This is the first of a series of periodic commentaries by TPA's executive director on issues affecting the Texas Pharmacy Association. Just My Thoughts . . . . . will be sent out by email and will appear on the TPA web site and FaceBook page. You are encouraged to comment and share your responses.
Back to the Future
Advocacy Decision a Step in the Right Direction
by Joe A. DaSilva, Executive Director/CEO August 2009
As you may already know, the TPA Board of Directors took action last month in San Antonio regarding the Association's future role in the Texas Pharmacy Business Council (TPBC). The decision was:
1.to not extend TPA's participation in the TPBC beyond Aug. 31, 2009, the expiration date of the current agreement; and
2.to authorize its Academy of Independent Pharmacists (AIP-Texas) to independently determine its future role and involvement in the TPBC.
So what does all this really mean and why? What does it have to do with advocacy?
PAST With this funding loss in government relations and the Association’s general fiscal challenges, the TPA Board decided to enter into an agreement with American Pharmacies and AIP-Texas to form the Texas Pharmacy Business Council. AIP-Texas also agreed to provide financial support to TPBC‘s advocacy-related efforts on behalf of pharmacists.
A month later, In October of 2008, acting to protect TPA’s financial viability during a very unstable national economic environment, the Board directed management to significantly reduce the Association’s expenses. This resulted in immediate reductions in staffing and services.
Unfortunately, the collateral damage from these decisions gutted the Association’s in-house legislative, regulatory and public policy abilities. In the world of associations, advocacy is one of the most critical membership services; yet in TPA’s world, it was no longer a service directly provided to its members.
TPA members may debate the initial need for budgetary reductions. They may debate the rationale behind management’s timing of the decision which impaired TPA’s ability to advocate on behalf of the profession. They also may debate the decision to rely on the then recently created Texas Pharmacy Business Council to fill this service void. But it happened in late fall of 2008 – just prior to the 2009 session of the Texas Legislature.
Please understand that a solution was needed – and needed quickly. And certainly, this move had its pros and cons and its supporters and opponents; but not even a Monday morning quarterback would question the immediate positive advocacy results of the decision. Pharmacists, technicians and pharmacies were well-served by the TPBC. Many legislative successes came about because of the Council. And yes, these successes were also achieved because of the good work of so many other Texas pharmacy organizations and representatives, including the Texas Federation of Drug Stores, the Texas Society of Health-System Pharmacists and individuals representing such specialty areas of the profession as compounding, consulting, chain, clinical, government/research/academia, health systems, independents, industry/distribution/health-care resources, students, technicians, various local pharmacy groups and TPA corporate /partner members.
The bottom line is that the decision to form and support the Council was a good one. In my opinion, the Council’s successes clearly indicate that the pharmacy profession and specifically independent pharmacist, have been helped and will continue to be helped by a strong TPBC.
PRESENT The decision was made not because of something negative. On the contrary, as I already have said, participating in the Council during the 2009 legislative session was very beneficial to TPA.
The decision was not made in an attempt to disassociate ourselves from the Council or distance ourselves from AIP-Texas. Both play too important a role on behalf of independent pharmacists in Texas.
The decision was not made because organizations like TPBC need to go away so that TPA can reign supreme. On the contrary, the days of having one organization – at times representing common goals while at times dealing with conflicting purposes – is long gone. It is splintered in medicine, hospitals, long-term care, nursing, and so forth – at both the national and state levels.
Based on my past experience, I believe that the presence of other organizations – aside from TPA -representing components of the profession do not have to impede the goal to be united. Unity – or, as many of you say, speaking with one voice – is integrally dependent on the leadership, commitment and desire of the individuals involved – not on the number of organizations at the table.
Pharmacy is best served by having strong organizations representing its various parts. Strength in the pieces leads to strength in the whole. I am committed to strengthen both the pieces and the whole for all pharmacy groups in Texas. I am committed to create opportunities for sharing and agreeing.
Yes, unity should be the goal, but when issues divide the family as they have and will again, respect and professionalism must control all actions. And, TPA staff will do all that is possible to foster collaboration and enhance united efforts. It can and will be done. It can’t be done, however, if TPA’s strength is compromised. And it has been!
TPA must rebuild its internal advocacy resources to recapture its stature as the leading advocacy organization representing the pharmacy profession in Texas. The Board’s decision regarding TPBC – for which I am very supportive and grateful – was an important step in doing just that. It frees TPA to re-establish a most critical service for all members. It frees us to begin the long climb to again be and be seen as an influential leader in the public policy forums that affect your profession.
This is why the decision was made.
It was clear that being a part of the Council and only a part of the Council did not allow the Association to properly represent all segments of your profession. The perception of many of your colleagues was that the Council (and thus TPA) was focused only on issues important to independent pharmacists. I assure you that this was not true, but it was a perception. And, true or not, this perception has undermined TPA’s effectiveness, sustainability and membership rolls.
Please be aware that TPA must lead at times, follow at other times and occasionally step out of the way; yet it always should serve as the umbrella that enhances collaboration, even when there are conflicts. And no, the concepts of collaboration and conflict are not mutually exclusive!
But there is more good news. Following the TPA’s board action, AIP-Texas agreed to extend the agreement with American Pharmacies to continue the Texas Pharmacy Business Council. I applaud them for that decision. The Council needed to continue; it needed to remain a force for pharmacists; and now, it will be an unfettered and focused lobby group for independent pharmacists in Texas. Meanwhile, TPA will be focused on effectively representing all pharmacists and technicians – including advocating for independent pharmacists. Congratulations to all involved.
FUTURE If you agree with this vision, please support TPA. Bring in more new members. Help us obtain the needed funds. Make that two-year commitment I asked from you in my now infamous New-Boy-on-the-Block video. Tell your Association’s leadership that you share the vision. If you work for a health system or a chain or academia or research or so forth, ask your colleagues to join you in this vision.
If you don’t like the vision, are skeptical or have questions, just call me or place your comments on our website. I need your input. I may not change your mind, but I won’t waste your time either. Just remember that my efforts to attain organizational prominence and success are not for me or for my ego – both are big enough already. They are for you, for your needs and for your profession.
Thanks for the opportunity to be on your team and to accomplish what’s difficult.
