Ohio Northern University welcomed state Sen. David Burke to a National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) Legislative Reception on April 14.

More than 50 individuals attended this year’s event, including students; faculty; Dan DiBiasio, ONU president; Steven J. Martin, dean of the College of Pharmacy; and representatives from the Ohio Pharmacists Association (OPA).

During the reception, students spoke directly with Burke and executives from the OPA, asking questions and discussing their involvement in pharmacy legislation.

Burke, a 1990 ONU pharmacy graduate, represents the families and communities of Ohio’s 26th Senate District, which includes all of Union, Crawford, Marion, Morrow, Sandusky, Seneca and Wyandot counties. In 2008, he was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives and was re-elected in 2010. While in the House, Burke pushed for legislation – now law – that addresses the growing problem of prescription drug abuse in Ohio and helps keep synthetic drugs out of the hands of young Ohioans. As a member of the Ohio Senate, Burke puts his extensive knowledge and expertise of the health care industry to work as chairman of the Medicaid Committee. He also serves as a member of the Agriculture Committee, Finance Committee, Government Oversight and Reform Committee, Financial Institutions Committee, and Rules and Reference Committee.

The annual NCPA Legislative Reception gives students the opportunity to hear from political leaders about legislative issues that pertain to their future careers as pharmacists. Students involved in NCPA host this event to give fellow students the chance to learn more about or continue to promote pharmacy advocacy.