More than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occur in the U.S. each year, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. At least 35,000 people die as a result.

PC School of Pharmacy students helped spread awareness about the dangers of antibiotic resistance during U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week from Nov. 18 to 24.

Pharmacy students set up a booth on the second floor of the pharmacy school to educate fellow students and members of the community about what can happen if they fail to take all of their antibiotics.

“Our goal,” said first-year student Gabe Knight, “was simply to talk about the dangers of antibiotic resistance and how to prevent it from happening to you as the patient or how to counsel patients to avoid experiencing antibiotic resistance.”

Serving the Community Year Round

PC School of Pharmacy students spread awareness throughout the year in addition to U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week.

“Our Student Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists (SSHP) chapter members participate in antibiotic awareness professional service projects all over our community,” said Madeleine Tilley, a third-year student. “We’ve hosted booths at the Welcome Back Block Party, community health fairs and more.”

Tilley became involved with antibiotic awareness in her first year at the PC School of Pharmacy. Other SSHP members have researched antibiotic awareness while in pharmacy school.

PC School of Pharmacy students will do even more to help in the community. Next year, they’re planning a drug take-back day so that community members can dispense their old and unused medications.

“We have held health fairs at numerous community events, like Squealin’ on the Square and Scots and Brats,” Knight said. “Patients register at out front booth and as they went to each station we tested their blood sugar, blood cholesterol, and blood pressure to see how their values fell within the normal range.”

“We then counseled them on certain lifestyle changes that could be made in order to get their numbers within an acceptable range and if they needed to go talk to their doctor for further medical intervention.”

Learn More

To learn more about the service opportunities you can take part in as a pharmacy student, please call our director of admissions, Deanie Kane, at 864-938-3913 or send her an email.