Kinney Drugs Launches First Medicine Collection Day

Kinney Drugs Inc. held a Medicine Collection Day in mid June at the Kinney Drugs store in Liverpool, N.Y. as a way to encourage the community to drop off unused or expired medications at the collection so they can be properly destroyed in order to help prevent accidental poisonings, substance abuse and environmental pollution.

In support of the event, Onondaga County and the City of Syracuse observed "Medicine Safety Awareness Day” on June 14th. The event generated tremendous community support and resulted in the disposal of hundreds of unused or expired medications.

The proper disposal of medications has increasingly become an issue of environmental and safety concern across the United States. According to a study conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 70 to 80 percent of substance abusers said they took medications that belonged to a friend or relative. In addition, pharmaceuticals have been found in the drinking water of at least 41 million Americans, according to a March 2008 Associated Press investigation.

"Public safety remains one of our top priorities and commitments to our local communities. Improperly disposing of medication can still pose a serious threat to the safety of the public and Kinney Drugs urges the community to use the Medicine Collection Day event as a means of disposal for expired or unused medications,” said Michael Duteau, RPh, director of pharmacy operations for Kinney Drugs. "After our pharmacists sort the substances, they will be properly destroyed by law enforcement or disposed of at a federally licensed facility.”

Medicine Collection Day at Kinney Drugs was the first event of its kind in Onondaga County. Narcotics were also accepted for destruction. Examples of narcotic prescriptions include codeine, hydrocodone (Vicodin) and morphine. Also accepted were other prescription and over-the-counter medicines, ointments, sprays, inhalers, creams, medication vials and pet medications. Not accepted were illegal drugs, biohazardous materials, needles, personal care products and household hazardous wastes like paint or pesticides.

"It is important to educate the community on ways to protect their households and the environment,” said Joanne M. Mahoney, Onondaga County executive. "The solution Kinney Drugs is offering provides an avenue that will help keep families safe, while contributing to the county's environmental initiatives.”

All medication brought to the drop-off had to remain in the original bottle or package with the name of the product clearly visible. However, personal names and addresses could be removed or blocked out. 

Future Medicine Collection Days will be scheduled throughout Kinney Drugs stores and will be free and open to the public.

07/02/08

University of Connecticut Health Center and Competitive Technologies Announce NIH Grant for Asthma Study

University of Connecticut Health Center and Competitive Technologies Inc. (CTT) announced recently that Dr. Eric Secor Jr., assistant professor from the Department of Immunology at the university's School of Medicine in Farmington, has been awarded a multiyear $750,000 K-08 career development award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Center of Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Dr. Secor's grant is a continuing study of anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of bromelain, a natural botanical product, in asthma. This work has originated in association with Dr. Roger Thrall, an asthma researcher and recipient of several NIH grants including his current $1.8 million grant to investigate the mechanisms of allergic asthma. CTT has been providing basic funding for Dr. Secor's research to support his proposal to the NIH.

CTT is working with Dr. Secor to develop diagnostic tests for asthma and to determine the applicability of bromelain as a treatment. Dr. Secor's NIH grant states that botanicals with unknown mechanisms of action are widely used for treatment and management of acute and chronic conditions such as allergy and asthma. His study of the effect of botanicals and their extracts on the immune system will help clarify the anti-inflammatory mechanism(s) of action of bromelain. 

Asthma, a chronic disease that affects breathing, cannot be cured but can usually be controlled. According to the NIH, asthma affects an estimated 22 million people in the United States, including about six million children. About half of those affected suffer from allergic asthma.

07/02/08

AACP Crystal Apple Award Goes to University of Maryland and Pucino

The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and Frank Pucino, PharmD, of the Clinical Center at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have been awarded the 2008 American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Crystal APPLE Award.

The AACP Crystal APPLE (academic-practice partnerships for learning excellence) Award recognizes the contributions of faculty and administrators at colleges and schools of pharmacy and pharmacist practitioner educators and administrators who are successfully conducting and supporting quality experiential education in exemplary patient care clinical teaching environments. Merck Inc. is the sponsor for the project.

“The AACP Crystal APPLE awards program seeks to identify the most exemplary clinical education sites as judged by students and peers and hold them up as models for the academy,” explained Dr. Lucinda L. Maine, AACP executive vice president and CEO. “The competition for this prestigious recognition is intense and reflects the strong commitment to quality experiential education of these academic-practice partners.”

Since becoming a preceptor for the School of Pharmacy in 1996, Pucino has mentored dozens of students. “I am very thankful that Dr. Pucino has been selected for the Crystal APPLE Award,” said Cynthia Boyle, PharmD, director of the Experiential Learning Program at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. “I believe he is the ultimate clinician-educator for his high standards of practice and his dedication to students. Dr. Pucino's honor also recognizes the Experiential Learning Program and the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. We can be proud of our comprehensive, rigorous program, the tools we provide to preceptors and students, and the quality measures which help to prepare our students for their roles in practice. Our school has benefited from our partnership with the NIH Clinical Center, and we appreciate the support of preceptors, alumni, and stakeholders that educate our students and hire our graduates.”

The School of Pharmacy’s Experiential Learning Program is a partnership among students, faculty, clinical faculty (preceptors), school administration, and stakeholders, according to an article from the School of Pharmacy. The program’s goal, the article continued, is to develop in each student pharmacist the professional judgment and competencies needed to skillfully perform the functions and meet the responsibilities of a pharmacist in a wide range of practice environments.

“The Clinical Center at the NIH brings a unique blend of noteworthy research and clinical practice to our program,” says Boyle. “The experience is an optimal environment for multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural healthcare in which pharmacists are valued caregivers.”

06/15/08

Joffee Inducted into Alumni Hall of Distinction

Lee Joffee, past president of the Pharmacists Society of the State of New York, was recently inducted into the 2008 Alumni Hall of Distinction by the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU).

“They don’t think of themselves as heroes. They consider serving their country a privilege, and an experience that has helped them as much as it has helped others. Through their military service, they have grown in all their various roles, whether as student, parent, brother, sister, employee, or entrepreneur,” said a CICU spokesperson.

In the wake of the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center, Joffee felt compelled to serve his country. Practicing pharmacy in the military seemed to be a natural way he could use his skills to help others. He joined the New York Guard’s Army Division and, since then, has served in trying times.

“The military provides you with a setting to use all of the skills — prescribing, dispensing, physical examinations and inoculations — that you learned in college, ” he explains.

He had already earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and completed some graduate work; in 1978, he was awarded his bachelor of science in pharmacy from Long Island University.

Part of Captain Joffee’s dream was to advocate for his profession and be a leader for his country. His military career has enabled him to use his pharmaceutical expertise to touch lives.

He coordinated care for thousands of military personnel following the September 11th attacks. For the National Disaster Medical System Team NY2, he served as deputy commander, mobilizing and directing medical services as part of the FEMA response to the hurricanes of 2004 and 2005. He also was a joint management team pharmacy unit leader for Hurricanes Charlie, Rita, and Frances. In this capacity, he was responsible for pharmacy operations and logistics, leading a team of New York State pharmacists who endured long hours and arduous conditions to vaccinate, triage, and treat hundreds and sometimes thousands of victims each day.

In his military career, he has had a unique opportunity to change lives. His service during hurricane relief efforts, he says, was the most satisfying work he has ever done.

06/15/08

Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy

Pauline R. Montgomery, BS, has been appointed a member of the Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy. Her appointment will expire January 29, 2014.

06/09/08

Kinney Drugs Honors Its Top Pharmacists & Stores

Kinney Drugs, a leading health care organization in New York and Vermont, presented some of its most exceptional pharmacists and stores with awards at its recent pharmacy conference. 

Pinnacle of the event is the presentation of awards honoring pharmacists who have shown the greatest commitment to patient care and the company throughout the year, stated a company release. These individuals and store teams have made it their mission to express Kinney Drugs' culture of caring for the community to their colleagues, business partners and, most importantly, their customers, the release continued.

Nancy Randall, supervising pharmacist at Kinney's Ithaca, N.Y., store and a 20-year veteran of Kinney Drugs received the Quest for Excellence, considered the most prestigious award of the conference. This award honors a pharmacist's overall dedication to their customers, community, as well as financial performance and professional representation of Kinney Drugs. The honoree also demonstrates an overwhelming desire to provide exceptional patient care and achieve operational excellence at all levels. In addition to much appreciation and fanfare, the winner also receives a one carat diamond ring to signify the magnitude of this award.  

The A. Eleanor Jackson Store Support Award is another prestigious award given at the conference. It honors an administrative associate who provides an exceptional level of support to the stores, and ultimately, patients. This year Kinney Drugs honored Jennifer Jones, an integral part of the store support system as third party coordinator.  

Mike Duteau, director of Pharmacy Operations, presented the Outstanding Customer Service Award to Jack Hess, supervising pharmacist of the Oswego, N.Y., store. This award honors unparalleled service and dedication to patients.  

Frank Reff, RPh, pharmacist in the Washington Street store in Watertown N.Y., received the Outstanding Community Service Award. This award is presented to a pharmacist who exemplifies exceptional commitment and dedication to his community.

Entire store teams are also honored during the conference with the Store Recognition Award. Regional pharmacy managers evaluate stores on incomparable customer care, sales growth, and execution of the total business plan. Candidates are also judged on the overall store appearance throughout the year, their involvement in staff development, community support and the level of customer service that they provide.

Store Recognition Awards are presented by the regional managers and accepted by store pharmacists. Winning locations in the northern region included Tupper Lake, N.Y.; South Burlington, Vt.; Plattsburgh, N.Y.; and Cambridge, Vt. Winning locations in the western region included Baldwinsville, N.Y.; Liverpool, N.Y.; and the 24-hour store in Liverpool on Electronics Parkway. Winners in the eastern locations included Chittenango, N.Y.; Cazenovia, N.Y.; and Fulton, N.Y.  Central regions winners included Carthage, N.Y.; Ogdensburg, N.Y.; and Canton, N.Y.  

"Over the past year, the performance of these stores and our pharmacists has been unparalleled,” commented Craig Painter, chairman and CEO, Kinney Drugs. "The pharmacists and store teams are delivering outstanding customer services to their patients and maintaining active roles within their communities while meeting and exceeding operating goals.”

06/09/08