Butler Earns National Pharmacy Leadership Award

Alabama State Senator Tom W. Butler (R-Madison) has been named the 2026 recipient of the Hubert H. Humphrey Award, one of the highest honors in the pharmacy profession, awarded by the American Pharmacists Association (APhA).

The award, established in 1978, recognizes pharmacists who have made significant contributions to government and legislative service. Butler received the honor during the APhA Annual Convention in Los Angeles, where pharmacy leaders from across the country gathered to recognize excellence and leadership in the field.

A pharmacist by training, Butler has spent decades in public service, including 12 years in the Alabama House of Representatives before continuing his work in the Alabama Senate. Over that time, he has built a record focused on healthcare access, Veterans’ services, public school funding, and expanding the availability of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in communities.

“Senator Butler exemplifies the vital role pharmacists can play beyond the pharmacy counter,” an APhA representative said. “His leadership and legislative impact have improved lives across Alabama and serve as a model for pharmacist involvement in public policy.”

Butler’s background includes both community and hospital pharmacy practice. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama and Auburn University, bringing both clinical experience and policy insight to his work in Montgomery.

The Hubert H. Humphrey Award is widely regarded as a top recognition within the profession, honoring those who shape public policy and advance the role of pharmacists in improving patient outcomes.

Reflecting on the recognition, Butler pointed to the broader role pharmacists play in public health.

“It has been a privilege to serve both my patients and the people of Alabama,” Butler said. “This award is a testament to the importance of pharmacists' voices in shaping policies that impact public health.”