Hudman: It’s Not Goodbye, but See You Later

By Justin Hudman

As you may know, my time at the Texas Pharmacy Association is coming to an end because I have accepted a position to serve as the state government affairs senior manager for Amgen. During the past four years I have had the distinct honor to serve as your Director of Public Affairs. I have had a number of different titles, but the one that always mattered most to me was "Your Lobbyist.” While the term lobbyist often brings a sense of dread or condemnation, for me it was and is a badge of pride and honor because I had the privilege to be your voice in the Texas Capitol.

This privilege put me in the position to help craft, promote, and ultimately push into law legislation that, for some, truly meant the difference between life and death. The ability to work on legislation such as a pharmacist’s ability to administer epinephrine in an emergency, or establishing the ability for a pharmacist to dispense naloxone directly to a patient under a standing order, allowed me not only to play a positive role in helping you and your distinguished profession, it also allowed me to play an ever so small role in making our state and communities better. That is the wonderful thing about lobbying for pharmacy: you have the ability to play such a meaningful role in improving the lives of your patients, your communities, and your state. I can never thank you all enough for giving me the chance to be a part of that.

So as I move toward this next wonderful chapter in my life and this amazing opportunity, I do so knowing and truly believing that TPA has a bright and wonderful future ahead. It just needs you to remain committed to what you can do for your patients (if the laws would change), for your profession, and ultimately for your future.

In closing I say thank you so ever much, and I will see you later!