Report of the New Business Review Committee

2024–2025 House of Delegates

Report of the New Business Review Committee

Committee Members

Christopher Harlow, Chair
Kunal Amin
Nicholas Capote
Evan Colmenares
Jennifer Courtney
Gigi Davidson
Sarah McBane
Josie Quick
Lorri Walmsley

Ex Officio

Brandi Hamilton, Speaker of the House
Mary S. Klein, Speaker-elect of the House

This report is disseminated for consideration by the APhA House of Delegates and does not represent the position of the Association. Only those statements adopted by the House are considered official Association policy.

Overall Charge and Duties

The APhA House of Delegates New Business Review Committee reviewed feedback provided directly via email and from two open hearing webinars that took place on February 5, 2025, and February 12, 2025. The committee then met on February 5, 2025, February 12, 2025, and February 14, 2025, to develop the following recommendations. Proposed amendments will become primary language acted on by the House of Delegates and are shown in red font (deletions are ~~struck through~~ and proposed additions are underlined).

The APhA House of Delegates New Business Review Committee presents the following report:

NBI #1 – Ensuring Patient Access to Pharmacy Services and Quality Products by Combating Organized Retail Crime (ORC)

The APhA New Business Review Committee recommends adoption of New Business Item #1 Whole Numbered Statement #1 as amended.

APhA supports enactment and enforcement of laws, regulations and policies intended to prevent ~~curb the negative effects of~~ Organized Retail Crime (ORC) from occurring in our communities.

The committee recommends amendment to convey strong opposition to Organized Retail Crime (ORC). The committee generally considers all effects of ORC to be negative, and therefore recommends amended language to remove qualifying language and prevent all instances and effects of ORC.

The APhA New Business Review Committee recommends adoption of New Business Item #1 Whole Numbered Statement #2 as amended.

APhA calls on ~~the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state Attorney~~s ~~General~~ all relevant authorities to ~~use the enforcement authority granted to them by the~~ ~~existing~~ enforce laws, regulations, and policies to hold online marketplaces accountable for verifying third-party sellers on their platforms.

The committee considered amendments to be most inclusive of all relevant enforcement authorities and agencies who may hold online marketplaces accountable.

NBI #2 – Critical Access Pharmacy Model

The APhA New Business Review Committee recommends adoption of New Business Item #2 Whole Numbered Statement #1 as amended.

APhA encourages the creation by Congress of a Critical Access Pharmacy provider type ~~by Congress~~ for the Medicare program to systematically increase payment and ensure high quality care to beneficiaries in low access areas.

The committee recommends amendment to most accurately convey the author’s intent to advocate that Congress develop a Critical Access Pharmacy provider type for the Medicare program. The committee considered feedback around whether this concept ought to be limited to the Medicare program, however opted to retain this language in the spirit of the specific original intent.

The APhA New Business Review Committee recommends adoption of New Business Item #2 Whole Numbered Statement #2 as amended.

APhA supports the implementation of a Critical Access Pharmacy provider type designation by the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that incorporates both financial incentives and quality measures that improve business sustainability ~~without lowering care standards~~ while maintaining quality of care.

The committee recommends amendment, to clarify the provider type designation, and to convey the spirit of this proposed policy with positive language around expectations of care quality.

The APhA New Business Review Committee recommends adoption of New Business Item #2 Whole Numbered Statement #3 as amended.

APhA supports the expansion of state and federal scholarships and student loan repayment programs ~~for~~ to include pharmacists and technicians employed by Critical Access Pharmacies.

The committee recommends amendment to most accurately convey the author’s intent that existing state and federal scholarships and student loan repayment plans include relevant pharmacists and technicians from Critical Access Pharmacies, as a further incentive structure for these provider types.

NBI #3 – The Pharmacists’ Roles in Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)

The APhA New Business Review Committee recommends adoption of New Business Item #3 Whole Numbered Statement #1 as amended.

APhA affirms ~~the pharmacist’s~~ pharmacy personnel’s role in screening and referral for individuals experiencing intimate partner violence.

The committee reflected on roles of all pharmacy personnel in screening and referring individuals who may be experiencing intimate partner violence and identified an opportunity to broaden language from pharmacists to pharmacy personnel.

The APhA New Business Review Committee recommends adoption of New Business Item #3 Whole Numbered Statement #2 as amended.

APhA supports the development of training programs and tools to aid ~~pharmacists~~ pharmacy personnel in screening for intimate partner violence.

The APhA New Business Review Committee recommends rejection of New Business Item #3 Whole Numbered Statement #3 as written.

APhA advocates for the establishment of collaborative partnerships between pharmacies and intimate partner violence support groups.

The committee reviewed proposed language around collaborative partnerships, and who the intended parties for collaboration are. The committee noted that “pharmacies” reflect locations, as opposed to reflecting individuals, and contemplated if that was the intent. Alternatives considered include pharmacy networks, pharmacy associations, pharmacy personnel, and schools of pharmacy. Upon further deliberation, the committee wondered whether the statement was necessary at all, following the points captured by proposed statements 1 and 2 which broadly advocate for the roles and education of pharmacy personnel in this area. While supportive of the spirit of collaboration, the committee struggled to find or articulate a universal approach to these specific collaborations among pharmacy parties and intimate partner violence support groups, and felt this sentiment could be addressed in existing policies around interprofessional collaborations. Therefore, with all these considerations in mind, the committee recommends rejection.

The APhA New Business Review Committee recommends rejection of New Business Item #3 Whole Numbered Statement #4 as written.

APhA advocates for the revision of laws, regulations, and policies to permit pharmacists to independently prescribe emergency contraceptives, STI/HIV prophylaxis, and vaccinations for individuals experiencing intimate partner violence.

The committee reviewed the proposed statement, and deliberated whether there was a need in specifying (and potentially limiting) relevant operations and services, when proposed statement 1 captures the intent of implementing access to relevant services. The committee also reviewed existing related policy language, and noted that concepts of this policy are covered in the following policies as listed:

Pharmacists’ independent prescribing of STI/HIV prophylaxis is covered by 2024 Pharmacists Roles in Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention & Treatment in Underserved Patients; Pharmacists’ independent prescribing of vaccinations is covered by 2024, 2005, 2003, 1996 Pharmacist’s Role in Immunizations;

Pharmacists’ roles in dispensing emergency contraceptives is covered by their over-the-counter nature, as well as 2003, 2000 Emergency Contraception, and 2024, 2023 Access to Comprehensive Reproductive Health Care.

NBI #4 – Pharmacist Role in Ensuring Safe Medication Use in Pediatric Patients

The APhA New Business Review Committee recommends adoption of New Business Item #4 Whole Numbered Statement #1 as amended.

APhA ~~supports changes in laws, regulations, and policies requiring~~ encourages the inclusion of weight in kilograms and height in centimeters on all prescriptions ~~for patients under the age of 18 years~~.

The committee supports the spirit of the proposed policy statement and recommends amendments to most accurately convey the author’s intent that these measures be encouraged and enforced. The committee also recommends amendment to include height and weight information for all prescriptions, to be most inclusive of patient populations such as pediatric patients, as well as other patient populations and prescription needs, such as for geriatric patient prescriptions. By striking this qualifier language, the committee’s intent is not to exclude the proposed sentiment.

The APhA New Business Review Committee recommends rejection of New Business Item #4 Whole Numbered Statement #2 as written.

APhA advocates for student pharmacists in both the pre-experiential and experiential curriculum to prepare them to safely use medications in children and the continuing education of pharmacists on topics related to the safe use of medications in children to treat common ailments, both with prescription and non-prescription medications, and preventative health measures including vaccinations.

The committee considered amendments to concisely convey an expectation that all pharmacists providing care for pediatric patients receive education in safe and effective medication use in that population. By making this statement as concise as possible, the committee would also avoid listing services and inadvertently limiting the intended scope. Upon further examination, the committee ultimately determined the sentiment of this proposed statement is covered in existing APhA policy around pharmacy curriculum and would be duplicative. Thus, the committee recommends rejection. Current policies covering this concept include, but may not be limited to the following: 2009 Pharmacist’s Role in Patient Safety; 2024, 2022 Pharmacists’ Application of Professional Judgement.

NBI #5 – Shared Clinical Decision Making for Immunizations

The APhA New Business Review Committee recommends adoption of New Business Item #5 Whole Numbered Statement #1 as written.

APhA supports pharmacists being recognized as independent health care providers with regard to recommending and administering vaccines based on shared clinical decision-making (SCDM).

The APhA New Business Review Committee recommends adoption of New Business Item #5 Whole Numbered Statement #2 as amended.

APhA advocates for ~~reimbursement~~ compensation for shared clinical decision making (SCDM) consultations in addition to vaccine administration fees to increase patient access to ~~shared clinical decision-making (~~SCDM) vaccines.

The committee recommends amendment, recognizing that “reimbursement” is specific to dispensing pharmacy products, and the committee identified “compensation” as a more accurate term for the proposed intent. The committee also recommends minor formatting, to reflect the SCDM abbreviation the second time it is listed within the sentence.

NBI #6 – 2005, 2003, 1982 Pharmacy Personnel ~~Pharmacists~~ With Impairments That Affect Practice

NBI Motion #1: To adopt the following policy statement as amended and part of the existing 2005, 2003, 1982 Pharmacists With Impairments That Affect Practice policy

1. APhA advocates that pharmacy personnel ~~pharmacists~~ should not practice while subject to physical or mental impairment due to substances ~~the influence of drugs –including – alcohol or other causes~~ that might adversely affect their abilities to function properly in their professional capacities.

The APhA New Business Review Committee recommends adoption of New Business Item #6 Whole Numbered Statement #1 as amended.

1. APhA advocates that pharmacy personnel should not ~~practice~~ work while subject to physical or mental impairment ~~due to substances~~ that might adversely affect their abilities to function properly in their professional capacities.

The committee reflected on delegate feedback during the town hall sessions, contemplating whether all pharmacy personnel “practice,” or if there was a more accurate characterization. The committee also considered “pharmacy workforce” as an alternative to pharmacy personnel, through the lens of whether one captures employment status better than the other. Ultimately the committee opted to retain “pharmacy personnel” to be consistent with existing APhA policy language. The committee also recommends amendment to replace “practice” with “work,” to be most accurate and inclusive of both those who practice pharmacy and those who assist in the practice of pharmacy. The committee also recommends amendment to remove the qualifier phrase “due to substances,” to include all related impairments.

NBI Motion #2: To adopt the following policy statement as amended and part of the existing 2005, 2003, 1982 Pharmacists With Impairments That Affect Practice policy

2. APhA supports establishment of counseling, treatment, prevention, and rehabilitation programs for pharmacy personnel ~~pharmacists and student pharmacists~~ who are subject to physical or mental impairment due to substances ~~the influence of drugs – including alcohol – or other causes~~, when such impairment has potential for adversely affecting their abilities to function in their professional capacities.

The APhA New Business Review Committee recommends adoption of New Business Item #6 Whole Numbered Statement #2 as amended.

2. APhA supports establishment of counseling, treatment, prevention, and rehabilitation programs for pharmacy personnel who are subject to physical or mental impairment ~~due to substances~~, when such impairment has potential for adversely affecting their abilities to function in their professional capacities.

The committee recommends amendment to remove the qualifier phrase “due to substances,” to include all related impairments.

NBI Motion #3: To adopt the following policy statement as amended and part of the existing 2005, 2003, 1982 Pharmacists With Impairments That Affect Practice policy (adding new statement)

3. APhA encourages employers to provide support to pharmacy personnel in need of medical leave to address mental health and substance use disorders.

The APhA New Business Review Committee recommends adoption of New Business Item #6 Whole Numbered Statement #3 as written.

3. APhA encourages employers to provide support to pharmacy personnel in need of medical leave to address mental health and substance use disorders.

NBI Motion #4: To adopt the following policy statement as amended and part of the existing 2005, 2003, 1982 Pharmacists With Impairments That Affect Practice policy (adding new statement)

4. APhA encourages employers to provide pharmacy personnel time away from practice that facilitates appropriate care without negatively impacting the individual’s career or license.

The APhA New Business Review Committee recommends adoption of New Business Item #6 Whole Numbered Statement #4 as written.

4. APhA encourages employers to provide pharmacy personnel time away from practice that facilitates appropriate care without negatively impacting the individual’s career or license.

NBI Motion #5: To adopt the following policy statement as amended and part of the existing 2005, 2003, 1982 Pharmacists With Impairments That Affect Practice policy (adding new statement)

5. APhA advocates for timely referrals to health professional recovery programs when available, even in instances where disciplinary actions may be considered.

The APhA New Business Review Committee recommends adoption of New Business Item #6 Whole Numbered Statement #5 as written.

5. APhA advocates for timely referrals to health professional recovery programs when available, even in instances where disciplinary actions may be considered.

NBI Motion #6: To adopt the following policy statement as amended and part of the existing 2005, 2003, 1982 Pharmacists With Impairments That Affect Practice policy (adding new statement)

6. APhA encourages employers to actively support recovering pharmacy personnel by offering employment opportunities and non-traditional roles as they reintegrate into the workforce.

The APhA New Business Review Committee recommends adoption of New Business Item #6 Whole Numbered Statement #6 as written.

6. APhA encourages employers to actively support recovering pharmacy personnel by offering employment opportunities and non-traditional roles as they reintegrate into the workforce.

NBI #7 – Regulation of Pharmacy Preceptors

The APhA New Business Review Committee recommends adoption of New Business Item #7 Whole Numbered Statement #1 as amended.

1. APhA urges ~~state Boards of Pharmacy~~ policymakers and regulatory bodies to ~~remove additional~~ eliminate unnecessary preceptor and practice site requirements ~~for precepting and practice sites~~, including separate preceptor licensure ~~for preceptors~~.

The committee recommends amendment to capture the item’s intent of minimizing unnecessarily burdensome precepting requirements for preceptors and practice sites, while also opting for as objective language as possible. The committee also acknowledges that certain precepting requirements serve to protect newer practitioners from precepting roles if they are not sufficiently supported.

NBI #8 – 1986 Use of Performance Enhancing Drugs by Athletes

NBI Motion #1: To adopt the following policy statement as amended and part of the existing 1986 Use of Performance Enhancing Drugs by Athletes policy

1. APhA is opposed to the use of performance-enhancing drugs by athletes of any level unless deemed therapeutically necessary by a health care professional following the policies and procedures set forth by the appropriate governing organizations.

The APhA New Business Review Committee recommends adoption of New Business Item #8 Whole Numbered Statement #1 as amended.

1. APhA is opposed to the use of performance-enhancing drugs by athletes ~~of any level~~ unless deemed therapeutically necessary by a health care professional following the policies and procedures set forth by the appropriate governing organizations.

The committee recommends amendment to strike “at any level,” to be more concise. The committee also considered delegate feedback around whether to specify “human and non-human” athletes in the proposed language; however, in the same spirit of being concise, felt that all athletes are captured in the existing language.

NBI Motion #2: To adopt the following policy statement as amended and part of the existing 1986 Use of Performance Enhancing Drugs by Athletes policy

2. APhA should educate the public on the ~~dangers~~ safety, potential consequences, and misinformation ~~of the use~~ of performance-enhancing drugs by athletes of any level.

The APhA New Business Review Committee recommends adoption of New Business Item #8 Whole Numbered Statement #2 as amended.

2. APhA should educate the public on the safety, potential consequences, and misinformation of performance-enhancing drugs by athletes ~~of any level~~.

NBI Motion #3: To adopt the following policy statement as amended and part of the existing 1986 Use of Performance Enhancing Drugs by Athletes policy

3. APhA encourages enforcement of laws, policies, rules, and regulations related to the use of performance-enhancing drugs by athletes of any level.

The APhA New Business Review Committee recommends adoption of New Business Item #8 Whole Numbered Statement #3 as amended.

3. APhA encourages enforcement of laws, ~~policies, rules, and~~ regulations, policies, and rules related to the use of performance-enhancing drugs by athletes ~~of any level~~.

The committee recommends amendment to strike “at any level,” to be more concise. The committee also considered delegate feedback around whether to specify “human and non-human” athletes in the proposed language, however in the same spirit of being concise, felt that all athletes are captured in the existing language. The committee also recommends amendment to be consistent with existing regulatory language in APhA policy.

NBI Motion #4: To adopt the following policy statement as amended and part of the existing 1986 Use of Performance Enhancing Drugs by Athletes policy

(adding new statement)

4. APhA advocates for pharmacists as medication and supplement resources to the sports medicine community while optimizing performance, maintaining integrity, and supporting the recovery of athletes of any level.

The APhA New Business Review Committee recommends adoption of New Business Item #8 Whole Numbered Statement #4 as amended.

NBI Motion #5: To adopt the following policy statement as amended and part of the existing 1986 Use of Performance Enhancing Drugs by Athletes policy

(adding new statement)

5. APhA encourages pharmacy personnel to participate in continuing professional education, training, and certifications relevant to sports pharmacy.

The APhA New Business Review Committee recommends adoption of New Business Item #8 Whole Numbered Statement #5 as written.

5. APhA encourages pharmacy personnel to participate in continuing professional education, training, and certifications relevant to sports pharmacy.

NBI Motion #6: To adopt the following policy statement as amended and part of the existing 1986 Use of Performance Enhancing Drugs by Athletes policy

(adding new statement)

6. APhA supports research on sports pharmacy, athlete care, and the outcomes associated with the integration of pharmacists into sports medicine interprofessional care.

The APhA New Business Review Committee recommends adoption of New Business Item #8 Whole Numbered Statement #5 as written.

6. APhA supports research on sports pharmacy, athlete care, and the outcomes associated with the integration of pharmacists into sports medicine interprofessional care.

NBI #9 – Sustainability in Pharmacy

The APhA New Business Review Committee recommends rejection of New Business Item #9 Whole Numbered Statement #1 as written.

1. APhA recognizes sustainability as a value of the profession of pharmacy and supports rules, regulations, and policies that promote sustainable pharmacy practice.

The committee identified two disparate concepts being addressed within the proposed policy statements and recommends rejection to allow an opportunity to rework and reconcile these concepts into separate, more focused, policies.

The APhA New Business Review Committee recommends rejection of New Business Item #9 Whole Numbered Statement #2 as written.

2. APhA encourages the education of pharmacy personnel and student pharmacists on principles of sustainable pharmacy practice.

The APhA New Business Review Committee recommends rejection of New Business Item #9 Whole Numbered Statement #3 as written.

3. APhA recognizes that developing sustainable healthcare systems is essential, not only to prevent climate crises, but also to ensure that healthcare delivery is robust, resilient, and viable.

The APhA New Business Review Committee recommends rejection of New Business Item #9 Whole Numbered Statement #4 as written.

4. APhA calls for action that addresses and mitigates the significant, negative, and global impacts of carbon emissions and ecological harm on patient well-being and the practice of pharmacy.