APhA Policy Manual

Use of the Phrase “Community Pharmacy”

APhA supports use of the phrase “community pharmacy” rather than “retail pharmacy.”

Use of Titles

APhA opposes the use of titles such as “Pharmaceutical Specialist” and “Pharmaceutical Consultant” by sales representatives of pharmaceutical manufacturers.

“P.D.” (Pharmacy Doctor) Designation for Pharmacists

APhA opposes the term “P.D.” (Pharmacy Doctor) as the uniform designation for pharmacists.

Uniform Designation for Pharmacists

1. The profession of pharmacy should establish and use a uniform designation to identify an individual as a pharmacist.
2. The profession should adopt and use the designation “Pharmacist” following an individual’s name as the uniform designation identifying that individual as a pharmacist.
3. At the discretion of individual pharmacists, earned academic degrees or state licensure designation may be indicated following the uniform designation.

Regulation of Student Pharmacists’ Practice Experience

1. APhA encourages state boards of pharmacy to use the title “student pharmacist” to identify all students enrolled in their professional years of pharmacy education in an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredited program.
2. APhA encourages state boards of pharmacy to permit a student pharmacist to perform the duties of a pharmacist within the applicable state’s scope of practice under a pharmacist’s supervision. Preceptors shall consider the experience and education of student pharmacists when providing pharmacy practice opportunities.