Source: American Pharmacists Association

American Pharmacist Month (APhM) 2009  is a time to recognize the significant contributions to health care and the commitment to patient care by pharmacists in ALL practice settings from around the country. “Know Your MEDICINE, Know Your PHARMACIST” is once again,  the theme and core message. CPhA and APhA continue to promote the role of the pharmacist as an essential member of the health care team during this critical period in our nation's hisotry when  health care reform is at the top of the agenda. American Pharmacists Month is a time to Motivate your staff, Educate your patients, and Inspire your community to “Know Your MEDICINE, Know Your PHARMACIST” Get involved today!

In the State of California...
Many CPhA local associations have taken advantage of this "spotlight" opportunity to reach out to their communities with events and health fairs designed to improve the health of the public. For example, in San Mateo County in Northern California, the San Mateo County Pharmacists Association holds a "Talk With a Pharmacist Day"  each year at their local shopping mall. They provide blood pressure, blood glucose, and bone density screenings and also provide a wealth of information on general health education. This event is very well organized, with patient intake forms and patient counseling available after results of the screenings are complete. Both local pharmacists and student pharmacists are involved and the event is well attended each year. In you are interested in learning more about how you can organize a similar outreach event in your community, click here to download a planning document to get started. .

               

Schools of Pharmacy and Local Associations Team Up!
In San Joaquin County, the students of the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and members of the San Joaquin Pharmacists Association team up to put on multiple health fairs throughout October. In addition, the group organized a promotion campaign that ran in movie threaters throughout the area promotoing the value of the pharmacist. Click here to view the video.

These two examples are a small sampling of the abundant activities that are hosted by California's incredible Local Pharmacists Associations and Schools of Pharmacy each year. To have your event posted, please contact Cathi Lord at CPhA by email: clord@cpha.com.

American Pharmacists Month Objectives

  • To recognize the vital contributions made by pharmacists to health care in the United States
  • To enhance the image of pharmacists as the medication experts and an integral part of the health care team, not just dispensers of medication
  • To educate the public, policy makers, pharmacists, and other health care professionals about the key role played by pharmacists in reducing overall health care costs by improved medication use and advanced patient care
  • To stress the importance of Knowing Your Medicine and Knowing Your Pharmacist to ensure drug therapy is as safe and effective as possible.
  • To learn more, view the "You and Your Pharmacist: A Winning Team" video series in the Pharmacist.com Video Center.