H.Res. 1555House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Supporting the designation of September 20, 2026, as "Pharmacy Workforce Suicide Awareness Day" to raise awareness of, and promote a national discussion about, pharmacy workforce suicide and to reduce the stigma of mental health conditions, and for other purposes.

Sponsored by Paul TonkoRep. Paul Tonko (D-NY)
Introduced September 16, 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated September 18, 2026 at 5:25 AM UTC

The resolution asks that September 20, 2026 be recognized as Pharmacy Workforce Suicide Awareness Day. It aims to bring national attention to the high rates of burnout, mental‑health challenges, and suicide risk among pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy students, and to reduce the stigma around seeking help.

Key Provisions

  • Supports the creation of a day of reflection to honor pharmacy workers who have died by suicide.
  • Calls for public awareness and education activities on that day to highlight the mental‑health crisis in the pharmacy workforce.
  • Urges more research into the causes of pharmacy‑related suicide, barriers to treatment, and ways to prevent burnout.
  • Encourages the President to issue a proclamation asking Americans to observe the day with appropriate activities.

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

September 16, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Submitted in House

September 16, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

September 16, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued September 16, 2026

IV

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. RES. 1555

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 16, 2026

Mr. Tonko (for himself, Mrs. Kiggans of Virginia, Ms. Stevens, Mr. Carter of Georgia, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, Mrs. Harshbarger, Mr. Moulton, and Mr. Bacon) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

RESOLUTION

Supporting the designation of September 20, 2026, as Pharmacy Workforce Suicide Awareness Day to raise awareness of, and promote a national discussion about, pharmacy workforce suicide and to reduce the stigma of mental health conditions, and for other purposes.

Whereas pharmacists and pharmacy technicians (the pharmacy workforce) work under significant workload demands and are exposed to trauma on the job, which increases the risk of suicide;

Whereas 7 out of 10 pharmacy workforce members report experiencing moderate to high levels of occupational burnout;

Whereas 33 percent of the pharmacy workforce is experiencing significant levels of distress leading to depression, anxiety, stress, and fatigue;

Whereas 27 percent of pharmacists report symptoms of anxiety;

Whereas 73 percent of pharmacists report their workload as high or excessively high;

Whereas 25 percent of pharmacists report experiencing harassment or being threatened or bullied in the past 12 months;

Whereas 60 percent of pharmacists report experiencing fatigue during work;

Whereas pharmacists and female pharmacy technicians have a higher suicide risk in comparison to the general population;

Whereas difficult working conditions, burdensome administrative tasks, regulatory burdens, long hours, medication shortages, and witnessing firsthand the challenges patients and families experience while trying to afford and access their medications add a layer of extreme stress for many frontline workers;

Whereas mental health and physical health are equally important components of overall health;

Whereas there are structural barriers in place that discourage self-care and mental health help-seeking behaviors among the pharmacy workforce; and

Whereas a day of public awareness and education campaigns to shine a light on the tragedy of suicide among the pharmacy workforce is held on September 20 each year: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives—

(1)

supports the goals of Pharmacy Workforce Suicide Awareness Day to bring national attention to the mental health crisis affecting the pharmacy workforce in the United States;

(2)

supports the dedication of a day of reflection to honor the memory of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and student pharmacists who have died by suicide;

(3)

recognizes the need for greater research into understanding and addressing the issue of pharmacy workforce suicide, including barriers to treatment, help-seeking behaviors to address burnout, and mental care options to prevent pharmacy workforce suicide; and

(4)

encourages the President to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe Pharmacy Workforce Suicide Awareness Day with appropriate awareness and educational activities.