American Pharmacists Association Applauds Efforts To Address Nation's Chronic Disease Epidemic

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Article Date: 11 Oct 2007 - 2:00 PST

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The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) applauds the efforts of the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) - a national coalition of patients, providers, community organizations, business and labor groups, and health policy experts - to address our nation's chronic disease epidemic by challenging our nation's leaders, including the 2008 presidential candidates, to refocus our health care system and our public health infrastructure to fight chronic disease. PFCD's policy platform to comprehensively address the crisis of chronic disease through "ideas for change" takes a step towards helping Americans better prevent, detect, and treat chronic diseases.

"APhA supports challenging thought leaders, including electoral candidates, to create a healthier future for all Americans" said John A. Gans, APhA Executive Vice President. "An element of change should include pharmacist-provided clinical services. Pharmacists, through the provision of medication therapy management (MTM) services, immunizations, diabetes management, and other patient care services, have demonstrated their effectiveness in improving the quality of life for patients with chronic diseases. The collaborative efforts of pharmacists and physicians have helped patients gain control of their disease instead of their disease taking control of them. It is time for our health care policy makers to recognize the value of these services just as PFCD has recognized the value, by listing the APhA Foundation's Asheville Project and Diabetes Ten City Challenge as models of success."

Chronic diseases - long-lasting, often preventable and treatable illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and depression - are the leading cause of death and disability in the United States and the chief driver of rising health care costs. Responsible for more than 7 in 10 deaths and 75 percent of health spending, chronic diseases exact a huge toll on Americans' health and the U.S. economy.

About the American Pharmacists Association (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. APhA members provide care in all practice settings, including community pharmacies, hospitals, long-term care facilities, managed care organizations, hospice settings, and the military.

http://www.APhAnet.org

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