Extraordinary threats to survival of independent community pharmacies have led the state's top two advocacy groups to consolidate their efforts. Texas Pharmacy Association Alliance is now the voice speaking for their preservation

The two groups melded into one lobbying team are American Pharmacies and the Texas Pharmacy Association's Academy of Independent Pharmacies.

"We are small businesses fighting to continue serving our patients and our communities," said APRx Chairman Lynn Everett, RPh, Waco. APRx is a buying co-op of more than 500 members with strong advocacy arms in Austin and Washington, D.C.

"This is a great opportunity for pharmacy in Texas," said Bruce McAnally, RPh, TPA secretary/treasurer and AIP chair. "By consolidating and coordinating our lobby efforts, we will be much more effective in the legislative arena for independent pharmacy as well as the entire pharmacy profession." AIP is a special-interest advocacy academy of TPA with more than 250 members.

 

Founding TPAA board members from APRx include Chairman Lynn Everett, RPh, of Waco; Vice Chairman Vance Oglesbee, RPh, of Fairfield; Secretary/Treasurer Bruce Rogers, RPh, of Victoria; Michael D. Muecke, RPh, of Bay City; and Robert Kinsey, RPh, of Tyler. Other founding board members from AIP are TPA President and past AIP Chairman Ed Horton, RPh, of Stephenville and Secretary/Treasurer and current AIP Chairman Bruce McAnally, RPh, of McKinney.