Americans are bombarded with messages to medicate, soothe and control their discomforts, irregularities, diseases and pains in every form of media. According to the Centers for Disease Control (2004 report), 44% of Americans are taking at least one prescription medication and nearly 17% are taking three or more. As Baby Boomers age and medicine advances, these numbers are bound to increase. The need for educated advisors and advocates to help patients make sense of the sheer volume of choices and information has never been more important. Most people will see a pharmacist three times as often as they see their physician annually. But by the year 2020, studies indicate there will be a shortage of 150,000 pharmacists.

PHARMACISTS: UNSUNG HEROES explores the indispensable link between these medication use experts and the communities they serve, addressing the current shortage of pharmacists, the implications of this shortage on medical care in our communities, and the various career opportunities available. The program will air nationwide on public television stations this October to coincide with the national recognition of American Pharmacists Month.

The one-hour program traces the history of pharmacy - ranked at the top of the Gallup Polls 'most trusted' professions - revealing the role of these "makers of medicine" from the Middle Ages through the modern developments in the field that take individuals with the six-year "Pharm D" degree to the cutting edge of technology. As 'unsung heroes,' these men and women are protectors of America's national health security, whether helping seniors manage multiple drug regimens to prevent accidental overdose or leading diagnostic research. PHARMACISTS: UNSUNG HEROES gives viewers a better understanding of the resources provided by pharmacists in hopes of encouraging more people to enter the field and preventing the estimated shortage from becoming a reality.

In addition to the one-hour special, a 20-minute version for educators will target students in grades 9-12 who might consider a career in pharmacy, in an accessible format for high school students to view in the classroom, career center or at home through their local public television station's EdVideo Online streaming and downloading service. A companion Teacher Guide will help local educators facilitate use of the program, and a comprehensive outreach program will be implemented nationwide.

The program and outreach campaign are produced in association with Parenteral Drug Association Foundation for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Inc. (PDAF) and made possible in part by the following sponsors: American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy; Pfizer US Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer Inc; American Society of Health-System Pharmacists; Monster®; Nina Dale Demuth Fund; Roche; American Pharmacists Association; Lachman Enterprises, Inc.; Pall Corporation; Wyeth Pharmaceuticals; and Macy's.

Executive Producer: Roy A. Hammond. Producer/Director: Roman Brygider. Associate Producer: Christina Morano.

To order a copy of this exclusive DVD, go to SHOP 21.