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Celebrate National Pharmacy Week
Celebrate National Pharmacy Week The last week of October puts pharmacists in the spotlight as the medication experts. by Nicole Cravvford
ave you been looking for a way to increase communication between you and your patients? Observing National Pharmacy Week is one of the best ways to accomplish this while promoting your pharmacy's services and your role as the medication expert. "Communicate Before You Medicate ... Talk to Your Pharmacist" is the theme of this year's National Pharmacy Week, October 25-31. In 1990, the Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners CPP) declared the last complete week of October as National Pharmacy Week, and in 1991 , the American Pharmaceutical Association (APhA)-a JCPp memberdesigned a promotional kit to help pharmacists maximize the celebration. According to Melanie Privette, APhA's public relations coordinator, the kit's patient medication handouts and brochures and the publicity tips were created to help pharmacists "show their patients how they can improve their medication use." "We received a lot of feedback from pharmacists, and overall the response to last year's kit was very positive," she says. Privette, however, added several features to this year's kit based on suggestions from
a
AMERICAN PHARMACY
pharmacists. "People asked for more medication handouts. Last year we had a brochure, If You Don't Know Ask, of questions to ask your pharmacist, and it was very popular, " she says. "So we have two more brochures this year, Your Household's Medication Inventory and Bank on Your Phannacist to Improve Your Medication Use."
Also included in the promotional kit are: • Camera-ready logos and advertisements. • Ideas to promote the week, including a sample news release and public service announcements for radio. • Tips on how to get the week recognized by your local or state government. • A form to order promotional items such as buttons, T-shirts, extra brochures, mugs, pens, posters, and tote bags. Another feature of this year's campaign is a one-day, toll-free, information hot line. On Wednesday, October 28, consumers can call (800) OTC- 2110 and talk to APhA member pharmacists about over-the-counter medications. "These pharmacists will also encourage callers to develop a rapport with their regular pharmacists to discuss prescription medications and ongoing concerns," says Privette.
Sparking Ideas Kathy Jansen, a pharmacist at St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital Pharmacy in Effmgham, Ill., says using the promotional kit to coordinate her pharmacy's observance August 1992/648 Vol. NS32, No.8
spurred her creativity. "It gave me a lot of ideas, " she says. For example, she used information in the handout "How to Stock Your Medicine Cabinet " to set up a first-aid-kit display. To accompany the display, she photocopied handouts listing the first-aid items. "People could actually see what to put in a first-aid kit, and a lot of people commented that they liked the list," she says. "Some people even put kits together for their kids who are going to college." Another well-received activity at St. Anthony's was the "name the tablet/capsule contest," designed for the nursing staff, says Jansen. Ten tablets and capsules-prepackaged in unit-dose containers-were put on a poster board and were numbered. (Someone was on duty at all times to watch this display.) Answer sheets were photocopied and placed next to the display, which was set up outside the hospital cafeteria so the nurses could participate on their break or lunch hour. "The nurses seemed excited about the contest. It got them thinking about [medications] ," says Jansen.
Increasing Visibility and Avvareness Observing National Pharmacy Week can also increase your visibility, reinforcing the pharmacist's role in health care. Jansen says that activities, like the tablet/capsule contest, reminded St. Anthony's other health professionals that pharmacists are the best source of information on medications. "We don't get to see the other health professionals a lot, " says Jansen, because of the pharmacy's location. But during National Pharmacy Week, "they got to meet us and know who we are. I think that helped them feel freer to ask us questions. " Community pharmacist Dan Bentley of Ironton, Ohio, observed National Pharmacy Week by holding a "Brown Bag Poster Contest" for elementary school-age children. His purpose was twofold: to celebrate the week and to celebrate the grand opening of his pharmacy, Bentley's Rxpress. Bentley chose an activity for children to give them a more holistic view of drugs. "So Vol. NS32, No.8 August 1992/649
much money goes into [educating children about] drug abuse, the bad use of drugs," he says. "We decided to educate kids on the proper use of prescription dnlgs." To promote the poster contest, Bentley ran an ad in the local newspaper. Children submitted posters promoting the pharmacy week themepharmacists talking to their ~ patients about their medications-in one of three categories: kindergarten through third grades, fourth through sixth grades, and special eduvery household should have on cation. The winners received hand some baSic products to meet minor medical emergencies. savings bonds. Pharmacists can advise patients on Last year's National PharWhat products should be included. macy Week activities at HEB Pharmacy #7 in Corpus Christi, Tex., prompted accoClSt. · · lades from doctors and patients in the community, notes pharmacist Donna MonThese brochures are part of temayor, who coordinated the the National Pharmacy event. To publicize the pharmacy's activities, Week promotional kit. the staff sent fliers to all the doctors ' offices-about IS-and to the hospital in the vicinity. Montemayor's pharmacy provided several free diagnostic services, including hearing tests , blood pressure monitoring, and vision screenings. "The doctors were really pleased to know that we were providing these services. We also had a lot of feedback from patients who learned things about their health that they hadn 't known before," says Montemayor. "Patients told us later that they went to the doctor because of our pharmacy's glaucoma screening, and they didn't know that On Wednesday, October 28, consumers can caU the pressure in their eyes a toU-free hot line and talk to an APhA member pharmacist about their ore medications. was so high. "
~(
a~
Your Household's Medication Invento
Bank on your. pharroa
AMERICAN PHARMACY
Promoting Special Services
IF)'OU DON'T KNOW... lfYou Care About Your HealthLearn About Your Medications
If you don't know what to ask . ... Here are questions that al~ patlents should ask their pharmaClst about their medications.
When organizing the National Pharmacy Week activities at Stanford University Hospital's Department of Pharmacy last year, Tracey Hullm focused on promoting the department's services within the hospital. "We understood that the patient was very important, but we also understood that we had 'customers' within the hospital-the physician and the nurse," says Hullm, a procurement assistant in the pharmacy department. As part of Stanford 's observance, Hullm organized "Pharmacy & Today's Technology," which featured hands-on demonstrations of the pharmacy department's newest programs and services. The exhibit included drug-delivery-system pumps for home care patients, electronic-ordering systems , an improved intravenous delivery system, and a computerized total parenteral system. Hullm says the resources in National Pharmacy Week's promotional kit were "really helpful, " especially the camera-ready artwork and promotional buttons-250 of which were ordered for Stanford 's pharmacy staff. Stanford's celebration was a hit, according to Hullm. "We had departments send us letters thanking and congratulating us, " she says. "In fact, they're already looking forward to the next one. "
Skin Cancer: If you can spot it, you can stop it. Skin cancer afflicts more than 600,000 Americans each year. It's 100 0/0 curable if diagnosed and treat~d early. But if allowed to progress, it can result in disfigurement and even death. Coupled with yearly exams by a doctor, self-examination is the best way to ensure that you don't become a skin cancer statistic.
Self-examination Do it. It could save your life. THE SKIN CANCER FOUNDATION
Nicole Crawford is copy editor, American Phannacy. Sponsors for this year's National Pharmacy Week are the Aspirin Foundation of America, 3M Pharmaceuticals, Lederle Laboratories, Searle, and Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories.
1992 Promotional Kit To order the National Pharmacy Week promotional kit, send a $5 check payable to APhA c/o Trexco, 1251 Gordon Park Rd., Augusta, GA 30901. Or call (800) 9507701, ext. 55.
SELF·EXAMINATION For a free how-to brochure, send a stamped, self-addressed, business-size envelope to: The Skin Cancer Foundation Box 561 , Dept. SE NY, NY 10156
This element of The Skin Cancer Foundation 'S Self-Examination Campaign is sponsored by an educational grant from Amway® Corporation, makers of Sun Pacer®.
AMERICAN PHARMACY
ave you been looking for a way to increase communication between you and your patients? Observing National Pharmacy Week is one of the best ways to accomplish this while promoting your pharmacy's services and your role as the medication expert. "Communicate Before You Medicate ... Talk to Your Pharmacist" is the theme of this year's National Pharmacy Week, October 25-31. In 1990, the Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners CPP) declared the last complete week of October as National Pharmacy Week, and in 1991 , the American Pharmaceutical Association (APhA)-a JCPp memberdesigned a promotional kit to help pharmacists maximize the celebration. According to Melanie Privette, APhA's public relations coordinator, the kit's patient medication handouts and brochures and the publicity tips were created to help pharmacists "show their patients how they can improve their medication use." "We received a lot of feedback from pharmacists, and overall the response to last year's kit was very positive," she says. Privette, however, added several features to this year's kit based on suggestions from
a
AMERICAN PHARMACY
pharmacists. "People asked for more medication handouts. Last year we had a brochure, If You Don't Know Ask, of questions to ask your pharmacist, and it was very popular, " she says. "So we have two more brochures this year, Your Household's Medication Inventory and Bank on Your Phannacist to Improve Your Medication Use."
Also included in the promotional kit are: • Camera-ready logos and advertisements. • Ideas to promote the week, including a sample news release and public service announcements for radio. • Tips on how to get the week recognized by your local or state government. • A form to order promotional items such as buttons, T-shirts, extra brochures, mugs, pens, posters, and tote bags. Another feature of this year's campaign is a one-day, toll-free, information hot line. On Wednesday, October 28, consumers can call (800) OTC- 2110 and talk to APhA member pharmacists about over-the-counter medications. "These pharmacists will also encourage callers to develop a rapport with their regular pharmacists to discuss prescription medications and ongoing concerns," says Privette.
Sparking Ideas Kathy Jansen, a pharmacist at St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital Pharmacy in Effmgham, Ill., says using the promotional kit to coordinate her pharmacy's observance August 1992/648 Vol. NS32, No.8
spurred her creativity. "It gave me a lot of ideas, " she says. For example, she used information in the handout "How to Stock Your Medicine Cabinet " to set up a first-aid-kit display. To accompany the display, she photocopied handouts listing the first-aid items. "People could actually see what to put in a first-aid kit, and a lot of people commented that they liked the list," she says. "Some people even put kits together for their kids who are going to college." Another well-received activity at St. Anthony's was the "name the tablet/capsule contest," designed for the nursing staff, says Jansen. Ten tablets and capsules-prepackaged in unit-dose containers-were put on a poster board and were numbered. (Someone was on duty at all times to watch this display.) Answer sheets were photocopied and placed next to the display, which was set up outside the hospital cafeteria so the nurses could participate on their break or lunch hour. "The nurses seemed excited about the contest. It got them thinking about [medications] ," says Jansen.
Increasing Visibility and Avvareness Observing National Pharmacy Week can also increase your visibility, reinforcing the pharmacist's role in health care. Jansen says that activities, like the tablet/capsule contest, reminded St. Anthony's other health professionals that pharmacists are the best source of information on medications. "We don't get to see the other health professionals a lot, " says Jansen, because of the pharmacy's location. But during National Pharmacy Week, "they got to meet us and know who we are. I think that helped them feel freer to ask us questions. " Community pharmacist Dan Bentley of Ironton, Ohio, observed National Pharmacy Week by holding a "Brown Bag Poster Contest" for elementary school-age children. His purpose was twofold: to celebrate the week and to celebrate the grand opening of his pharmacy, Bentley's Rxpress. Bentley chose an activity for children to give them a more holistic view of drugs. "So Vol. NS32, No.8 August 1992/649
much money goes into [educating children about] drug abuse, the bad use of drugs," he says. "We decided to educate kids on the proper use of prescription dnlgs." To promote the poster contest, Bentley ran an ad in the local newspaper. Children submitted posters promoting the pharmacy week themepharmacists talking to their ~ patients about their medications-in one of three categories: kindergarten through third grades, fourth through sixth grades, and special eduvery household should have on cation. The winners received hand some baSic products to meet minor medical emergencies. savings bonds. Pharmacists can advise patients on Last year's National PharWhat products should be included. macy Week activities at HEB Pharmacy #7 in Corpus Christi, Tex., prompted accoClSt. · · lades from doctors and patients in the community, notes pharmacist Donna MonThese brochures are part of temayor, who coordinated the the National Pharmacy event. To publicize the pharmacy's activities, Week promotional kit. the staff sent fliers to all the doctors ' offices-about IS-and to the hospital in the vicinity. Montemayor's pharmacy provided several free diagnostic services, including hearing tests , blood pressure monitoring, and vision screenings. "The doctors were really pleased to know that we were providing these services. We also had a lot of feedback from patients who learned things about their health that they hadn 't known before," says Montemayor. "Patients told us later that they went to the doctor because of our pharmacy's glaucoma screening, and they didn't know that On Wednesday, October 28, consumers can caU the pressure in their eyes a toU-free hot line and talk to an APhA member pharmacist about their ore medications. was so high. "
~(
a~
Your Household's Medication Invento
Bank on your. pharroa
AMERICAN PHARMACY
Promoting Special Services
IF)'OU DON'T KNOW... lfYou Care About Your HealthLearn About Your Medications
If you don't know what to ask . ... Here are questions that al~ patlents should ask their pharmaClst about their medications.
When organizing the National Pharmacy Week activities at Stanford University Hospital's Department of Pharmacy last year, Tracey Hullm focused on promoting the department's services within the hospital. "We understood that the patient was very important, but we also understood that we had 'customers' within the hospital-the physician and the nurse," says Hullm, a procurement assistant in the pharmacy department. As part of Stanford 's observance, Hullm organized "Pharmacy & Today's Technology," which featured hands-on demonstrations of the pharmacy department's newest programs and services. The exhibit included drug-delivery-system pumps for home care patients, electronic-ordering systems , an improved intravenous delivery system, and a computerized total parenteral system. Hullm says the resources in National Pharmacy Week's promotional kit were "really helpful, " especially the camera-ready artwork and promotional buttons-250 of which were ordered for Stanford 's pharmacy staff. Stanford's celebration was a hit, according to Hullm. "We had departments send us letters thanking and congratulating us, " she says. "In fact, they're already looking forward to the next one. "
Skin Cancer: If you can spot it, you can stop it. Skin cancer afflicts more than 600,000 Americans each year. It's 100 0/0 curable if diagnosed and treat~d early. But if allowed to progress, it can result in disfigurement and even death. Coupled with yearly exams by a doctor, self-examination is the best way to ensure that you don't become a skin cancer statistic.
Self-examination Do it. It could save your life. THE SKIN CANCER FOUNDATION
Nicole Crawford is copy editor, American Phannacy. Sponsors for this year's National Pharmacy Week are the Aspirin Foundation of America, 3M Pharmaceuticals, Lederle Laboratories, Searle, and Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories.
1992 Promotional Kit To order the National Pharmacy Week promotional kit, send a $5 check payable to APhA c/o Trexco, 1251 Gordon Park Rd., Augusta, GA 30901. Or call (800) 9507701, ext. 55.
SELF·EXAMINATION For a free how-to brochure, send a stamped, self-addressed, business-size envelope to: The Skin Cancer Foundation Box 561 , Dept. SE NY, NY 10156
This element of The Skin Cancer Foundation 'S Self-Examination Campaign is sponsored by an educational grant from Amway® Corporation, makers of Sun Pacer®.
AMERICAN PHARMACY