When ASHP's Florida affiliate learned one of its members had been chosen to lead state House Democrats, the group used the moment to highlight why pharmacists can make strong political leaders.
“Pharmacists understand systems, access, and outcomes,” the Florida Society of Health-System Pharmacists (FSHP) wrote in a recent LinkedIn post congratulating state Rep. Gallop Franklin, a clinical pharmacist and professor at Florida A&M University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, after House Democrats selected the sophomore legislator as caucus leader.
“Leadership like this reminds us that our profession's voice matters not only in clinical settings, but in shaping policy at the highest levels.”
Franklin co-sponsored a bill that authorizes pharmacists to administer life-threatening medications in certain situations. Last year, he introduced legislation to protect 340B contract arrangements, which aligns with ASHP model legislation.
FSHP past president Kathleen Baldwin said pharmacists like Franklin are deeply familiar with some of the most pressing healthcare issues, including pharmacy benefit managers and drug prices.
“He always supports us, and he promotes the profession from the perspective of the patient,” said Baldwin.
FSHP leaders noted that Franklin and Shane Abbott, a community pharmacist and Republican from Defuniak Springs, Florida, are the only two pharmacists currently in their state legislature. But many pharmacists, they said, could be well-suited to public office.
Forty-two pharmacists/pharmacy owners served in 27 state legislatures as of December 2024, according to the National Alliance of State Pharmacists Associations. Two pharmacists serve in Congress — Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) and Diane Harshbarger (R-TN). A third House member, Rep. Derek Tran (D-CA), co-owns an independent pharmacy with his wife, a pharmacist.
More are running for office this season, including two community pharmacists, Ben Mudd who’s vying for a Kentucky State Senate seat and Oye Owolewa for a DC Council at-large seat.
But it's not just elected political office where pharmacists can make a difference. Getting appointed to state boards of pharmacy provides pharmacists with a direct way to help shape regulations. ASHP has advocated for more health-system pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to join state boards of pharmacy. Currently, around 60 ASHP members serve on their state boards.
However health-system pharmacists choose to get involved, they are sure to bring the ability to connect with stakeholders, said FSHP president Madeline Camejo.
“Pharmacy is the heart of the hospital,” said Camejo, chief pharmacy officer and vice president of pharmacy services at Baptist Health. “And because of that, you have developed those kinds of skills from working with all the different constituencies.”
