October Observance: St. Louis College of Pharmacy Celebrates the
Profession of Pharmacy and Importance of Pharmacy Education
ST. LOUIS – Nationwide, pharmacists look to the month of October to showcase their contributions to health care and commitment to serving patients and communities. St. Louis College of Pharmacy (STLCOP) is proud to join working pharmacists, national professional and educational organizations, faculty, and students from other colleges and universities in educating the public about the profession.
- During the entire month, the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) sponsors American Pharmacists Month. Its theme is: “Know your Medicine. Know your Pharmacist.” It promotes a variety of topics aimed at emphasizing the importance of pharmacists in delivering care and counseling services. They provide tips on properly taking medications, eliminating or reducing drug interactions and understanding the benefits and risks associated with medication usage.
- The week of Oct. 24-30, the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) will observe American Pharmacy Educator Week. It promotes the importance of pharmacy education at 120 institutions and the role of nearly 6,000 pharmacy educators, who contribute to improve public health by providing critical patient care in hospitals, clinics and community pharmacies.
“Throughout October, we hope to enhance people’s understanding of the profession and how pharmacists impact the overall quality of health care,” said STLCOP President John A. Pieper. “As society’s medication experts, pharmacists take seriously the responsibility of serving patients and helping improve their health.”
STLCOP has planned and will participate in various events. They include:
- Pharmacy Phun (Saint Louis Science center – Life Sciences Classroom); every Friday, beginning Oct. 1 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.: STLCOP students will lead visitors – adults and children – through a variety of hands-on, pharmacy-related activities such as using a mortar and pestle, punching medicine capsules and translating medicine labels from Latin to English. Visitors will also learn about safety through activities that focus on the safe disposal of medicine and poison prevention.
- CARE in our Community (Monsanto YMCA); Friday, Oct. 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.: STLCOP sixth-year students will participate in the Washington University-sponsored program that aims to improve the health and quality of life of older adults in our community. Students will help with bone density screenings and answer health-related questions at the event.
- Walk Now for Autism Speaks (Forest Park); Saturday, Oct. 9, beginning at 10 a.m.: Members of the STLCOP chapter of Kappa Psi pharmaceutical fraternity will walk with people from throughout the St. Louis region to increase awareness of autism spectrum disorders; fund research into its causes, prevention and treatment; and advocate for individuals with autism and their families.
- 3rd Annual Medication Safety Forum (STLCOP’s Whelpley Auditorium); Saturday, Oct. 9 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.: The safe use and distribution of pharmaceuticals is an important issue for patients and health care professionals. Errors involving medicine have become far too common as Americans of all ages rely on prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Today, more than ever, there is a tremendous need to eliminate errors involving medicine and reduce adverse drug effects. Noted experts will examine trends and issues related to errors and adverse drug effects. The forum is free and open to the public.
- St. Louis Metro-Area Residency Showcase (STLCOP’s Cartwright Student center); Tuesday, Oct. 12 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.: The showcase helps current pharmacy students learn about available post-graduate pharmacy residency programs in St. Louis. Residency programs from Illinois and central Missouri will also participate. Pharmacy students will meet residency program directors, program preceptors and current pharmacy residents.
- Boo Fest at Pumpkin Park (STLCOP’s Quad); Sunday, Oct. 24 from 3 to 6 p.m.: Each year, the College partners with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Saint Louis Science center to create a safe Halloween event for St. Louis-area children with diabetes. More than 150 kids in costumes will participate. STLCOP students will provide education information to kids and parents while also presenting fun activities in a carnival-like atmosphere. Activities include the Science Center’s “Creepy Chemistry Lab,” a costume contest, bounce house, face painting and temporary tattoos, and sugar-free snow cones.
- IdeaBounce® (STLCOP’s Whelpley Auditorium); Thursday, Oct. 28 at 5:30 p.m.: IdeaBounce® at STLCOP is a collaborative event between the College and Skandalaris center at Washington University in St. Louis that brings people together to discuss business ideas openly. Idea “bouncers” will have the opportunity to present their ideas to a panel of judges comprised of local business leaders and entrepreneurs. Several winners will receive $100 and dinner with the judges following the event. An open-microphone session will give everyone an opportunity to contribute thoughts and suggestions.
About St. Louis College of Pharmacy: Founded in 1864, St. Louis College of Pharmacy is one of the oldest and largest colleges of pharmacy in the nation. The College admits students directly from high school and integrates the liberal arts and sciences with a six-year professional curriculum leading to the doctor of pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. More than 1,200 students attend, and more than 72 percent of practicing pharmacists in the St. Louis region are alumni.
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