Arlington, Virginia, October 9, 2025
News Summary
The National Community Pharmacists Association has teamed up with Bristol Myers Squibb to pilot a program aimed at enhancing cardiovascular care in rural communities. This initiative focuses on training pharmacy technicians to better coordinate care for patients with cardiovascular disease, while implementing routine screenings and making essential medications more accessible. The program will operate in various states, directly addressing the healthcare needs of underserved populations.
City: Arlington, Virginia
The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) has partnered with Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) to pilot a program designed to improve cardiovascular care in rural communities. This initiative aims to address health-related social needs and enhance care coordination for patients suffering from cardiovascular disease (CVD).
The pilot program will implement specialized training for pharmacy technicians in community health. It involves collaboration with 25 rural pharmacies and intends to enhance the treatment and management of cardiovascular conditions through improved care coordination and routine screenings.
As part of the program, transition of care interventions will be established to ensure patients have access to the medications they require. The training focuses on equipping pharmacist-community health worker teams in six states—Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Missouri—with the skills needed to evaluate patients and direct them to appropriate healthcare providers if they are identified as being at higher risk of CVD.
According to NCPA’s CEO, the organization is dedicated to enhancing access to care particularly in medically underserved communities. The NCPA Innovation Center will serve as a facilitator for the training and program implementation.
The initiative funded by a grant from BMS aims to assess how enhanced access to healthcare services impacts patients in these rural areas. By establishing new access points for CVD screening, monitoring, and management within independent pharmacies, the program is expected to drive improvements in cardiovascular outcomes.
This partnership highlights a growing recognition of the need to address social determinants of health, which play a critical role in health outcomes for patients residing in rural locations. By focusing on specialized training and care coordination, the NCPA and BMS are taking steps to bridge the healthcare gap that often exists in less populated areas.
The pilot program exemplifies the commitment to redefining how care is delivered, especially for those facing barriers due to geographic and socioeconomic factors. With successful execution, the model can be replicated in other underserved areas across the nation, potentially leading to significant advancements in public health, particularly in managing conditions relating to cardiovascular disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NCPA’s new initiative?
The NCPA has launched a partnership with Bristol Myers Squibb to pilot a program designed to improve cardiovascular care in rural communities.
What is the goal of this program?
The partnership aims to address health-related social needs and improve care coordination for patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD).
How will pharmacy technicians be involved?
The pilot program involves specialized training for pharmacy technicians in community health.
Where will the program take place?
The program will collaborate with 25 rural pharmacies across several states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Missouri.
What will the training help pharmacy teams do?
The training aims to help pharmacy teams evaluate patients at higher risk of CVD and direct them to appropriate healthcare providers.
How will patients benefit?
The program includes transition of care interventions to ensure patients have access to necessary medications, ultimately improving cardiovascular outcomes.
Key Features of the Cardiovascular Care Program
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Partnership | The NCPA and Bristol Myers Squibb have joined forces to improve cardiovascular care. |
| Target Area | Focused on rural communities facing cardiovascular disease (CVD). |
| Training Focus | Specialized training for pharmacy technicians in community health. |
| Geographic Scope | Includes pharmacies in Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Missouri. |
| Funding Source | Program is funded by an independent grant from BMS. |
| Outcome Aims | Improvement of cardiovascular outcomes through enhanced care coordination and screenings. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- HME News: Pilot Program for Cardiovascular Disease
- Google Search: Cardiovascular Disease in Rural Communities
- Gene Online: FDA Grants Special Designation
- Wikipedia: Lung Cancer
- Managed Healthcare Executive: OptumRx Changes
- Google Scholar: Pharmacy Reimbursement Changes
- HME News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Health Disparities in Rural Areas
- Bristol Myers Squibb Company Site
- Google News: Bristol Myers Squibb Partnerships
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