The Nesbitt School of Pharmacy entered its fourth year of participating in the Script Your Future Challenge (SYF) on Jan. 17.

The challenge is set to take place until March 28. The Nesbitt School of Pharmacy was awarded the National Rookie Award in 2019 and the National Social Media Outreach Award in 2021.

The Script Your Future campaign is open to pharmacy schools nationwide. The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness for the importance of taking medicine as directed.

Both pharmacy students and faculty work throughout the campaign to address this issue and aid in assisting others to understand the importance of taking their medication. 

During the challenge a team of pharmacy students and faculty are working together in order to create outreach activities and in-person activities. Some of the in-person activities serve to show the importance of medical adherence, and are titled “Blossom with Adherence.” 

The activities will take place in different areas such as Wilkes University, local community pharmacies, churches, and other locations. 

When attending the activities participants can choose to receive a pledge card. The pledge card is a tool created by SYF where community members can pledge to take their medication. There will be a Kahoot Trivia held in the SUB on March 21 from 6 to 7 p.m.. 

“The name of this event is called ‘Blossom with Adherence,’ and we will be educating others regarding why it is important to take your medications as directed, how this can improve your health, and how to safely dispose of medications,” said Bree Polascik, pharmacy major. 

The COVID-19 pandemic played a role in the competition during its run in 2020. In-person events had to be canceled or switched to a virtual format; however, the competition has incorporated virtual outreach. 

The Nesbitt School of Pharmacy has incorporated platforms, such as TikTok,

in order to reach a broader audience and continue their work in impacting their community. Infographics are planned to be posted, and they are working on an article for “Pharmacist Consult.” 

Last year’s challenge placed an importance on vaccine awareness and that will be continued during this year. The component is called, “vaccine confidence.”

The Nesbitt School of Pharmacy’s goal both this year and last is to inform and educate the importance of vaccination, how they work, and how they affect a person’s body. There will also be a focus on addressing some concerns about vaccinations.

Faculty and students at the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy work alongside each other for the campaign. Pharmacy students are working with Wilkes graduate Dr. Cody Morcom on content that will be posted throughout the pharmacy’s social media. 

“As a faculty member, not only do I get to help make a direct impact on the community, but I also get to work directly with students and observe them become leaders and make a change through their innovation, creativity and passion for patient care,” said Dr. Troy Lynn Lewis, assistant professor.