[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 78 (Tuesday, June 14, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S6469]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


      TRIBUTE TO THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY'S COLLEGE OF PHARMACY

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
University of Kentucky's College of Pharmacy. Today at the Kennedy 
Center the college is being awarded the American Pharmacists 
Association's 2005 Pinnacle Award to recognize the success of UK's 
Diabetes Education and Management program in helping Kentuckians with 
diabetes.
  Over the past 30 years, doctors have been able to treat more and more 
conditions with prescription medication. While this revolution in 
pharmaceuticals is overwhelmingly positive, the incorrect use of 
medication can result in harmful side effects, ineffective treatment, 
and unnecessary costs. This is of particular importance in Kentucky, 
where citizens use significantly more prescriptions than the national 
average.
  The UK College of Pharmacy has created a comprehensive Center for 
Improving Medication Related Outcomes to educate physicians, 
pharmacists, and consumers about the appropriate use of medication. 
This is something I believe in, and since 2002, I have been proud to 
secure $3 million in Federal funding to help the center become a leader 
in promoting the safe use of prescription drugs throughout the 
Commonwealth and the Nation.
  The Diabetes Education and Management Program is an important 
component of the UK Center for Improving Medication Related Outcomes 
that focuses on diabetes control. I am proud that the UK College of 
Pharmacy and the Diabetes Education and Management Program have become 
valuable resources for our Nation's healthcare system. I ask my 
colleagues to join me in recognizing the University of Kentucky College 
of Pharmacy for their exceptional work in the field of prescription 
medication safety.

                          ____________________