University of Louisville researchers bring together network of universities to transform how medications and vaccines are delivered in the United States

With a goal of transforming how medications and vaccines are delivered in the United States over the next decade, researchers in the University of Louisville Center for Health Organization Transformation (CHOT), a National Science Foundation-funded research center, in collaboration with UofL’s Frazier Polypharmacy Program, announced that 38 universities have joined the RAPID Alliance Medications 360 Study.

These universities will help lead an all-hands-on-deck effort to rapidly co-create the RAPID Alliance Medications 360 Strategic Framework 2022 – 2031, a set of transformational strategies and nationally prioritized research plans for optimizing the use of medications, vaccinations and emerging therapies from 2022-2031.

This project is building on a 2020 research study conducted by UofL researchers during the COVID-19 pandemic that identified strategic opportunities to improve the health and well-being for millions of people. The study also pointed to a reduction in U.S. spending on likely-avoidable hospitalizations, emergency department and doctor visits by as much as $528 billion dollars.

UofL’s Judah Thornewill, PhD, Demetra Antimisiaris, PharmD, and Robert Esterhay, MD, are the study’s lead investigators. 

“We are deeply honored to have so many universities and scholars joining this science-driven effort to optimize medication and vaccine use in the U.S.,” Thornewill said.

Universities participating in the RAPID Alliance and its Medications 360 Study include: American University of Health Sciences, Belmont University, Binghamton University, California Northstate University, Chapman University, Ferris State University, Howard University, Lipscomb University, Loma Linda University, Long Island University, Marshall University, Medical College of Wisconsin, Mercer University, North Dakota State University, Oregon Heath & Science University, Oregon State University, South Dakota State University, Sullivan University, Temple University, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, University of Cincinnati, University of Colorado, University of Georgia, University of Hawaii Hilo, University of Houston, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, University of Michigan, University of Mississippi, University of Nebraska Medical Center, University of Nevada Reno, University of Pittsburgh, University of Rhode Island, University of South Carolina, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Washington State University, Wayne State University, and Western University of Health Sciences. 

“We are delighted to see this multi-university research consortium developing. We believe national and state strategies driven by research are key to optimizing medication use for U.S. populations in the next decade,” said Lucinda Maine, chief executive officer of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), a founding member of the RAPID Alliance Practice Council.

The consortium plans to add up to an additional 30 universities in the coming months to support the effort. 

To learn more or to join the study visit, RAPID Alliance Medications 360 Study (starstudy.link).

National Science Foundation Center for Health Organization Transformation (NSF-CHOT)

The National Science Foundation Center for Health Organization Transformation (NSF-CHOT) at the University of Louisville is a federally awarded industry-university collaborative research center that aims to accelerate applied research and workforce development by integrating health care systems engineering, health services research and health policy. For more information visit, Center for Health Organization Transformation — School of Public Health and Information Sciences (louisville.edu).

RAPID Alliance

The RAPID Alliance is a research consortium in NSF-CHOT and the Frazier Polypharmacy Program at UofL. Founding members include leaders from the Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF), American Pharmacists Association (APhA), American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP), American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP), American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA), National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), National Community Pharmacies Association (NCPA), the Community Pharmacy Foundation, CPESN USA, Sanofi and Sanofi Pasteur, a leading researchers from multiple schools of pharmacy and health science centers. For more information visit https://www.rapidalliance.org/.