ACPHS to Open College Parkside Pharmacy Jan. 25

In an effort to train tomorrow’s pharmacists and fill a critical gap in providing care to underserved populations in Albany’s South End, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) will open College Parkside Pharmacy on the morning of Wednesday, Jan. 25.

Located at the Capital South Campus Center (20 Warren Street), College Parkside Pharmacy is the second student-operated pharmacy in New York State. Last March, ACPHS cut the ribbon for the state’s first student-operated pharmacy, College Hometown Pharmacy, at Hometown Health Centers, a nationally recognized primary care and dental practice located at 1044 State Street, Schenectady, N.Y.

College Parkside Pharmacy will feature a full-time, licensed pharmacist who will supervise ACPHS students as they complete their bachelors, masters and doctoral of pharmacy programs. The pharmacy will also offer an expanded range of medication management services associated with patient wellness, including medication therapy management, disease prevention, wellness counseling and screenings.

“College Parkside Pharmacy will give ACPHS interns the chance to gain invaluable hands-on experience in every aspect of tomorrow’s pharmacy field from traditional pharmacy disciplines to business operations,” said ACPHS President Dr. Greg Dewey. “Just as important, students will also have the opportunity to interact with their local community and patient populations that are in great need of vital healthcare services.”

“This is a great opportunity for students to come into our community and learn what we are all about,” added AVillage, Inc. Executive Director Willie White. “It’s a win-win situation and everyone will benefit.”

 Differentiating College Parkside Pharmacy from its Schenectady-based counterpart will be a “collaboratory” at nearby 3 Lincoln Square. This unique space will feature licensed pharmacists; faculty from clinical pharmacy practices, public health, and clinical laboratory science; and, doctor of pharmacy students, public health undergraduate students and clinical laboratory science undergraduate and graduate students, who will work together in an interconnected, entrepreneurial environment.

Once opened later in the year, the collaboratory will provide individually designed service modules that include: point-of-care screening and assessments, patient education, referral and navigation services, medication therapy management, as well as convenient and rapid drug dispensing at College Parkside Pharmacy next door. Education focus and research will target different disease states such as asthma and diabetes, as well as different patient populations and different transitions of care. The screening, education and management functions will be adjusted to meet the needs of the community.

For more information, please visit acphs.edu/beyondpracticeready.