Spotlight: NACDS Foundation Ensures Research Leads to Positive Clinical Outcomes

Sara Roszak, DrPH, MPH, president of the NACDS Foundation, discussed the role her foundation plays in implementing insights gained from research in clinical practice in an interview with Pharmacy Times®. Roszak also highlighted the Annual NACDS Foundation Dinner that took place at Total Store Expo in Boston, Massachusetts.

Pharmacy Times®: Are there any key topic areas or research you'd like to highlight?

Roszak: So, we've done research on a variety of issue areas, everything from routine ailments to testing and treatment, whether it's influenza, HIV, hepatitis C, we've looked at the opioid use issue and how to prevent and treat that in the pharmacy setting. We've done many projects around chronic care management, and also, now we're looking to the future and seeing how there's a great emphasis on food as medicine. And we'll also be launching a study on that as well.

Pharmacy Times: How do you ensure that research findings are effectively translated into clinical practice?

Roszak: So, all of our research studies are designed to try and be replicable and to also be sustainable. So, we include many partners in the studies; that could be pharmacies, payers, community-based organizations. Really, what we're trying to do is create a research study that could be replicable in the real world and live on its own beyond the confines of a grant. And when we have outcomes that we'd like to share with the world, we're looking to get those findings published and then other people can learn about what the foundation funded, and hopefully replicate that in their communities.

Pharmacy Times: What were some highlights from this year’s Annual NACDS Foundation Dinner at TSE?

Roszak: The Annual NACDS Foundation Dinner is our primary fundraising vehicle, year-to-year. It was an amazing event last night. We had 560 supporters, donors, and friends there with us. We raised more than $1.35 million for our research, education programs, philanthropy. We had more than 15 schools and colleges of pharmacy represented at the event, with about 35 academics there, among others in the industry who are also there. And it was really just a wonderful opportunity for not only people to have fun, but also learn about the great work that we're doing and how we're making an impact in the community.

Pharmacy Times: Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Roszak: Yes, so last night at the NACDS Foundation Dinner, we released our impact report. Every person at the dinner received a printed copy of this report. It's showcasing some of our programs, case studies for each one, from research, scholarship, faculty, scholars and philanthropic initiatives. It's just a great tool to share the mission and the work of the foundation with partners, donors, and friends.