DCScript© Login 1.0

    Our society does not offer the same safeguards concerning pharmacotherapy in the elderly as are provided to younger Americans. Ineffective drug therapy, drug interactions and side effects occur frequently among the elderly. In spite of this, the elderly are often systematically excluded from drug studies.
    The Statistics provide a basis for concern. This age group consumes one third of all the prescription drugs dispensed in the United States and up to 21% of elderly patients will have some sort of adverse reaction to their medications. Further, patients 50 years of age and over are more likely to be admitted to the hospital because of these problems.
    Drug therapy problems among the aged are serious and common and will become more so as our aging population expands. The proportion of persons aged 65 and over will double in the next 50 years, reaching 65 million or 21% of the United States population.
    The Endowed Chair position will lead a program including education, service and research activities directed toward improved and safer drug therapy for older Americans.

    The College of Pharmacy has established a major program that will focus on pharmacotherapy in the elderly. The program will be anchored with an endowed chair which is occupied by Joseph T. Hanlon, PharmD, MS Professor, and VFW Endowed Chair-Pharmacotherapy for the Elderly Director of the Institute of the Study of Geriatric Pharmacotherapy and Director, Geriatric Pharmacy Practice Residency Program-VA Medical Center, Minneapolis.
    Chairs are considered highly attractive, prestigious appointments and have the advantage of support from significant, permanent endowment funds. The interest earned on the principal provides a competitive salary and funds for research, graduate student assistance fellowships and other kinds of support.
    Continuing in the tradition of the University of Minnesota health sciences, the Endowed Chair, through the discovery and application of new approaches in pharmacotherapy, will contribute to the improved health and quality of life of our expanding elderly population.

    The University of Minnesota provided $750,000 in matching funds for this Endowed Chair.  In addition to private donations, the Department of Minnesota, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) pledged $350,000.  To date, the VFW has donated $294,211 towards their pledge, all of which has been matched dollar-for-dollar.
    Through the continuing support and donations from the members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Minnesota, the Endowed Chair for Phamacotherapy in the Elderly will be an ongoing effort to help ensure the health of our Nations Elderly Citizens.
 

[Return to Top of Page ] [ Home ] [ Headquarters Office ] [ Disclaimer ]