Arlington, Va. – As public health authorities seek to raise awareness about HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) testing, a study funded by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Foundation is evaluating a model which may provide patients with increased access to HIV and Hepatitis C testing, and link patients to a specialized physician or health department as needed for further care.

The NACDS Foundation study, led by principal investigators at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Ferris State University College of Pharmacy, currently is underway in 50 stores with pharmacies, and a total of 75 locations are planned in the greater Detroit, Mich.; West Virginia/Ohio; and Atlanta, Ga., metropolitan areas. The study is designed to evaluate the impact of expanding access to community testing for both HIV and the Hepatitis C virus.

“This study exemplifies key goals of the NACDS Foundation because it combines an identified public health need to improve access to testing and care with awareness and prevention priorities that require collaboration and public engagement,” said NACDS Foundation President Kathleen Jaeger. “Evidence-based research on HIV and Hepatitis C expands upon the NACDS Foundation’s ongoing study of point-of-care testing for flu and strep throat.”

Nearly 45,000 people are diagnosed with HIV every year and approximately 1.2 million people in the U.S. are currently living with HIV. However, one in eight people don’t know they have it. The need for testing and increased awareness is critical, as more than 90 percent of HIV infections in the U.S. could be prevented by testing and diagnosing people with HIV and making sure they receive early, ongoing treatment. The CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV as part of routine healthcare.

Patients who seek care in participating stores are counseled by [ READ MORE ]

Arlington, Va. – As part of a Zika education initiative in Puerto Rico, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Foundation today launched an online presence that will complement radio messages that began airing on Monday, May 9.

Since announcing this campaign a week ago, it has been wonderful to hear from other organizations that have expressed an interest in helping to sustain this initiative. We hope that these and additional partnerships will help to meet this pressing health need for as long as it exists.

Like the radio messages, the online displays encourage women and their families to seek advice from physicians and pharmacists about ways to protect themselves and their unborn children from the effects of Zika. The online displays link to a microsite that provides easy access to vital information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the CDC Foundation.

Arlington, Va. – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Foundation today announced a radio- and digital-based Zika education initiative in Puerto Rico. Radio messages set to debut on Monday, May 9, and subsequent online placements will encourage women to seek advice from physicians and pharmacists about ways to protect themselves and their unborn children from the effects of Zika.

The NACDS Foundation is taking this action to help address an imminent public-health need, by helping to educate and empower women in Puerto Rico about where they can turn to help protect themselves and their unborn children.

“The NACDS Foundation is taking this action to help address an imminent public-health need, by helping to educate and empower women in Puerto Rico about where they can turn to help protect themselves and their unborn children,” said Kathleen Jaeger, president of the NACDS Foundation. “We are actively seeking additional partners to sustain this initiative while the need remains, and to complement the work of all those in the public health community who are standing with the people affected by this situation.”

The NACDS Foundation primarily focuses on fostering evidence-based research through strategic partnerships. Based on conversations with public health authorities, the NACDS Foundation made the decision to assist with the prevention education effort. The NACDS Foundation intends to leverage the effort by securing additional partners to extend the campaign for a year, or as needed.

“I personally appreciate this meaningful work to help the people of Puerto Rico address a public health situation facing this generation and generations to come,” said Luis Fortuño, former Governor of Puerto Rico. “At times like this, the needs are great, and raising awareness is among those critical needs. I applaud the philanthropic and private entities that are playing a vital role in this emerging public health threat, like the NACDS Foundation’s campaign that will help get the word out about prevention.”

In an April 15 briefing for philanthropic and business leaders, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H., said the current Zika virus outbreak is unprecedented, and that Zika virus infection can cause microcephaly and other severe brain [ READ MORE ]

Palm Beach, Fla. – Recognizing the important role of pharmacy education in helping to advance patient care, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Foundation announced $230,000 in scholarships and grants through its 2016 NACDS Foundation Scholarship Program. The recipients were presented with their awards tonight at an NACDS Foundation event during the NACDS Annual Meeting. The NACDS Foundation Scholarship Program is designed to fund prospective projects that hold promise to meaningfully improve patient care.

This year’s awardees were selected from more than 40 general and diversity scholarship applications submitted from deans of accredited colleges and schools of pharmacy across the country. Six grants were awarded to applicants for innovative education programs in the amount of $20,000 each, including two in the name of industry leaders: The Wayne Roberts Memorial Scholarship, provided by Apotex Corporation, and the Robert J. Bolger Scholarship, provided by Teva. Additionally, two one-time grants in the amount of $15,000 each were awarded for excellence in diversity programs.

The awardees of the 2016 NACDS Foundation Scholarships for excellence in education are:

1.     Northeast Ohio Medical University College of Pharmacy will expand patient access to community pharmacist-driven medication management services by developing a new Innovation Center that will pilot cutting-edge telehealth technology and align professional development with new models of care.

2.     Duquesne University, Mylan School of Pharmacy will help prevent opioid-related overdose deaths in collaboration with the Allegheny County Department of Health in Pennsylvania by improving access to naloxone, developing an education program for pharmacists, and promoting public awareness and community outreach.

3.     University of Charleston School of Pharmacy will launch a rural outreach screening campaign in West Virginia in collaboration with public health entities in order to provide much-needed care in underserved communities and advance public health.

4.     University of Colorado, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences will promote enhanced pharmacy services for underserved patients living in rural Colorado, strengthen inter-professional healthcare partnerships, and examine the health outcomes impact of improved data sharing among local healthcare entities.

5.     University of New England College of Pharmacy will address the prescription drug abuse epidemic and its devastating health consequences for patients in Maine by creating a continuing education curriculum for [ READ MORE ]