Pharmacist Month

Please join the College of Pharmacy - Glendale and all pharmacy professionals in celebrating National Pharmacists Month during the month of October. The College has planned several events and informational sessions to highlight the role of the pharmacist in the healthcare team. Many of the displays and events will be held in the cafeteria or involve special guest speakers. All are welcomed to the events and guest speaker sessions. 

CPG American Pharmacist Month Schedule of Activities -
October 2011 

Ongoing (beginning October 10)

SSHP and SNM displays and table talkers in cafeteria

Week 1

All Week
Immunization displays (AzPA and APhA) and information bags

Wednesday October 5, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM, Cholla C
NCPA/KY speaker, Dr. Kevin Borg 

Thursday, October 6, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM, Cholla C
SSHP general meeting

Week 2

All Week
AMCP information displays and treats

Thursday, October 13, 12:00 PM -1:00 PM, Cholla C
AMCP speaker, Claire Baud, Member services pharmacist at Humana Rightsource Pharmacy.

Week 3 - KEYNOTE SESSION

Monday, October 17, 12:00 PM, Ocotillo F/G
Kelly Ridgway, CEO of the AzPA will speak about the state of pharmacy in Arizona 2011 and beyond sponsored by APhA-ASP

Thursday, October 20, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM, Cafeteria
Phi Delta Chi, Poison prevention poster and activity with raffle

Week 4

Monday, October 24, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM, Cholla C
CPFI Speakers, Dr. Gurney and Dr. Sims

Wednesday, October 26, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM, Cafeteria
KY/NCPA "Ice cream compounding"

Thursday, October 27, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM, Cholla C
SSHP Speaker, Dr. O'Conner, Arizona Poison Control Center

Pharmacy Acronyms Used Above: 

SSHP = Student Society of Healthsystems Pharmacists

SNM = Society of Nuclear Medicine

AzPA = Arizona Pharmacy Alliance (the state pharmacy association)

APhA-ASP = American Pharmacy Association - Academy of Student Pharmacists

AMCP = Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy

NCPA = National Community Pharmacy Association

CPFI = Christian Pharmacist Fellowship International

KY = Kappa Psi National Pharmacy Fraternity

PDX = Phi Delta Chi National Pharmacy Fraternity

Facts About Pharmacists and Pharmacies

• In the last quarter century, pharmacy has expanded its role within the healthcare delivery system from a profession focusing on preparation and dispensing of medications to patients to one in which pharmacists provide a range of patient-oriented services to maximize the medicine's effectiveness.
• Pharmacy is practiced in a wide range of settings: community pharmacies, hospitals, long term care facilities, the phar­maceutical industry, mail service, managed care, academia and government (Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, Indian Health Service, Public Health Service). Pharmacists practice in community pharmacy (chains and independents), in hospitals, and in consulting, government, academic, industry, and other settings.
• Historically, educational requirements for pharmacists included the choice of two entry-level degrees: a five-year Bachelor of Science in pharmacy (BS Pharmacy) or a six-year Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.). Today, schools of pharmacy offer only the Pharm.D. degree. At Midwestern University College of Pharmacy - Glendale, we offer the Pharm.D. in an accelerated program of study. This reduces the time of professional study from four years to three years. This extensive training makes the pharmacist the most knowledgeable health care pro­fessional when it comes to medicines and their use.
• Medicines today have great power to heal and to improve the quality of life for millions of Americans. But medicines also may do serious harm if not taken correctly. The most expensive medication is the medication that doesn't work. This is where the role of the pharmacist is most important. To make the most of your medications, you should choose your pharmacist as carefully as you choose a physician. It is best to use only one pharmacy so all medication records are at one location. This way there will be less risk of duplicating medicine or having one prescription interact harmfully with another.
• Pharmacists who know their patients and have their medication profiles on file will be aware of possible harmful drug interactions or allergies to certain drugs. The pharmacist also will be able to discuss possible side effects; what foods, drinks, or activities that should be avoided while on a medication; what to do if you miss a dose; and a wide range of other helpful information.
• The pharmacist is a key healthcare professional in helping people achieve the best results from their medications. Americans should choose a pharmacist they trust and build a partnership for good health.