U.S. Congressman Jerry Moran, a Republican representing mostly western Kansas, visited the Kansas University School of Pharmacy on Tuesday to offer his services in promoting expansion of the school.KU is seeking state funding to add as many as 190 new doctoral pharmacy students on the Lawrence campus as well as on a new campus in Wichita. About 150 would be in Lawrence, and 40 would be in Wichita. Pharmacy Dean Ken Audus said that the 40 new students in the Wichita program could be in place as soon as fall 2009.Moran said he would be happy to help KU in securing any federal funding or support it needs in the expansion, and he also said he would lobby members of the Kansas Legislature, particularly those who represent constituents in his district. Those legislators are often some of KU’s most vocal critics.”If you decide it’s appropriate,” Moran told Audus and KU Provost Richard Lariviere, “I’d be happy to write letters to Kansas legislators.”Lariviere encouraged Moran to do that, saying the expansion of the pharmacy school was critical.”The pharmacist is the first line of defense in healthcare,” Lariviere said, “and we’re losing them in Kansas.”