It looked like a sea of white coats as more than 400 students from PCOM Georgia, Mercer
University, South University and the University of Georgia joined forces for Pharmacy
Day at the Dome, the Georgia Pharmacy Association’s (GPhA) annual rally for students
pharmacists. This year’s advocacy focus is House Bill 900 which proposes changes to
Georgia’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) to help curtail prescription
drug abuse in the state.
The intent of the proposed changes to the bill is to shore up funding for the program and to allow healthcare professionals to more effectively communicate with one another. This message carries with it the GPhA’s passion for the well-being of Georgia patients.
Student pharmacists were armed with talking points and encouragement from Georgia representatives Bruce Broadrick, Buddy Harden, and Ron Stephens, all pharmacists. Broadrick spoke to the gathering saying, “As a pharmacist, you’re trusted and respected. Be involved with your community.” Harden encouraged the students to “Keep in contact with your legislators throughout your career…It means a lot to your profession and your future.” “Don’t wait on us to decide on your future…Your future depends on you having a voice,” said Stephens.
The student pharmacists had their photo taken on the steps of the Georgia State Capitol with Governor Nathan Deal. Then, some watched the session from the gallery, while others met with their representatives to press for PDMP reform. Based on Tuesday’s gathering, it appears that the voice for pharmacy in Georgia is unified and effective.
PCOM Georgia has been serving students and the community for 20 years as a branch campus of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), a private, not-for-profit, accredited institution of higher education established in 1899. Located in Suwanee (Gwinnett County), PCOM Georgia offers doctoral degrees in osteopathic medicine, pharmacy and physical therapy. Graduate degrees are offered in biomedical sciences, medical laboratory science and physician assistant studies. The campus joins PCOM South Georgia in Moultrie in helping to meet the healthcare needs of the state. Emphasizing "a whole person" approach to care, PCOM Georgia focuses on educational excellence, interprofessional education and service to the community. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 678-225-7500. The campus is also home to the Georgia Osteopathic Care Center, an osteopathic manipulative medicine clinic, which is open to the public by appointment. For more information, visit pcomgeorgiahealth.org.
For general media inquiries, please contact the Office of Marketing and Communications at 215-871-6300 or communications@pcom.edu. Visit our media relations page to view contact information for public relations personnel.
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