National Hospital and Health-System Pharmacy week Oct. 21 to 27 Published Oct. 9, 2012 By Capt. Richard Boyd 28th Medical Support Squadron ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- Ellsworth pharmacists will use the National Hospital and Health-System Pharmacy week, Oct. 21 to 27, to underscore the many new and vital roles they now play in patient care. The evolution has been especially dramatic in recent years as pharmacists have moved beyond compounding and dispensing medications to become vital members of multi-disciplinary patient care teams. "Many consumers are not aware that pharmacists play a critical role in preventing medication errors, advising prescribers on the best drug choices, and working directly with patients to ensure they understand how to use their medications safely and effectively," said Capt. Eric Jorczak, 28th Medical Support Squadron pharmacy element chief. "Pharmacy Week is a great way to educate the public about how pharmacists can help them get the most benefit from their medicine." Throughout the week, the pharmacy clinic will give away wallet-sized medication reminder cards, and pamphlets with useful information about the pharmacy near the 28th Medical Group main entrance. Pharmacists will also travel to the Youth Center to educate children on the dangers of misusing prescription medications, Oct. 23 and Oct. 25, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Hospital and health system pharmacists have taken on enhanced patient care roles because of a number of factors, including the deployment of highly-trained, certified technicians and new technologies like robotics that dispense medications. As technology evolves - such as the addition of machine-readable codes to medication labels - patients will have greater opportunities to have a pharmacist involved in their care. Pharmacists are experts on the thousands of medications available today, how each one works in the body, and the ways to use each one safely and effectively. Pharmacists who graduate today have at least six years of education with a focus on medication therapy to receive their Doctor of Pharmacy degree, and many pharmacists practicing in hospitals and health systems also complete post graduate residency programs. They advise doctors and nurses on the best medications and monitor every patient's medication therapy and provide quality checks to detect and prevent harmful drug interactions, reactions, or mistakes. For more information about the National Hospital and Health-System Pharmacy Week, call the Ellsworth pharmacy at (605) 385-3250.