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Posted: Monday, June 18th, 2012 9:13 AM HST

UH-Hilo College of Pharmacy to develop pharmacist-care system

By Ken Hupp - 67AM KPUA News

The University of Hawai`i at Hilo College of Pharmacy will develop a pharmacist-care system designed to save more than $27.1 million in health care costs throughout the state. The three-year project, called Pharm2Pharm, will be financed by a $14.3 million dollar grant from the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation and coordinated by CoP’s Center for Rural Health Science. The project is designed to reduce medication-related hospitalizations and Emergency Room visits by establishing teamwork between hospital and community pharmacists. It will affect the three rural counties of Hawai`i, Maui and Kaua`i, which recorded more than 15,000 medication-related Emergency Room visits and more than 700 medication-related hospitalizations among elderly in 2010. College of Pharmacy Dean John Pezzuto said Pharm2Pharm will provide the ability to reach out to thousands of Hawai`i residents, improve health care, expand the job market for pharmacy graduates and give current students a heightened educational experience.