Eleven Ohio Northern pharmacy students attended the 2012 National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) Conference on National Legislation and Government Affairs in Washington, D.C., from May 7-10.

The ONU students met with key members of the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as government officials and political insiders, to share their views on targeted community pharmacy issues. The ONU contingent visited with both of Ohio's senators, Sherrod Brown and Ron Portman, to discuss proposed pharmacy legislation. Students also were able to meet individually with their congressional representatives or staff.

ONU students attending the conference were Lauren Anderson, a fifth-year pharmacy major from Monroe, Mich.; Bethany Cuiksa, a fourth-year pharmacy major from Terre Haute; Ryan Finke, a fourth-year pharmacy major from Springfield, Ohio; Meagan Mobley, a fifth-year pharmacy major from Franklin, Ohio; Benjamin Brocious, a fifth-year pharmacy major from Vandalia; Katie Westgerdes, a fifth-year pharmacy major from Coldwater, Ohio; Christina Loritz, a fifth-year pharmacy major from Pittsburgh; Jessica Davis, a fifth-year pharmacy major from Somerset, Ohio; Kelly Pottkotter, a fifth-year pharmacy major from Coldwater, Ohio; Mark Nessler, a fifth-year pharmacy major from Grove City, Ohio; and Marcella Economos, a fifth-year pharmacy major from Warren, Ohio. Deirdre Myers, R.Ph., pharmacy instructor at ONU, served as the group’s faculty advisor.

The NCPA represents the pharmacist owners, managers and employees of more than 23,000 independent community pharmacies across the United States. The nation’s independent pharmacies, independent pharmacy franchises and independent chains dispense nearly half of the nation’s retail prescription medicines.

The nation’s independent pharmacists are small business entrepreneurs and multifaceted health care providers who represent a vital part of the United States’ health care delivery system. They have roots in America’s communities. They are community leaders actively involved in community-oriented public health, civic and volunteer projects. Many hold local elective offices; others serve as state legislators.