APhA Attends Swearing-In Ceremony of National Drug Control Policy Director

WASHINGTON, /PRNewswire/ -- The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) congratulates James W. Carroll upon his swearing in as the Director of the Office of the National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), our nation’s “Drug Czar.” The swearing-in was conducted Jan. 31 by Vice President Mike Pence in the White House. APhA’s CEO Thomas E. Menighan, who attended the swearing-in, said, “America’s pharmacists support ONDCP’s efforts to curb the opioid crisis.” Shortly after the ceremony, Director Carroll announced the release of the National Drug Control Strategy which is comprised of three fundamental elements – prevention, treatment and recovery, and reducing availability. APhA’s members have been on the frontlines in the fight against prescription drug abuse and misuse from the early onset.

Menighan issued the following statement:

“We share ONDCP’s commitment to improving access to care for those seeking recovery from addiction as we pharmacists seek to make a greater difference in combatting this public health crisis. APhA is eager to partner with ONDCP and newly confirmed Director James Carroll in the fight against the opioid crisis. The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act provides for several different roles for the ONDCP Director, including the release of a National Drug Control Strategy, among other programs and initiatives. We appreciate Director Carroll’s and ONDCP’s commitment to curbing the opioid crisis and look forward to collaborating and supporting the effort by recognizing and empowering front line pharmacists to play increasingly meaningful roles for which they are so well trained. Such collaborative efforts are essential to meeting our country’s needs for high quality and accessible health care while working together to reduce the impact of this crisis on American families.”

About the American Pharmacists Association
The American Pharmacists Association, founded in 1852 as the American Pharmaceutical Association, is a 501 (c)(6) organization, representing 60,000 practicing pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and others interested in advancing the profession. APhA is dedicated to helping all pharmacists improve medication use and advance patient care and is the first-established and largest association of pharmacists in the United States. For more information, please visit www.pharmacist.com.

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SOURCE American Pharmacists Association