The pharmacies are participating this fall in a UB program designed to monitor and improve how well patients comply with medication regimens prescribed by their doctors, as well as lifestyle recommendations. Patient compliance includes refilling prescriptions on time, taking medication in the proper dose at the proper time and conforming to the physician's recommendations about smoking, diet and exercise.

Recent estimates put the number of Americans diagnosed with hypertension at about 60 million, about 50 percent of whom stop taking medication during the first 12 months of therapy, said Rosemary Madejski, clinical assistant professor of pharmacy practice at UB and director of the program.

"The goal is to help patients better understand their hypertension and instruct them as to why compliance with their medication regimen is so important," said Madejski. "We want to see if counseling and other clinical services will make them more compliant and improve blood pressure control."

The year-long, voluntary program will be implemented by fifth-year pharmacy students as part of their Professional Experience Program, the School of Pharmacy's mandatory externship.

Participating pharmacies are: Clarence Leader Pharmacy, 8899 Main St., Clarence; Transit Hill Pharmacy, 6344 Transit Road, Depew, and the pharmacy at Wegman's Galleria,Walden Avenue in Cheektowaga.

By counseling patients each time they come in to fill their prescriptions, the pharmacy students will be able to determine if medications are being taken correctly, to monitor patients for side effects due to their medications, and to report problems with the medication regimen to the patient's physician.

"Patients will be instructed to refill their prescriptions every 25 days so they will never be without their medication," said Madejski. "If they're not taking their medication, it will probably show up in the prescription records." She said the pharmacy students will use the counseling time to reinforce the physician's recommendations about the importance of taking medication, following a proper diet, increasing exercise and decreasing or curtailing smoking.

To participate, inquire at one of the participating pharmacies, or at the School of Pharmacy, 645-2826, ext. 241.