Written and managed by Vicki Meade in collaboration with art director
Published by the American Pharmaceutical Association Foundation, Washington, DC
Excerpt
Incentive Grants for
Practitioner Innovation in Pharmaceutical Care
An incentive grant from the APhA Foundation helps cover the cost of day-long clinics at Jones Pharmacy in Spokane, Washington, where patients with diabetes can drop in to have their glycosylated hemoglobin (HbAlc) tested at a discounted price. Says co-owner Linda Garrelts, “We use this opportunity to build awareness among diabetics about the importance of regular monitoring and how, as pharmacists, we can help them manage their disease.” Patients bring the test results to appointments with their physicians, which helps them engage in more meaningful conversations about their condition. “They can see very quickly what is working and what isn’t and then make changes,” notes Garrelts. Incentive grants of $1,000 each have been awarded to pharmacists annually since 1994 to help them try out new ideas and develop services that enhance patient care. Since the second year of the program, matching funds from Astra Merck Inc. have made it possible for the Foundation to double the number of grants allotted.