Pharmacies of Promise Website Now Online; Retail Chain Pharmacies Join Industry Initiative to Help Youth
ALEXANDRIA, VA--6/03/02--The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) announced today the launch of a new website to promote Pharmacies of Promise, a national initiative of the chain drug store industry to support, mentor and reach out to youth in America.
The Pharmacies of Promise program is part of the NACDS commitment to America`s Promise: The Alliance for Youth, a national organization dedicated to building and strengthening the character and competence of America`s children.
The new website, http://www.pharmaciesofpromise.org, includes an online newsletter reporting on Pharmacies of Promise programs at chain pharmacies across the nation, and offers tools and resources for pharmacies as they develop youth programs and outreach initiatives.
The website is also the online resource for pharmacies, educators, students and youth groups participating in an ambitious new program, Pharmacists of the Future, which links participating pharmacies to high school students interested in learning about careers in community pharmacy.
In addition, the site offers links and information for both pharmacies and community groups interested in working together on programs that benefit youth, including internships, mentoring, Groundhog Job Shadow Day, and health insurance enrollment programs.
Among the chain companies designated as Pharmacies of Promise are: Albertsons, CVS, Eckerd, Kerr, Rite Aid, Thrifty White, Wal-Mart, Costco, Target, Giant Food and Kmart.
"Pharmacies are a health care resource for the entire community," said NACDS President Craig Fuller. "Our pharmacies play an important role in their communities, both through the health services and information they provide, and in the many programs and good works they support. We are proud to offer the Pharmacies of Promise website as a resource in this effort."
NACDS will work closely with member pharmacies to help support and promote Pharmacies of Promise programs, as well as serve as liaison between member pharmacies and schools, youth organizations and community groups seeking to participate in the program.
In the coming weeks, participating pharmacies can be identified by the Pharmacies of Promise decals on their store windows and doors.
For more information on the Pharmacies of Promise program, contact Elissa Dodge, Manager of Communications & External Affairs, at 703-837-4158. Interested organizations can also register for information online at http://www.pharmaciesofpromise.org.
Founded in 1933 and based in Alexandria, Virginia, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) membership consists of nearly 200 chain community pharmacy companies. Collectively, chain community pharmacy comprises the largest component of pharmacy practice with over 100,000 pharmacists. The chain community pharmacy industry is comprised of approximately 20,500 traditional chain drug stores, 8,500 supermarket pharmacies and 5,900 mass merchant pharmacies. The NACDS membership base operates almost 35,000 retail community pharmacies with annual sales totaling over $450 billion, including $200 billion in sales for prescription drugs, medical supplies, over-the-counter (OTC) medications and health and beauty aids (HBA). Chain operated community retail pharmacies fill over 70% of the 3 billion prescriptions dispensed annually in the United States. Additionally, NACDS membership includes over 1,200 suppliers of goods and services to chain community pharmacies. NACDS international membership has grown to include 130 members from 34 foreign countries. For more information about NACDS visit http://www.nacds.org.
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