On January 31st, students and faculty of UConn's School of Pharmacy gathered as Governor Lamont, Dean Hritcko, and accomplished students and faculty celebrated transformative steps underway that will expand healthcare access in the state.
UConn's School of Pharmacy in bloom
The end of January brought a landmark achievement for UConn's School of Pharmacy, one that expands healthcare access and upholds the School's commitment to patient care and community outreach. This success came after collective planning and action between the State of Connecticut and UConn's School of Pharmacy - a big feat for a big cause.
Recognizing the shortage of primary care providers throughout the state, particularly among underserved populations, UConn Pharmacy developed a plan to create a pharmacy training program that would enable pharmacists to provide more comprehensive reproductive care by prescribing contraception to their patients.
"Allowing pharmacists to both prescribe and dispense hormonal birth control could help mitigate barriers and expand access to contraception for the citizens of our state." – Dean Hritcko
Working with the Connecticut Pharmacists Association (CPA), the Department of Consumer Protection (Drug Control), and pharmacy employer entities across the state, faculty members worked to bridge the gap between this idea and the actions needed. Committed to making reproductive healthcare available to all, the UConn School of Pharmacy's Office of Continuing Education and Professional Development developed the training and certification program, which equips pharmacists with the tools, resources, and knowledge, to provide their patients with these new services effectively and safely.
Acknowledging that excellence in pharmacy should be a nationwide standard, especially as many individuals across the country face barriers to affordable and accessible healthcare, this program is available to all pharmacists in every state.
Governor Lamont, understanding the transformative nature of this program and the current threats to reproductive healthcare, jumped on board. Working with the Connecticut Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli, the training program received final approval at the end of January.
This training program is expected to take four hours to complete and is optional for pharmacists. Available through the UConn School of Pharmacy website, this training counts toward the fifteen hours of annual continuing education required for pharmacists.
To celebrate this pivotal moment, Governor Lamont requested to hold a press conference at the School on January 31st to address faculty, staff, students, and the press. In fact, Governor Lamont's visit marks the first time a Connecticut governor has visited UConn's School of Pharmacy! After he spoke, other influential leaders followed, including Dean Hritcko who expressed his gratitude to the government officials who collaborated with the School: "We're grateful to Governor Lamont and Lieutenant Governor Bysiewicz for their leadership and unwavering commitment to ensuring Connecticut continues to lead the charge in healthcare innovation, protection of women's health, and accessibility."
Rachel Antonelli, a second-year Pharm.D. student who is passionate about building meaningful patient connections, shared her gratitude for this stride in healthcare, "The passage of this legislation empowers more individuals to take an active role in their care, reducing accessibility barrier that too often stands in the way of essential healthcare services like providing contraception."
In addition to pharmacists being able to prescribe contraception, this new legislation also includes the state's first vending machines providing access to emergency contraception. The first of these vending machines can be found on the UConn, Storrs campus and is made possible by Dr. Peter Davis Smith, medical director of Student Health and Wellness (SHAW), and his colleagues and student advocates.
"This is just one of the many ways we're working to expand access to contraception and other important medications in Connecticut." – Governor Lamont
This milestone in healthcare access comes in the UConn School of Pharmacy's 100th year of excellence, exemplifying the continued efforts in education, research, and service to produce lasting change. With this latest effort, the impacts will transform communities in Connecticut and beyond, increasing healthcare access, reducing unintended pregnancies, and decreasing spending on our healthcare systems. Training the next generation of pharmacists, the School aims to inspire its students to continue to shape the future of healthcare and make a difference in the lives of Connecticut residents.
In times of need, UConn Pharmacy delivers - a testament to the School's mission of building a better tomorrow through monumental actions that start today.
