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Paul L. Jeffrey, PharmD |
Paul L. Jeffrey, PharmD, a pharmacy director in UMass Medical School’s Commonwealth Medicine division, is the 2015 recipient of the Massachusetts Pharmacists Association (MPhA) Bowl of Hygeia Award.
The award will be presented to Dr. Jeffrey, clinical associate professor of Family Medicine and Community Health, Sept. 24 during the MPhA Installation and Awards Banquet, in conjunction with the New England Pharmacists Convention at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
According to the American Pharmacists Association, the Bowl of Hygeia Award, which was established in 1958, “recognizes pharmacists who possess outstanding records of civic leadership in their communities and encourages pharmacists to take active roles in their communities.” State pharmacy associations present the award annually.
In August, Gov. Charlie Baker named Jeffrey to serve on the Massachusetts Opioid Drug Formulary Commission. The panel is charged with assessing the safety of prescription pain medications in an effort to stop the opioid abuse and overdose epidemic.
The commission, established under Massachusetts law in 2014, will evaluate the most powerful opioids for four components: accessibility, cost, effectiveness and manufacturing properties that prevent the medication from easily being abused.
Jeffrey, a pharmacy director in the Office of Clinical Affairs within the Center for Health Policy and Research, is known nationally for his writing, presentations and education sessions focusing on the opioid epidemic. He was a member of Gov. Deval Patrick’s Opiate Emergency Task Force and is chair of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy’s Professional Practice Committee.
In his position at UMass Medical School, Jeffrey also serves as director of pharmacy for MassHealth, the state’s Medicaid program. He provides clinical support to MassHealth and has introduced innovative programs on opioids and pain management, in addition to behavioral and mental health.
