Our Mission:
The Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group is an international, nonprofit, professional association representing the interests of pediatric pharmacists and their patients. We are dedicated to improving medication therapy in children. Our sole purpose is to promote safe and effective medication use in children through communication, education, and research.
Our Vision:
The Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group will be the primary resource for effective drug therapy in children.
Our Core Values:
We believe:
- in the value of each member's experience and expertise
- in quality research, education, and training
- in the importance of contributing to the medical literature
- in increasing the awareness of the unique characteristics of children's healthcare issues related to medication use
- in the efficient and effective use of our resources
- in being open to new ideas
- in the benefits of collaboration
- that challenging experiences promote our growth
- in the benefits and merits of volunteerism
- in advocating for children and their families in all medication-related issues
- in the prevention of adverse drug events
The Association and Membership Profile:
The association has approximately 700 members and is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. The association is governed by a Board of Directors elected by the membership. Our members live and work in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Australia, Indonesia, and Malaysia, to name a few. Our members practice in free-standing children's hospitals or clinics, University teaching hospitals, adult hospitals with pediatrics services, or community pharmacies. Many of them practice in the sub-specialty areas of neonatology, oncology/hematology, critical care, intensive care, pulmonology, nutrition support or cardiology.
For more information about the pediatric pharmacy profession, click here.
General Aims:
Education
PPAG will advance the training and leadership skills that pediatric practitioners need for delivering safe and effective medications in children. The organization will educate patients and their families through selected activities about appropriate medication use.
Advocacy and Communication
PPAG will advance the awareness of optimal pediatric medication therapy with all health care professionals by coordinating an effective communication network. PPAG will enhance patient care by serving as an advocate for, and addressing the patient-specific needs of, the pediatric population.
Research
PPAG will promote the safe, effective and cost-effective use of medication in the pediatric population by encouraging and supporting innovative strategies and research in all areas of pediatric pharmacy practice.
Just a few ways we are accomplishing our goals...
1. Continuing Pharmacy Education. Two live conferences, a Specialty Conference in the Spring and an Annual Meeting in the fall, provide tremendous opportunities for members to advance their training and skills as pediatric pharmacists. We also offer online CE courses.
2.
PediNet Special Interest Groups and Forums. PediNet is a limited access listserv system (only members have access) which provides PPAG members access to email discussion groups. These forums allow members to share and access pediatric related drug information.
3.
The Journal of Pediatric Pharmacology and Therapeutics. The JPPT is a peer-reviewed clinical medical journal dedicated to the dissemination of information regarding the safe and effective use of medications in neonates, infants, children, and adolescents. By contributing to the medical literature the JPPT plays a vital role in advancing PPAG's advocacy as well as educational missions.
4.
Position statements. PPAG offers therapeutic position statements that respond to specific therapeutic issues. These statements are thorough, evidence-based recommendations of drug use. PPAG also offers position statements on public policy issues that are directed to health care professionals, public officials, and the general public.
5.
KidsMeds.info. PPAG offers a online information resource for parents and families. KidsMeds provides accurate information about medicine and medication use.
6.
Peer Recognition. PPAG offers various awards that recognize excellence in pediatric pharmacy practice and research.
7.
Funding Opportunities. PPAG offers small grant opportuntities for Post-doctoral trainees in neonatal pharmacy practice.
