Content about pharmacist

February 15, 2013
Pharmacy ideal for proactive health interventions

A smoking cessation program developed by the University of California San Francisco School of Pharmacy will be deployed through Safeway pharmacies, the university announced. As part of the program, Safeway pharmacists will receive special training in counseling techniques.

It's one of the first partnerships of its kind and another example of how community pharmacy will be stepping into a more preventive healthcare role. You can expect to see more types of these smoking cessation programs along with other proactive health interventions tackling weight loss and encouraging healthier behaviors.

A smoking cessation program developed by the University of California San Francisco School of Pharmacy will be deployed through Safeway pharmacies, the university announced. As part of the program, Safeway pharmacists will receive special training in counseling techniques. 

February 14, 2013
Safeway, UCSF School of Pharmacy partner on smoking-cessation program

Safeway pharmacists will use a program developed by the University of California San Francisco School of Pharmacy to help people quit smoking, under a partnership with the supermarket operator announced by the university.

NEW YORK — Safeway pharmacists will use a program developed by the University of California San Francisco School of Pharmacy to help people quit smoking, under a partnership with the supermarket operator announced by the university.

Safeway pharmacists will receive training in smoking-cessation counseling techniques developed by the UCSF pharmacy faculty, while stores will locate OTC nicotine-replacement therapies near pharmacy areas, giving customers convenient access to the pharmacist.

February 13, 2013
NACDS touts pharmacists' role in vaccinations for House subcommittee hearing

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores made its voice heard before the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations on the role of pharmacists in influenza vaccination, the retail pharmacy lobbying group said Wednesday.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores made its voice heard in the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations on the role of pharmacists in influenza vaccination, the retail pharmacy lobbying group said Wednesday.

February 13, 2013
NCPA outlines legislative priorities

The National Community Pharmacists Association on Wednesday announced its federal and state legislative priorities with the release of the Independent Community Pharmacy Checklist.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Wednesday announced its federal and state legislative priorities with the release of the Independent Community Pharmacy Checklist. The one-page document details the main legislative actions NCPA and its members will advocate for this year at the federal and state levels. 

February 12, 2013
NCPA to hold 45th annual Legislative Conference in May

The National Community Pharmacists Association announced it will hold its 45th annual Legislative Conference May 7 to 8 in Washington, D.C.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Tuesday announced it will hold its 45th annual Legislative Conference May 7 to 8 in Washington, D.C.

February 11, 2013
AHRQ contest winners announced

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has announced the winners of a competition it sponsored to increase awareness and use of evidence-based healthcare tools in retail health settings, the government agency said.

NEW YORK — The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has announced the winners of a competition it sponsored to increase awareness and use of evidence-based healthcare tools in retail health settings, the government agency said.

February 11, 2013
Bartell Drugs introduces PharmaSmart kiosks

Bartell Drugs has introduced PharmaSmart blood pressure testing kiosks at all 58 of its stores, the regional retail pharmacy chain said Monday.

SEATTLE — Bartell Drugs has introduced PharmaSmart blood-pressure testing kiosks at all 58 of its stores, the regional retail pharmacy chain said Monday.

Bartell said it was the first drug store chain in the Pacific Northwest to provide the new kiosks, made by Rochester, N.Y.-based PharmaSmart International.

February 11, 2013
Fast Company places Walgreens on its 'Top 10' list of most innovative healthcare companies

Progressive business media brand Fast Company named Walgreens as one of its top 10 healthcare companies for 2013 "for redefining the role of the pharmacy."

NEW YORK — Progressive business media brand Fast Company on Monday named Walgreens as one of its top 10 healthcare companies for 2013 "for redefining the role of the pharmacy."

February 8, 2013
Va. pharmacy students visit state legislators

An annual event at the Virginia state General Assembly drew several students from a local pharmacy school.

NEW YORK — An annual event at the Virginia state General Assembly drew several students from a local pharmacy school.

Hampton University said 24 of its students visited the General Assembly in Richmond, Va., on Jan. 30 to participate in Virginia Pharmacy Day, organized every year by the Virginia Pharmacist Association. 

The event combined a health fair — with cholesterol, diabetes and blood pressure screenings — and legislative visits with state representatives to discuss pharmacy-related issues.

February 7, 2013
Cardinal Health develops patient-friendly heart health education program for community pharmacists

Cardinal Health announced it is providing free, downloadable materials to help community pharmacists educate patients about effective strategies for preventing cardiovascular disease.

DUBLIN, Ohio — Cardinal Health on Thursday announced it is providing free, downloadable materials to help community pharmacists educate patients about effective strategies for preventing cardiovascular disease.  “By using these patient-friendly heart health materials, community pharmacists can strengthen their relationships with patients and help save lives by educating their communities about how to prevent and recognize the symptoms of heart attacks and strokes," stated Ron Clerico, VP marketing for Cardinal Health’s Retail Pharmacy business. 

February 7, 2013
CVS Caremark announces expansion of Pharmacy Advisor program

CVS Caremark has announced the extension of its Pharmacy Advisor program to cover an additional five chronic conditions, including asthma, breast cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depression and osteoporosis.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark has announced the extension of its Pharmacy Advisor program to cover an additional five chronic conditions, including asthma, breast cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depression and osteoporosis.

February 7, 2013
Kerr Drug expands central fill model

Kerr Drug will use its partnership with PDX and ScriptPro to increase pharmacy productivity by expanding its central fill model, the regional pharmacy chain said.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Kerr Drug will use its partnership with PDX and ScriptPro to increase pharmacy productivity by expanding its central fill model, the regional pharmacy chain said Thursday.

Kerr announced the opening of its central fill operation in Raleigh, N.C.

"It's not just about labor savings, inventory reductions and other efficiencies," Kerr CEO Tony Civello said. "These kinds of innovations and use of technologies are critical to remaining a player in the emerging healthcare ecosystem."

February 7, 2013
Patient follow-up could reduce complications with medication side effects, study finds

Researchers in Canada found that pharmacists who call their patients after a prescription has been filled can help reduce and manage adverse drug reactions for those patients.

QUEBEC — Researchers in Canada found that pharmacists who call their patients after a prescription has been filled can help reduce and manage adverse drug reactions for those patients.

The researchers used automated calls to follow-up with 629 patients at family practices in Quebec three days and then again 17 days after a presciption was filled with four simple "yes-or-no" questions.

February 7, 2013
Rexall Pharma Plus pharmacists administered 190K flu shots this season

The team of pharmacists at Rexall Pharma Plus administered 190,000 of the more than 200,000 flu shots provided by pharmacists in Ontario this flu season, the Canadian retailer announced.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — The team of pharmacists at Rexall Pharma Plus administered 190,000 of the more than 200,000 flu shots provided by pharmacists in Ontario this flu season, the Canadian retailer announced on Thursday.

Rexall Pharma Plus offered flu shots at all of its more than 250 Ontario pharmacies any time, with no appointment necessary. Rexall is Katz Group Canada’s flagship national chain.

February 7, 2013
Survey: Part D 'preferred pharmacy' provision driving rural seniors away from community pharmacy

A survey of community pharmacists suggests that "preferred pharmacy" Medicare Part D drug benefit plans may pose challenges for seniors in rural communities.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A survey of community pharmacists suggests that "preferred pharmacy" Medicare Part D drug benefit plans may pose challenges for seniors in rural communities. The finding comes shortly after similar questions were raised at the January public meeting of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, Congress' advisory board on Medicare issues, the National Community Pharmacists Association noted Thursday. 

February 5, 2013
CueScript launches patient engagement, medication adherence tool for pharmacy

CueScript on Tuesday launched an innovative platform that delivers on-demand prescription-specific videos and other value-added services designed to engage patients, improve health literacy and improve medication adherence.

LAKE MARY, Fla. — CueScript on Tuesday launched an innovative platform that delivers on-demand prescription-specific videos and other value-added services designed to engage patients, improve health literacy and improve medication adherence. 

February 5, 2013
For pharmacists who provide immunizations, signs of progress and plenty of opportunity

Good, but it could be better.

I’m talking about the results of a nationwide survey of Americans who were vaccinated against influenza for the 2012-2013 flu season. Based on an online poll of nearly 1,100 adults in mid-January, researchers for Ipsos Public Affairs found a solid majority of Americans still rely on their family physician for their flu shots, but that retail pharmacies and walk-in clinics are making significant progress in their campaign to shift the center of gravity for immunizations away from the doctor’s office.

Good, but it could be better.

I’m talking about the results of a nationwide survey of Americans who were vaccinated against influenza for the 2012-2013 flu season. Based on an online poll of nearly 1,100 adults in mid-January, researchers for Ipsos Public Affairs found a solid majority of Americans still rely on their family physician for their flu shots, but that retail pharmacies and walk-in clinics are making significant progress in their campaign to shift the center of gravity for immunizations away from the doctor’s office.

February 4, 2013
NACDS, NCPA urge expanded role for pharmacists in new healthcare models

Pharmacy groups are advocating that Congress expand the role of pharmacists in new healthcare delivery models.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Pharmacy groups are advocating that Congress expand the role of pharmacists in new healthcare delivery models.

February 4, 2013
Nebraska medication-management research study gets NACDS Foundation grant

A university research project to look at the potential effects on patient health of incorporating medication management strategies into existing care teams has won a grant from the National Association of Chain Drug Stores' philanthropic arm.

ARLINGTON, Va. — A university research project to look at the potential effects on patient health of incorporating medication management strategies into existing care teams has won a grant from the National Association of Chain Drug Stores' philanthropic arm.

The NACDS Foundation said it gave the University of Nebraska Medical Center one of three research grants for the project, which will look at the effects of the strategies when they're incorporated into teams such as medical homes and accountable care organizations.

February 4, 2013
Wasson touts pharmacists expanding role in NACDS conference speech

To put Walgreens president and CEO Greg Wasson's speech at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores' Regional Chain Conference on Monday into perspective, one may consider that pharmacists today are the leading providers of immunizations and vaccinations, whereas five years ago, they weren't involved at all.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — To put Walgreens president and CEO Greg Wasson's speech at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores' Regional Chain Conference on Monday into perspective, one may consider that pharmacists today are the leading providers of immunizations and vaccinations, whereas five years ago, they weren't involved at all.

Wasson, NACDS' current chairman, focused on the themes of innovation and engagement, citing immunizations and vaccinations as examples that "people are ready for community pharmacy to take on a greater role."

February 1, 2013
MTM improves outcomes in diabetes patients, study finds

Face-to-face medication therapy management services can improve health outcomes for patients with diabetes, according to a new study.

ARLINGTON, Va. — Face-to-face medication therapy management services can improve health outcomes for patients with diabetes, according to a new study.

February 1, 2013
Pharmacists can improve health outcomes

A new study conducted by researchers at the University of Minnesota and nearby healthcare institutions shows that patients with diabetes experience better outcomes when they undergo face-to-face medication therapy management sessions with pharmacists.

Drug Store News has reported enough about the benefits of MTM to fill a book, but a scientific study showing a demonstrable benefit to it only makes the case stronger. It speaks to the growing role of the pharmacist as a key member of the patient's healthcare team, every bit as important as nurses and doctors, and also points to a role of growing importance to pharmacy retailers themselves as they seek to distinguish themselves in the marketplace.

A new study conducted by researchers at the University of Minnesota and nearby healthcare institutions shows that patients with diabetes experience better outcomes when they undergo face-to-face medication therapy management sessions with pharmacists.

January 31, 2013
NCPA and three Oregon legislators push for greater oversight, transparency of PBMs

The National Community Pharmacists Association urged Oregon state lawmakers to pass a series of bills that would "collectively reduce red tape for pharmacists caring for patients, give consumers greater pharmacy choice at no extra cost, and keep more revenue within the state."

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Wednesday urged Oregon state lawmakers to pass a series of bills that would "collectively reduce red tape for pharmacists caring for patients, give consumers greater pharmacy choice at no extra cost, and keep more revenue within the state."

NCPA has identified four issues of import:

January 30, 2013
Rite Aid promotes heart health for American Heart Month

Rite Aid is promoting heart health to mark American Heart Month in February.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is promoting heart health to mark American Heart Month in February.

The retail pharmacy chain announced Wednesday that it would distribute 12-page Heart Health guides and offer counseling with pharmacists and collect money for the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women movement by selling red dress paper pinups.

January 30, 2013
Second Medication Adherence Team Challenge launched

A group of organizations has launched a nationwide competitive outreach project to enlist students studying to become healthcare professionals to find new ways to raise awareness about medication adherence as a public health issue.

WASHINGTON — A group of organizations has launched a nationwide competitive outreach project to enlist students studying to become healthcare professionals to find new ways to raise awareness about medication adherence as a public health issue.