MPA established the Michigan Pharmacy Foundation (MPF) more than 30 years ago.

In 2018, MPF held a Royal Pharmacy Faire at MPA Headquarters. Be sure to visit the Foundation events page to find out the latest information on this year’s event.

During its early years, contributors (known as the Founder’s Club) donated a minimum $1,000 to help launch the Foundation. Since then, MPF has established grant funding for projects that advance the profession; supported the future of pharmacy through student pharmacist scholarships; and developed leadership programs that equip practitioners with the skills and resources they need to lead others and the profession. Over the last 30 years, the Foundation has awarded more than $275,000 in grant funding to help advance the profession and support projects that improve health outcomes. In addition, MPF has bestowed more than $110,000 in scholarships upon deserving student pharmacists since beginning the program in 2002.

In 2012, MPF developed the Leadership Academy, a six-month leadership program aimed at motivating and equipping a class of practitioners with the tools, resources and knowledge they need to lead others and the profession in the years ahead. With leadership being one of the Foundation’s key strategic priorities, MPF has continued to expand the Leadership Academy to include any healthcare professional as the need for interdisciplinary healthcare grows. This is just one example of how the Foundation has strived to strengthen pharmacy and motivate practitioners to carry the profession into a positive future. All members are encouraged to help the Foundation continue to develop valuable programs that enrich students and pharmacists, support quality health care and stimulate ideas that inspire professional growth.

Pharmacy PAC advocates for key issues important to the profession such as licensure of pharmacy technicians. Pictured is the bill signing for technician licensure on Oct. 1, 2014.

The Michigan Pharmacy Political Action Council (PAC), was created in 1968 as a voluntary, nonpartisan organization of pharmacy professionals who actively seek to promote good government and public health. Pharmacy PAC resulted from the consolidation of the Michigan Apothecaries Political Action Council (MA-PAC), a group of concerned pharmacists who banded together in an effort to share their knowledge of political activities, and Pharmacy Political Action (PPA), who completed a special campaign during 1973-74 to achieve specific objectives in the pharmacy profession.

As the profession has developed and faced new challenges, Pharmacy PAC has adapted to advocate for the relevant professional interests of pharmacy. Contributions to Pharmacy PAC allow our legislative team to attend important events and speak on behalf of pharmacy’s interests. We need to constantly stay active, keeping issues that are important to pharmacists on the minds of elected officials and establish relationships with legislators, especially those who are new to office. Contributions also support annual legislative events that encourage student pharmacists and pharmacy professionals to spend face-to-face time with legislators, educating them on important practice concerns, and that inform pharmacy professionals of legislative changes that impact their everyday actions. Pharmacy PAC supports pharmacy-friendly legislative candidates, advocates on behalf of the profession of pharmacy, and creates a united voice to help safeguard the everyday practice of pharmacy professionals.

MPA originally created Pharmacy Services Inc. (PSI) to meet the needs of independent pharmacies, assisting in the management of their practice locations, while remaining competitive in the marketplace. The creation of PSI enabled MPA to focus on what the Association, as a nonprofit organization, was structured to do, such as advance legislative initiatives and advocate for the profession; provide valuable, innovative continuing education programs; and promote professional ethics and practice standards.

PSI has invested in businesses to help support the profession and MPA. It began operating the PSI Insurance Agency in 1992 to provide competitive insurance products to pharmacies and pharmacy professionals. PSI created Well Street Care Management Network in 2007 to conduct pilot studies to prove the value of pharmacists’ involvement in medication therapy management (MTM) services before the term MTM was even understood as it is today.

PSI continues to strategically invest its resources to support community pharmacy and pharmacists in other areas of need. In 2016, PSI invested in Quantum Medical Concepts (QMC). Originally launched in 2014 by the Michigan State Medical Society, QMC is an investment fund providing capital for Michigan-based medical startup businesses developing innovative medical technologies. In addition to funding and support, QMC provides startups with access to both the Michigan State Medical Society’s and PSI/Michigan Pharmacists Association’s network of more than 15,000 physicians and pharmacists who provide invaluable insight through the early development phases of new medical devices and technologies. Learn more about Quantum Medical here.

Providing services and advancing community pharmacy practice in Michigan are at the core of PSI’s goals. PSI’s future direction is about enhancing your services and strengthening your business.

PSI Insurance Agency was formed to offer a full-range of competitive, cost-saving business and personal insurance products. PSI Insurance Agency started as a cooperative effort with one large Southfield insurance company but later expanded its affiliations to include many carriers while operating as an independent agency. The Agency has served the business and personal needs of MPA members, independent pharmacy owners and their employees. They offer a full line of personal insurance products, including home, auto, health, life, disability and professional liability. Business insurance products include worker’s compensation, property and casualty, commercial auto, professional liability, cyber liability and liquor liability.

Ron Devers, manager of PSI Insurance Agency, working with customers.

Since its inception, PSI Insurance Agency has specialized in pharmacy needs, but also expanded its client base, the type of coverage it offers and the number of companies that customers can chose from when selecting their insurance. The Agency team is committed to growth through acquisitions and mergers that will support customers’ expanding insurance needs as well as the daily challenge of helping clients protect their assets.