2002 Press Releases
Record Number of NIPCO Pharmacist Care Diplomates in 2002
Record Number of NIPCO Pharmacist Care Diplomates in 2002
Alexandria, Virginia - October 17, 2002
To achieve Diplomate status, pharmacists are required to complete a curriculum totaling a minimum of 45 hours in at least three 15-hour NIPCO-accredited education certificate programs.
"We are thrilled with the unprecedented success of the Diplomate program," said NIPCO Chairman Holly-Whitcomb Henry. "The increase in Diplomates this year is truly impressive. It reflects well on the value of NIPCO's programs and on community pharmacists' desire to continue to learn and better serve their patients."
The NIPCO-accredited education curriculum consists of comprehensive certificate programs that range from 15 to 20 hours in length and focus on disease prevention and management, including monitoring, evaluating, counseling, intervening, and directing medication-related therapies to enhance patient care and improve health outcomes.
Among the topics addressed in the NIPCO curriculum are arthritis and pain care, cardiovascular care, diabetes care, immunization skills, lipid management, mental health care, osteoporosis care, respiratory care, nutrition and weight management, pharmacist care skills, men's health care, and biotechnology specialty products.
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 more than $50 billion in prescription drug sales each year.