School of Pharmacy Host Health Fair During American Pharmacist Month

School of Pharmacy Host Health Fair During American Pharmacist Month

October is known nationwide as American Pharmacist month. The Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) and the American Pharmacist AssociationAcademy of Student Pharmacist APhA-ASP) partnered together and held a 2 hour community event on campus. The students raised awareness on immunizations, chronic kidney disease, checked blood pressures, and discussed HIV/AIDS, diabetes and mental health. Within 2 hours the students reached over 50 persons within the community.

In Maryland, only 24% of hypertensive patients or diabetics are medication adherent, and 25% have routine visits with their primary care provider. Drs. Yen Dang and Lana Sherr have partnered with five local Maryland health departments to create a bi-directional referral system between patients and providers and bridge the gap for hypertension and diabetes medication compliance. Since the program started in 2015, eleven community pharmacies in Maryland have collaborated with UMES to screen for high-risk patients. The program was made possible from funding through the Centers for Disease Control.

The program focuses on using Prescribewellness as a software program that allows pharmacies to track non-compliant patients. Eligible patients recruited were those who had a new prescription

for diabetes or hypertension, were at risk for either disease, and had a diabetes or hypertension medication refill rate of 75% or less on Prescribewellness. Patients were counseled by pharmacy students on the importance of medication compliance and were referred to their provider for follow- up. Pharmacy students also contacted the patient’s provider if they did not have a scheduled upcoming medical appointment.

Over 5 years, approximately 1,800 patients with hypertension and diabetes were recruited. There were over 1,000 bidirectional referrals between patients and providers and all medication compliance rates improved. At the end of 3 months, both blood pressure and glucose values decreased. Patients who enrolled also received complementary blood pressure machines provided by the health department. The

Reducing Disparities in Hypertension and Diabetes: The 1422 Project

program earned recognition by Maryland Department of Health. The creation of a bidirectional referral system using Prescribewellness ensured that hypertensive and diabetic medications were taken on a routine basis and allowed for improvement of health outcomes. This program showcased an innovative approach for community pharmacists to target medication non-compliance and manage chronic disease states.