In This Issue:

• APCI Celebrates 40th Anniversary
• Ayanjoke Featured in 'I Am NCPA' Campaign
• Registration open for 2025 APCI Annual Convention
• Pharmacists' Vaccine, Testing Authority Extended
• EQUIPP Pharmacy Survey
• Merry Christmas from APCI
• On The Shelf: Ricola Throat Drops

APCI Celebrates 40th Anniversary

Cooperative was founded December 18, 1984

This week, APCI celebrated 40 years of providing vital services and advocacy for independently-owned community pharmacies across the United States.

Originally chartered by a group of Birmingham-area pharmacists as the Alabama Pharmacy Cooperative on Dec. 18, 1984, APCI has grown from a small, member-owned purchasing group to a dynamic organization committed to empowering independent pharmacies by offering innovative programs, services, and support to its members in 31 states.

Click here to view APCI's press release celebrating the anniversary.

Ayanjoke featured in 'I Am NCPA' Campaign 

Emmanuel Ayanjoke, PharmD, MBA; Owner of Altev Community Pharmacy

Emmanuel Ayanjoke, PharmD, MBA, who opened Altev Community Pharmacy in Avondale, Ohio in December 2023, was featured in NCPA's 'I Am NCPA' campaign recently.

After graduating from pharmacy school at the University of Toledo, Emmanuel was hired at an independent pharmacy in Dayton, Ohio. They brought him in as a clinical pharmacist to help with their provider status initiative. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, creating a whole new level of challenge for the recent graduate.

Emmanuel is a second-generation independent pharmacist. He grew up watching his late father run a pharmacy in Sagamu, Nigeria, and was drawn to both the entrepreneurship and autonomy that goes into running one as well as the service aspect. He moved to the U.S. when he was 15 years old. That gave him insight into two very different roles that pharmacies can play in communities.

To read the whole feature, click here.

Registration Open for the 2025 APCI Annual Convention

March 20-23, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee

Registration is now open for the 2025 APCI Annual Convention and Stockholders Meeting, March 20-23, 2025, at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel in Nashville, Tenn.!

During the 2025 convention, our theme will be "Game Changers: Advancing Independent Pharmacy!" Join us to learn about ways to change the game to advance independent pharmacy during these challenging times.

As always, the 2025 edition will include informative and relevant continuing education courses, top-notch entertainment, preferred vendor promotions, and so much more!

Registration is now open! Visit convention.apcinet.com to learn more.

Pharmacists' Vaccine, Testing Authority Extended through 2029 with PREP Act

Protections were to expire Dec. 31

The protections for pharmacists' vaccine and testing authority through the PREP Act have been extended by the U.S. Health and Human Services in a declaration published on December 11, allowing pharmacists, pharmacy interns and pharmacy technicians to independently administer vaccines, and test to treat services for COVID-19. The authority, which was set to expire at the end of this month, has been extended to Dec. 31, 2029.

EQUIPP Pharmacy Survey

EQUIPP has created a survey for engaged independent pharmacies to share their opinions/thoughts on future programming within the platform. Users that will complete this survey will provide feedback which allows EQUIPP to develop more ways for pharmacies to maximize their revenue potential.

Thank you in advance for your assistance with this project. Click here to get started!

Merry Christmas from APCI

APCI Offices will be closed December 24-25 in observance of Christmas. Offices also will be closed January 1 in observance of New Year's Day.

Ricola Throat Drops

'Tis the season of coughing and sore throats! Stock up on Ricola Throat Drops in Swiss Cherry and Honey Lemon.