APhA celebrates American Pharmacists Month and 250 years of caring for America's communities

Honoring pharmacy's long-standing role in American health care and the more than 700,000 pharmacy professionals serving patients today.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- For 250 years, pharmacy professionals have been part of America's story.

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They have cared for generations of families, responded when their communities needed them, and evolved alongside the changing health needs of the nation.

Starting October 1, the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) is celebrating that legacy during American Pharmacists Month (APhM) and recognizing the more than 700,000 pharmacists and pharmacy professionals caring for communities across the country.

This year's theme, "Caring for Our Communities," reflects what has always been at the heart of pharmacy: being there for our neighbors. From administering vaccines and providing preventive care to helping patients manage chronic conditions and better understand their medications, pharmacy professionals play an important role in supporting better health. In communities both large and small and across health care settings nationwide, they are helping people live healthier lives every day.

APhA will mark the start of the month on October 1 with its annual APhM kickoff at the historic Institute of Pharmacy in Washington, DC. For the first time, the event will be livestreamed nationwide to APhA members, bringing pharmacy professionals and supporters across the country together to celebrate the start of APhM.

Celebrate American Pharmacists Month
Throughout October, APhA is inviting patients, communities, health care organizations, and pharmacy professionals to join the celebration.

Thank a pharmacy professional. Recognize a pharmacist, pharmacy technician, or student pharmacist who has made a difference for you or your community.

Share your story. Show what "Caring for Our Communities" means to you and join the conversation using #APhM2026.

Celebrate the profession. Wear your pharmacy pride, share APhM resources, and help your community better understand all the ways pharmacists support their patients.

A celebration more than 100 years in the making.
APhM has a history stretching back more than a century. National Pharmacy Week was first observed in 1925. This inaugural celebration included features in newspapers and radio stations across the country designed to share stories and educate the public about pharmacists' expertise and accessible care. In 2004, the celebration expanded to the entire month of October, and APhM has been observed every October since.

APhM also includes several important recognition days throughout October, including National Student Pharmacists Day on October 9, Women Pharmacist Day on October 12, and National Pharmacy Technician Day on October 20.

About the American Pharmacists Association
Founded in 1852, APhA is the only organization advancing the entire pharmacy profession. From its headquarters in Washington, DC, APhA leads the pharmacy profession by supporting pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians in their role optimizing medication use and patient health outcomes and ensuring patients have access to pharmacists' care. The association does this through strong and effective advocacy, top notch education, practice tools and resources, dissemination of evidence, and opportunities for members to engage and learn from each other. APhA is the pharmacy voice at the table in developing national guidelines, policies, and best practices that advance the profession and patient care. To learn more, visit www.pharmacist.com.

SOURCE American Pharmacists Association