Expert Q&A: Empowering Independent Pharmacies Through the One Voice Initiative

In an interview with Pharmacy Times®, Brad Cochran, executive vice president, pharmaceutical and specialty distribution at Cardinal Health, discussed the Cardinal Health™ One Voice Initiative, which aims to amplify the collective advocacy power of independent pharmacies. By providing funding to state pharmacy associations, the initiative helps pharmacists engage directly with lawmakers and influence health care policy, especially around expanding pharmacy scope of practice and patient access.

Cochran highlighted how the initiative supports grassroots advocacy, education, and events that showcase the role of pharmacists as community health care providers. Cochran emphasized that ultimately, it seeks to inspire more pharmacists to get involved and prioritize key health care policy issues that impact their profession and patients.

Pharmacy Times: What is the primary goal of the Cardinal Health™ One Voice Initiative for independent pharmacies?

Brad Cochran: Independent pharmacies have demonstrated the power of their collective voice to drive meaningful policy change and represent the needs of patients in their community. Through the One Voice Initiative, our goal is to build on that positive momentum and encourage active participation from independent pharmacies across the country by providing funding to state pharmacy associations so they can continue to offer opportunities for engagement.

The One Voice Initiative is an extension of our ongoing advocacy support through the Cardinal Health Government Relations team, who will continue to build relationships with lawmakers and educate them on the valuable role of independent pharmacies as community healthcare providers.

Pharmacy Times: How will the One Voice Initiative empower independent pharmacists to work directly with lawmakers to shape the future of pharmacy?

Cochran: Pharmacies sharing real-life stories with their local elected officials about how health care policies will impact the patients in their community can help drive change. Additionally, there is significant progress being made at the state level on legislation to expand pharmacy scope of practice and provide additional transparency and fairness at a pivotal time for independent pharmacies.

By providing funding to state pharmacy associations, the One Voice Initiative will help pharmacies continue to access opportunities to engage directly with lawmakers to share these stories, as well as create new opportunities for more pharmacies to participate.

Pharmacy Times: How does providing direct financial assistance to state pharmacy associations enable independent pharmacists to take a leading role in shaping healthcare policy?

Cochran: Working together, independent pharmacies, state pharmacy associations, industry organizations, and Cardinal Health have made significant progress in shaping pharmacy policy. For example, our Government Relations team has partnered with industry organizations and state associations to help rally support from pharmacists in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey on legislation to expand immunization services. Because of efforts led by the state pharmacy associations, several new laws were passed that empowered technicians to vaccinate, lowered the age of eligibility for flu and COVID-19 immunizations to be administered at the pharmacy, and eliminated prescription requirements to receive immunizations at the pharmacy for children under 10.

Collectively, we have made progress, but there is more we can continue to do together. Providing direct funding to state pharmacy associations will enable this work to continue and help create opportunities for pharmacists to participate in advocacy efforts.

Pharmacy Times: How will the One Voice Initiative help independent pharmacies amplify their collective voice in health care policy discussions?

Cochran: Pharmacy advocacy efforts are essential to health care policy discussions. State legislators want to hear from the pharmacists in their communities, as they are providing access to health care and key services to their constituents. The goal of the One Voice program is to provide funds to state pharmacy associations to directly support those advocacy efforts. Whether the state pharmacy association is sponsoring an event, launching a new grassroots website, creating educational materials, or doing any other activities, all of these efforts will support positive meaningful change in state laws to support the future of pharmacy.

Pharmacy Times: What are the practical ways the One Voice Initiative will motivate independent pharmacists to become more actively involved in advocacy efforts?

Cochran: As we have seen in several states, the voice of independent pharmacy is stronger when pharmacists join together. Independent pharmacists have proven themselves to be a highly influential force in advancing legislation that supports the future growth of pharmacy.

Many independent pharmacies are already involved in advocacy efforts, but they need tools and resources to strengthen and sustain their impact. The One Voice Initiative will help do that by providing funding to state pharmacy associations to support pharmacists’ grassroots advocacy efforts and build connectivity with elected officials.

As state pharmacy associations continue to secure legislative wins and build momentum, we hope their success inspires more pharmacists to get involved and add their voice to the conversation.

Pharmacy Times: From your perspective, what specific health care policy issues should independent pharmacists prioritize advocating for through this initiative to ensure their future and benefit patients?

Cochran: The One Voice Initiative empowers each state pharmacy association to decide how to allocate their funding according to their highest priority needs. We encourage pharmacists to get involved and connect with their state pharmacy association to participate in the advocacy efforts in their state.