Massachusetts Pharmacists Association

02/27/2026

Each year MPhA highlights individuals and organizations who have impacted the profession in Massachusetts. Our awards span the life pharmacists, as well as other members of the pharmacy team. Every pharmacy team has an individual that goes above and beyond and exhibits the highest level of ethics and patient care. It is those individuals who deserve the recognition of these highly regarded awards. Nominations are now open until April 21 for the following awards
Distinguished Young Pharmacists
Excellence in Innovation Award
Bowl of Hygeia
Pharmacy Industry Award
Nathan Goldberg Award
Technician of the Year
Award description and nominations can be found at https://masspharmacists.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=131603&module_id=478844

02/26/2026

Check out this month's Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy update. Advisory: Environmental Monitoring.
The edits align with the changes to Policy 2023-09: Action Level Environmental Monitoring Results
https://www.mass.gov/doc/environmental-monitoring-pdf/download

02/25/2026

Policies and procedures:
• Different policies for different types of emergencies.
• Clear and defined decision-making authority and communication protocols.
• Physical infrastructure:
• Backup power systems.
• Secure storage for medication, especially controlled substances.
• Cold chain maintenance.
• Physical security and access controls.
Human resources/pharmacy staff:
• Updated staff emergency contact information.
• Clear roles and responsibilities for emergencies.
• Cross training for essential functions.
• Personal emergency plans for staff.
• Communication trees and backup contacts.
• Psychological first aid awareness.
• Mental Health First Aid certification, if possible.
Technology and communications:
• Manual operating procedures in place.
• Patient record access contingencies.
• Communication systems and a satellite option.
• Contacts for state and local emergency management agencies; utility companies; transportation services; local health care providers; wholesalers and suppliers/vendors; state board of pharmacy; and NCPDP.
• Documentation systems/storage and backup servers.
• Full system backup of both Rx and POS systems.
• Pictures and/or videos of pharmacy before disaster.
Testing and training:
• Annual or semi-annual drills.
• Lessons learned documented.
• Risk assessment survey (identifies top three disasters that are likely to happen in one’s area).
Other considerations:
• Legal “cooperative agreement” with another pharmacy on an “in-case of emergency basis.”
• Good rapport with business neighbors.
• Storage sites for items in case of emergency.
• Insurance policy considerations.

02/24/2026

CALL FOR BOARD NOMINATIONS: DUE MONDAY
MARCH 9, 2026

Secretary

The Secretary serves a two-year term from July 2026 to June 2028.
The Secretary maintains records of the proceedings of the General Membership Meetings of the Association and the meetings of the Board of Directors and generally serves as the Officer to keep and record all the activities of the meetings of the Board of Directors and the Association, and may have other secretarial duties as delegated to that office from time to time by the Board of Directors.

Pharmacist Board of Director

The Pharmacist Board of Director position serves at three-year term from July 2026-June 2029. The Board of Directors shall be vested with full and complete power for implementation and authority to conduct, manage, contract and transact all the affairs and business of, for and in behalf of the Association and manage and conduct all the activities of the Association in fulfilling the purposes and directions of the Association. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to determine policy for the Association.

Please note you must be signed in as a member to submit a nomination. Members may self nominate. Questions? email info@masspharmacists.org

Newly elected board members will be installed at the 2026 Annual Spring Conference on April 14th.

The deadline to submit nominations is March 9, 2026. https://masspharmacists.org/content.aspx?page_id=1483&club_id=131603&item_id=3669&action=edit&ahfid=13445

02/23/2026

Learning Objectives:

After participating in this activity, Pharmacist learners should be able to:

Describe the pathophysiology of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)
Explain the rationale for targeting GLP-1receptor agonists such as semaglutide in the management of MASH
Give examples of current clinical evidence supporting semaglutide use in patients with MASH, including efficacy outcomes, limitations of available trials and ongoing research
Identify appropriate patients for semaglutide therapy in MAS, considering comorbid metabolic conditions, contraindications, and safety considerations
Summarize strategies to optimize semaglutide use in MASH management, including patient counseling and interprofessional collaboration
After participating in this activity, Pharmacy Technician learners should be able to:

Describe the condition known as metabolic dysfunction associated with steatohepatitis (MASH)
Paraphrase the management of MASH using GLP-1 receptor agonists
List current clinical evidence supporting semaglutide use in patients with MASH
State the rationale for choosing appropriate patients for the management of MASH


Fee Information: This activity is free for MPhA members and $10.00 Non-members

How To Earn Credit:

participate in the live webinar for the full 60 minutes
complete the evaluation and learning assessment directly after the activity or within a maximum within 60 days – no credit will be given for late submissions
provide your date of birth and NABP number for verification purposes
information will be uploaded into CPE monitor within 30 days

02/22/2026

Check out this month's Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy update. Policy 2023-09: Action Level Environmental Monitoring Results. Identification to the species level is required for any growth found in ISO-5 areas and ISO-7 buffer rooms, and any action level growth in any other ISO classified areas. https://www.mass.gov/doc/2023-09-action-level-environmental-monitoring-results-pdf/download

02/21/2026

02/20/2026

Boston Red Sox Pharmacy Appreciation Night. See details below:

02/18/2026

How to Communicate Medical Numbers. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2839303?guestAccessKey=03840ed9-55ed-4768-9a94-b454da6cf525&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social_jama&utm_term=18556264356&utm_campaign=article_alert&linkId=872778845

02/16/2026

MPhA was present on January 14, 2026, at the press conference where Governor Healey and her administration announced efforts to reduce the burden of prior authorization.

Pharmacists routinely experience the downstream impact of prior authorization delays at the pharmacy counter, where patients are often waiting for time-sensitive therapies.

MPhA supports initiatives that reduce unnecessary administrative barriers and help ensure patients can access critical treatments without avoidable delays, while maintaining safety and appropriate use.

We look forward to continued collaboration to improve access for patients across Massachusetts.

Why this matters to pharmacists: prior authorization delays often surface at the point of dispensing, placing pharmacists in the position of managing patient frustration, delays, and care coordination. Reducing unnecessary PA requirements helps pharmacists focus more on clinical care rather than administrative work.