About 65 College of Pharmacy students attended the Nebraska Pharmacists Association (NPA) Legislative Day last month at the Nebraska Capitol, where they provided free blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol, and bone density screening opportunities for state senators and their staffs while learning specifics about legislation that could affect the practice of pharmacy.
“The students provided the screenings for senators and their staffers in the morning, right in the rotunda,” said Charles Krobot, Pharm.D., associate dean for academic affairs in the college. “A number of senators and staffers came by. I think it was very beneficial to let the senators know what the pharmacy students and pharmacists can do.”
Dr. Krobot said the students provided the health care screenings for senators and their staffs, beginning at 8 a.m. Joined by about 30 Creighton pharmacy students, the UNMC students also observed Legislative floor debate, including some involving famed orator Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha. The students also were briefed on the Legislative issues, so that they could visit with senators whom they met in the rotunda.
NPA has several bills that it is following closely this session, Dr. Krobot said, including a few that have been given “priority bill” status by their sponsors. Priority bills are debated on the legislative floor before non-priority bills.