The UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy’s student chapter of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) was recognized as a Top 3 Chapter of the Year at this year’s national convention on Oct. 30.
AMCP is a national professional society whose mission is to support pharmacists in managed care. Managed care is a sector of pharmacy that focuses on making healthcare interventions more affordable while optimizing all possible resources.
This is the most recent award out of several for a historically successful chapter. The group received Chapter of the Year in 2016 and took first place in the Pharmacy & Therapeutics national student competition in 2017 and 2018, where they evaluated whether healthcare plans should pay for certain drugs.
“It’s a great opportunity for students to get exposure to what managed care pharmacists do in the real world,” said PY3 Jefferson Pike, president of the UNC AMCP Chapter.
Chapel Hill’s chapter hosts about 40 events throughout the academic year to introduce Pharm.D. students to opportunities in managed care. This includes general body meetings that bring in leaders from the managed care sector, and sessions for PY1 students that provide an introduction to the field.
Pike said the chapter has been successful because of its leadership structure. As the president-elect, he benefitted from a year of training and mentorship from upperclassmen. AMCP also has a strong alumni network, with professionals in the Triangle area who can help students get research exposure.
He also said the organization tries to take a “big picture” approach to managed care and discover new, original event ideas.
“Everything we’ve ever done started as an idea from one of our student members,” he said.
Pike said the chapter is hoping to build on their existing success by planning an additional case competition, having more networking events and collaborating with other student chapters. He said he was excited about the chapter’s future and its growing alumni network.
“I’ve been very impressed with the abilities of the AMCP students to succeed,” said chapter faculty advisor Ben Urick, Pharm.D., Ph.D. “I’m excited about the future of managed care here at UNC.”