FDA honors veteran APhA leader Gans

WASHINGTON Longtime pharmacy advocate John Gans, who has led the American Pharmacists Association for two decades, will be honored with the Food and Drug Administration’s Commissioner’s Special Citation Award today during a ceremony in Greenbelt, Md.

Gans has gained high-profile recognition within the pharmacy profession for his work as EVP and CEO of APhA, a post he has held since 1989. In that role, Gans has led a long campaign within the venerable organization to elevate the role of pharmacists within the healthcare system, and boost recognition of pharmacy’s contributions to Americans’ health and a more cost-effective health system. He has also been a strong advocate of collaboration with other pharmacy groups to drive pharmacy’s goals in Washington.

The FDA award comes “in recognition of 20 years of outstanding leadership in ensuring issues of importance to pharmacists and the APhA are considered in FDA regulatory decision-making,” noted the pharmacy group.

“You have been chosen for this award because you have provided invaluable assistance to the FDA,” FDA official Joshua Sharfstein told Gans at the awards ceremony. “To be selected for special recognition should be most satisfying since accomplishments such as yours impact the wellbeing of the public.”