ACCP officially welcomes its newest PRN – the Community-Based Practice and Research Network – which was formally approved by the ACCP Board of Regents on July 28. Community-based pharmacy practitioners face many unique challenges, including practice management topics such as appointment-based scheduling, medication synchronization, and eCare plan review and documentation, as well as point-of-care testing, immunizations, and naloxone prescribing. The new PRN will focus on supporting community-based practitioners’ needs for unique programming, research, and collaboration.

More than 125 ACCP members responded to a recent survey gauging interest in forming a practice and research network in the community-based area. The survey was initiated by the ACCP Community-Based Pharmacy Advisory Panel. Members of the panel include Cody Clifton, Kelly Cochran, Stefanie Ferreri, Caitlin Frail, Melissa Somma McGivney, and Margie Snyder. Snyder subsequently submitted the application for the new PRN on behalf of the ACCP members responding to the survey. In announcing the Board’s approval of the formation of the Community-Based PRN, ACCP President Jimmi Hatton Kolpek stressed the importance of the new PRN to ACCP, its members, and their patients.

Community-based members are at the forefront of health equity challenges affecting diverse populations. The programming, research, and practice initiatives from this PRN create networking opportunities and extend our understanding of factors affecting inclusive health care goals across the care continuum.

Snyder is an associate professor of pharmacy practice at Purdue University College of Pharmacy and a member of the Department of Pharmacy Practice’s Community Pharmacy Advancement Committee. In this role, she established the Medication Safety Research Network of Indiana (Rx-SafeNet), a state-wide practice-based research network of community pharmacies. She directs Purdue’s Community Practice Research Fellowship Program and serves as a preceptor for the PGY1 community pharmacy residencies affiliated with the college. In addition, she serves as a faculty practice transformation coach to Team Indiana for the Flip the Pharmacy Program. Snyder, who serves as founding chair of the PRN, talked about potential activities and near-term goals for the new PRN.

I am thrilled by the Board’s approval of the new Community-Based Practice and Research Network and am excited to meet with ACCP members at the Annual Meeting in October for networking and further discussion. I am looking forward to leading this PRN in developing community-focused programming and research development and collaboration efforts.

The Community-Based PRN becomes ACCP’s 28th practice and research network and is now recruiting members. To join the new PRN, click here.