Presidential Initiative
Eliminating Barriers to Enhance Patient Safety
Reginald B. “Reggie” Dilliard, DPh, NABP President
During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, state and federal governments modified certain requirements to expand the scope of pharmacists’ and pharmacy technicians’ role in response to ever-changing public health needs. In light of the positive impact pharmacists and pharmacies have had on patient health and safety during this global crisis, NABP President Reggie Dilliard is focusing his initiative on facilitating a new pharmacy practice model that enhances and promotes patient safety while exploring a supportive environment for pharmacy professionals. This effort began with a comprehensive review of the current pharmacy regulatory environment, taking into account pharmacy education and other external factors that impact patient safety. The new model will use the expertise and knowledge of NABP members and stakeholders, who have served on task forces that previously explored these issues, and build upon their efforts and recommendations.
There are three areas of focus for the initiative:
- identifying barriers in existing statutes or regulations that limit patient access to medication and care;
- finding opportunities to increase patient safety by enabling pharmacists to practice at the top of their education and training; and
- determining extrinsic factors that foster unsafe working environments when delivering patient care that were not already identified by the Task Force on Workplace Safety and Well-Being held in 2021.
Learn More
- Some boards of pharmacy may take enforcement action when working conditions are determined to be dangerous to patients. NABP has compiled laws and rules addressing this. The first section of the document includes findings with respect to a Board’s ability to use claims of negligence or other similar claims (eg, public safety concerns) to take enforcement action. The second section includes findings with respect to non-retaliation protections should a pharmacist (or other pharmacy staff member) report such concerns to the board.
- Explore the report from the 2022 Task Force on Workplace Safety, Well-Being, and Working Conditions for recommendations addressing challenges related to unsafe working conditions and opportunities to improve patient safety.
- Read the report from the 2021 Work Group to Consider Extending Waivers to learn about the various provisions that had been waived by the boards of pharmacy.
- Review the report of the 2021 Task Force on Workplace Safety and Well-Being for background about the committee’s recommendations to protect patient safety.
- Learn about the expanded roles community pharmacists played in disease prevention during the pandemic according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
News
- Hear from the California State Board of Pharmacy executive officer about how the use of waivers helped patients during COVID-19 in our blog post.
- Discover ways in which revised regulations and technologies increased access and safety for patients in rural areas in our blog post.
- Read our blog post about national and state efforts to address pharmacist burnout.
Read more about past presidential initiatives.