Va. pharmacy students visit state legislators

NEW YORK — An annual event at the Virginia state General Assembly drew several students from a local pharmacy school.

Hampton University said 24 of its students visited the General Assembly in Richmond, Va., on Jan. 30 to participate in Virginia Pharmacy Day, organized every year by the Virginia Pharmacist Association. 

The event combined a health fair — with cholesterol, diabetes and blood pressure screenings — and legislative visits with state representatives to discuss pharmacy-related issues.

Members of the school's National Community Pharmacists Association chapter developed informaitonal brochures on diabetes, high cholesterol and blood pressure to disseminate to state legislators.

"Meeting with the legislators and sitting in on the House and Senate sessions allows them an opportunity to voice their concerns and hopefully assist in the passage or denial of laws that impact the profession, and the provision of care to the patients we serve," Hampton University pharmacy professor Ebony Andrews said. "I want them to see that they have the power to make a difference if they take the time to get involved."