Founded in 1982, the purpose of the ASCP Foundation was to advance the science of consultant pharmacy. As the Foundation prepares for the next 25 years, it cannot help but look at the impact of the number of individuals who will be over age 65. Demographers anticipate 75 million seniors in the U.S. by 2030, nearly a doubling of this segment of the population. 

Many in the 65 and older population will be managing chronic conditions with a youthfulness and zest that could not have been imagined just a few years ago, due in large part to recent advances in pharmaceuticals. Others will be the frail and infirm who will continue to need the best of medical technology and pharmaceutical care to ease their final years. The one constant for all older adults is likely to be medications ~ to maintain quality of life, to heal and renew, and to comfort. 

The ASCP Foundation seeks to build on its reputation and become the recognized authority on appropriate, effective, and safe medication use for older persons, providing quality information to a range of health care providers, caretakers, and consumers, as well as pharmacists. 

The Foundation's Board of Trustees recently approved a strategic plan for the next three years. Work on the plan began last year under the chairmanship of Trustee Joan Hyde, PhD. 

The plan was formulated after ASCP member surveys, focus groups, and a two-day strategic planning meeting that included leaders from eight other national organizations in the field of aging discussing population and programmatic trends. The Foundation's vision and mission statements and the goals that will be pursued through 2010 are as follows: 

Vision:  Optimal medication management and improved health outcomes for all older persons. 

Mission:  To foster appropriate, effective, and safe medication use in older persons.

Goals: 

• Research ~ Research results that enhance geriatric pharmacotherapy and advance senior care pharmacy practice. 

• Education ~ Programs, tools, and resources that generate better medication management and improved health outcomes for older persons.  

• Visibility ~ Leading authority providing reliable and unbiased information on appropriate, effective and safe medication use in older persons.  

• Capacity Building ~ Robust, viable, self-sustaining organization. 

ASCP Foundation Research Director Janice L. Feinberg, PharmD, JD, participated on an expert panel concerning accessibility of prescription drug information to the blind and visually impaired. The meeting, convened by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, was held in September in Alexandria, Virginia. 

The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) required that the Secretary of Health and Human Services undertake a study on how to make prescription pharmaceutical information, including drug labels and usage instructions, accessible to blind and visually impaired individuals. The legislation required that the study "include a review of existing and emerging technologies, including assistive technology, that makes essential information on the content and prescribed use of pharmaceutical medicines available in a usable format for blind and visually impaired individuals." This task was given to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The 2004 FDA study ~ which included a review of the published literature, call for comments from a 30-day public docket, and consultation with other federal agencies and technology manufacturers- ~ found that a significant number of blind and visually impaired individuals were not using assistive technology to access prescription drug label and usage information because they were unaware of its availability, or it was not effective or practical to meet their particular needs. 

NIDRR was asked to convene a meeting of experts and key stakeholders in eye health, assistive technology, and pharmacology to address the issues raised in the FDA study; the meeting was held in March 2006. The September 2007 expert panel was convened to develop a federal research agenda that addresses the use of assistive technologies and modalities to make prescription drug information accessible to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. 

Feinberg's participation on the expert panel grew out of the ASCP Foundation's collaboration with the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) to develop guidelines for prescription labels and consumer medication information for persons with vision loss. The draft guidelines were part of the background information provided to the panel participants. 

"Pharmacists and pharmacies have an important role to play in directing their patients with vision loss to rehabilitation services, assistive technology, and other resources," said Feinberg. The guidelines contain general recommendations for prescription labels, consumer medication information, and distinguishing among prescription containers; descriptions of assistive technology and modalities; and links to companies that provide these products.

The AFB website provides information on vision loss, videos, personal stories, an online community, and links to helpful resources that can be searched by category and state.

The ASCP Foundation invites you to join us on Thursday, November 15, from 6:00 to 9:00 pm for an event that has become a tradition for many ASCP Annual Meeting attendees. Celebrating the Foundation's 25th anniversary, this year's special event will be literally "under the stars" at the renowned Fels Planetarium at the Franklin Institute, Pennsylvania's most popular museum. 

Guests will enjoy cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, a sumptuous three-course dinner with wine, live music and dancing, and a unique view of the universe. 

Space is limited, so reserve your seats now. To RSVP, visit http://www.ascpfoundation.org/steppingout/index.htm or contact Carina Pascual at 703-739-1316, ext. 144; email cpascual@ascp.com. 

Proceeds of this special event benefit the mission of the ASCP Foundation and The Tim Webster Endowment.

The bidding will soon begin on the items in the ASCP Foundation's 2007 online auction. In addition to original paintings that have appeared on the cover of ASCP's journal The Consultant Pharmacist, this year's auction will include works of art created by ASCP members plus other donated items.

It's not too late to donate something to be included in the auction. If you are interested, please contact the Foundation at info@ascpfoundation.org.

Just in time for the holiday season and your seasonal displays, the ASCP Foundation is offering "Main Street Pharmacy," a collectible ceramic piece that depicts a small town pharmacy decorated for the winter holidays. Part of the Original Snow Village series produced by Department 56, this piece was first introduced in December 2006. 

Click here for additional information and to purchase.