Dedicated to medication safety and patient care
GET CLINICAL
Kelly Strama is a final-year PharmD candidate at the University of Cincinnati James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy.
The University of Cincinnati College of Pharmacy was honored to accept the 2019–2020 Generation Rx National Runner-Up Award at the 2021 APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition. Our dedicated student pharmacists and collaboration with community partners helped us meet chapter goals. The chapter’s overall aims were to educate previously unreached populations on safe prescription medication use and disposal; provide support to individuals and families facing addiction and recovery; and assist in combating the opioid epidemic through medication disposal, Narcan distribution, medication education, and awareness. We reached more than 5,000 individuals of all ages through our education programs, and many more through public relation efforts.
Collaboration and outreach
During the 2019–20 school year, we hosted several events for student pharmacists and the community. Notably, we held the third annual Opioid Overdose Prevention Training in collaboration with Talbert House, an agency with a network of prevention, assessment, treatment, and reintegration services. Students and community members were welcomed by the college of pharmacy to learn how to prevent an opioid overdose, and were provided with a free Narcan kit to take home. Many students also participated in the annual Northern Kentucky Hates Heroin 5K and provided running bibs, free drug disposal kits, and medication lock boxes to individuals and family members facing addiction.
Another memorable experience was participating in the Sharonville Baby and Beyond Expo, in which students educated expecting mothers and families on safe OTC and prescription medication use during pregnancy. We successfully reached several other groups of individuals through collaboration with a local elementary school, Girl Scout troops, community health fairs, the local health department, an assisted living facility, employees of a pre-employment training and job placement program, our undergraduate pre-pharmacy program, and the college wellness center. Generation Rx also partnered with our seven other patient care chairs to expand our outreach efforts.
Take action
As future pharmacists, we have the knowledge and available resources to educate community members on safe medication practices and proper medication disposal. We are some of the most accessible and well-trusted health care professionals, and it is important that we serve as leaders within our communities and strive to reach underserved populations. Pharmacists and student pharmacists can serve as leaders by educating their patients, volunteering their time, and taking part in outreach efforts.
There are numerous ways to get involved and take action within your community, such as volunteering at a local health fair, setting up a booth at a college library, or collaborating with a local elementary or health department. We are the future of the profession, and can make a difference through our dedication to medication safety and patient care!