Every year, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) gathers with our members at our Annual Meeting to vote on proposed resolutions. Approved resolutions formally state the membership’s stance on important issues in pharmacy practice and regulation, and they often encourage our Association to take further action. Behind each resolution lies a months-long, and sometimes years-long, process of deliberation, collaboration, and careful review that ultimately helps determine how pharmacy is practiced and regulated across the country.

In this blog post, we will take a closer look at how resolutions work, why they matter, and how you can participate. Watch our video to learn more about the resolution process.

The 4-Step Resolution Process

Before resolutions go on to shape the future of pharmacy and NABP activities, they are first typically presented at NABP and AACP District Meetings. Eventually, if the resolution is approved by the NABP membership, it will reach the implementation stage. Along the journey to implementation, there are 4 main steps in the resolution process.

Step 1: District Meetings

Each fall, NABP’s 8 districts hold meetings to conduct district business and discuss pharmacy issues in their region. These gatherings are the most common starting point for resolutions. District members introduce and vote on resolutions, and each district selects a representative to serve on NABP’s Committee on Resolutions.

While districts are the primary source of proposed resolutions, any active member board or committee of the Association may also propose resolutions under the NABP Constitution and Bylaws. All resolutions submitted to NABP at least 20 days before the Annual Meeting will be presented at the Annual Meeting for consideration by the membership.

Step 2: Committee on Resolutions

Before the start of the Annual Meeting, the Committee on Resolutions, made up of a representative from each district, convenes to review all submitted proposals. Their job includes:

  • Checking for duplication or contradiction with previously adopted resolutions or association policy.
  • Ensuring proper formatting and appropriate language.
  • Issuing a recommendation of pass, not pass, or no recommendation for each resolution.

Any resolution that discusses examination procedures is also referred to the Advisory Committee on Examinations before it reaches the membership.

Step 3: Voting at The Annual Meeting

During the Second Business Session at the Annual Meeting, the chair of the Committee on Resolutions presents each resolution along with the committee’s recommendation. Then, at the Final Business Session, members discuss the proposed resolutions, and delegates cast their votes.

For a resolution to pass, it must receive a majority vote from the quorum of active member boards present.

Step 4: Post-Meeting Implementation

Passing a resolution is only the beginning. After the Annual Meeting, the NABP Executive Committee and NABP staff identify and initiate the activities needed to carry them out. Some resolutions call for updates to examinations, for example, the Uniform MPJE™ (UMPJE™) was initiated by a resolution. Others require a task force or work group to be formed, like the Task Force to Review Increasing Access to Medications for Opioid Use Disorder, which was called for by a resolution at the 121st Annual Meeting. The NABP president appoints member volunteers for each task force, who typically convene the following summer or fall.

If you’re interested in volunteering for a future task force, you can fill out the volunteer form on our website to get started.

Tips for Drafting a Strong Resolution

If you’re thinking about submitting a resolution, we have several resources available to help members draft effective resolutions.

  1. Review previously adopted resolutions. You can read previous resolutions in the reports section of our website. This helps you avoid redundancy and reduces the chance of a “not pass” recommendation.
  2. Talk to NABP staff before you submit. We can provide background on the issue and guidance on how resolutions are written.
  3. Use the official resolution template. Our downloadable template linked on our Annual Meeting reports page ensures your submission includes all required elements.

From district meeting conversations to implementation, the resolution process is one of the most direct ways NABP members can shape the organization’s priorities and influence the future of pharmacy regulation. If you have an issue you’d like to raise, the resolution process is where to start, and it’s open to any active member board.