Morris & Dickson celebrates October’s American Pharmacists Month

Morris & Dickson, the nation’s largest independent full-line pharmaceutical distributor, celebrates the history of pharmacy in our country by observing American Pharmacists Month.

American Pharmacists Month is observed throughout the month of October. It is a celebration of the invaluable work done by pharmacists and the vital role that they play in our society. The annual event was founded in 2004 by the APhA — now the American Pharmacists Association.

The American Pharmacists Association was formed in 1852 as a professional organization for American pharmacists. With over 62,000 current members, APhA is still an active organization raising awareness about and advocating for pharmacists all over the nation.

Pharmacists have long been considered one of the most trusted and accessible healthcare professionals. In fact, nearly 90% of the U.S. population lives within five miles of a pharmacy. The Commonwealth Fund states there are 60,000 retail pharmacies in the U.S. and 88,000 total pharmacies. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are currently 312,250 pharmacists in the U.S.

“Morris & Dickson proudly celebrates American Pharmacists Month,” said Jody Hatcher, Chief Executive Officer at Morris & Dickson. “It is our pleasure serving thousands of pharmacists and supporting the important work they do in their local communities.”

In addition to the American Pharmacists Month with 30 days of celebration, there are several particular days in October that make this month extra special for the pharmaceutical industry.

• National Women Pharmacist Day (WPD) is observed annually on October 12. It is an annual celebration of all women in pharmacy, including technicians, pharmacists, and students, who are committed to advancing the practice and improving patient outcomes. The 12th day of the month was selected in honor of the legendary first female pharmacist in the United States, Elizabeth Gooking Greenleaf, who had 12 children and is an inspiring role model for thousands of women who dream of becoming a pharmacist. WPD was started in 2018 by the Pharmacist Moms Group.
• National Pharmacy Week, October 16 – 22, acknowledges the invaluable contributions pharmacists and technicians make to patient care in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and other healthcare settings. The first “National Pharmaceutical Week” was proposed at the annual APhA meeting in 1924 by Robert J. Ruth, a pharmacist from North Carolina.
• National Pharmacy Technician Day is October 18 and recognizes the invaluable contributions made by pharmacy technicians to patient health, safety, and as an integral part of the healthcare team. It was first celebrated in 1991 after being organized by the American Association of Pharmacy Technicians (AAPT).

Morris & Dickson began as a small-town family pharmacy in Shreveport, Louisiana, back in 1841. Those pharmacy and family roots continue to guide Louisiana’s second-oldest operating business and a major national player in the pharmaceutical industry.

With over 30,000 SKUs, Morris & Dickson’s singular focus is the reliable, next-day delivery of drugs and related products to health systems, independent pharmacies, specialty pharmacies, and alternative care facilities across 19 states (and counting).

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