CVS/pharmacy launches medication management program

WOONSOCKET, R.I. CVS/pharmacy and the National Council on Aging have teamed up to launch a medication management program for seniors who are taking multiple medications and are perhaps at risk for drug interactions.

The Pack Your Bag community outreach program is administered at participating senior centers nationwide and encourages seniors to pack a bag with prescription medications, OTC medications and dietary supplements including vitamins for a review in a one-on-one consultation with a local CVS pharmacist. The program also includes a presentation by the pharmacist on improving health through medication compliance.

The 2009 program kicks off Thursday with eight Pack Your Bag events taking place simultaneously at Horizon Bay Retirement Communities throughout Rhode Island.  

In more than 4,000 Pack Your Bag consultations since the program?s inception in 2008, CVS pharmacists have found:

• 7% of seniors were taking expired medications
• 14% were not taking medications as prescribed
• 10% were at risk for potential drug interactions
• 15% had the opportunity to switch to money-saving generics.

The program is available nationwide at senior centers located within five miles of a CVS store. For more information, patients can call 800-SHOP-CVS or visit www.CVS.com.