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NCPA Offers Diabetes, Cardiovascular Care Certificate Programs Online
Alexandria, Virginia - June 15, 2004 Pharmacists can now access online NCPA’s Diabetes Care Home Study Certificate Program, Third Edition, and the Cardiovascular Care Home Study Certificate Program, Third Edition, developed by the National Institute for Pharmacist Care Outcomes (NIPCO), at www.ncpanet.org/nipco. NIPCO is the disease management division of the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA). In the past these programs have been available only through live courses or the printed home study format.
“Unfortunately, cardiovascular disease and diabetes have reached epidemic proportions in the United States, but the good news is that patients can go to their neighborhood community pharmacy and receive specialized services from a trained pharmacist to manage their condition,” said Kathryn Kuhn, R.Ph., NIPCO executive director. “Offering these certificate programs online is more convenient and cost effective for our members and the result is better health care for their patients.”
Both programs are supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Pfizer, Inc. “We at Pfizer are pleased to be able to work with and support NIPCO and NCPA in the development of these excellent programs. The Diabetes and Cardiovascular Care Home Study Certificate programs are fine examples of the types of vehicles by which today's pharmacists provide value, both to their patients, and to the entire health care system,” said Walt Slijepcevich, R.Ph., Pfizer’s director, team leader of pharmacy development.
The cardiovascular program focuses on how pharmacists can help their patients understand and manage their cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, ischemic heart disease, and congestive heart failure. Pharmacists who successfully complete this program earn 17 ACPE CE contact hours (1.7 CEUs) of continuing pharmacy education.
The diabetes program describes the characteristics of diabetes, various methods of treatment including diet and medication, and techniques to help people with diabetes manage their disease. The diabetes program provides 16 ACPE CE contact hours (1.6 CEUs) of continuing pharmacy education.
Credits earned in these programs can be applied toward attaining the NIPCO Pharmacist Care Diplomate credential.
The cost of these online certificate programs is $50 each for NCPA members and $75 each for non-members.
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 the leading authority in helping community pharmacists develop new market niches in disease management and wellness.
The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) represents the nation's community pharmacists, including the owners of nearly 24,000 pharmacies. The nation's independent pharmacies, independent pharmacy franchises, and independent chains represent a $67 billion marketplace, dispensing nearly half of the nation's three billion retail prescription medicines. |
