Hundreds Gather for 2023 Texas Pharmacy Day at the Capitol

Hundreds of TPA members were among the pharmacy professionals who advocated to advance their profession with state legislators on Tuesday during the 2023 Texas Pharmacy Day at the Capitol.

The day began with a legislative briefing in the Capitol Auditorium featuring key lawmakers who have authored priority pharmacy bills this session. Pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and student pharmacists in attendance heard directly from Senator Charles Schwertner, the only pharmacist in the Texas Legislature and Representative Tom Oliverson, both authors of important PBM reform legislation ( SB 1137 and HB 2021); Representative Four Price, author of pharmacist immunization authority expansion legislation (HB 1105); and Representative Jacey Jetton, author of pharmacist "test and treat" legislation (HB 2079).

The briefing included welcome videos from Governor Greg Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick. "Pharmacists are on the front lines of health care in our state," Abbott said, citing the state's fentanyl crisis and his One Pill Kills campaign. "No one is better positioned to help raise awareness of this issue than you all are. I look forward to working alongside TPA to improve access to high quality, affordable health care in Texas, and to ensure that small businesses, like your local pharmacies, continue to thrive."

Patrick thanked pharmacists for their contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic. "When so many people weren't coming into work, you all showed up every day," Patrick said. "The pharmacists were there. There were very few people out there willing to go to work every day to take care of their fellow Texans. I'll never forget that." Patrick also highlighted pharmacists' accessibility. "I see my pharmacist much more than I see my doctor, much more than I see my dentist... I see my pharmacist once a month or sometimes more," he said. "And it's always with a smile; it's always professional."

After learning more about the details of our priority legislation as well as tips for conducting effective advocacy, attendees fanned out across the Capitol for nearly 150 meetings with legislators and legislative staff to educate them on the issues and explain how these issues impact pharmacy and patient outcomes. Additionally, both the Senate and House of Representatives issued proclamations marking February 28, 2023 as Texas Pharmacy Day at the Capitol.