New ASHP committee explores issues women face in pharmacy industry

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) has created a group of female industry leaders, which it named the Women in Pharmacy Leadership Steering Committee, to research and discuss the challenges and other issues women who work in the pharmacy field face regularly.

The group recently held its first meeting in Bethesda, Maryland, at ASHP's headquarters.

“Gender shifts and generational changes have the potential to positively impact the profession,” Sara White, a past president of ASHP and chairwoman of the steering committee, said. “The ongoing need to cultivate a new generation of leaders at every level — clinical, administrative, academic pharmacy and more — calls for a candid and thorough assessment of the diverse needs and opportunities for the development of women in the workforce.”

It is estimated that 60 percent of all practicing pharmacists in the U.S. are women. Research shows that women in the field are not achieving senior leadership positions in proportion with the profession’s demographics.

"ASHP is very pleased to be taking a lead role in addressing this important issue in health care and society at large,” ASHP CEO Paul Abramowitz said. “We are confident that the expertise and insights of the exceptional individuals on the Women in Pharmacy Steering Committee, along with feedback from all ASHP members, will result in a series of actionable recommendations ASHP can take to help influence and make positive changes that will ultimately improve patient care and advance pharmacy practice.”