Touro University of California hosted their first Legislative Banquet on May 1st, 2014 in collaboration with American Pharmacists Association (APhA), California Pharmacists Association (CPhA), California Society of Health-System Pharmacists (CSHP), and Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA). The banquet consisted of a dinner followed by a roundtable event designed to foster discussion about including pharmacist as part of an interdisciplinary healthcare team

     Touro University Senior Provost and CEO, Shelley Berkley commenced and introduced the event followed by a keynote address by Assistant Dean of Administration, Dr. Keith Yoshizuka. Following the introduction, the program comprised of presentations from Norlyn Asprec, a representative from the office of Assemblymember Susan Bonilla and Evan Minton, representing Assemblymember Phil Ting’s office.

     Executive Officer of the California Board of Pharmacy Virginia Herold, CPhA CEO John Roth, CPhA Vice President of the Center of Advocacy Brian Warren, CPhA Policy & Advocacy Manager Megan Maddox, CSHP Outgoing President Steve Gray, CSHP Government Affairs Manager Jillian Hacker, CSHP CEO and Executive Vice President Dawn Benton, Touro University Faculty Drs. Wong, Chan, Shane and Palisoc, and Phi Lambda Sigma student member Dylan Mezzio served as roundtable speakers for the event.

     Discussion topics included: the implementation of SB 493, pharmacists’ provider status, AB 1535 allowing pharmacists to furnish naloxone, SB 1039 the efficient use of pharmacy personnel, AB 2418 eliminating the mail order requirement for refills to increase medication adherence, HR 4190 a proposed amendment to Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to recognize pharmacists as providers under Medicare Part B and in the Accountable Care Organizations (ACO), the process of bill implementation through the California Board of Pharmacy and California Medical Board, the importance of grassroots lobbying, and the impacts of SB 493 on Hospital and Managed Care Pharmacy.

     The Legislative Banquet concluded with a closing keynote from the chapter advisor of CPhA/APhA and SNPhA, Dr. Kajua Lor.  The legislative dinner served as a forum to unify different colleges of pharmacy from Touro University and the University of Pacific as well as exemplify inter-professionalism with students from Touro University students from the College of Osteopathic Medicine, Physician’s Assistant Program, and the Masters of Public Health Program. Touro University would like to acknowledge special thanks to all the Legislative Aides in attendance - Daniel Garcia, representing Congressman Mike Thompson’s office, Danny Bernardini, representing Senator Lois Wolk’s Office, and Ron Turner, representing Assemblymember Susan Bonilla’s office. In addition, we would like to thank our sponsor, the Diablo Society of Health System Pharmacists (DSHP).