If you are like me, you have become disillusioned with the inability of pharmacy organizations and PACs to persuade the Michigan legislature to act in the interest of pharmacy and our own state economy.
Michigan State employees continue to receive their prescription medications from out-of-state mail order pharmacies. Our taxes pay for those prescriptions. Even more, it would be an economic boom to have Michigan pharmacies dispense those prescriptions to the Michigan State employees. You would be able to retain or hire new employees to process the flood of prescriptions. Your Michigan based pharmacy would pay taxes back into the system and this would create a cycle of self-perpetuating income.
There still is no law in the State of Michigan requiring mandatory lunch breaks for pharmacists who work incredibly long hours. There is ample empirical evidence to suggest that physically fatigued pharmacists are more likely to commit errors and this puts the public health at risk. This is a sufficient constitutional ground to enact such working condition legislation protection for pharmacists and the people of Michigan.
There are even more ideas I have that will advance pharmacists quality of life, prosperity, and to create more good jobs in Michigan.
As many of you are aware I have explored working within the MPA, forming a new pharmacy organization and other initiatives.
I am tired of waiting. We want change now. Do you realize that the only reason PACs ask for your money is simply to purchase time with our state legislators? That’s right, we are paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for a mere audience with people we elect that are supposed to serve the State’s interest and not their own. Yet, even as you write the check to the PAC, you know deep down inside, that the drug manufacturers and insurance companies and large employers write checks that dwarf your contribution into insignificance.
Does this mean we should quit the good fight? No, it means we have to do something different and effective. What is the plan?
My plan is to elect a Michigan Congressman who is incorruptible, highly intelligent with an excellent education and a thorough understanding of the issues holding back pharmacy and the economy in Michigan. A young man who recently graduated from the University of Michigan who majored in Political Science and minored in Philosophy and studied Arabic and German. A young man who as a child, read so many advanced books on the American Revolution, the Federalist Papers and our Constitutional system of government that he soon knew more than most college students about the principles of American Government. A young man who was taught by his father that the great strength of America is the strength of its middle class. His father taught him that the rich will always be able to protect themselves in any form of government but the middle class is always at risk.
It is with great pride that I introduce you to the man I hope will be the next Michigan Representative for the 81st District, my son Brent Pencak. If pharmacists help Brent Pencak, you will not need to pay PACs to voice your needs. Brent already knows. Brent needs to win the primary in August
With your help, Brent Pencak will be your state representative with the power to introduce the legislation we have dreamed of for decades.
- Christopher Pencak
I recently graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Political Science and I also studied courses in Philosophy, Arabic, and German. I was inspired to pursue public office because of my membership with a student-think tank, the Roosevelt Institution. We wrote and tried to implement our policy ideas, including hosting a regional conference addressing ways to reenergize the Midwest economy.
As the son of a pharmacist and lawyer, I recognize the unique challenges faced by pharmacists. Although I will be elected by members of my district, I will work to represent the interests of pharmacists across the state. As your representative, I will work as an advocate for the rights of pharmacists.
Some of the issues that I wish to focus on during my time in office:
Pharmacists, as professionals, should receive a mandatory, paid 30-minute minimum lunch break when working shifts of eight hours or longer. This policy will help ensure public safety through less fatigued and more focused pharmacists on the job. It will also increase retention rates, preventing mental and physical breakdown among overworked pharmacists.
Michigan state employees will be mandated to have their prescriptions filled in-state rather than through mail. To help ensure fair pricing, Michigan pharmacies will be allowed to price match out-of-state prices. This plan will keep businesses and employees in the state and result in more tax dollars staying in our state.
An embarrassing burden for pharmacists who have had their license sanctioned is having their name posted on a publicly viewable list on the Internet. This unnecessary shame should be resolved with a sunset provision requiring names be removed after 3 years.
I intend to work with the Board of Pharmacy to address these needs and future needs of pharmacists. For example, working with the Board, I want to encourage them to issue more declaratory rulings. A declaratory ruling is a binding decision to clarify issues. For example, many pharmacists invested in Internet pharmacies before knowing the legality. Wouldn’t it be great to receive judgments on legality before investing time and money? Increased cooperation between the Board and pharmacists can only help clarify rules and prevent future problems.
I recognize the needs of pharmacists not only as professionals, but as community leaders and economic anchors. In my Congressional district are many small towns and cities where often times the pharmacy is the economic center of town, serving the needs of the community year-round. Pharmacists still serve the traditional role as a respected community leader. Not only are consumers’ needs met, but pharmacies offer jobs for many in the community. The experience of working at a pharmacy encourages many to pursue a career in pharmacy.
Another focus of mine is protection of drinking water and the environment through mandated proper disposal of prescription drugs. Adverse affects on animals have been proven. Can adverse affects on humans be far behind? As the Great Lakes State, we have an increased reason for concern. Properly mandated disposal of prescription drugs can prevent further contamination of water.
Michigan’s primary will be on August 5, 2008 and the general election is November 4, 2008. Here is a link to the Michigan Voter Information Center with voter registration information.
I know that you might think that you cannot help or benefit from my campaign because you are not in my district. However, if I am elected, I will be representing the State of Michigan and will introduce bills to improve the entire state. Remember to spread the word to friends, other pharmacists, and pharmacist groups. This is the opportunity to create change for the entire state.
I will be grateful for any contribution that you can make for my campaign. Please make checks out to the “Committee to Elect Brent Pencak”. My address is:
PO Box 515
Richmond, MI 48062
If you are interested in volunteering for the campaign, please email me at the address below.
