1. Talk to Your Administrator(s). Explain the goals and the patient education benefits of National Pharmacy Week to help build a sense of teamwork within the health system. Be sure to invite them to participate in the week’s activities.

2. Enlist the Experts. Your institution's public relations department can be a valuable resource.  Set up a meeting with the director or events coordinator to brainstorm activities that are best suited to your practice setting.

3. Set a Goal. Choose activities that will best help you achieve your objectives. If you’d like to build a better rapport with other health professionals in your health system, try hosting a pharmacy tour for the hospital staff. Or perhaps you’d like to focus on educating patients about safe medication use. A “meet and greet” or a brown bag workshop would be a great choice.

4. Encourage Questions. Pharmacy Week is an ideal time to roll out ASHP's new "Just Ask!" campaign, a program that highlights pharmacists' medication expertise to patients, visitors, and staff. Click here to see a variety of tools that will help raise the visibility of pharmacists and the pharmacy department at your institution. 

5. Get the Word Out. Make sure that people know about Pharmacy Week and the activities you have planned. Use bulletin boards and internal e-mail systems to communicate with hospital staff. Spread the word to patients using notes on meal trays, announcements on the public address system, or with personal room visits. Publicize community events like health fairs at least four weeks in advance with notices at libraries and grocery stores and announcements in local papers.

6. Make Your Message Stick. Think of ways that will help your audience remember the key points of your presentation after the celebration is over. Give participants handouts on safe medication use and giveaways such as pens or magnets to remind them of the pharmacy staff’s role in their health care.

7. Pat Yourself on the Back!  Pharmacy Week is also a great time for pharmacy staff appreciation events. Present your colleagues with tokens of appreciation such as gift certificates to favorite stores or organize a social activity. And, don’t forget your technicians! National Pharmacy Technician Day is on Tuesday, October 21, 2008.