Highlight: How The NACDS Foundation Promotes Research, Change in Pharmacy

In an interview with Pharmacy Times® at NACDS Total Store Expo, Sara Roszak, DrPH, MPH, president of the NACDS Foundation, shares some of the goals of the foundation and how their research directly impacts patients. Roszak also lays out some major research areas of focus for the foundation.

Sara Roszak, DrPH, MPH; So hi, I'm Sara Roszak. I'm president of the NACDS Foundation; been there about 10 years, and I have a doctorate in public health and a master's in public health, and love to work at the intersection of public health and pharmacy.

Pharmacy Times®: What are the broad goals of the NACDS Foundation?

Roszak: So the NACDS Foundation is really all about improving the health and wellness of Americans. We have programs focused on research, education, philanthropy, looking at health equity and how that can be folded into efforts to improve health outcomes.

Pharmacy Times: Given the critical role of pharmacists in medication management and patient outcomes, how does the NACDS Foundation prioritize research that directly impacts pharmacy practice in patient care?

Roszak: So, the type of research that we do at the foundation is focused on innovation. We're looking to evaluate innovative models of care; that could mean new types of care services and care interventions. It could be value-based care, incorporating a variety of stakeholders into research. When we prioritize the research that we're doing, we're really looking for the opportunities to highlight what's new and up and coming in this space that has the greatest opportunity to positively impact patient care.

Pharmacy Times: Do you have any pharmacist-led research initiatives to highlight?

Roszak: Sure, we have a handful of great research initiatives. One that was most recently published was a study that took place prior to the pandemic, demonstrating how care compares in the pharmacy setting versus other traditional types of care, like urgent care centers, emergency departments and physician offices. It really demonstrated the cost effectiveness and high quality nature of pharmacy based care. And I think it's a great publication that could be used by others to replicate that type of work and demonstrate the importance of this type of care in communities.