Schools of pharmacy are facing difficult times.
Nationwide, enrollment is down at schools of pharmacy. Ohio Northern University pharmacist Emily Eddy told us there are a number of reasons for that including the closure over the past ten years of thousands of pharmacies, many of them small, independent pharmacies. Also, pharmacy benefit managers which are third-party administrators for prescription drug coverage, often pay pharmacies less for the prescriptions than they cost. Another drawback for pharmacists is that they get paid only for dispensing medications, not for the time they spend on consultations and clinical services. Eddy told us that ONU is working to change the future of pharmacy by reimagining what pharmacists to, including the establishment of call centers for patients, telehealth, mobile clinics, and education to teach students the best practices of pharmacy, the ways pharmacists can make an impact on care in their community, and how to receive payment for all the services they provide.
We also heard from Mandy Glenn from ONU's Center for Corporate Engagement. The center serves as a strategic partner for companies, offering high-impact programs and customized services that drive performance, increase engagement, support growth, and foster innovation. Through this engagement, organizations not only enhance their outcomes but also contribute to the mission of Ohio Northern University, creating shared value and long-term impact.
Also at Monday's meeting, we inducted Andre Rudolph, Superintendent of the Lima City Schools, as the newest member of the Lima Rotary Club. Please make him welcome!
