A Chat with Dr. Law: Ohio State’s Leadership in MS HSPAL

Dr. Anandi Law, President of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), spoke to Ohio State Online about the importance of advocacy, her definition of leadership and how the online MS HSPAL excels at shaping the next generation of clinical pharmacy leaders. 

Between drug shortages, “pharmacy deserts” and a whirlwind of new legislation, pharmacists – in the lab, behind the counter, and at the bedside – face a variety of challenges specific to their field. In this ever-changing landscape, Ohio State alumna and AACP President Dr. Anandi Law addressed current pharmacy students about how their energy and ideas are needed to advance the profession. 

Dr. Law also spoke with Ohio State Online, describing what she sees as the most critical qualities for today’s pharmacy administration graduates – and how Ohio State’s Master of Health-System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership (MS HSPAL) builds future pharmacy leaders. 

Defining leadership in the pharmacy profession

Leadership, a key component of the MS HSPAL curriculum, means something specific for the field of pharmacy. As Dr. Law says, it’s not just about motivating a team or climbing the ranks: A true clinical pharmacy leader is adaptable, resilient, and accountable. 

“To me, leadership is knowing the way, showing the way, and going the way,” she explains. “It’s about doing your job every day with integrity and positivity.” 

During her PhD in Pharmacy Administration at Ohio State, Dr. Law saw firsthand the benefits of working with a leader and mentor who challenged their teams, while facilitating an inclusive environment. Her PhD advisor, Professor Dev Pathak, was instrumental in shaping how she thinks about leadership in the pharmacy profession, even now. 

“He gave me such an important perspective on how to mentor my fellows and my students that I still use today,” She said. “I’m challenging them to do their best and giving them autonomy, but making sure they have my full support as they do it.” 

Advancing the field through professional advocacy

Well aware of the challenges facing pharmacy leaders in the field, Dr. Law was inspired to visit campuses throughout her AACP presidency to encourage students to deeply engage in the profession and share their ideas for change.  

“We are facing all kinds of challenges, and if we are not engaged, those challenges are going to become much bigger,” she explained. “Students have energy, they have creativity, and they have ideas. We have bright minds who can bring resolutions.” 

In Dr. Law’s view, the most important thing a pharmacist can be is an advocate, not just for their patients, but for the profession as a whole. Moving the profession forward means increasing public trust and building the reputation of pharmacists as key members of health systems and communities. 

“One good pharmacist is one good pharmacist, but one bad pharmacist becomes the whole profession. That’s how word of mouth works, right?” Dr. Law said. “It’s ABCs: the advocacy, the branding, and the communication that defines how we are going to be perceived and the opportunities we’ll get to help society better.”

Cultivating leadership skills in pharmacy administration

So, how are professional advocates and clinical leaders forged? For Dr. Law, leadership skills are built over time – the best leaders aren’t necessarily born leaders. 

“We sometimes assume that leadership will rise. And that’s not untrue, but I think, given the times we are in, given the challenges we have, sometimes it’s also true that people hold themselves back,” she explained. 

That’s where the Master of Health-System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership comes in. With courses in pharmacy management principles, plus hands-on training in leading the pharmacy enterprise, students gain the skills to become leaders and mentors. These pharmacy master’s degree students develop self-awareness and accountability, holding themselves and their colleagues to high standards.  

“Ohio State’s program is very intentional about leadership,” Dr. Law said. “They’re not just waiting for leaders to rise, they’re intentionally building that leadership in students within this program and helping them rise,” Dr, Law said. 

This program of study instills a pride in the profession and a pride for leading teams, Dr. Law said, and elevates pharmacy administration students to the peak of their competence and ability. In short, the MS HSPAL is not just another master’s degree for pharmacists, it’s a deliberately designed leadership training program – specifically for health-system pharmacists.  

For decades, Ohio State has led the way in Health-System Pharmacy Administration training, and the outcomes speak for themselves. Dr. Law pointed to MS HSPAL graduate, former American Pharmacists Association president, and 2025 Latiolais Leadership Award recipient Dr. Alex Varkey as just one example. Students in this pharmacy master’s degree will join a long line of pharmacy administration leaders, many of whom are current directors of pharmacy at health systems across the country.