In the world of independent pharmacy, every voice matters. When these voices come together, though, they make the most noise and inspire the most change.

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Unified under one front — one organization — independent pharmacists make medical breakthroughs, expand clinical services, fight for fair reimbursement, and most importantly, map out the future of pharmacy. As a pharmacist, you should be keeping up.

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Staying up-to-date with your favorite pharmacy organizations can help you in several ways. First, it can grant you access to the latest news in the industry, whether clinical, operational, or legislative. Second, it can help you connect with other pharmacy professionals and open up new networking opportunities. Third, it can give you inspiration for your own social media account, effectively helping you grow your online presence.

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Next time you log on to your favorite platform, then, hit the “Follow” button on your favorite organizations’ pages. Here are just a few to keep in mind:

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1. NCPA 

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The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) is the leading voice for independent pharmacists across the country. It represents more than 21,000 pharmacies and 250,000 pharmacy professionals nationwide, offering education and advocacy. Social media is just one way that NCPA expands its reach.

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From pharmacy spotlights to legislative updates, NCPA stays active on social media, so it’s a great place to get connected to others in the field.

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Find NCPA on the following platforms:

• Facebook: National Community Pharmacists Association
• Instagram: @commpharmacy 
• Twitter: @Commpharmacy

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2. Pharmacy Times

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If you’re looking to stay up-to-date on all of the current events in the industry, Pharmacy Times is the place for you.

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‍Pharmacy Times is an independently-run news source that provides timely information on the most important medical research and innovations impacting pharmacies. On social media, Pharmacy Times provides news snippets, holiday reminders, and professional advice.

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Find it on your favorite platform:

• Facebook: Pharmacy Times
• Instagram: @pharmacytimes
• Twitter: @Pharmacy_Times

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3. APhA

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The American Pharmacists Association, or APhA, is the largest pharmacy association in the United States. It is committed to advancing all of pharmacy practice — chains and independents alike — through optimizing prescribing practices.

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On Facebook and Twitter, APhA highlights pharmacists who are making a difference in their communities and advertises a variety of CE opportunities. On YouTube, it posts both short videos and longer webinars about a variety of topics.

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Find APhA here:

• Facebook: APhA - American Pharmacists Association
• Twitter: @pharmacists
• YouTube: aphapharmacists 

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4. Flip the Pharmacy

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While organizations like APhA hone in on prescribing, others, like Flip the Pharmacy, focus on clinical services.

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‍Flip the Pharmacy is a five-year transformation program affiliated with CPESN that takes pharmacies beyond prescription filling and shows them how to make clinical services profitable. On social media, Flip the Pharmacy shares the program’s progress and offers helpful tips on how you can implement clinical services into your own practice.

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Find Flip the Pharmacy on any of the following platforms:

• Facebook: Flip the Pharmacy
• Instagram: @flipthepharmacy
• Twitter: @flipthepharmacy

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5. CDC

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While the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) isn’t a pharmacy-specific organization, it is an excellent resource for pharmacists, especially those who are looking to get the latest news on public health. On social media, the CDC offers important updates, dispels misinformation, and posts tips on how to effectively communicate with patients.

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It is one of the most active organizations online, so it’s a great one to keep up with.

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Find the CDC here:

• Facebook: CDC
• Instagram: @cdcgov
• Twitter:@CDCgov
• YouTube: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

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6. WHO

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Similar to the CDC, the World Health Organization (WHO) is a public health organization that offers accurate, accessible information — except on a larger scale. It shares patient stories, pieces of history, and infographics that can reach a wide audience. Thus, it can be a valuable resource for pharmacists and patients alike.

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Find the WHO on any of the following platforms:

• Facebook: World Health Organization (WHO)
• Instagram: @who
• Twitter: @WHO
• YouTube: World Health Organization (WHO)

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7. State Pharmacy Associations

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Stay up-to-date on local news by following pharmacy organizations in your area. Your state pharmacy association likely posts updates and announcements pertinent to your state. In addition to getting information, you can connect with other community pharmacists online.

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Most pharmacy associations are on Facebook — and they may even be on Instagram and Twitter — so find out how you can get plugged in.

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8. RxLocal

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RxLocal is your number one resource for all of your pharmacy’s social media needs. Follow along on your favorite platform to get inspiration for crafting your own social posts. Or, for a more personalized experience, try out our Social Media Assistant to get content curated for you every single month, delivered straight to your inbox.

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Find RxLocal on either of our two accounts:

• Facebook: RxLocal
• Instagram: @rxlocal

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Conclusion

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With the right resources on your side, you can make the most out of your social media experience. Follow your favorite pharmacy organizations and see the benefits for yourself.

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