Getting Started with Advocacy

Advocacy involves actively working to influence decisions, policies, and public perception to enhance the role and well-being of pharmacy technicians.

Getting Involved at the National Level

As a professional organization dedicated to the advancement of pharmacy technicians, we are committed to empowering our members to make a difference at the national level through various opportunities for involvement. Pharmacy technicians are integral to the healthcare system, and advocating for their interests on a national scale is paramount.  

TPTS members have access to a many opportunities for involvement, including: 

1. Getting involved in an ASHP Council and contributing to policy discussions 
2. Participating in legislative campaigns 
3. Attending advocacy events
4. Developing resources

By actively engaging with our organization's advocacy initiatives, members can not only shape the future of their profession but also contribute to positive change within the broader healthcare landscape. Together, we can elevate the role of pharmacy technicians and ensure their voices are heard at the highest levels of decision-making.

Getting Involved at the State Level

Many of the laws that affect the role of pharmacy technicians originate at the state level. Most states license or register technicians and specify the tasks a pharmacy technician may perform within the state. As a resident of your state, you can advocate for you and your fellow pharmacy technicians by actively participating when laws and regulations are under consideration.

The first step in advancing the role of pharmacy technicians in your state is to get involved. This can include working with pharmacy associations within your state or advocating for yourself before state committees.  

Many of these organizations already participate in advocacy, such as holding a Pharmacy Day at the Capital, where pharmacy technicians, pharmacists, and pharmacy students can meet directly with state legislators. Participating in events like these is an excellent way to ensure your voice as a pharmacy technician is heard. You can also consider getting involved in a professional committee in your state to voice your perspective as a pharmacy technician and how policy changes may impact your role. Additionally, it provides you a chance to voice your thoughts and ideas when policy and regulation recommendations are being reviewed and discussed. 

View the ASHP State Affiliate Directory for more information on how you can get involved at the state level. 

How to Be an Effective Advocate

When speaking with legislators, you can draw from your personal experiences to help policy makers understand the implications and importance of new proposed changes. No one can advocate better for the role of a pharmacy technician than you. 

It can be challenging to determine how you should start in the process. At the state level, consider if any policy changes related to pharmacy practice have already been implemented in a nearby state. If so, review the state specific laws, board of pharmacy regulation changes, and impact on the role of the pharmacy technician. You do not need to reinvent the wheel; sometimes you just need to modify existing language for your state’s specific environment. You can also collaborate with your network of pharmacy professionals to identify any potential barriers and how to overcome them.   

Remember, advocacy is a process, and it takes time and patience to see real change. However, with the right approach and support of both national and state pharmacy organizations, you can help the profession take steps toward advancing the role of pharmacy technicians and work to expand the opportunities and responsibilities afforded to you. During the waiting period, it is a good idea to maintain contact with the legislator’s office to help ensure your ideas remain on their radar.  

Effective and Strategic Communication

When it comes time to advocate for your ideas, it is important that you do so in a way that is concise but informative. Remember, your perspective is not the only one a legislator may be considering, and their time is very valuable.  

Schedule a meeting with a legislator that works on their schedule and ensure you have reviewed your talking points, or the high-level overview concepts you are trying to convey, prior to the meeting. Make sure you also have the details to back up these points as some legislators may ask you for additional information.  

When preparing your talking points, keep the following concepts in mind: 

1. Identify where you are from: Legislators like to know if you are from their district.  
2. Share personal experiences: Think about how these proposed changes will affect your role and improve outcomes for the patient or your community. Feel free to share personal experiences or create a story that illustrates the positive results that will come about due to the proposed changes. 
3. Keep it concise, straightforward, and brief: In pharmacy, we frequently use clinical terms and abbreviations. To ensure your message is clearly communicated, its crucial to speak plainly, avoiding technical jargon and keeping your message descriptive and concise. 
4. Use your resources: Partner with pharmacy associations. Check if they have already developed talking points or other language to use while speaking with legislators. Remember, if you have partnered with them already, they will be there to help advocate and support your change.  
5. Communicate the end goal clearly: Make sure the legislator knows what you are advocating for and the impact these changes will have on you and patients. 
6. Follow up: Make sure at the end of the meeting to thank the legislator for their time. After the meeting, follow up with their office in the form of an email, a call, or even a thank you letter. Following up shows the legislator that you are passionate about your cause and appreciate their time.

Ultimately, advocating for a change is a process that requires you to be resilient and patient. Advocating with the support of a national or state pharmacy organization not only gives you additional resources but additional support in the long term.  The one person who can best advocate for a pharmacy technician in your state or federally is you.