During the month of February, students from the College of Pharmacy took part in a national competition led by National Consumers League (NCL) to help as many patients as possible. The Script Your Future campaign is sponsored by American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Foundation, American Medical Association (AMA), and the National Consumers League (NCL).

The Script Your Future Challenge pits colleges of pharmacy nationwide against each other with the goal of helping the general public learn about medication adherence.

Student pharmacists from the University of Iowa hosted several events to counsel the public on their medications. Events have been held at Carver Hawkeye Arena during a women’s basketball game, and at local pharmacies in Iowa City and surrounding areas. Four consecutive events were held on Saturday, Feb. 23 at Towncrest Pharmacy, both Coralville Walgreen’s locations, and Hy-Vee on Waterfront Drive.

With chronic health problems on the rise, the American public now takes an average of 12 prescription medications per year. Chronic health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma all contribute to this increase. Nearly three out of four Americans don’t take their medications as directed, with serious consequences. Teaching patients how to manage those medications, identifying interactions, and providing information about what each medication is for is the job of the pharmacist.

The University of Iowa College of Pharmacy is participating in the Script Your Future medication adherence challenge for the first time. According to Luke Watson, Student Leadership Committee president, the challenge gives all pharmacy students the opportunity to work toward a singular goal. “I was drawn to the Script Your Future promotion because it really demonstrates all the different services that pharmacists can provide,” he said.

UI student pharmacists, along with 60 other colleges of pharmacy, are competing to increase public awareness of pharmacy services and provide counseling on proper medication use. Winners of the challenge will receive national recognition, as well as a stipend for future patient engagement activities.

The challenge itself part of the Script Your Future campaign lead by National Consumers League (NCL). The challenge is sponsored by American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Foundation, American Medical Association (AMA), and the National Consumers League (NCL).