WASHINGTON (July 17, 2019) – The Howard University College of Pharmacy has opened registration for a major regional symposium, scheduled Friday, Sept. 6, dedicated to training pharmacy professionals on ways to address the national opioid crisis.

 “The Howard University Opioid Symposium & Naloxone Administration Training for Pharmacy Professionals” is a daylong event which will take place in Cramton Auditorium on Howard University’s main campus. The address is 2455 Sixth St., NW, Washington, D.C., 20059.

The symposium will include continuing education sessions featuring several leaders in the profession who will speak on various aspects of the opioid addiction crisis.  Additionally, there will be hands-on naloxone administration training for a limited number of attendees at the Howard University Health Sciences Simulation & Clinical Skills Centers.  Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who attend can receive up to six ACPE-approved Continuing Education credits.

“We are excited to provide this training as one part of the solution to the opioid crises of our time,” says Toyin Tofade, PharmD, dean of the Howard University College of Pharmacy.

The College of Pharmacy this year was awarded an $85,899 grant from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to educate the region’s pharmacists and pharmacy technicians on the dangers of opioid addiction and abuse. The grant was awarded to the Office of Continuing Professional Education in the college. Learn more about the innovative grant here.

The fee structure is as follows: pharmacist registration is $65; pharmacy technician registration is $35; registration for other participants is $50. The registration fees for students, residents and fellows will be waived.  Click here to register.

“This educational activity is key because it particularly focuses on pharmacy professionals,” says Bisrat Hailemeskel, PharmD, professor in the College of Pharmacy who is serving as the principal investigator.  “As we know, many pharmacies are open 24/7 and they are the first stop for many patients. The symposium gives Howard the opportunity to offer pharmacy professionals access to cutting-edge science from leading voices in the field.”

*This symposium is supported by an independent educational grant from the Opioid Analgesic REMS Program Companies. Please see https://ce.opioidanalgesicrems.com/RpcCEUI/rems/pdf/resources/List_of_RPC_Companies.pdf  for a listing of REMS Program Companies. This activity is intended to be fully compliant with the Opioid Analgesic REMS education requirements issued by the US Food and Drug Administration.

For additional information about the grant, contact Anthea Francis via anthea.francis@howard.edu

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For media inquiries, contact Sholnn Freeman:  sholnn.freeman@howard.edu

About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, two Marshall Scholars, one Schwarzman Scholar, over 70 Fulbright Scholars and 22 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States.  For more information on Howard University visitwww.howard.edu