NATIONAL PHARMACY WEEK
Held during the third full week in October, National Pharmacy Week acknowledges the invaluable contributions pharmacists and technicians make to patient care.
Did you know that one out of every two Americans take a least one prescription drug? With so many Americans taking prescription drugs, pharmacists play a more vital role than ever in our health care system. Not only do pharmacists provide medicine, but they also provide important information to patients. They need to know everything there is about the prescriptions they fill. This includes knowing how medications interact with one another.
Along with dispensing medication, pharmacists work as researchers, educators, advocates, and counselors. Some pharmacists also give immunizations. They even help patients with weight management and smoking cessation. Additionally, pharmacists often work with insurance companies to ensure their patient’s medications are covered by their health insurance plan. National Pharmacy Week recognizes all these contributions and more!
It’s clear that pharmacists have a direct impact on their patient’s health. No wonder pharmacists love their jobs! Here are some more reasons pharmacists enjoy their work:
- They get to work directly with patients.
- Pharmacists have job mobility, stability, and flexibility.
- State-of-the-art technology gives pharmacists an advantage.
- They are highly respected members of the community.
Pharmacists don’t just work behind the counter. Some of them work in hospitals, nursing homes, and managed care organizations.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalPharmacyWeek
During the week many pharmacies provide pharmacy tours and open houses. These events allow the public, as well as other healthcare workers, to get a glimpse into the daily operations of the pharmacy. These events also provide a chance for pharmacists to share success stories about improved patient outcomes. Some pharmacies also host meet and greets so that patients and caregivers can ask questions. Other events include brown-bag workshops, health fairs, and presentations.
To participate, give your pharmacy or favorite pharmacist a shout out on social media this week with #NationalPharmacyWeek.
NATIONAL PHARMACY WEEK HISTORY
Robert J. Ruth, a pharmacist from Ashville, North Carolina proposed the idea of a National Pharmaceutical Week in 1924. He made the proposal during the annual meeting of the American Pharmacist Association (APhA). The first event was held October 11-17, 1925. The name of the week was eventually changed to National Pharmacy Week. Years later, in 2004, the APhA would declare the entire month of October as American Pharmacists Month.