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CPOM Certification Program
Module 20: Health Equity, Ethics & Social Responsibility in Pharmacy Operations
Beyond the Balance Sheet: Leading with Purpose and Building a Just System of Care.
From Clinical Efficacy to Community Equity
Throughout your career and this program, you have mastered the complex domains of clinical excellence, operational efficiency, and financial stewardship. You can design a service that is safe, effective, and profitable. These are the traditional pillars of a successful pharmacy enterprise.
This final core module challenges you to look beyond these pillars and build a more profound foundation for your leadership: one grounded in ethics, equity, and social responsibility. To be a true executive leader in modern healthcare, it is no longer sufficient to ask, “Is this service clinically sound and financially viable?” You must also ask, “Is this service just? Is it equitable? Does it recognize and actively dismantle the systemic barriers that prevent so many of our patients from achieving optimal health?”
This module is designed to provide you with the language and frameworks to lead with a conscience. We will move from the abstract concept of “doing good” to the practical work of building equitable systems. You will learn to see your operations through the lens of the most vulnerable, to identify and measure health disparities, and to design interventions that promote access, not just for some, but for all. By mastering this material, you will be equipped not just to run a successful department, but to lead a socially responsible organization that serves as a true pillar of its community’s health and well-being.
Your Guide to Leading with Purpose
This module will equip you with the strategic frameworks to embed equity and ethical considerations into the core of your operational strategy.
20.1 Understanding Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)
A deep dive into the non-medical factors—like housing, transportation, and economic stability—that have a profound impact on patient outcomes, and how to identify these barriers within your own patient population.
20.2 Addressing Health Disparities Through Pharmacy Access Models
An exploration of practical, pharmacy-led initiatives designed to close care gaps, such as implementing 340B pricing for uninsured patients, creating medication assistance programs, and designing services for underserved communities.
20.3 Ethical Leadership and Decision-Making Frameworks
A masterclass in navigating the “gray areas” of leadership. We will cover formal ethical frameworks to guide difficult decisions, such as resource allocation during drug shortages or managing conflicts of interest.
20.4 Community Engagement, Outreach, and Philanthropic Programs
A guide to extending the pharmacy’s mission beyond the hospital walls by partnering with local health departments, non-profits, and community organizations to improve public health.
20.5 Measuring and Sustaining Equity and Ethical Impact
An exploration of how to develop KPIs and dashboards that specifically measure your impact on health disparities, and how to build a sustainable culture of social responsibility within your team.
