Pharmacist elected to Congress

State Sen. Buddy Carter, R-Pooler, became the only pharmacist in Congress this week when voters from Georgia’s First Congressional District selected him as their representative.

Carter received 61% of the vote. His opponent, Democrat Brian Reese, received 39% of the vote.

Carter said one of his priorities in Washington would be working to reduce the national debt. “Now [President Obama] should be smart enough and know that this is a mandate, that the message that was sent by the American citizens yesterday, is that 'We don't like the direction that the country's heading; we want it to change.' The President needs to recognize that, and he needs to adjust," Carter said.

The American Pharmacists Association believes Carter’s election to Congress will help pharmacists gain greater recognition as vital members of healthcare teams.

“It is my great pleasure to congratulate fellow pharmacist and Georgia State Senator Earl “Buddy” Carter on his election to Congress,” said Thomas E. Menighan, APhA executive vice president and CEO. “With a pharmacist in Congress, APhA is confident that our nation's healthcare policy will turn toward providing consumers with access and coverage for pharmacists’ patient care services.”

Menighan added: “With more than 270 million Americans visiting a pharmacy every week, pharmacists have a unique and important role to play in public health. APhA and pharmacists nationwide are excited to have a voice in Congress to advocate for the profession and our patients.”

Support from NACDS-PAC

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores Political Action Committee (NACDS-PAC) supported Carter’s candidacy as well as 106 other candidates in races in the U.S. House of Representatives, and 25 of those running for the U.S. Senate.

“Buddy Carter (R-GA) won his election…and is now the only pharmacist and pharmacy owner in the U.S. Congress,” wrote Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE, president and CEO of NACDS, in an analysis of the 2014 Congressional elections.

“The NACDS-PAC ‘winning percentage’ proved strong….In the House of Representatives, the NACDS-PAC winning percentage stands at 93 percent-with 99 victorious candidates, seven candidates who lost, and one campaign undecided,” he noted.

“In the Senate, the NACDS-PAC winning percentage currently stands at 86 percent-with 19 candidates supported by NACDS-PAC winning, three candidates losing, and three campaigns yet to be decided,” Anderson said.