Drug Topics - December 29, 2008 - (Page 3) STATE GOVERNMENT REGULATORY & LEGAL Q&A From pharmacy to politics Vickers is elected to Utah State Legislature Alaina Scott, Senior Editor Evan Vickers, RPh, did more than just complain about taxes that hurt his independent pharmacy. He ran for his state legislature so he could fight for change. Vickers, a Republican and board member / former board chairman of United Drugs, was recently elected to the Utah House of Representatives. This is not Vickers’ first venture into politics. He also served his city council for 12 years and acted as chairman of a downtown parking authority during his stint on the council. On a national level, Vickers lobbies Congress for improved healthcare. “I am very honored to be able to serve in the Utah House of Representatives,” Vickers said. “The election was certainly a humbling and rewarding experience. As I look back on my political background, I realize how many doors my profession has opened for me.” He continued, “I would not be where I am today if I had not choEvan Vickers, RPh sen to pursue a pharmacy education. I hope that I will not only be able to serve the people in Utah but also have the ability to further the profession of pharmacy.” A 1977 alumnus of the University of Utah’s College of Pharmacy, Vickers is the pharmacist/owner of Bulloch Drug and Township Professional Pharmacy in Cedar City, Utah. He is now entering his 13th year as an independent pharmacy owner. Drug Topics recently sat down with Vickers to find out more about his transition into the House of Representatives and how he feels about his new role. Q: Why did you change career paths from pharmacy to politics? A: I never viewed that as a drastic change. I felt like it was more of an extension of what I was doing. I’ve always said that my education and profession have opened a lot of doors. I’ve never seen them as very separate professions. I’ve just kind of meshed pharmacy and politics. When I first got involved in my city council, it was because of some zoning GETY IMAGES /DIGITAL VISION / VISIONS OF AMERICA / JOE SOHM / COURTESY OF EVAN VICKERS, RPh issues I didn’t like, and I was vocal about that. I started talking to the mayor and city council members. They put me on some committees. From that, I thought, "It would be a good step to run for city council." I just wanted to be involved. Q: What have you learned as a pharmacist that you plan to apply in your political career? A: Knowledge of healthcare, because in Utah, like any other state, that’s a major issue. There aren’t an awful lot of people in the legislature who know a great deal about healthcare. That background will help me on some of the W W W.D R U GTO P I C S .C O M D E C . 29, 2008 DRUG TOPICS 3 http://WWW.DRUGTOPICS.COM
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Drug Topics - December 29, 2008 Drug Topics - December 29, 2008 Evan Vickers is Elected to Utah State Legislature Drug Topics - December 29, 2008 Drug Topics - December 29, 2008 - Drug Topics - December 29, 2008 (Page Cover1) Drug Topics - December 29, 2008 - Drug Topics - December 29, 2008 (Page 2) Drug Topics - December 29, 2008 - Evan Vickers is Elected to Utah State Legislature (Page 3) Drug Topics - December 29, 2008 - Evan Vickers is Elected to Utah State Legislature (Page 4)
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