Duquesne's Mylan School of Pharmacy students meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill

PITTSBURGH — Nearly 160 students, faculty and staff from Duquesne University’s Mylan School of Pharmacy recently visited Capitol Hill to promote the role that pharmacists play in providing medication therapy management services, the university announced Tuesday.

Student pharmacists from the School of Pharmacy’s class of 2015 met with members from 37 U.S. House and Senate offices on Oct. 22 to demonstrate how pharmacist-provided medication therapy management services can improve patient healthcare outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.

“The trip was very successful,” stated Ben Andrick, president of the class of 2015. “The experience demonstrated that we do have a say and that we can have an impact on future practice."

The Mylan School of Pharmacy implemented an advocacy class trip for students in their second professional year as a graduation requirement for its Doctor of Pharmacy professional degree. In addition, with support provided by the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association, the student pharmacists participated in mock legislative visits to prepare for the Capitol Hill visit.

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores provided logistical and informational support for the Duquesne students’ visit to Capitol Hill. NACDS director of government affairs and grassroots programs Heidi Ecker delivered a presentation on grassroots advocacy to the students. And Tom O'Donnell, NACDS VP federal government affairs, hosted an overview and briefing of the issues just prior to the Congressional visits.