However, to date, the correctional facility-experiential site remains an untapped opportunity, at least in a complete, coordinated, pharmaceutical care, patient management framework. The occasional collaboration or experiential opportunity, like Kingston’s early model, has occurred between health professional schools and correctional facilities. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists recommends that students receive preceptorship opportunities within the correctional system.

The correctional facility is such a place. Such preparation requires that students have access to practice experiences in underserved environments where pharmacy practice, cultural competence and knowledge of population health are experienced simultaneously. Pharmacists must be prepared to care for populations where health disparities are greatest and their services can best impact public health needs. This innovative approach to pharmacy management addressed many pharmaceutical care issues that had challenged RIDOC while providing educational opportunities for doctor of pharmacy students in this practice setting. Analyses of projected and actual drug spending indicate that RIDOC benefited from savings of almost $5 million during this period.

RIDOC pharmaceutical expenditures grew at a rate of approximately 1.5% Per Inmate Per Year from 2003 to 2009, considerably below the annual pharmaceutical inflation rate.

The program introduced staff education, waste-reduction strategies, treatment protocols, and a responsive formulary system. Since 2003, the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy and the Rhode Island Department of Corrections (RIDOC) have collaborated on a pharmacy management program designed to better integrate medical care, improve medication utilization, and reduce pharmaceuticals costs. Numerous models are employed for medication distribution and pharmacy services management in correctional facilities.

Ridoc inmate getting calls