2002 Press Releases
NCPA Launches Pilot Testing of Men's Health Risk Assessment Tool
NCPA Launches Pilot Testing of Men's Health Risk Assessment Tool
Las Vegas, NV - February 06, 2002
The initiative, which is supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Pfizer Inc, focuses on educating men about their potential health risks and improving patient outcomes through community pharmacists.
Pharmacists at the pilot sites will assess male patients using the MHRAT for common health risk factors and recommend that men at risk make an appointment for an examination by a physician. The MHRAT identifies men at risk from hypertension, cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, prostrate enlargement, prostate cancer, erection difficulties, testosterone deficiency, colon cancer, depression, and vaccinations to prevent respiratory infections.
Each participating pharmacist will promote the Men's Health Care Initiative in their pharmacy and in the community. The goal is for each pharmacy to screen at least 100 patients.
The pilot is designed to help project coordinators assess the MHRAT for its functionality in the pharmacy.
Participating pharmacists and pharmacies include:
Beverly Schaefer
Katterman's Sand Point Pharmacy
Seattle, Washington
Tony Welder
Dakota Pharmacy Consulting Services
Bismark, North Dakota
David Wrzesniewski
Super G Discount Drug
Wilmington, Delaware
Cheri Garvin
Leesburg Pharmacy
Leesburg, Virginia
Jerry Meese
Plaza Pharmacy and Wellness Center
Gainesville, Texas
Rick Mohall
Eckerd Drug
Baden, Pennsylvania
Once the pilot is complete, the MHRAT will be used by pharmacies across the nation as part of an Outcomes Study conducted by the University of Oklahoma (OU). Researchers will seek to determine patients' likelihood to follow through with pharmacist recommendations for a physical examination and the effect on patient health. The study also examines the economic impact on pharmacies offering this service.
Pharmacists participating in the OU study will receive personal digital assistants on which to analyze the MHRAT responses. They will also receive reimbursement for patient counseling sessions. Additional support for the study has been provided by the Institute for the Advancement of Community Pharmacy.
Another component of the Men's Health Care Initiative will be a National Institute for Pharmacist Care Outcomes (NIPCO)-accredited Men's Health Care Certificate Program. The 15-hour program will provide community pharmacists with the education and training needed to implement a Men's Health Care Program in their pharmacy.
The National Institute for Pharmacist Care Outcomes, launched by NCPA in 1995, is the national accrediting organization for pharmacist care education and training programs leading to the Pharmacist Care Diplomate credential and a leading authority in helping community pharmacists develop new market niches in disease management.
The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) represents the pharmacist owners, managers, and employees of nearly 25,000 independent community pharmacies across the country. The nation's independent pharmacies, independent pharmacy franchises, and independent chains dispense nearly half of the nation's three billion retail prescription medicines and account for nearly $50 billion in prescription drug sales each year.
CONTACT:
Deleisa Johnson
Senior Vice President, Communications
National Community Pharmacists Association
205 Daingerfield Rd
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 683-8200
Deleisa.Johnson@ncpanet.org