2004 Press Releases

NCPA Offers Pharmacists Opportunity To Expand Business Through Therapeutic Foot Care
NCPA Offers Pharmacists Opportunity To Expand Business Through Therapeutic Foot Care
Alexandria, Virginia - September 02, 2004

Pharmacists seeking to increase the range of services they offer their patients, while stimulating the growth of their practices, are encouraged to participate in a two-day educational session to be held in conjunction with the National Community Pharmacists Association’s (NCPA) Annual Convention. The convention will be held on October 9-13, in Boston, Massachusetts, at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center.

NCPA is offering the National Institute for Pharmacist Care Outcomes (NIPCO)-accredited Therapeutic Foot Care Certificate Program on Friday, October 8, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Saturday, October 9, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. The Foot Care program will include an intensive two-day session, plus a home study component, that will provide pharmacists with comprehensive training regarding therapeutic shoes. A diabetes overview will be provided due to the high demand for therapeutic footwear among patients with diabetes. More than 60 percent of nontraumatic lower-limb amputations in the U.S. occur among people with diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

According to pharmacist Gary Glisson, owner of Ward Drug Company in Nashville, North Carolina, selling an average of five pairs of therapeutic shoes a week adds thousands of dollars per year to his pharmacy’s bottom line, an amount that does not include add-on sales that also accompany shoe fittings.

In 2002, 18.2 million people in the United States had diabetes, according to statistics from the ADA. That same year, $92 billion was spent in direct medical costs associated with the disease. An additional $40 billion was spent on indirect costs.

“This is an exciting opportunity for pharmacists to join fellow practitioners who have already successfully incorporated therapeutic foot care in their pharmacies,” said Kathryn Kuhn, R.Ph., NIPCO executive director. “This is a hands-on program that covers everything from analyzing conditions of the foot and the selection and fitting of the proper orthotics to billing basics.”

The program is supported through unrestricted educational grants from ACOR Orthopaedic, Inc. and Apex Foot Health Industries, Inc. The live portion of the course is worth 1.5 (CEUs) or 15 continuing education (CE) credits. Participants will also gain 1.0 contact hour for successfully completing the final exam. However, in order to receive a NIPCO Certificate of Achievement, the home study portions must also be completed.

A registration fee of $475 (if paid by September 15; $575 thereafter) is required of program attendees. NIPCO and Long Term/Home Health Care Affiliates can attend for $375. Convention registration is not required for program participation.

For more information or to register for the convention and/or the Therapeutic Foot Care Certificate Program, contact NCPA at 800-544-7447; or visit the NCPA website at www.ncpanet.org.

The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) represents the nation's community pharmacists, including the owners of 24,000 pharmacies. The nation's independent pharmacies, independent pharmacy franchises, and independent chains represent a $77 billion marketplace, dispensing nearly half of the nation's retail prescription medicines.

The National Institute for Pharmacist Care Outcomes, the disease management education arm of NCPA, 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.