CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Martika Martin of Danhauer Drugs and Health Equipment in Owensboro, Ky., was presented with the 2021 NCPA Innovation Center Outstanding Adherence Practitioner Award in recognition of her commitment to improving medication adherence. The award is sponsored by

RxSafe and was presented as part of the National Community Pharmacists Association’s Annual Convention, which was held Oct. 9-12.

“Martika and her team at Danhauer Drugs are taking a proactive approach to improving patient health outcomes by helping them take their medications as prescribed,” said NCPA President Brian Caswell, owner of Wolkar Drug in Baxter Springs, Kan. “Patients are signing up for these services, and health care colleagues are taking note of their success. I am happy to recognize Martika for this work in engaging patients and helping them manage their health.”

Martin has grown two adherence programs over the last year: medication synchronization and custom packaging. Med sync allows patients to pick up all ongoing prescription refills at the pharmacy on a single, convenient day each month and work closely with the pharmacist on sticking to their medication regimen.

Martin focuses on a team-based approach to enrolling patients in the program, ensuring staff members are familiar with them and can answer questions. They identify and contact patients who would benefit and advertise these services through educational bag stuffers. Martin also delegated the pharmacy’s lead technician to discuss custom packaging weekly on three different radio stations.

When Martin started at Danhauer Drugs, its custom packaging program had roughly 300 patients and its med sync had approximately 50 patients enrolled. As a result of their efforts to grow the programs, the pharmacy now has more than 950 patients enrolled. Other health care providers in the area have started noticing the difference the pharmacy is making for patients’ health outcomes and are actively referring patients to the pharmacy for its adherence services.

“I’m thrilled to once again join the NCPA Innovation Center in sponsoring the Outstanding Adherence Practitioner Award,” said RxSafe Founder and CEO, William Holmes. “Martika Martin is a great example of how improving adherence can transform community pharmacy, by empowering patients to become proactive partners in improving health outcomes. Martika and her staff have demonstrated the teamwork, dedication, and diligence for which independent pharmacies are best known and loved.”

The winner of the NCPA Innovation Center Outstanding Adherence Practitioner Award receives an engraved commemorative plaque and complimentary registration, accommodation, and travel to the NCPA Annual Convention. Additionally, a donation of $1,000 will be made to a school or college of pharmacy of the award recipient’s choice. At Martin’s request, NCPA will be donating to Sullivan University’s College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences in Louisville, Ky.