ISU College of Pharmacy to provide free flu vaccines to first 50 guests at open house

In conjunction with American Pharmacist Month, the Idaho State University College of Pharmacy faculty, students and staff will provide flu vaccinations, free of charge, to the first 50 guests who register for adult flu shots during the Pharmacy Open House, slated for Friday, Oct. 1, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the College of Pharmacy, 970 S. Fifth Ave.

These shots are a $30 value. Once the 50 free vaccines have been used, Sav-on Pharmacy will provide additional shots for $20. H1N1, or swine flu immunization is part of the seasonal flu shot this year. Those with ISU health insurance can receive the seasonal immunization, at no deductable cost from their local pharmacy.

“We encourage people to get their seasonal flu immunizations to ensure good immune health,” said ISU President Arthur C. Vailas, who recently joined his wife, Dr. Laura Vailas for an immunization by pharmacy students.

The open house will also feature tours of the College, refreshments and information regarding immunizations, heartburn awareness programs, diabetes education and poison prevention.

Do you have questions about the use of your medications? Consumers with questions about their medications don’t have to worry about where to get information. Pharmacists are their best and most accessible medication experts. Also bring your prescription and over-the-counter medications to the Pharmacy Open House where student pharmacists, assisted by licensed pharmacy faculty members, will answer questions regarding prescriptions.

Sponsored by the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the theme of American Pharmacists Month, “Know your medicine, Know your pharmacist,” encourages patients to get to know the resources a pharmacist may provide.

For example, did you know that taking your medications properly is one of the best ways to avoid future health care costs?  Each year, thousands of people end up in the hospital, fail to get better, and spend more money than they have to simply because they do not take their medication properly, according to APhA.

Pharmacists can educate patients about medications, both prescription and nonprescription.  The APhA says that every person should be able to answer several questions before taking any new medication. Many of these questions include the length of time a medication should be taken; does this medication contain anything that can cause an allergic reaction; should alcohol be avoided or any other medicines, foods or activities while taking the medication and several other questions.

APhA says that consumers should expect a higher level of service from today’s pharmacists.  Consumers should look to their pharmacists to provide medication-counseling services, including drug regimen reviews and drug interaction checks; coordination of patient care with physicians and other health are providers, and monitoring of side effects.  Some pharmacists can also perform limited patient testing, such as cholesterol screening, glucose monitoring and blood pressure checks for serious health-threatening problems.

For more information about the ISU College of Pharmacy Open House, please call 282-3393.

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