Hampton University News Mach 11, 2013 HU School of Pharmacy hosts meds hotline The Hampton University School of Pharmacy Drug Information Center (DIC), located in the Hampton Harbors Shopping Center, is now fully staffed. Trained faculty members and advanced practice pharmacy students are available to answer medication related questions. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, HU pharmacy school officials will field questions and provide information to callers. The DIC number is 757.728.6693. When the DIC is closed, callers can leave a message asking their question. It will be answered on the next workday. This service is available to the community, as well as medical professionals. "My hopes for the DIC are that it becomes the place that all Hampton University students and faculty, in addition to callers from the community, turn to with any questions that they may have related to medications and medication therapy," said Dr. Carl Tullio, DIC director and assistant professor of pharmacy practice Questions are answered by Doctor of Pharmacy candidates, who are completing their final professional year of the program. All responses to drug information questions are accurately answered and the reply is accompanied by literature citations. A Doctor of Pharmacy reviews and verifies all replies before they are given to callers, Tullio said. Because of the student learning process, the center is unable to field emergency requests. Drug overdose and poisoning inquiries will be referred to the Virginia Poison Control Center at (800) 222-1222. HU Doctorate of Pharmacy Candidate Naomi Marquis is appreciative of the opportunity to give back to the community and learn. "This effort allows us (students) to the use the knowledge we have learned in the classrooms and put it into practice with real life questions," she said. "The students benefit because we learn with the supervision of the drug expert on hand. This program is key to a healthier community, and more patients knowing more about their medications. I am truly glad to be a part of it." SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-520-0593 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.