October is American Pharmacists Month

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 5, 2012) − October is American Pharmacists Month and students at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy are planning a month of activities recognizing the significant contributions to health care and the commitment to patient care by pharmacists in all practice settings around the country.

On Oct. 4, UK President Dr. Eli Capilouto received his flu immunization along with UK Interim Provost Tim Tracy, and College of Pharmacy Interim Dean Patrick McNamara. The PY3 students recently held a raffle to see who would have the opportunity to immunize the president, provost and dean. The winning students were PY3 students and PharmD candidates, Bridgette Kanz, who immunized the president, PY3 student Billy Black, who immunized Provost Tracy, and PY3 student Zac Noel who immunized Interim Dean McNamara. The PY3 students will also take medical carts around the college and offer an immunization to faculty members as a part of American Pharmacist Month.

American Pharmacists Month is an initiative by the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the largest professional association of pharmacists in the United States. The goal of the month-long observance is to educate the public about the pharmacist's role in improving medication use and advancing patient care. The campaign is designed to encourage pharmacy patients to "Know Your MEDICINE, Know Your PHARMACIST," the theme and core message of Pharmacists Month. 

Molly Trent, student pharmacist and president of the UK Chapter of the American Pharmacists Association - Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP), says the student organization stays active in promoting the pharmacy profession and in community outreach.  Members divide up into committees geared toward their specific area of interest in pharmacy, such as: diabetes, immunizations, heart disease, heartburn, prescription drug abuse and others.

Trent pointed out that, “a vital component of the mission of APhA-ASP is to provide student pharmacists with opportunities for professional growth while trying to improve patient care. We encourage student participation within all of our committees and promote involvement at local events so as to achieve this mission and ultimately try to make a positive difference in our patients’ lives.” Some events planned for Pharmacists Month are:    

• UK College of Pharmacy students hosted a spaghetti dinner to benefit Faith Pharmacy. Faith Pharmacy is a volunteer run pharmacy in downtown Lexington that provides free prescription medications to indigent patients on Saturday mornings. The spaghetti dinner was Oct. 4 at 6 p.m. at Christ the King Cathedral in Hehman Hall.
• Georgetown Community Hospital health fair will be held Saturday, Oct. 6 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Student pharmacists will be performing blood pressure screenings and blood glucose testing as well as providing information regarding immunizations, heartburn, smoking cessation and healthy living.
• Look for student pharmacist composed articles in the Kentucky Kernel throughout the month of October that highlight some of the unique services pharmacists can occur.
• Dr. Craig Martin and Molly Trent will be discussing influenza vaccine information on the noon segment on channels 18 and 36 on October 22 and 24.
• ”Flu Fighters” clinics will be set up throughout campus on October 5, 9, 16, 19, 21 and 22 administering influenza vaccinations to students, faculty and staff of UK. 
• Students will be giving presentations at Jessie Clark Middle School on October 24 focusing on preventing prescription drug abuse. Student pharmacists focus on this age group of students to hopefully educate students before they are faced with abuse opportunities.   

Media contact:  Ann Blackford at (859) 323-6442 or ann.blackford@uky.edu