On Oct. 24, the university’s Pharmacy Department held a brown bag medication review. The event provided experience for pharmacy students of all levels to get experience working with patients, as well as a chance for community service.

The Nesbitt School of Pharmacy held the event at 17 centers throughout the area in collaboration with Area Agency on Aging for Luzerne and Wyoming Counties. The school sent 106 students and 21 pharmacists.

At the event, the pharmacy students conducted medication reviews and blood pressure screenings.

People attending were asked to bring a list of their medications, including over the counter medication. The students provided knowledge and guidance on how to properly take their drugs.

The event took place at Agency on Aging centers, as well as other major community centers. This was the university’s first time holding the event.

Dr. Dominick Trombetta, a pharmacist who participated at the Jewish Community Alliance Center event, spoke on the intent of the event.

“It is a great opportunity for students to interact with students of a different year, and to kind of learn from them as well, and to get direct patient interactions.”

P4 student Greg Mcfarlane, who participated in the Jewish Community Alliance Center event, gave his own student perspective.

“This is a community outreach. We are just trying to get people involved and let people know what kind of services that pharmacists can provide,” said Mcfarlane. “If there’s any changes we can make [to their medication], we are going to try to implement those changes or help them to contact their prescribers.”

The event at the center also held the postural balance screenings.

“Fall risk is very important, especially for elderly patients,” said Mcfarlane. “If they ever have a fall event, and something bad happens, like a broken pelvis, broken hip, that can kind of show a decline in health after that.”

The event used a Balance Tracking System, owned by the Agency on Aging. The system tests sway to determine their risk of fall.

“We are assessing balance so they can be aware of it, and hopefully improve that before it gets worse,” said Cadean Daughtery, a P3 pharmacy student.

Another P3 student, Jessica Huck, explained the test.

“We use four 20-second trials of them standing on this plate with their eyes closed. It measures how much they sway.”

The event, while providing an opportunity for students to experience patient interaction, also benefited members of the community.

“This is a great way to interact with a number of people and make them aware of the services pharmacists can provide,” said Trombetta. “It’s all about improving their health outlook, and how pharmacists fit in.”