This activity was originally presented as a part of Directions in Pharmacy 2025.
Program Description
In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory on the health effects of loneliness and social isolation, equating the health effects to smoking 15 cigarettes a day and increasing an individual’s risk of heart disease, depression, dementia, and anxiety. The loneliness and social isolation epidemic is hitting harder than ever. Despite the rise of technology, digital distractions have people feeling more disconnected than ever. Pharmacists and technicians are in a prime spot to notice when someone is isolated, but they also need to check in with themselves. Efforts to connect with others outside of work and to make time for their well-being should be encouraged. By recognizing how isolation affects both patients and health care professionals, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians can make a real difference in promoting wellness that includes physical and mental health. For patients, it is about more than just medication—it’s about offering a moment of connection, sharing local resources, or even just starting a conversation that reminds them they’re not alone. This year’s keynote discussion for the 2025 Directions in Pharmacy Conference will inspire pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to lead by example, take care of themselves, and encourage others to do the same, with the goal of breaking the cycle of isolation with social prescriptions one person at a time.
Target audience: Community and health system pharmacist, Pharmacy technician
Type of activity: Application
Release date: June 16, 2025
Expiration date: June 16, 2026
Time to complete activity: 0.5 hour
Learner level: Foundational
Fee: Free
Educational Objectives
At the completion of this activity, pharmacists will be able to:
- Explore the impact of social isolation on physical and mental health
- Apply strategies to integrate the social connection prescription
Sneha B Srivastava, PharmD, BCACP, CDCES, DipACLM, FADCES
Associate Director of Skills Education, Associate Professor
Clinical Pharmacist
Rosalind Franklin University College of Pharmacy
Lake County Health Department
North Chicago, Illinois
Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This activity is approved for 0.5 contact hours (0.05 CEU) under the ACPE universal activity number 0290-0000-25-195-H99-P and 0290-0000-25-195-H99-T. The activity is available for CE credit through June 16, 2026.
Instructions for Completing the Activity and Receiving CPE Credit
To receive CPE credit, participants must complete the pretest, review the activity in its entirety, complete the posttest, and complete the online activity evaluation. After successful completion of the online activity evaluation, you can submit your credit to CPE Monitor. You may view your credit within 48 hours at www.mycpemonitor.net. All participants must request credit before the activity expiration date. CE credit will not be issued after this date.
Disclosures
Sneha B Srivastava, PharmD, BCACP, CDCES, DipACLM, FADCES, has the following financial relationship with a commercial interest to disclose:
Speakers bureau: Xeris Pharmaceuticals
Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff—Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh, MBA; Dipti Desai, PharmD, MBA, CHCP, Kylie Ferrentino; Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; Chloe Taccetta; and Rebecca Green have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.
At least one anonymous peer reviewer was used as part of content validation and conflict resolution. The peer reviewer has no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.
Educational Disclaimer
CPE activities are offered solely for educational purposes and do not constitute any form of professional advice or referral. Discussions concerning drugs, dosages, and procedures may reflect the clinical experience of the author(s) or they may be derived from the professional literature or other sources and may suggest uses that are investigational in nature and not approved labeling or indications. Participants are encouraged to refer to primary references or full prescribing information resources.
For questions about this internet CPE activity, please contact:
[email protected]
Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Information:
www.pharmacytimes.org/terms