacy and pharmaceutical field provides pharmacy workers access to resources otherwise not available to them, such as continuing education, professional development programs, current events, seminars, professional certification programs, networking opportunities, conferences, survey findings and manuals – and other information covering the profession.
Each organization will require their own membership dues and fees, though discounts may be available for students or recent graduates.
Pharmacy Associations
American Association of Pharmacy Technicians – Information about the AAPT, with conference announcements and links to continuing education and certification prep sites for pharmacy technicians.
American Pharmaceutical Association – The American Pharmaceutical Association (APhA) is a national professional society of pharmacists. The APhA has been around awhile and is the first established and largest professional association of pharmacists in the United States. Their website includes news and information about the APHA, links to FDA updates and drug recall announcements, plus online version of the association’s peer-reviewed.
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists – The ASHP is an organization representing pharmacists that are employed in hospitals, HMOs, long-term care facilities, and other parts of the health care system. Features the AHFS Drug Information site of a database of current drug information.
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations – This organization evaluates and accredits health care programs in the United States pharmacy services considered in the evaluation. The site provides an overview of the JCAHOs programs.
National Association of Boards of Pharmacy – The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) is the only professional association that represents the state boards of pharmacy in all 50 United States. The site includes pharmacists licensure information and exam preparation.
United States Pharmacopeia – The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) establishes state-of-the-art standards to ensure the quality of medicines for human and veterinary use.
When considering a pharmacy career association to join, there are many considerations one should take – here is a list of some of the more important ones:
- Membership Fees – Membership to local pharmacy associations often cost much less than national associations.
- Membership Benefits – What does the association offer prospective or existing pharmacists and pharmacy technicians?
- Networking Opportunities – Networking opportunities are extremely important in numerous professions, including a pharmacy career.
In addition to pharmacy technician certification, consider the importance of networking for professional development. Paying for membership into one or more associations can definitely pay back in spades if properly utilized. Just take a look at all the organizations and associations in the email signature or business card of the most successful and fulfilled pharmacists or assistants. Usually, there is a direct correlation between one’s involvement in their profession and their success.
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