ASHP supports members of the federal pharmacy workforce and recognizes their vital roles in protecting public health, ensuring medication safety, and improving patient care across the United States and wherever our armed forces are deployed.

To all those affected, our hearts go out to you. Your contributions are invaluable.

The federal government employs more than 12,000 pharmacists and 18,000 pharmacy technicians across various agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Department of Defense (DOD), United States Public Health Service, and the Department of Health and Human Services. These professionals’ contributions are immense as they work to support critical roles including direct patient care, medication distribution, emergency preparedness and response, research, and regulatory oversight.

Federal pharmacists at the VA, for example, have long been pioneers in expanding medication access and improving outcomes for our nation’s veterans. The breadth of the services provided by these VA pharmacists is remarkable — ranging from comprehensive medication management for patients with complex chronic diseases to the use of pharmacogenomics to optimize medication use in people with cancer. 

The inclusion of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians on patient-aligned care teams at the VA to provide comprehensive medication management has resulted in higher quality care and improved health outcomes. VA pharmacists are embedded in primary care, mental health, and pain management teams in rural and underserved areas across the nation, resulting in improved health outcomes.

In line with the movement toward personalized medicine, the VA has made accessibility to pharmacogenomic testing a priority. In Madison, Wisconsin, for example, integrating pharmacogenomic testing into pharmacists’ workflows in clinics has resulted in widespread uptake throughout the ambulatory care areas, including in their hematology/oncology clinics.

The VA pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are also on the front lines in addressing some of the greatest public threats, including the mental health crisis and substance use disorders. Across the VA system, clinical pharmacist practitioners provide care for patients who have complex mental health treatment needs. Pharmacist leadership of naloxone programs for veterans has resulted in increased prescribing of and access to this life-saving medication in those at highest risk of opioid overdose and death. 

Similarly, across the DOD, pharmacy professionals lead in critical roles, including ensuring our nation’s service members and their families have access to essential medications regardless of where they are deployed across the globe.

Indian Health Service pharmacists play an essential role in promoting improved medication use and health outcomes in tribal nations across the U.S. 

At the Food and Drug Administration, federal pharmacists are instrumental in evaluating medications to ensure they are safe and effective, and in responding to drug shortages so that our ability to care for patients is not disrupted.

In these and many other federal agencies, pharmacy professionals work tirelessly to protect and advance public health, provide needed access to pharmacist care, and directly impact the lives of millions.

We acknowledge the hardships that federal pharmacists, federal pharmacy technicians, their colleagues, and loved ones are facing during this difficult time. Please know that we stand with you. We ask our members to share job postings they may be aware of on social media and use ASHP’s career resources and job boards to support these talented members of our community. For those impacted, please also reach out to ASHP for support.

Together, we will continue to champion the essential role of pharmacists in healthcare.

Thank you for all you do for your patients and our profession.

Sincerely,

Paul

Posted on March 11, 2025