NCPA Releases New Video Training Series on Medication Synchronization

PRESS RELEASE

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (April 22, 2015) — The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) today unveiled “Implementing Med Sync,” a new six-part video training series for community pharmacies interested in establishing an appointment-based medication synchronization program in their stores. Each video in the series is less than five minutes long and covers topics such as getting organized, identifying and enrolling patients in a program, and steps to take prior to and the day of patient pick up.

“As trusted medication experts, community pharmacists play an integral role in helping patients stay healthy — and that starts with making sure patients take their medications as prescribed,” said NCPA CEO B. Douglas Hoey, RPh, MBA. “Medication synchronization programs are effective at improving adherence among patients; in fact, a 2014 NCPA study found that 83 percent of patients enrolled in a medication synchronization program call it very or extremely helpful in managing their refills. As part of NCPA’s continuous efforts to equip community pharmacies with the resources they need to create successful niches in their stores and better serve patients, we’re pleased to offer this new med sync video training series for pharmacy staff and hope it inspires even more pharmacies to offer this unique service for patients.”

The video series is a new feature of the Simplify My Meds® program, NCPA’s free turnkey medication synchronization program for members. More than 2,300 community pharmacies offer Simplify My Meds® and synchronize medications for approximately 90,000 patients across the country, aligning patients’ medications to be refilled on the same day in order to promote better medication adherence and health outcomes.

According to the 2014 NCPA Digest sponsored by Cardinal Health, 67 percent of independent community pharmacies are offering patients some type of medication adherence program, whether it is through Simplify My Meds® or another platform. These pharmacists are counseling patients, sending text reminders, calling patients, and providing other tools to improve medication adherence among their patients.

Access all six training videos on NCPA’s YouTube channel and learn more about the Simplify My Meds® program on the NCPA website.