Pharmacist one step closer to Congress

With his recent victory in the Republican runoff for Georgia’s 1st Congressional District, State Sen. Buddy Carter, a pharmacist, is now considered the favorite to win the seat in November.

Carter (53%) defeated Bob Johnson (46%) in the July 22 runoff election. He will face Brian Reese in the Nov. 4 general election. Carter is heavily favored against Reese.

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“It is my great pleasure to congratulate fellow pharmacist Buddy Carter on winning his party’s nomination for Georgia’s First Congressional District,” said Thomas E. Menighan, BSPharm, MBA, ScD (Hon), FAPhA, executive vice president, American Pharmacists Association (APhA). “As healthcare providers, pharmacists offer unique skills to improve healthcare for our patients. By sending a pharmacist to Congress, these skills and perspectives will help shape healthcare policy that will improve access and quality for patients everywhere.”

If elected, Carter would be the only pharmacist in Congress.

“Without a pharmacist in Congress, it is more difficult to pursue our issues and initiatives than it would be if there were members that understood our perspective firsthand,” Carter told APhA. “It’s especially important while our healthcare system is undergoing dramatic changes to have leaders [who] have been in the trenches on healthcare issues before and [who] understand the importance of the relationship between a healthcare service provider and the patient. Remember, no one can represent us like one of us.”

Click here to read Carter’s Q&A with APhA.