Student Pharmacists Make a Difference By Educating Consumers about Heartburn

The National Heartburn Alliance (NHBA) partnered with the American Pharmacists Association - Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) to kick off the Heartburn Challenge this July. The Heartburn Challenge program involves a contest among the 89 APhA-ASP Student Chapters at every US Pharmacy College to provide public education on heartburn. During their Summer Leadership Institute conference on July 30, the Student Chapter Presidents/officers were provided with the "Heartburn Challenge" educational materials and NHBA Board member/past APhA President Jan Engle reviewed the program details with the students. Starting in August, students will provide community education (through presentations to local groups) using the NHBA Patient Education Slide kit and distribute copies of NHBA/APhA patient education brochures. In addition, they will provide individual patient sessions (e.g. exhibits at Health Fairs, etc), using a Heartburn Screener tool, to help individuals determine if they have episodic or frequent heartburn, provide a nonprescription treatment recommendation, or referral if appropriate, to a medical care provider. A licensed pharmacist/faculty will be present at all events. Student Chapters are encouraged to compete in total numbers educated, as well as creativity in educational program offerings and for media coverage involvement. The top Chapter from each geographic region and an overall national winner will be recognized at APhA's Annual Meeting in March 2005. Nearly 150 student pharmacist officers, representing 79 US pharmacy schools, attended the APhA's Summer Leadership Institute this past weekend to kick off the Heartburn Challenge. The APhA-ASP Student Chapters already have education/screening program experience from existing diabetes and immunization programs, and have had great results in the numbers reached by these programs. The APhA-ASP Students Officers expressed enthusiasm for helping their ASP Chapters plan heartburn education programs this fall. Watch for results and reporting on the Heartburn Challenge next spring! For more information on NHBA, see http://www.heartburnalliance.org. Return to Top