Kerr Drug Recognized by American Pharmacists Association Foundation for Contributions to Health Care Quality

Kerr Drug Inc., the pharmacy chain pioneering "community pharmacy care" in their more than 100 retail locations across the Carolinas, today announced that Kerr Drug Inc. Clinical Services (KDICS) has received a 2006 Pinnacle Award from the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Foundation.

The Pinnacle Awards are administered by the APhA Foundation in recognition for pioneering innovations that improve the medication use process, increase medication adherence, reduce drug misadventures and improve patient outcomes. Awards are bestowed in three categories: Individual, Group Practice/Health System/Corporation and Government Agency/Non-profit Organization/Association. There is one recipient per category, and this year KDICS received an award in the Group Practice/Health System/Corporation category.

“Kerr Drug, Inc. Clinical Services received this award based on their tremendous accomplishments in redefining community pharmacy practice and improving patient care,” commented William M. Ellis, APhA Foundation Executive Director and CEO. “All the 2006 Pinnacle Award recipients have taken risks and tried new ideas that have led to improvements in our health care system. Through their hard work and dedication, they serve as both an example and inspiration to everyone who is interested in optimizing medication use.”

KDICS is a team of clinical pharmacists who practice in Kerr Drug Health Care Centers, located in approximately 15 percent of Kerr Drug stores throughout the Carolinas as well as employer worksites and medical practices. The KDICS staff includes residency-trained pharmacists with advanced training and certifications in diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, smoking cessation, osteoporosis and immunizations.

“Our mission at Kerr Drug is to be a health care destination for North and South Carolina residents,” said Kerr Drug CEO Anthony Civello. “This award validates our status as a market leader in the clinical pharmacist delivery of quality dispensing services, Medication Therapy Management (MTM) services, preventative health care programs and a wide variety of durable medical equipment and health-related products.”

This award comes shortly after Kerr Drug announced that KDICS has been recognized by the American Diabetes Association for Quality Self-Management Education*. KDICS offers an interdisciplinary Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) Program at five of its North Carolina locations and is currently in the application process for five additional sites.





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ABOUT KERR DRUG
Kerr Drug is one of the most recognized and respected names in the chain drug industry. With its roots in the Carolinas and headquarters in Raleigh, Kerr Drug is taking the vision of community pharmacy farther than any other drug chain. The company has placed its future on its unique ability to provide patients, the medical community, and health plan sponsors, access to the most comprehensive and convenient health and wellness offering in the industry. With a mission to be the most comprehensive provider of pharmacy and related health care services, while continuing to be the most reliable provider of health related and convenience items, Kerr is currently providing services that far exceed the traditional drug store mix. For more information, please visit www.kerrdrug.com.

ABOUT AMERICAN PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION
The APhA Foundation is affiliated with the American Pharmacists Association, the national professional society of pharmacists in the U.S. The APhA Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC, works to design solutions to medication use problems in America. The APhA Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of consumer health outcomes affected by pharmacy.