Purpose

To provide a forum for discussion and understanding among Maryland's pharmacy associations on issues impacting on the practice of pharmacy and the public's health. The Maryland Pharmacy Coalition will strengthen relationships among pharmacy associations in the state and will encourage collaborative efforts to benefit the pharmacists and patients of Maryland.

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Members

The Coalition consists of Active members and Affiliate members.

Full members:

• Maryland Chapter - American Society of Consultant Pharmacists - http://www.ascp.com/members/chapters/maryland.cfm
• Maryland Pharmaceutical Society - http://mdpharmsociety.org/
• Maryland Pharmacists Association - http://www.marylandpharmacist.org
• Maryland Society of Health System Pharmacists - http://www.mshp.org/
• University of Maryland School of Pharmacy Student Government Association - http://www.pharmacy.umaryland.edu/studentorg/sga/ 

Affilliate members:

• Maryland Association of Chain Drug Stores - http://www.gennandmurphy.com/
• University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy - http://www2.pharmacy.umaryland.edu/

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Maryland Legislative Day 2008 - Information Packet

• EIGHTH ANNUAL MARYLAND PHARMACY LEGISLATIVE DAY 2008 Signup Form
• Pharmacist Brief 2008 (10.7Mb, minus positions)
• Agenda/Instructions
• Location, Map, Parking, Directions
• History
• Meeting with Public Officials
• Find Representatives
• MD Elected Officials 4Mb
• Legislative Lingo
• Visit Follow-up Form

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Memo of Understanding: Maryland Pharmacy Coalition
Created September 18, 2001
Revised August 29th, 2007

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of the Maryland Pharmacy Coalition is to provide a forum for discussion and understanding among Maryland’s pharmacy associations on issues impacting on the practice of pharmacy and the public’s health. The Maryland Pharmacy Coalition will strengthen relationships among pharmacy associations in the state and will encourage collaborative efforts to benefit the pharmacists and patients of Maryland.

Goals

In order to fulfill its purpose, the Coalition will:

1. Serve as a united voice on common interests to Maryland pharmacists, Maryland pharmacy associations, and the people they serve.
2. Enhance pharmacy’s impact on legislative and regulatory issues.
3. Enhance pharmacy public relations programs.
4. Enhance health education initiatives to improve the public’s health.
5. Enhance intra-professional (within pharmacy) and inter-professional (with other health care providers) relationships.
6. Increase pharmacist participation in pharmacy associations.
7. Facilitate networking among pharmacists in the state.
8. Improve organizational efficiency and synergy by working together.

Administrative Structure

In order to carry out its mission, the Coalition will have the following administrative structure:

• Full membership in MPC is open to all professional pharmacy associations in Maryland that agree to abide by this Memorandum of Understanding and its guiding principles.
• Affiliate membership in MPC is open to any organization with an interest in the profession of pharmacy, who does not solely represent the interests of individual pharmacists.
• An Executive Council will serve as the coordinating body of the Coalition. Two representatives from each member association will serve on this council. The representatives will include the president or his/her designee, and one other member of each member association. Executive level representation is highly recommended given the importance of the Coalition.
• The chair of the Executive Council will rotate annually amongst the full member associations.
• The Executive Council will meet at least quarterly.
• The council will appoint various committees to develop, implement and evaluate Coalition activities.
• Relationships between the individual member associations and their national associations will not be diminished by the formation of the Coalition.
• Member associations may withdraw from the Coalition one year following written notice.
• Coalition members can be either Full or Affiliate members. Affiliate membership offers Coalition participation without dues, voting privileges, or service in the rotation of leadership

Function

The Coalition is not a policy-making organization. Its function is to coordinate, encourage, and facilitate action. It is to be responsive to the needs of pharmacists and their constituents. The council will decide which issues need to be discussed and what strategies will be used to address them. The council will set the Coalition’s agenda in consultation with member associations. The Coalition will not move as a united voice on issues without the unanimous support of the Executive Council and agreement from member associations. Council members will maintain communication with the governing boards of the member associations.

The Coalition will coordinate the annual Pharmacist Legislative Day in Annapolis and other public relations and public health activities, such as poison prevention programs, high blood pressure screenings and public awareness events targeted at specific health care issues.

On an annual basis, the Executive Council and member associations will independently assess the achievement of the Coalition objectives. Following these periodic evaluations, future initiatives and strategies will be recommended to enhance the effectiveness of the Coalition.

Communication between the member associations and the Coalition is critical. Thus, the Executive Council is responsible for keeping member associations apprised of all activities.

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