Independent Pharmacies Take Center Stage at AAP’s Annual Conferences

The American Associated Pharmacies (AAP) Annual Conference is held in different cities around the country each year. In 2023, the event was in New Orleans, Louisiana—where the first licensed pharmacy in the United States was opened by Louis Joseph Dufilho Jr in 1823. The meeting sought to build off the city’s rich tradition of independent pharmacy by recognizing the hard work and dedication that AAP’s members provide to their communities.

“Hosting our annual conference is not just about bringing people together, it's about creating a platform for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, innovation and networking,” said Ginny Langbehn, vice president of Marketing and Communications at AAP. “It is a splendid opportunity to inspire and be inspired, to connect and be connected, and it’s one of the most highly anticipated weeks of the year for our staff and Board of Directors at AAP. The enthusiasm and power of connection with our members at each conference cannot be overstated. It’s a remarkable event for all of us!”

Douglas Hoey, CEO of the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), was a popular speaker at the 2023 event. Hoey represents more than 19,400 independent community pharmacies and nearly 240,000 pharmacy professionals as the head of NCPA. He discussed NCPA’s strategic priorities over the coming few years and outlined initiatives the group is undertaking to continue its support for independent pharmacies nationwide. NCPA has been a fundamental organization in spearheading sweeping legislative action recently at both the state and national levels. Its recent advocacy work challenging the overreach of pharmacy benefit managers has yielded unprecedented new legislation that will impact the industry for decades to come.

One of the most anticipated speakers at the 2023 conference was pharmacist Dan Schneider, who was featured in the Netflix true crime docuseries The Pharmacist. The series chronicles Schneider’s journey investigating a local pill mill after his son’s death, which eventually turned into an investigation that would contribute to the downfall of OxyContin manufacturer Purdue Pharma.

In 1999, Schneider’s son was murdered in a drug deal gone bad. After realizing that the police were not going to help find the killer, Schneider decided to try and solve the case himself. The case was eventually resolved over a year later, and Schneider began his crusade against drug abuse and addiction by giving talks at high schools. Meanwhile, he noticed an alarming trend in opioid prescriptions in his pharmacy practice. Younger people were constantly coming in for OxyContin, some even from out of the state, and all the prescriptions came from the same doctor.

After a young girl came into his pharmacy with multiple prescriptions for OxyContin at doses that could potentially kill her, Schneider called the doctor and recorded the conversation. He sent the recorded conversation to the medical board, which ultimately led to the doctor’s practice being shut down for good. Schneider continues to fight against the overprescribing of opioids through a nonprofit he created called Tunnel of Hope.

Schneider’s story—both heartbreaking and inspiring—captivated the audience of independent pharmacists and served as the culminating presentation for AAP’s 2023 event, which was built around the theme, “Celebrate Your Story.”

The next national event AAP is hosting will be held April 4 to 6, 2024, in San Diego, California, at the legendary Town & Country Resort, serving as the perfect backdrop to celebrate AAP’s 15thanniversary of the conference.

The conference is open to all independent pharmacists in the United States and has become a significant industry event for pharmacists seeking networking and continuing education opportunities. Hundreds of industry vendors have also exhibited on the show floor at AAP’s events over the years. AAP also recently announced that for the first time, guests at the 2024 event can win substantial prize credits from API Warehouse, a subsidiary of AAP. Three qualified winners will win $25,000, $15,000, and $10,000, respectively, in API credits toward non-controlled generics. All guests who register during the early bird registration period, ending November 30, 2023, will have their qualified entries doubled for this contest.

AAP’s theme for the 2024 conference is “Turn the Tide,” in anticipation of 2024 presenting an increasingly challenging landscape for independent pharmacies—including the direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) fee structure changes set to be implemented on the first of the year and upcoming compliance with full DSCSA regulations. The organization is focused on bringing specific, actionable content to its conference guests and ensuring they leave with an informative playbook of material they can implement in their businesses to navigate the rough seas in the coming year.

To learn more about AAP’s next conference for independent pharmacies and how to qualify for the API prize credit giveaways, visit RxAAP.com or contact the support team at 1-877-797-9227.