February 2026

Welcome to the latest Buffalo Pharmacy Bulletin. We examine key issues in health care and how our academicians, practitioners and scientists drive progress, while also sharing updates from UB’s School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences to highlight the outstanding work of our community.

“The best way to ensure we can support and mentor our future pharmacists and research scientists is to make sure we are reviewing and discussing what is currently happening in the dynamic and ever-changing world we live in.”

Although university mission statements can be detailed and nuanced, at their core they always come back to two fundamental elements: cultivating people and improving society. Where these two elements intersect is where our work is most powerful. In the health sciences – including pharmacy – that intersection defines our purpose.

As an academic institution, our primary obligation is to prepare an educated, capable and compassionate workforce. In that context, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics jobs report for December 2025 offers useful perspective. National unemployment declined to 4.1%, and the health care sector once again led the nation in job growth. Over the year ending Dec. 31, 2025, health care accounted for one-third of overall job growth. It has been the largest employment sector in the United States for the past 15 years, and its share of job growth is expected to continue rising as an aging population requires increasing levels of care. The two employment categories expected to grow the most — “health care and social assistance” (8.4%) and “professional, scientific and technical services” (7.5%) — closely align with our school’s contributions to the workforce.

Our role in strengthening the health care workforce remains significant. Interest in pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy degree at UB is strong; our applicant pool continues to grow even as the total number of applicant accounts reported through the national PharmCAS system has declined. That contrast is an encouraging sign that our reputation and reach remain strong. Equally important, our 2025 PharmD graduates performed exceptionally well on their licensure examinations. Their success reflects not only their own dedication, but also the strength of their cohort and the quality of our academic program.

There are, of course, headwinds to navigate. Potential reductions in Medicaid funding could dampen growth in the health care job market. Changes in federal student loan programs could affect affordability and, if not thoughtfully addressed, exacerbate inequities in access – challenging our ability to cultivate a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. Similarly, possible reductions in federal support for health sciences research may affect longstanding academic funding models.

Even as the landscape shifts, the underlying need for institutions such as ours remains clear and compelling. The demand for highly skilled health care professionals and scientific innovators will not diminish. Our mission endures, and so does our commitment to preparing the next generation of health care leaders and advancing knowledge that improves society.

Musical coda: artist Andra Day performs “Rise Up.”

Williams advocates to expand pharmacists' scope of practice
Karl Williams, JD, MBA, BS '80, director of legislative advocacy and clinical professor of pharmacy practice, is working with New York lawmakers to expand pharmacists’ scope of practice and help address primary care gaps across the state. In a recent Q&A with UB, he reflects on his first year of advocacy at SPPS, the issues he’s most passionate about and the relaunch of the school’s Pharmacy Law Newsletter, for which he’ll serve as editor.

Fusco named fellow of Pediatric Pharmacy Association
Nicholas Fusco, PharmD, head of the Division of Education and Teaching Innovation and clinical professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice, has been named a 2026 Fellow of the Pediatric Pharmacy Association (PPA). Fellows of PPA are recognized for sustained excellence in pediatric pharmacy and for advancing the field through education and leadership. Fusco will be formally recognized by the association during the PPA Annual Meeting on April 12 in Arlington, VA.

“Diagnose Earlier, Treat Smarter” is focus of UB’s Rare Disease Day for providers, patients and community partners
UB will host its annual Rare Disease Day event tomorrow, Feb. 27, bringing together researchers, clinicians, students and advocates for a program dedicated to raising awareness of rare disease care. Co‑hosted by the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and SPPS, this free event features educational sessions, networking opportunities and poster presentations. Register to reserve your spot and join us.

UB PharmD Class of 2025 ranked No. 1 in NYS for licensure examination results

The PharmD Class of 2025 achieved a 96.3% first-time pass rate on the NAPLEX, marking a 10.2 percentage point increase from last year, and the strongest performance UB SPPS has achieved in recent years!

The class also earned an impressive 87.9% first-time pass rate on the MPJE. Their performance exceeded 2025 national averages by a wide margin across both licensure exams, 85.7% for the NAPLEX and 73.6% for the MPJE. 

These results place UB SPPS 12th nationally in NAPLEX pass rates and No. 1 in New York State on both the NAPLEX and MPJE.

We share with sadness the passing of two members of our community.

Ah-Ng Tony Kong, PhD ’89, passed away on Feb. 4, 2026. A Distinguished Professor and Glaxo Endowed Chair of Pharmaceutics at Rutgers University, Kong earned his PhD in pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics from UB and went on to a distinguished career in pharmaceutical sciences research and education. Read his obituary.

Lewis Amsel, PhD ’69, passed away in February 2026. One of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences' most senior graduate alumni, Amsel earned his PhD in the Levy lab and went on to a distinguished career in the pharmaceutical industry. Read his obituary.

Join the UB Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences community for this celebrated event dating back to 1980. Together we’ll gather for research talks and lectures, time to reconnect and social events around Buffalo. We’ll also honor the remarkable legacy of Dr. William Jusko. 

Calling all alumni from class years ending in 1 or 6! We're seeking volunteers to help shape an exciting SPPS Reunion 2026. Opportunities include planning class-specific events, reconnecting with classmates, contributing programming ideas or assisting with day-of coordination. Your involvement—big or small—makes a difference! Interested? Contact Sarah Sterzinger, associate director of alumni engagement, at sjsterzi@buffalo.edu to learn more and sign up.

SPPS alumni are invited to join the Dean's Alumni Ambassadors program and make a lasting impact on the next generation of pharmacists. Mentoring is flexible, rewarding and managed through UB's exclusive Connect-A-Bull platform, allowing you to choose a time commitment that fits your schedule.

Featuring our annual Lunchtime Continuing Education Series, presented by our SPPS postgraduate residents and fellows various dates throughout the spring semester. Each activity is accredited for 1 contact hour of continuing pharmacy education. Please note all activities will be administered through our new CE platform, CE21. You will be prompted to create a CE21 account when registering.

Join UB alumni experts from across the globe as they share professional insights and advice during Webinar Wednesdays. Engage in upcoming webinars along with past sessions.

Show your #UBTrueBlue spirit by sharing UB Pride photos, videos and stories!

Thank you for reading our February 2026 edition of the Buffalo Pharmacy Bulletin. Please stay in touch! Send us updates on your own personal and professional accomplishments by filling out our alumni update form or submitting your SPPS news, including recent research, publications and awards.

Regards,
Gary Pollack, PhD '84
Dean and Professor