CVS Health, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy and Pittsburgh Public Schools Announce Joint Effort to Prevent Youth Drug Abuse

Pitt Student Pharmacists will deliver CVS Health's "Pharmacist Teach" program to middle and high school students in the Pittsburgh Public Schools

News provided by

CVS Health

Mar 23, 2017, 08:30 ET

PITTSBURGH, March 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Health (NYSE: CVS), University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy and the Pittsburgh Public Schools today announced a unique public-private partnership that will bring CVS Health's prescription drug abuse prevention program, Pharmacists Teach, to students in the Pittsburgh Public Schools, with the help of student pharmacists from the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy.

In 2015, CVS Health developed the Pharmacists Teach curriculum, in coordination with the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, to help curb the growing opioid abuse epidemic. CVS Pharmacists have delivered the program to more than 200,000 students across the country. With the help of University of Pittsburgh student pharmacists, the program will dramatically expand in the Pittsburgh area, reaching thousands of students.

"CVS Health is committed to addressing and preventing prescription drug abuse in the communities we serve, and we started the Pharmacists Teach program because we know pharmacists can provide a unique and trusted perspective on the dangers of prescription drug abuse," said Larry Merlo, President and Chief Executive Officer of CVS Health. "I'm extremely proud we've been able to partner with the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy to expand the reach of the Pharmacists Teach program to so many public schools in Pittsburgh. I know Pitt's pharmacy students will bring an influential and meaningful voice to this issue for so many local teens."

University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy Dean Patricia Kroboth stated that, "This partnership is about people—the dedicated professionals in the Pittsburgh Public Schools, at CVS Health, and at the Pitt School of Pharmacy all working together to improve the health of our young people in our Pittsburgh community."

"We are truly thankful to both the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy and CVS Health for this valuable relationship," said Dr. Dara Ware Allen, Assistant Superintendent, Pittsburgh Public Schools. "Through this partnership students will learn the consequences associated with the misuse of prescription drugs, while also gaining insight into the career of pharmacy through the experiences of college students not much older than themselves."

Dozens of student pharmacists will be delivering the program to middle and high schools across the Pittsburgh Public Schools, the first large, urban school system to partner with CVS Health across an entire district. Pitt Pharmacy is also CVS Health's first university partner in delivering these presentations. Teachers and school administrators in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas are invited to reach out to CVS Health to schedule a presentation.

About CVS Health
CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) is a pharmacy innovation company helping people on their path to better health. Through its more than 9,700 retail locations, more than 1,100 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with nearly 90 million plan members, a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than one million patients per year, expanding specialty pharmacy services, and a leading stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, the company enables people, businesses and communities to manage health in more affordable and effective ways. This unique integrated model increases access to quality care, delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health care costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping the future of health at https://www.cvshealth.com.

About the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy
The School of Pharmacy has been developing leaders who have been driving the future of pharmacy for over 135 years. We investigate, discover, and create ways to improve patient health and, through partnerships, change practice and improve efficiency of care. Pitt Pharmacy ranks in the top ten in NIH funded research and in US News and World Report among schools of pharmacy. The School of Pharmacy leads the way in education, personalizing education and getting students to expert faster. Chartered in 1878, the School of Pharmacy is among the oldest pharmacy schools in the country.

About Pittsburgh Public Schools
The Pittsburgh Public School District is the largest of 43 school districts in Allegheny County and second largest in Pennsylvania. The District serves approximately 25,000 students in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. Under the leadership of Superintendent Anthony Hamlet, Pittsburgh's public school system is in the midst of the development of a five-year strategic plan that is aimed at creating a student-centered culture built on continuous improvement. The Pittsburgh Public Schools offers students a variety of options and opportunities that will help them succeed in school, and prepare them for whatever comes next college, career and life.

Media Contacts:
Erin Shields Britt
Corporate Communications, CVS Health
(401) 770-9237
[email protected]

Courtney Caprara
UPMC Media Relations
(412) 647-6190
[email protected]

Jan K. Shaw
Director of Communications, Pitt Pharmacy
(412) 383-6970
[email protected]

Ebony Pugh
Public Information Officer, Pittsburgh Public Schools
412-529-3616
[email protected]

SOURCE CVS Health