Mission: One of the greatest values of membership is the life-long relationships that are made and maintained through APhA-ASP involvement.

The American Pharmacists Association – Academy of Student Pharmacists(APhA-ASP) is the world’s largest pharmacy student organization, with around 20,000 members. The University of Iowa chapter consists of about 400 students from all class years, including pre-pharmacy students. If you are interested in joining our chapter, please contact the Membership Vice-President, found on the Officers page.  APhA-ASP is part of APhA, which includes pharmacist members from ALL specialties within the profession (community, hospital, research, nuclear, etc.). As a result, membership in APhA-ASP allows one to network with fellow students from every class year and pharmacists in many practice areas, nationwide.

Activities: APhA-ASP is primarily a professional organization, dedicated to advancing pharmacy and providing community service, while furthering the careers of its members. A regional meeting in the fall a national meeting in the spring provide a forum for putting forth legislative policies relating to pharmacy, as well as numerous educational, social, networking, and career development sessions. Our chapter’s community service activities include Operation Immunization (vaccine education and flu shot clinics), Operation Diabetes (blood glucose screenings and diabetes awareness), Heartburn Awareness (education about acid reflux), health fairs offering bone density screenings, blood drives, Katy’s Kids (a poison-prevention program for elementary school children), and volunteering with other community events. Fundraising activities include sweatshirt sales, a faculty silent auction, and others that vary by year. Professionalism Nights with speakers, Iowa Pharmacy Association (IPA) events, the Patient Counseling Contest, and social events are some of our other activities. Leadership opportunities abound, from project coordinator, committee chairperson, chapter officer, regional officer, to national committee member.

Benefits: Besides numerous opportunities for professional development, APhA-ASP members enjoy:

• discounts on textbooks through the APhA Bookstore and www.pharmacist.com;
• access to members-only sections of organization websites;
• subscriptions to three pharmacy publications included with dues (Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, Pharmacy Today, and Student Pharmacist);
• discounted and/or reimbursed meeting attendance ( various state, regional and national meetings);
• the opportunity to apply for APhA-ASP scholarships, specialized internships and extern ships, and study abroad;
• discounted iummunization on training
• and free professional liability insurance and survival kit for the P4 year.

Dues: $50.00, which includes national APhA-ASP dues, chapter dues, and IPSF (International Pharmaceutical Student Federation) membership.

Websites for more information:
http://www.aphanet.org/students/
http://www.aphanet.org/
http://www.pharmacist.com/