One of only three pharmacy schools nationwide recognized for medication adherence outreach efforts
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Pharmacy has been named one of the inaugural awardees of the Script Your Future Medication Adherence Challenge for student pharmacists, sponsored by the National Consumers League (NCL), the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Foundation and the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP).
The Medication Adherence Challenge is part of a public awareness campaign launched in 2011 by NCL with more than 100 public and private stakeholder organizations, including NACDS Foundation and AACP. The campaign, titled Script Your Future, seeks to raise patient awareness about the importance of taking medication as directed. Students at schools of pharmacy participated in the Challenge by engaging in community outreach activities to raise awareness about the health consequences of poor medication adherence, or not taking medication as directed. The UMKC School of Pharmacy was one of only three schools nationally to be awarded the National Challenge Award, out of 81 participating colleges and schools of pharmacy.
“Script Your Future elevates the public expectation for medication education, which the pharmacist is well educated to provide,” said Dr. Lucinda L. Maine, Executive Vice President and CEO at the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. “Student pharmacists work directly within communities to educate patients about medication adherence that leads to people living healthier lives as exemplified by the activities of the Challenge awardees.”
As a part of the challenge, UMKC student pharmacists conducted one-on-one counseling sessions with more than 3,300 patients in the Kansas City area and statewide to discuss medications and help them develop plans to better follow their prescriptions. Faculty and students also educated nearly 70 health professionals in the local community about the role pharmacists play in patient care and their ability to help patients follow their prescriptions. A fourth-year student pharmacist offered presentations to pharmacists and other health professionals at pharmacies in southern Missouri, and another helped organize an event to educate employees of a rural factory about cardiovascular disease and the importance of medication adherence.
“This is a tremendous national honor for the UMKC School of Pharmacy,” said Russell Melchert, Ph.D., Dean of the UMKC School of Pharmacy. “Our faculty and student leaders worked diligently to cast a wide educational net to raise awareness about this important health indicator. This is a strong testament to the dedication of students, faculty and staff at the School of Pharmacy and a proud reflection of the culture of community engagement and service at UMKC.”
About the University of Missouri-Kansas City
The University of Missouri-Kansas City, one of four University of Missouri campuses, is a public university serving more than 15,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. UMKC engages with the community and economy based on a four-part mission: life and health sciences; visual and performing arts; urban issues and education; and a vibrant learning and campus life experience. For more information about UMKC, visit www.umkc.edu. You can also find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and watch us on YouTube.
About the UMKC School of Pharmacy
Founded in 1885, the UMKC School of Pharmacy is the only public school of pharmacy in the state of Missouri. The School offers professional practice (doctor of pharmacy-Pharm.D.), non-practice bachelors (B.S.) and graduate (M.S. and Ph.D.) degrees. The School of Pharmacy is committed to providing an atmosphere that promotes life-long learning by helping students develop both the knowledge and skills needed to be a pharmacy professional in an ever-changing health-care environment. For more information about the UMKC School of Pharmacy, visit pharmacy.umkc.edu. You can also find the School of Pharmacy on Facebook and follow the School on Twitter.