Grey Winn, Student Writer Several years ago, Callie Manning was a diabetic. “I had diabetes when I was pregnant, and it was tough,” she said. Today, she’s recovered, but still checks her blood sugar for any recurrence, and that’s just what she did Tuesday along with nearly 40 others as part of the Campbell University School of Pharmacy’s annual Health Fair. “One out of three people with diabetes doesn’t know they have it,” said pharmacy student Cornelius Toliver, bandaging a patient’s pricked finger. “We have this booth here so that people with diabetes can learn more about it, and that those without it can learn what might make them susceptible to it,” he said. The diabetes awareness booth was just one of the fair’s information exhibits, each of which was run by students. Each booth addressed a specific health issue, ranging from substance abuse to heartburn. The exhibits were designed to inform people about the issues, and give pharmacy students the experience of interacting with customers. “The fair is a really good concept, because the main idea for us is having the experience of patient contact,” said pharmacy student Jarrett Barnett from behind the blood pressure exhibit. “The more contact, the better,” said fellow exhibitor Paul Scott. Interacting with patients is critical to a pharmacist’s line of work. According to the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), more than two billion new prescriptions are written every year, with community pharmacies processing the bulk at nearly $200 million worth annually. Patient education is crucial as well, as NACDS estimates that senior citizens alone average up to twelve prescriptions each, many of which could conflict if not taken correctly. Prescription drugs are not the only medications that pharmacists help patients understand. “The biggest problem with over the counter drugs is that people don’t understand the difference between some medications,” said Jennie Hartman, student exhibitor behind the heart burn center. According to Hartman, many people with heartburn don’t know the difference between acid reducers that lower the amount of acid the stomach produces, and antacids, that neutralize the acid already present, which, if taken incorrectly, can cause other medications to stop working. Pharmacy students spent hours under an array of open tents to inform dozens of curious passersby who stopped to inquire throughout the day. By the end, both exhibitors and participants seemed satisfied. “It’s nice to have something like this,” said Manning, after testing negative for diabetes. “I didn’t think I had it, but I’m glad to know for sure,” she said with a sigh of relief.
Health Fair Prepares Future Pharmacists