Standing Together as One Profession

June 2, 2020

Like many of you, I have been moved by the raw emotion expressed by family, friends, and neighbors over the recent events that are tearing our country apart right now. The recent deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor are tragic, senseless, and inexcusable. As respected leaders in the community, it is essential that we, as pharmacists, serve as a voice for those who feel abandoned, isolated, and silenced. At the same time, our hearts go out to those whose pharmacies and other businesses have been vandalized and destroyed by riots. Violence is not the answer.

This association is grounded in a genuine belief that every life is sacred and every member of the pharmacy profession has a voice and a role to play, irrespective of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, or mental or physical challenges. As pharmacists and pharmacy professionals, we have committed our professional lives to the ideals of inclusiveness and non-discrimination, welcoming all patients who are sick and hurting, without any preconceived notions or prejudices. The Oath of a Pharmacist, taken by every pharmacist upon graduation, states, “I will consider the welfare of humanity and relief of suffering my primary concerns.” We are healers of the sick, consolers of the disheartened, and protectors of those who need our help. We are writing a painful chapter in our nation’s history right now. We must learn from this and strive to continuously improve, both for ourselves as well as for the generations of pharmacists to come.

As pharmacists, we choose love over hate, patience over anger, understanding over intolerance, and action over indifference. We command the internal courage to protect our patients and fellow human beings. We constantly fight for our patients and hold ourselves and others to a higher social standard. It is our responsibility to ensure that all of our fellow human beings are afforded equal opportunities for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, without any prospect of intimidation or prejudice.

Now more than ever, I am grateful for the care and compassion you provide to patients and the leadership you continue to show as pharmacists and pharmacy professionals.

Micah Cost, PharmD, MS
TPA Executive Director