[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 16]
[House]
[Pages 22725-22726]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       AMERICAN PHARMACISTS MONTH

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee 
on Energy and Commerce be discharged from further consideration of the 
resolution (H. Res. 1437) expressing support for designation of the 
month of October as ``American Pharmacists Month'' and expressing the 
sense of the House of Representatives that all people in the United 
States should join in celebrating our Nation's pharmacists for their 
contributions to the health and well-being of our citizens, and ask for 
its immediate consideration in the House.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1437

       Whereas the United States is recognized globally as a hub 
     of medical research and advances, where many diseases once 
     correctly considered fatal now can be treated through 
     sophisticated medical interventions including powerful 
     medications;
       Whereas we are at an unprecedented period in our history, a 
     period when medication therapy is the treatment of choice for 
     an ever-growing range of medical conditions, and the use of 
     medication as a cost-effective alternative to more expensive 
     medical procedures is becoming a major force in moderating 
     overall health care costs;
       Whereas many chronic health conditions can be managed so 
     that individuals are able to lead more vital, productive, and 
     satisfying lives;
       Whereas with the complexity of medication therapy, it is 
     critically important that all users of prescription and 
     nonprescription

[[Page 22726]]

     medications, or their caregivers, be knowledgeable about and 
     share responsibility for their own medication therapy;
       Whereas more individuals are using powerful prescription 
     medications and over-the-counter (OTC) products along with 
     dietary supplements, herbals, and other products requiring 
     patients to have a partner on their health care team to help 
     navigate the complexities of using medications safely and 
     effectively;
       Whereas pharmacists, the medication experts on the health 
     care team, are working collaboratively with patients, 
     caregivers, and other health professionals to improve 
     medication use and advance patient care in a myriad of 
     settings;
       Whereas pharmacists are improving health care in community 
     pharmacies, hospitals and health systems, nursing homes and 
     hospice centers, health plans, and in patient's own homes, as 
     well as in the uniformed services, the government, and in 
     research and academic settings;
       Whereas while many people in the United States are 
     concerned about the costs of their medications, the most 
     expensive medication is the one that does not work as 
     intended or is taken incorrectly, and billions of health care 
     dollars are lost each year due to ineffective use of 
     medications;
       Whereas pharmacy is one of the oldest of the health 
     professions concerned with the health and well-being of all 
     people, and today, there are more than 254,000 licensed 
     pharmacists in the United States providing services to assure 
     the rational and safe use of all medications; and
       Whereas as medication therapy management improves the 
     health outcomes of millions of people in the United States 
     each year, the role of the pharmacist only strengthens in 
     importance, and by consulting with physicians and other 
     prescribers, providing proper medications, and helping 
     patients understand their medications, pharmacists improve 
     our health care system and save lives: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the designation of ``American Pharmacists 
     Month'' with the theme ``Know Your Medicine/Know Your 
     Pharmacist'', encouraging people in the United States to 
     identify a pharmacist as their own, to introduce themselves 
     to that pharmacist, and to open a dialogue by asking 
     questions;
       (2) urges all citizens to celebrate America's pharmacists 
     for their contributions to the health and well-being of our 
     citizens and hereby support the designation of ``American 
     Pharmacists Month''; and
       (3) urges all citizens to acknowledge the valuable 
     contributions made by pharmacists in providing safe, 
     affordable, and beneficial medication therapy management 
     services and products to the people of this Nation.

  The resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________