Pharmacy groups respond to American Medical Association's document on pharmacy practice

WASHINGTON Seven national pharmacy organizations collectively issued a response to a document published by the American Medical Association that does not fully describe the scope of practice of the pharmacy profession.

The pharmacy groups that wrote the letter were the American Pharmacists Association, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, American College of Clinical Pharmacy, Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations and National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. The organizations said that the AMA's "Scope of Practice Data Series: Pharmacists," represented the AMA authors' interpretation of the scope of practice. In response, the groups sent a letter and accompanying material that should provide input and clarification on the report and urged corrections identified and noted in the document, they said.

The organizations were assured Friday by the AMA that meaningful dialogue will be pursued to examine ways pharmacists and physicians can collaboratively address the healthcare needs of patients.

A copy of the letter and accompanying materials can be viewed at:

• "Recommendations: AMA Scope of Practice Data Series: Pharmacists" <http://apha.pr-optout.com/Url.aspx?514018x12363x108385>
• "Response Letter: AMA Scope of Practice Data Series: Pharmacists" <http://apha.pr-optout.com/Url.aspx?514018x12362x124660>
• "Scope of Contemporary Pharmacy Practice" <http://apha.pr-optout.com/Url.aspx?514018x12361x140933>