Why AAHP Voting Members are Required to Subscribe to the HPUS

By Eric L. Foxman Pharm. (Ret.)

For more than two decades, AAHP made a sizeable donation to the Homeopathic Pharmacopeia Convention of the United States (HPCUS) to support its preparing and printing the Pharmacopeia. That donation was underwritten by the dues from our membership, and constituted a significant part of AAHP’s budget. As time passed, it became obvious a dues increase would be necessary to continue this support.

In 2013, the board and members discussed this evolving situation. It was agreed the existence and information in the HPUS was of essential value to our Voting Members. Our Affiliate and Associate Members were not as impacted by the HPUS as the others. In addition, it became clear our Voting Members need access to the HPUS to market products in compliance with the HPUS requirements. They also need ongoing access to be aware of changes that are made in the Pharmacopeia each year. (Between 5% to 8% of the content of the HPUS is impacted by updates and modifications made during any calendar year.)

The suggestion was made from membership for the association to stop making a donation to the convention, but instead to require AAHP’s Voting Members maintain an annual subscription. This accomplished two things: the Convention would continue to be supported by industry; and manufacturers and marketers would have ready access to the information contained in the Pharmacopeia. An additional suggestion was made that, in exchange for this increased financial expenditure by Voting members, the association would not raise dues for a number of years (dues did remain the same for the next 5 years).

In 2013, the board drafted an amendment to the AAHP bylaws, article 5 section 2 stating “Voting Members shall maintain an annual subscription to the Homeopathic Pharmacopeia of the United States (HPUS).” The amendment was brought to the membership at the following membership meeting; the Voting Members ratified the amendment by an overwhelming majority.

It is for this reason Voting Members are required, upon payment of their annual AAHP dues, to also submit documentation they are maintaining an annual subscription to the HPUS.