News - Health
Grant benefits Rutherford County through Reeves-Sain Drug Store.
Oct. 04, 2001
October 4, 2001, MURFREESBORO – A $493,675 U.S. Department of Agriculture grant awarded to the University of Tennessee’s College of Pharmacy will electronically link Reeves-Sain Drug Store to a comprehensive drug information database, U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon said. (visit website)
Teleconferencing and telemedicine equipment will be installed in the Murfreesboro pharmacy and seven other community pharmacies across the state, electronically connecting them to the Memphis university’s drug information center.
"Providing that kind of medical resource to the Murfreesboro area will benefit the community immensely," Gordon said. "Not only will it help pharmacists keep an eye on potential drug interaction problems, but it will also provide them with the latest information on new drug therapies.
"And it will provide a valuable educational tool for the resident pharmacists who are honing their skills in an actual community setting."
Rick Sain of Reeves-Sain Drug Store said he was excited about the new resource, which will link the company’s Memorial Boulevard store to the university’s drug information center.
"This is going to allow us to be on the cutting-edge of health-care research and allow us to better train the pharmacist residents who come here," he added. "Tying patient care directly to that kind of a resource is an incredible opportunity for the entire community."
University officials said the purpose of the program is to enhance health care in communities across the state. Accordingly, the drug information center’s database would be electronically linked to county Agricultural Extension Service health specialists, as well.
"Databases like the one we have here are extremely expensive," said Dr. Dick Gourley, dean of the university’s College of Pharmacy. "Community pharmacies just can’t afford them."
Poison prevention and education, medication information, influenza immunizations, and nutrition are among the areas covered by the pharmacy school’s drug information center, he noted.
"But with this link," Gourley continued, "we’re able to put smart classrooms inside those pharmacies. It’s a great marriage, providing better access to health care and the ability to download educational programs."
Programs like this are part of a national effort to improve overall health care and reduce the number of medical errors in the United States, an estimated annual cost exceeding $75 billion.
"With the advances this nation has made in technology and medicine, health care to our citizens should be of the highest caliber," Gordon said. "This program is one more way to ensure that Middle Tennessee residents have access to the best medical care possible."
