California Pharmacists Association

08/16/2025

📣 CPhA Member Spotlight: George Makhlouf

George Makhlouf, a P3 at Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy, discovered his passion for pharmacy after witnessing how a pharmacist’s intervention positively impacted the health of his loved ones. Inspired by their knowledge and compassion, George strives to bring the same dedication to his future practice.

As a member of the CPhA-ASP Board of Directors, he is committed to helping student pharmacists recognize the value of CPhA and encouraging them to get involved in shaping the future of pharmacy through advocacy and legislation.

When he’s not studying or serving on the Board, George enjoys working out, hiking, and discovering new restaurants.

💬 “I joined CPhA to help advance the profession and support pharmacists in practicing at the top of their license.”

This Membership Month, join CPhA and connect with leaders like George who are shaping the future of pharmacy.

👉 https://cpha.com/cpha-connect-on-the-rise-george-makhlouf

08/15/2025

Why Step Into Leadership with CPhA?

Your voice matters—and the profession needs leaders ready to act.

By submitting your Desire to Serve, you’ll:
✔ Shape the future of pharmacy in California
✔ Advocate for policies that strengthen our profession
✔ Build meaningful connections with leaders statewide
✔ Make a lasting impact for patients and communities

📅 Apply by August 31, 2025
🗳️Elections launch October 1, 2025

Take your place at the table ➡️ https://cpha.com/desire-to-serve-elected-positions-form/

08/11/2025

🖍✨ Just in time for back-to-school and cold & flu season!

The Komoto Family Foundation is excited to share a brand-new resource for families: Why Do I Need Shots? — a coloring book + patient vaccine info sheet created with illustrator Matthew Manos, the California Pharmacists Association, the California Chronic Care Coalition, and the California Department of Public Health.

These resources address common vaccination questions from children and their caregivers — and they’re available in English, Spanish, Korean, Tagalog, and Punjabi, with more languages coming soon.

📖 Download here: https://cpha.com/why-do-i-need-shots/
Together, let’s help our community stay healthy!

Free Coloring Book & Vaccine Guide for Families Just in time for back-to-school and cold & flu season, the Komoto Family Foundation — in partnership with illustrator Matthew Manos, the California Pharmacists Association, the California Chronic Care Coalition, and the California Department of Publi...

08/11/2025

📣 CPhA Member Spotlight: Dr. Paul Huynh

Why join CPhA?
💬 “To unite pharmacy as one profession and represent pharmacists from all practice settings as ‘one.’”
💬 “CPhA gives pharmacists a sense of belonging and empowers us to make meaningful impact.”
💬 “Pharmacists succeed when the profession succeeds. Together we thrive through changes, adaptation, and collaboration.”

With over 25 years of experience in pharmacy, Dr. Paul Huynh has dedicated his career to mentoring, teaching, and leading the profession. He serves on the CPhA Education Advisory Committee and multiple academic councils at KGI, Western University of Health Sciences, and UC Irvine.

Recently, Paul collaborated with Walgreens and local student leaders to sponsor the 15th Annual SoCal Pre-Pharmacy School Symposium at the University of California, Riverside. The event attracted more than 100 aspiring pharmacy students, and thanks to Paul’s efforts, funding was provided for a full-sized bus to transport over 30 students from the University of Southern California to attend this inspiring day.

This Membership Month, join CPhA and connect with leaders like Paul who are shaping the future of pharmacy. Be part of a united profession that grows stronger through collaboration and advocacy.

👉 Read Paul’s full spotlight and learn more about membership here: https://cpha.com/cpha-connect-spotlight-on-celebrating-cpha-local-leaders-paul-huynh

08/08/2025

🎉 August is Membership Month!
Rep your CPhA style with our official merch: 🎒 Backpack, 🧢 Cap, 👕 Polo, and 💧 Stainless Steel Bottle — modeled by CPhA Member Dr. Akash Patel.

Members get exclusive pricing, one of the many perks of being part of California’s pharmacy community. Shop now and show your support for the profession.

🛍 Shop here: https://pharm.cpha.com/commerce/store

08/06/2025

💥 Membership Month is here!
CPhA President Dr. Kevin Komoto is calling on YOU to help grow the voice of pharmacy in California.

💬 Here’s his 2-part challenge:
1️⃣ Invite a friend or colleague who’s never been part of CPhA�2️⃣ Reach out to a past member and bring them back into the community

Let’s build a stronger profession together.�
🎥 Watch Dr. Komoto’s message and get involved today:�👉 cpha.com/membership

08/04/2025

💊 “We can’t make it much longer.”

In this powerful Community Voices piece, CPhA President and independent pharmacy owner Dr. Kevin Komoto shares how PBMs are driving pharmacy closures across California — and what needs to change.

From rural towns to urban neighborhoods, pharmacies are disappearing — and patients are suffering.

📖 Read the full op-ed in The Bakersfield Californian:
🔗 https://www.bakersfield.com/opinion/community-voices/community-voices-how-pbms-are-causing-pharmacy-deserts-from-an-independent-pharmacists-perspective/article_2c29153a-8047-42f0-aa80-2b435f69382c.html

I didn’t become a pharmacist to fight corporate middlemen. I became a pharmacist to care for my community.

08/04/2025

🛑 “We’re now at a crisis point,” said CPhA CEO Susan Bonilla in a Sacramento Bee article on the closure of Ten Acres Pharmacy.
Dr. Sonya Frausto’s story is not an isolated case—independent pharmacies across California are being forced to shut down due to predatory PBM practices.

CPhA has been actively fighting for PBM reform and supporting pharmacy professionals long before this moment. Dr. Frausto’s experience has helped bring statewide attention to this growing crisis.

Read the full article:
🔗 https://www.sacbee.com/news/business/article311492002.html

Advocates point to the impending closure of a Land Park pharmacy as evidence that the state must pass new legislation around PBMs.

08/01/2025

🎉 The August Membership Drive has officially LAUNCHED!
� And yes… our new Membership Manager Gio may or may not have attempted to pole vault through the CPhA office 🏅😆

🏆 We’re Going for Gold, Are You In?�
Join or renew your CPhA membership this August and unlock:� ✅ FREE CE & exclusive perks� ✅ Priority access to upcoming events� ✅ Professional support & member-only tools� ✅ Advocacy that protects your profession
💥 Let’s break records — together.�
🔗 www.cpha.com/membership�

07/29/2025

📢 August and September are packed with opportunities for California pharmacists to level up!Whether you’re looking to stay ahead on policy, expand your clinical expertise, get certified to immunize, or lead the future of pharmacy, CPhA has something for you.💻 Virtual sessions�💉 Hands-on training�🌟 Leadership opportunities�🏆 Awards to celebrate our profession📲 Follow the link in our bio or visit cpha.com to register, submit, and get involved today.

07/28/2025

We invite you to join us on Thursday, August 7th for an engaging and informative non-CE one-hour session, “Moderna’s Recently Approved mNEXSPIKE® (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA)” presented by nationally recognized immunization expert Dr. Jeff Goad.

This complimentary live webinar will introduce Moderna’s newly approved COVID-19 vaccine, mNEXSPIKE®, and provide insights into its clinical application, safety, and efficacy—just in time for the upcoming immunization season.

Register Here: https://cpha.com/event/webinar-introducing-modernas-recently-approved-mnexspike-covid-19-vaccine-mrna/

Webinar Details:
📅 Date: August 7, 2025
⏰ Time: 6:00 – 7:00 PM PST
📍 Location: Virtual (Zoom)