NACDS Foundation launches patient care database

ALEXANDRIA, Va. The National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation has developed a fully searchable resource dedicated to raising the public's awareness of such topics as medication adherence and other patient services provided by community pharmacy.

NACDS Foundation's new patient care database was in development for one year before its launch. It aims to archive and track pharmacist-provided patient care activities and services in the community pharmacy setting through its user-friendly, searchable, Web-based database. The database consists of media articles, academic studies, research materials and other resources related to the services provided by pharmacists, including MTM services, vaccination administration, diagnostic screenings and patient counseling. It will help identify trends in pharmacy and allow academia and pharmacy students to study, track and evaluate the short-term and long-term public health benefits of expanded pharmacist-provided health care.

The project was launched successfully under the leadership of the University of Tennessee Center for Medication Therapy Management’s director, Dr. Lawrence M. Brown, PharmD.

“Tremendous collaboration between the NACDS Foundation and the University of Tennessee Center for Medication Therapy Management at the College of Pharmacy made possible this important public resource,” said NACDS Foundation president Edith Rosato. “The patient care database will provide a wealth of knowledge about the multitude of services that community pharmacists deliver to patients that contribute to the advancement of public health.

“With the expansion of community pharmacy’s patient-centric healthcare services, the database is a timely resource that can increase awareness and understanding among patients, medical professionals, researchers, consumers and the media of the healthcare services pharmacists provide the public,” added Rosato.