ASHP Statement on the Pharmacist’s Role in Public Health

Pharmacists play a vital role in maintaining and promoting public health. All pharmacists have a responsibility to participate in global, national, state, regional, and institutional efforts to promote public health and to integrate the goals of those initiatives into their practices. Furthermore, pharmacists have a responsibility to work with public health planners to ensure their involvement in public health policy decision-making and in the planning, development, and implementation of public health efforts. The primary objectives of this statement are to (1) increase awareness of pharmacists’ contributions to public health, (2) educate pharmacists about public health and their role in promoting public health, (3) describe the role of pharmacists in public health planning and promotion, and (4) identify new opportunities for pharmacists’ involvement in future public health initiatives. This statement does not provide an exhaustive review of pharmacists’ public health activities. Its intent is to stimulate dialogue about the role that...