Pharmer’s Markets

Customers most often interact with their pharmacist in the few minutes it takes to pick up their prescription. Rarely do they engage pharmacists in conversations about chronic health conditions or ask questions about how they can better manage their medications. But they should, since pharmacists are easily accessible and knowledgeable on these issues. A partnership between LiveWell Johnson County, an initiative of the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment, and Balls Foods is trying to change how pharmacists and customers interact.

Summer 2018 Pharmer’s Markets

This summer Pharmer’s Markets will be held at the Price Chopper in Shawnee, the Price Chopper in Roeland Park and the Payless Foods in Olathe. The locations were determined based on health outcome data, demographics and location within the county. The events are free and supported by the LiveWell Johnson County initiative.

• Saturday, June 16 11:00 am-1:00 pm: Price Chopper in Shawnee
• Saturday, July 14 11:00am-1:00pm: Roeland Park Price Chopper
• Saturday, July 28 11:00-1:00pm: Payless Foods in Olathe
• Saturday, August 25 11:00am-1:00pm: Payless Foods in Olathe

What is a Pharmer’s Market?

During a Pharmer’s Market, pharmacists, pharmacy residents and the wellness coach set up stations within the produce department to meet with customers about their health. Customers can have their blood pressure checked, discuss medication management with the pharmacist, speak with a wellness coach about nutrition and take a diabetes risk assessment and sign up for the Diabetes Prevention Program. By visiting each of the stations customers can earn up to ten dollars in produce bucks to redeem for fresh produce at the store.

How Pharmacists Can Help

The purpose of the events is to meet people where they are, show them the community-based assets their pharmacist and wellness coach are and educate them about the significance a healthy diet has on their overall health and the importance of adhering to medications they may already be prescribed.

During a Pharmer’s Market last summer, a pharmacy resident, discovered that a participant felt that using a pill box made him feel old since his grandfather had used pill boxes. The pharmacy resident talked through several adherence methods with the man and discovered that he had a smart phone. The pharmacy resident helped him set up a daily medication reminder alarm to help him remember his blood pressure medication.

LiveWell Johnson County Initiative

LiveWell Johnson County is funded through a grant from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The goal of the grant is to prevent chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, heart disease and stroke, through strategies that increase consumption of fruits and vegetables, increase physical activity, encourage positive lifestyle changes and improve the quality of preventative health care services to those who are at highest risk for developing chronic diseases.