University of Iowa (UI) College of Pharmacy alumnus Randy McDonough, ’87 BSPh, ’97 MS, ’00 PharmD, is concluding his term as the 170th president of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA). He’s the sixth UI alumnus to hold this distinction. His dedication to transforming community pharmacy and advancing patient care is reflected in his leadership roles across professional organizations and in his work as co-owner of Towncrest Pharmacies, demonstrating a lasting commitment to the profession.
When you began your term as the 170th president of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), your theme was “Create Your Destiny.” Looking back, how do you feel you’ve advanced that vision?
I have always believed that pharmacists are the drug therapy experts of the health care team and that we should be recognized and paid for that expertise. That means not only challenging the system but disrupting antiquated payment models. I left my academic position at the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy, a position that I truly enjoyed, to prove that a community pharmacy implementing new and innovative services could thrive. This also meant creating new payment models including cash-based strategies. It has been twenty years since I left the College of Pharmacy and we have created a corporation of innovative practices that range from community pharmacies to a closed-door long term care practice, to a health-plan brokerage, to a cash-based practice focused on functional medicine, non-sterile compounding, and a consulting service. I hope that the work that my business partners and I have created inspires others to challenge and disrupt and to never settle but to continue to challenge the status quo. This is how one can create their destiny, by creating the kind of practice, a career, that they have always envisioned.
What accomplishments during your presidency are you most proud of?
Accomplishments during a presidential year are never the result of a single person’s journey, but rather a continuation of past boards and leaders. So, when I speak of accomplishments, I feel fortunate that I was given opportunities that happened to occur during my presidential year. This includes the opportunities to:
- testify at the Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on PBM reform
- represent APhA at the International Pharmaceutical Federation Annual held in Copenhagen this past year
- visit our Canadian colleagues three different times as a keynote, panel member, and participant of a strategic planning session
- have generative discussions with my board on how we can best promote and advocate for our profession
- meet with students and faculty at various Colleges/Schools of Pharmacy
- meet and learn from pharmacists from all practice settings
Being able to do all of this has truly been a highlight of my professional career.
Where do you think the profession still needs to push harder?
At this stage of my career, I am still surprised that we are fighting the same battles that I have been fighting throughout my career. That battle is pharmacists’ recognition as providers and receiving payment for services. I realize that we have made progress over the years, and the standards of care legislation should advance pharmacists as providers even more. Another area that I promoted during my presidential years and that I believe we need to push harder on is our role as the drug therapy expert. It concerns me that, in our country, we spend hundreds of billions of dollars on drug morbidity and mortality. In fact, we spend more on drug morbidity and mortality then we actual spend on prescription drugs. Pharmacists are the answer, but they need to practice at the top of their training and not be limited by workplace challenges, reimbursement issues, or lack of provider status.
What policy or legislative developments give you the most hope?
I really think standards of care legislation and scope expansion become the catalyst for provider status, payment parity, and recognition of pharmacists as accessible, highly trained, and educated health care professionals. Pharmacists can be a solution to a stressed health care system with a looming primary care provider shortage.
What skills or mindsets will be most important for new graduates entering pharmacy today?
There are more opportunities for pharmacists than there ever has been, but those opportunities will be evolving in an ever-changing health system alongside fast moving technological and Artificial Intelligence advances. I cannot tell you what practice will look like in the future, only to say that it will be a journey, and change will be your companion. So, it is important to embrace change, commit to lifelong learning, practice at the top of your training, and stay connected to your profession through local, state, and national association membership as a proud alumnus of your alma mater. I would not be where I am today without my education and training. My active participation provided me with a very strong foundation with connections, collaborations, and associations with colleagues.
How has your time at APhA reshaped your long-term professional goals? What’s next for you?
My time at APhA has not reshaped my long-term professional goals. In fact, it has strengthened my belief that it is the pharmacists in the trenches, providing care and service to patients that best exemplifies the value of our profession. I also recognize the value of our technicians in helping us evolve our profession. As their role evolves and expands, it allows the pharmacists’ role to evolve and expand too.
The desire to continue to challenge the status quo and create innovative practices is as strong in me as it has ever been. Therefore, I am looking forward to continuing to create my destiny. I love pharmacy and I hope all of you learn to love it as much as I do!