SAN DIEGO — As part of its ongoing effort to combat prescription drug abuse, Cardinal Health Inc. highlighted its Generation Rx toolkit at this year’s National Association of Chain Drug Stores Pharmacy and Technology Conference here.

Developed in conjunction with Ohio State University College of Pharmacy, Generation Rx offers community pharmacies the communications materials needed to educate local schools and community organizations about the scope and consequences of prescription medication abuse.

It also shares information about safely storing and disposing of prescription medications.
The toolkit can be downloaded for free at cardinalhealth.com/generationrx.

Cardinal executives stress that prescription medication abuse is a significant societal health issue, with more Americans abusing prescription drugs than cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens and inhalants combined. A fifth of all teenagers, they note, abuse a prescription medication at least once.

The growing problem of prescription drug abuse has caught the attention of federal law enforcement agencies. Last month the Drug Enforcement Administration declared September 25 as a nationwide “Take Back” day, when people can return expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs at various sites around the country.

Cardinal says that since it made Generation Rx available earlier this year, hundreds of independent pharmacies across the country have downloaded the toolkit and are using it to heighten awareness in the communities they serve.

Recently, executives relate, several regional chains have shown interest in promoting the Generation Rx toolkit among their pharmacists.

To that end, Cardinal Health is piloting a program with Kroger Co. to encourage pharmacists in several Ohio and West Virginia markets to download the toolkit and use it in their communities.

“As trusted, accessible health care advisors, we believe that pharmacists can play an important role in curbing prescription drug abuse in their communities,” Kroger pharmacy merchandiser Bill Sheridan comments.

“The Generation Rx toolkit provides an array of user-friendly materials that make it easy for any pharmacist to conduct a short and simple presentation to educate local schools and civic groups about this growing public health issue.”