What is APPKC?
APPKC is comprised of individuals across all practice settings – academia, ambulatory, regulatory bodies, community, health-systems, managed-care, and student pharmacists – who are dedicated to the mission of driving the advancement of the profession of pharmacy in Kentucky and the nation. The Center for the Advancement of Pharmacy Practice (CAPP) serves as the administrative body while efforts are directed by a Steering Committee of pharmacy leaders from some of the state's leading pharmacy organizations including:
- American Pharmacy Services Corporation (APSC)
- Kentucky Pharmacists Association (KPhA)
- Kentucky Society of Health-System Pharmacists (KSHP)
- Sullivan University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (SUCOPHS)
- University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy (UKCOP) CAPP
History of APPKC:
In April 2012, CAPP hosted a summit with the other member organizations of the Steering Committee. The two-day conference was designed to bring together stakeholders to identify goals and strategies for advancing the profession over the next several years. At the end of the summit, APPKC was formed to work together on the issues identified as major focus areas for moving the pharmacy profession forward.
Early efforts were focused on enacting and implementing Board Approved Protocol driven care and included:
- Advocating for and amending the Pharmacy Practice Act to expand scope of practice
- Develop and enact regulatory language regarding Board Approved Protocols
- Writing and getting approval for protocol templates
- Educational efforts surrounding Board Approved Protocols
Current efforts of APPKC:
On March 18, 2021, KY House Bill 48: An Act relating to reimbursement of pharmacist services sponsored by pharmacist and Representative Danny Bentley, was signed into law. The passage of this bill followed three years of legislative advocacy by KPhA and other APPKC members. HB 48 mandates that commercial insurers provide compensation for pharmacy services. Given the novelty of pharmacists billing for clinical services under medical benefits and not pharmacy benefits, both in the state and nationwide, APPKC members are collaborating to assist with implementation efforts throughout the state in all areas of practice.