FAMU Student Pharmacists Visit the Florida Capitol

This February, six FAMU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health (CoPPS, IPH) student pharmacists visited the Florida Capitol. 

Under the guidance and orientation of CoPPS, IPH Eminent Scholar in Residence, Michael Jackson, BPharm, CPh, the learners attended an event centered around a hearing during the Senate Health Policy Committee. At that event, the learners took a deep dive into the workings of pharmacy benefit managers. 

“This issue is extremely complex and significantly impacts Florida citizens' costs, quality, and access to health care,” said Mr. Jackson. “These learners were interested in legislative policymaking and became very interested in the proceedings.”

FAMU student pharmacists talking with Senator Colleen Burton (Lakeland - District 12), the Chair of the Senate Policy Committee. 

Before the hearing, which took place in room 412 of the Knott Building at the Florida Capitol Complex on Monday, February 6, 2023, at 3:30 pm, Mr. Jackson prepared the learners for what they would experience. The learners were also able to have a brief tour of the Capitol. Mr. Jackson explained the legislative process, the importance of stakeholder engagement, and what decision-making at the Florida Capitol does to the pharmacy practice.

The learners' presence at the Capitol and in the committee hearing was well received.