The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) recently launched a long-term community care initiative. The aim of the campaign is to develop a nationwide network of community pharmacists to provide the aging population with improved access to broader pharmacist services.

The program will target healthy and homebound seniors, as well as community-based seniors in assisted living facilities, continuing care retirement centers, and skilled nursing facilities. NCPA's National Institute for Pharmacist Care Outcomes will create a comprehensive education program with both clinical and business components. A unique feature of the program will be the partnership with the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP). That organization will work with NCPA to develop a program to best meet the special clinical needs of seniors. Furthermore, NCPA will promote ASCP offerings, such as its Certified Geriatric Credential, patient education resources, and pharmacy tools.

Key components of the initiative include:

• Providing Web-based educational resources for consumers and caregivers, as well as business tools for network pharmacists
• Developing drug/disease community outreach programs
• Educating Medicare beneficiaries about the Medicare Part D drug benefit as it is implemented in 2006