Since NABP President Jeffrey J. Mesaros, PharmD, JD, RPh, assumed office, the work towards his Presidential Initiative of embracing innovative technologies for the future of pharmacy is  well underway with the development of NABP’s new Research and Innovation Institute – a ground-breaking Institute that will empower boards of pharmacy to explore and assess new technologies and digital health solutions. Through this Institute, we aim to provide an environment to share, study, and evaluate relevant technologies and digital health concepts.  

Since becoming NABP president in May 2024, Mesaros has worked with NABP staff and member boards to achieve the following: 

  • Established a Steering Committee that convened in November 2024 and released a report in February 2025. 
  • Created a submission form for industry proposals that garnered submissions. Two early proposals were provided to the Steering Committee, and the members provided recommendations for refining the process.  
  • A draft charter for the Research and Innovation Institute was created and it continues to be refined by the Steering Committee.  

The Steering Committee Explores Institute Development

Comprised of board of pharmacy members from diverse backgrounds, the Steering Committee for the Research and Innovation Institute is guiding the development of the Institute. Committee members, who will serve for a period of two years, convened to discuss current challenges for the practice and regulation of pharmacy, operation and development of the Institute, communications regarding the Institute, and proposal submissions.

The committee’s purpose is to: 

  • Review and discuss the goals of the Research and Innovation Institute.  
  • Recommend additional goals that should be considered. 
  • Evaluate pathways for industry participation.  
  • Identify additional potential stakeholders and determine their roles. 
  • Review submitted proposals and determine commitments. 

After careful review and deliberation, the steering committee outlined several recommendations for the future of the Institute, which can be found in the Steering Committee Report. 

What to Expect from the Institute

When it comes to pharmacies incorporating new innovations and technologies, President Mesaros has noted that state boards of pharmacy often lack the data needed to make informed decisions about implementing them. At times, proposals to incorporate new technologies in pharmacy practice are rejected by the boards because the risk to patients is uncertain. The Institute would serve as a resource for boards of pharmacy in these instances. Boards could access information from the Institute about innovations and emerging technologies to help them make informed decisions that enable practice improvements while keeping patients safe.  

The first year of the Institute is dedicated to discovery, including outreach to health care organizations, such as National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), to determine their regulatory approaches to technology and innovation. In addition, we are reaching out to stakeholders, such as associations of chain and independent pharmacies, to understand their needs and challenges in this area.  

Though President Mesaros’s term is coming to a close in a few months, work on the Research and Innovation Institute will continue as President-elect Brad Hamilton takes on the mantel of implementing more of the Steering Committee recommendations and findings from this year of discovery.   

Keep an eye on news and updates to this Presidential Initiative on our website. Interested in submitting a proposal to the Research and Innovation Institute? Use this online form.