5th Annual Next-Generation Pharmacist Awards Open for Nominations

DURHAM, NC (January 21, 2014) — Parata Systems and Pharmacy Times, founding partners of Next-Generation Pharmacist™ awards, are pleased to announce today that nominations are officially open for the 2014 program. Now in its fifth year, the Next-Generation Pharmacist awards program—the industry’s leading national awards program—will be held at the Fairmont Copley Square, Boston hotel on Sunday, August 24, 2014, concurrent with the National Association of Chain Drug Stores’ Total Store Expo.

Established through a partnership of Parata Systems and Pharmacy Times, the Next-Generation Pharmacist program features 10 award categories recognizing and honoring pharmacists, technicians, student pharmacists, and industry advocates who are defining the future of the industry.

“We are so proud of how this unique program has grown. Over the past five years, this program has gained tremendous industry respect and continues to evolve to better serve and honor pharmacists,” said Ashley Talamo, Publisher, Pharmacy Times. “We expect this year’s milestone event to exceed all expectations and attract even greater participation from the pharmacy and health care industries.”

In addition to the traditional awards program, the 2014 Next-Generation Pharmacist program will host a panel of experts dedicated to sharing their vision about the future of pharmacy, including the growing role of pharmacists in the value-driven health care system. More details will be announced at a later date.

“The health care industry, and its impact on patients, is changing at an unprecedented pace. Pharmacists are redefining their role in this evolving value-driven health care system. Our vision of a Next-Generation Pharmacist is one who not only embraces this change but is helping to shape the future,” explained Tom Rhoads, CEO, Parata Systems. “Our Next-Generation Pharmacists are leveraging new ideas and innovations to improve patient outcomes, and as a result they are earning a more strategic role at the health care table. We look forward to recognizing and honoring them at this event.”

Nominations open today and may be submitted through April 1, 2014. An independent panel of esteemed judges, chaired by Pharmacy Times Editor-in-Chief Fred M. Eckel, RPH, MS, will evaluate entries. Up to three finalists will be named in each category. Finalists will be featured in the July 2014 issue of Pharmacy Times and on www.pharmacytimes.com. In addition to 10 category winners, one winner will be named the 2014 “Next-Generation Pharmacist,” the program’s top honor, and will be featured on the cover of Pharmacy Times.

This year’s nomination categories include:

• Civic Leader 2014
• Entrepreneur 2014
• Future Pharmacist 2014
• Lifetime Achievement 2014
• Military Pharmacist 2014
• Patient Care Provider 2014
• Rising Star 2014
• Specialty Pharmacist 2014
• Technician 2014
• Technology Innovator 2014

Information and online nominations can be found at www.nextgenerationpharmacist.com and www.PharmacyTimes.com. Sponsorship opportunities are also available and can be found at http://nextgenerationpharmacist.com/sponsors/. For regular updates, follow Next-Generation Pharmacist on Twitter and Facebook.

About Parata Systems, LLC

Parata provides technology solutions to support coordinated care, better health outcomes, and lower medical costs, empowering pharmacists to grow their businesses. Founded in 2001, the Durham-based company is a brand trusted by more than 12,000 pharmacies and a growing number of global health care professionals serving diverse patient populations. Through Parata, pharmacists can leverage a combination of high-tech tools and workflow to free time to counsel patients, identify and avoid medication interactions, encourage adherence, and more. We have filled more than 2.5 billion prescriptions, helping pharmacists avoid an estimated 15 million medication errors. For more information, visit www.parata.com, or contact info@parata.com, 888-PARATA1 (727-2821), Facebook or Twitter.

About Pharmacy Times

Pharmacy Times is the industry’s leading publication, providing practical, clinical information pharmacists can use in their everyday practices when counseling patients and interacting with physicians. Each issue contains articles and features covering medication errors, drug interactions, patient education, pharmacy technology, disease state management, patient counseling, product news, pharmacy law, and specialty pharmacy. The Pharmacy Times Office of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). As an independent continuing pharmacy education (CPE) provider, the Pharmacy Times Office of CPE offers accredited live and home-study CPE activities. Learn more at www.pharmacytimes.com, info@pharmacytimes.com or 609-716-7777, and on Facebook at facebook.com/PharmacyTimes and on Twitter @Pharmacy_Times. Pharmacy Times is published by Intellisphere, LLC, a leading provider of health care publishing, research, information, and education.

Next-Generation Pharmacist^TM is a trademark of Parata Systems, LLC.