Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1998. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
PR Newswire; Tuesday July 21, 7:57 pm EST
This is part of Rite Aid's chainwide commitment to disease state management. Other diseases Rite Aid has addressed include asthma, diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. Rite Aid also recently launched the Vitamin Institute which prepares our over 12,000 pharmacists on homeopathic and herbal supplements.
"Rite Aid is committed to making sure that all of its pharmacists are informed about the rapidly changing therapies and medications that affect HIV and AIDS patients. We regularly receive and solicit feedback from our pharmacists so that our continuing education programs address the pharmaceutical and counseling needs of our customers," said Deborah Faucette, R.Ph., Director, College and Professional Recruitment for Rite Aid. The course entitled, "Current Management of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection" represents an enhancement of ongoing continuing education seminars designed to increase the knowledge base of the company's pharmacists on HIV/AIDS and other diseases. "Access to the most up-to-date information provided by leading experts in the field ensures that Rite Aid pharmacists can provide the highest quality pharmaceutical services," added Faucette.
The four-hour, mandatory session was developed for Rite Aid by Steven P. Gelone, Pharm.D., Associate, Professor of Pharmacy and Medicine, Temple University School of Pharmacy and noted clinical specialist in infectious diseases. "It's most important for practicing pharmacists to understand the rapidly changing therapeutic options available to HIV/AIDS patients. This continuing education program presents state-of-the-art therapies to Rite Aid pharmacists so they can best deal with issues in this population for optimum patient care," said Gelone.
Also featured in the four-hour session was an overview of the pathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus infection by Jay R. Kostman, M.D., Associate Professor Medicine, Section of Infectious Disease at Temple University Hospital and School of Medicine. He also is currently Medical Director of Philadelphia FIGHT, a coalition of AIDS advocacy groups.
Other steps Rite Aid has taken to ensure proper dispensing and processing of HIV/AIDS medications include instructing all pharmacy personnel on the billing complexities related to the implementation of the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare's HealthChoices, Access and Special Pharmaceuticals Benefits (SPBP) programs.
Rite Aid has modified its pharmacy computer system to help its pharmacists to ensure eligibility for HIV/AIDS prescriptions. A team of pharmacists has been designated to assist other pharmacists in handling special questions or concerns in the filling and processing of these prescriptions.
"All Philadelphia pharmacies are monitored to make sure that all medications needed by HIV/AIDS customers are in stock and in sufficient quantities," said Ed Hushen, Philadelphia market manager for Rite Aid. "Moreover, discussions with members of local HIV/AIDS advocacy organizations led us to clarify procedures of providing a 72-hour emergency supply of Protease Inhibitors and other medications if eligibility questions arise," Hushen added.
As always Rite Aid provides 24-hour pharmacy counseling by clinical pharmacists through its toll free hot line 1-800-RITE-AID. This service is also available on our Internet Web Site at http://www.RiteAid.com.
Rite Aid Corporation, based in Camp Hill, PA is one of the nation's largest drugstore chains with approximately 4,000 stores in 30 states and the District of Columbia with annual revenues of $11.4 billion. General information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through the company's web site at http://www.RiteAid.com.
SOURCE: Rite Aid
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