Arizona Pharmacy Association

08/27/2026

⚠️ A sobering reminder: measles is preventable—but it can also be deadly.

Pennsylvania health officials have confirmed two measles-associated deaths—the state’s first in 35 years. Both individuals were unvaccinated.

The news comes amid a significant resurgence of a disease that many Americans rarely had to think about for decades. Pennsylvania has already reported 393 measles cases across 28 counties in 2026.

The good news? Vaccination provides powerful protection.

💉 Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide about 97% protection against measles.
🦠 Measles is extremely contagious and can cause pneumonia, brain swelling and, in rare cases, death.
❤️ Vaccination helps protect not only ourselves and our families, but also babies and others in our communities who may be especially vulnerable.

These deaths are a painful reminder of why diseases we once rarely saw can return when vaccination rates decline.

Vaccines work. Vaccination saves lives.

Read the full New York Times article for more about the Pennsylvania outbreak.

The deaths were the first in the United States in 2026.

08/26/2026

💊 Could pharmacists help close growing gaps in reproductive and maternal health care?

New research highlighted by Drug Topics suggests patients are ready: 89% of women ages 18–45 surveyed were interested in receiving at least one reproductive health service from a pharmacist.

Among the services generating the most interest:

🔹 Medication reviews for safe use during pregnancy — 77%
🔹 Cardiovascular and hypertension screenings — 76%
🔹 Vaccinations — 75%
🔹 Help managing pregnancy-related nausea — 75%

With access to obstetric care declining in many communities, the findings highlight another opportunity for pharmacists—among the nation’s most accessible health care professionals—to help fill critical gaps in patient care.

With reproductive and obstetric care services waning in the US, researchers explore how patients see pharmacists filling gaps in care.

08/20/2026

𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐨𝐧𝐚 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐨𝐧𝐚 𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞!

AzPA Board Chair Valerie Richards, PharmD., FAzPA University of Arizona Dean’s Representative Nancy Alvarez, and former AzPA Treasurer and PAPA Steering Committee Chair Ryan Gries attended the American Pharmacists Association's Substance Use Conference.

Their participation reflects the important role pharmacists play in addressing substance use, advancing patient care, and strengthening collaboration across the profession.

We’re proud to see Arizona pharmacy represented in these important conversations and look forward to the insights they’ll bring back to our pharmacy community.

08/18/2026

💊 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐲, 𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞.

Polypharmacy is a growing concern among older adults, with more than 40% taking five or more prescription medications each day. A recent case study highlights how pharmacist-led medication review and collaboration with primary care can improve both safety and quality of life.

In the case, a community pharmacist identified medication-related problems in an 82-year-old patient taking 10 active pharmaceutical ingredients—including two potassium-depleting diuretics contributing to hypokalemia. Working with the patient’s family and primary care team, the pharmacist helped optimize the medication regimen, resulting in improved potassium levels, blood pressure, sleep and functional independence.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲? 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐠—𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤.

The article also highlights challenges that remain, including time constraints, inadequate reimbursement for clinical services, fragmented health records and the need for clearer collaborative care models.

Read more here from our friends at Drug Topics:

In a case study based in a community pharmacy, researchers assess the dosage regimen of an older polymedicated patient to improve adherence and pharmacotherapy.

08/12/2026

Rural pharmacies aren’t just filling prescriptions—they’re helping save lives.

An interesting story out of Kentucky highlights the impact pharmacists can have when they’re empowered to provide more care directly in their communities.

A pilot project involving rural pharmacies demonstrates how expanding pharmacy-based services can help reach patients who may otherwise face significant barriers to healthcare—particularly in communities where providers and other resources can be limited.

It’s another reminder that pharmacists are among our most accessible healthcare professionals and can play an even greater role in improving community health.

Worth the read:

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) – A pilot project using rural pharmacies in Kentucky and five other states to identify and screen patients at risk of stroke and heart disease, may have

08/07/2026

📣 The latest AzPA This Week & Beyond is HERE!

---Your trusted source for what matters most in AZ Pharmacy

From advocacy in Washington to opportunities to make your voice heard right here in Arizona, this edition is packed with updates, resources and ways to get involved.

Inside this issue:

💉 Help shape the future of vaccine confidence — AzPA is seeking 10 pharmacist vaccinators to lend their real-world insights to a national initiative.

🏛️ AzPA takes action on PBM reform — We've joined a national coalition urging Congress to advance the Pharmacists Fight Back Act.

🙋 Your profession needs you — Applications for AzPA's 2026–2027 volunteer committees and mentorship opportunities are now open.

💊 Calling Arizona compounding pharmacy leaders — Join a free August 21 strategy session to prepare for anticipated legislative activity in 2027.

🎓 Free CE opportunity — Explore emerging once-weekly basal insulin therapies with a free ASHP program.

Plus, updates for residency graduates and program directors, upcoming CMS opportunities, and more.

☕ Grab a few minutes and catch up on what’s happening across pharmacy in Arizona and beyond.

👉 Read the latest Arizona Pharmacy Flash:
https://conta.cc/4yVZKXs

08/05/2026

🧠 Pharmacists can make a lasting impact on mental health care.
𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐦𝐚 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭: 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞

In the latest Independent Rx Forum Podcast, National Community Pharmacists Association Hannah Fish discusses how pharmacists can help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, support patients with confidence, and strengthen their role in whole-person care. She also shares her personal experience with Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training and why it's a valuable resource for pharmacy professionals. 💚🎧

Content Warning: This episode includes mentions of self-harm, loss ...

08/04/2026

Every great pharmacist has a story about someone who believed in them, shared their knowledge, or helped them grow. You can be that person for the next generation.

Become an AzPA mentor and make a lasting impact on the future of pharmacy—one relationship at a time.

Sign up HERE: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=3TstlTsMRUWTJnmVMHmemKLe6pH2vU1Dg4lgZm4CeH1UREZRSFFUR0VCMU4zWVNQTjYxVkhaWEJXOC4u

07/30/2026

𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧!

Want to help shape the future of pharmacy in Arizona? Now is your chance to get involved.

🗓️ Applications close August 15
⏱️ The application takes less than 15 minutes to complete.

This year, we invite you to select one of our six committees where you can make the greatest impact by contributing your expertise, time, and energy. Focusing on one primary committee helps keep our volunteers engaged and our committees productive.

If you'd like to become even more involved, you're also welcome to serve on the Legislative Committee in addition to your primary committee.
Your voice, experience, and perspective help strengthen our profession and advance pharmacy across Arizona.

👉 Click here to apply before August 15.https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=3TstlTsMRUWTJnmVMHmemCDohw7hHm5Pp_7Sfj5qVTlUN1JDUkxRU0Q4QVdSTlZPUEpaQ0ZRTTZYRC4u

07/29/2026

🚨 This Week in Pharmacy: Innovation, expanded clinical care, and new opportunities for pharmacists are reshaping patient care.

Highlights from this week's 𝐀𝐳𝐏𝐀 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐡 include:
🔹 The FDA approved the 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒄 𝒓𝒊𝒇𝒂𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒖𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒔 treatment, expanding access to an important therapy.
🔹 𝑰𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒑𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒗𝒆 beyond dispensing, leveraging technology and clinical services to improve patient outcomes and long-term sustainability.
🔹 𝑵𝒆𝒘 𝑭𝑫𝑨 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒔—including Orca-T for stem cell transplantation and an investigational oral remyelination therapy for multiple sclerosis—signal continued advances in specialty care.
🔹 𝑷𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒚 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒛𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒔 𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒔 in identifying conditions such as hypercortisolism and expanding community-based health screening initiatives.

Stay informed on the latest clinical developments, regulatory updates, and the growing impact of pharmacists in delivering accessible, patient-centered care.

👉🏽 Read more HERE: https://lnkd.in/gMHvczPa
And let us know what other content you'd like to see in the comments 👇🏽