On Feb. 17, a group of 25 student pharmacists traveled to Columbus with a shared purpose: to ensure the voice of pharmacy is heard where it matters most.
At the 2026 Ohio Pharmacists Association (OPA) Student Legislative Day, NEOMED students joined peers from Ohio’s seven colleges of pharmacy for a day dedicated to advocacy, education and leadership.
From there, students stepped into the Statehouse for small-group meetings with members of the Ohio House of Representatives and their staff. For Sebastian Bova, a second-year pharmacy student, it was a first experience (and a transformative one) advocating in a professional legislative setting.
Being part of the conversation
Meeting with Rep. Dani Isaacsohn (District 24) and Rep. Jack Daniel (District 32), the conversation centered on several key pharmacy-related bills, including Senate Bills 230, 210 and 198, as well as House Bills 629, 276, 229 and 192. These proposed measures address critical issues such as expanding pharmacist “test and treat” authority for common respiratory viruses, protecting 340B providers from restrictive reimbursement practices, regulating pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), and broadening pharmacist prescribing authority.
Of particular importance was Senate Bill 230, which would grant pharmacists expanded authority to test and treat for certain respiratory illnesses — a step that could significantly improve patient access to timely care. Through respectful, informed dialogue grounded in both evidence and personal perspective, students shared why this legislation matters not only to the profession, but to the communities they will one day serve.
“The impact I was making was felt immediately,” Bova reflected. “Facts, opinions and stories were exchanged in meaningful ways. It was powerful to be part of those conversations.”
Photo: Sebastian Bova (center) with classmates.
The experience underscored that pharmacy education extends far beyond the classroom. While NEOMED’s rigorous academic curriculum provides the foundation, opportunities like Legislative Day bring learning to life. Conferences, advocacy initiatives, interprofessional collaboration and service experiences challenge students to step outside their comfort zones and, as a result, grow as leaders.
These moments of engagement help students connect classroom knowledge to the real-world. They strengthen communication skills, build professional confidence and reinforce a commitment to advancing patient care.
For Bova, Legislative Day marked only the beginning.
“Advocacy is a calling — both now and throughout our careers,” he shared. “Even as students, we have a responsibility to shape the future of pharmacy. It’s up to us to answer that call and make it meaningful.”