CVS/pharmacy's Pack Your Bag program heads to New Hampshire

MANCHESTER, N.H. CVS/pharmacy and the National Council on Aging are bringing the Pack Your Bag medication consultation program to pharmacy patients in Manchester, N.H., which includes a presentation by a pharmacist on improving health through medication compliance and advice on how to save money on medications.

The program, held May 26, encourages seniors to pack a bag with their medications, including prescription drugs, OTC medications and dietary supplements for a review in one-on-one consultations with a local CVS pharmacist. This event is just one of hundreds of similar Pack Your Bag events that are taking place across the country.

According to CVS, 8-out-of-10 Americans have at least one chronic health problem, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Fifty percent of seniors take an average of eight or more prescriptions regularly. With increased use of medications, both prescription and OTC treatments, comes increased risk of adverse drug interactions and increased costs.

In the more than 5,000 Pack Your Bag consultations since the program's inception two years ago, CVS pharmacies have found:

• 7% of seniors were taking expired medications
• 15% were not taking medications as prescribed
• 10% were at risk for potential drug interactions
• 16% had the opportunity to switch to money-saving generics.

"We recognize that many seniors in New Hampshire are struggling to make ends meet and to pay for necessary health care," stated Nicole Harrington, pharmacy supervisor for CVS/pharmacy. "By speaking with a pharmacist about their entire medication regimen, seniors can identify cost-saving alternatives as well as any potential drug interactions."