COVID-19 Emergency Medication Service for Homeless Patients

COVID-19 Emergency Medication Service for Homeless Patients

Submitted By:

 Monika N. Daftary, Pharm.D., BCPS
Jul 06, 2020

Capitol City Pharmacy Medical Reserve Corps (CCPMRC), based at Howard University College of Pharmacy, partnered with the Washington, DC, Department of Human Services and Unity Healthcare to establish an emergency medication management service for the homeless. A medication management room, based in a hotel for 4 temporary isolation sites, served more than 250 patients from the homeless population in the District of Columbia.  A total of 8 pharmacy students, including two graduating students, volunteered over 100 hours to work with medical providers and ensure that patients received their medications. The service partnered with Bellevue Pharmacy, an independent pharmacy in Washington, DC, to facilitate the processing of prescriptions. Once the prescriptions were processed, they were delivered to the medication management room. Students provided medication counseling by phone and then delivered medications to patients. The students’ voluntary service was provided daily for 3 weeks from 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm, until each isolation site was fully staffed. CCPMRC Director Tamara McCants and P4 student Casey Walker were actively involved in this effort. ACCP member and Howard University Professor Monika N. Daftary, Pharm.D., BCPS, commented, “This was a wonderful opportunity to be able to assist with service provision for our most vulnerable population.” 

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