Pharmacy Organizations Create Guide To Prepare For Pandemics

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Also Included In: Public Health;  Bird Flu / Avian Flu
Article Date: 28 Jul 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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A new guide designed to help pharmacists respond to pandemic influenza has been created through a collaborative effort of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Foundation. The document details how pharmacies can help raise awareness and educate the public in the fight against a pandemic and how planning by pharmacists and others can significantly reduce the impact of this disease.

With specific instructions, the document advises that pharmacists, who play an important role in responding to pandemics, should learn about government preparedness and response plans, understand resources available in their health systems, corporations, and community and actively participate in planning meetings dealing with pandemics. The guide also recommends that pharmacists take part in immunization training opportunities and establish a plan to maintain a week's supply of resources, such as prescription drugs and consumable supplies.

"Pharmacists serve as community health resources and will play a significant role in helping the public respond to a pandemic outbreak. This guide will not only share important information to pharmacists, but also help them educate and raise awareness with their patients," said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE.

The guide features a "Pandemic Flu Pharmacy Checklist" that lists supplies for immunizations, such as alcohol swabs and latex gloves; consumables such as bottled water and electrolyte solution; and drugs such as anti-nausea medications and opioids. In addition, the plan encourages pharmacists to have an action plan for their practice and home.

The document also lists top medications dispensed during Hurricane Katrina, including hydrochlorothiazide and albuterol, as reported by a major pharmacy chain, as an example of non-influenza medications that might be needed to meet the needs of patients.

"Pharmacists now have a clear-cut and organized resource to advise them on how to be thoroughly prepared in the event of a pandemic," said APhA Chief of Staff and Project Coordinator Mitchel Rothholz. "The knowledge gained from this document can help pharmacists become an invaluable resource for their patients and their community during a pandemic outbreak of influenza."

ASHP lauded the valuable partnership between APhA, ASHP and the NACDS Foundation that led to the generation of this document. "This is a great example of how organizations representing pharmacists in different practice settings can contribute their distinct perspectives to address this serious health concern," said ASHP President Janet Silvester, M.B.A.

The guide to preparing for pandemics will be available at no cost on the Web sites of APhA, ASHP and NACDS Foundation.

AphA

The American Pharmacists Association, founded in 1852 as the American Pharmaceutical Association, represents more than 60,000 practicing pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and others interested in advancing the profession. APhA, dedicated to helping all pharmacists improve medication use and advance patient care, is the first-established and largest association of pharmacists in the United States.

ASHP

For more than 60 years, ASHP has helped pharmacists who practice in hospitals and health systems improve medication use and enhance patient safety. The Society's 30,000 members include pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who practice in inpatient, outpatient, home-care, and long-term-care settings, as well as pharmacy students. For more information about the wide array of ASHP activities and the many ways in which pharmacists help people make the best use of medicines, visit ASHP's Web site, www.ashp.org, or its consumer Web site, http://www.SafeMedication.com.

NACDS Foundation

The NACDS Foundation is the education, research and charitable affiliate of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores. The NACDS Foundation supports programs that advance and strengthen the chain pharmacy industry for the benefit of the public it serves. Among its activities, the Foundation provides scholarships for pharmacy students and supports pharmacy education programs that address the needs of community pharmacy practice. Additionally, the Foundation supports research efforts which document community pharmacy's role and value in America's healthcare system. For more information about the NACDS Foundation, visit http://www.nacdsfoundation.org.

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