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Department of Pharmacy

Institute for Innovative Pharmacy Practice (I2P2)

Gov. Jay Inslee signs Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill No. 5557, May 11, 2015, which increased patient access to care provided by pharmacists. Washington state was first in the nation to grant pharmacists paid provider status.Washington State Legislative Support Services

A Collaborative Beginning

In 2006, thanks to the efforts of several devoted faculty members and alumni, the UW School of Pharmacy created the Institute for Innovative Pharmacy Practice (“I2P2”). Under the leadership of then-professor Jackie Gardner, I2P2 set out to tackle some of the most pressing issues of our time: an aging population that is taking more prescription drugs; limited access to affordable basic health care; and an increasing need for better chronic-disease management.

Mission & Service Statement

I2P2 focuses on educating pharmacists who promote innovative and entrepreneurial solutions for better health — and better business. It also provides outreach and guidance to practicing pharmacists to help them better serve their patients in an ever-changing pharmacy landscape.

We draw on the School of Pharmacy’s recognized strengths in senior care, pharmacy management and groundbreaking community health programs to address pharmacy practice needs. By training professionals who understand that running a pharmacy is both a science and an art, we produce pharmacists who care for customers and generate revenue. In addition, through research partnerships, we study and help practicing pharmacists throughout the region implement cost-effective, health-enhancing practice innovations.

I2P2 Goals

  • Provide curricular and programmatic enhancements to prepare tomorrow’s pharmacy leaders
  • Work with pharmacy practitioners to put medication management and pharmaceutical care at the forefront of health care
  • Conduct real world research that benefits both patients and pharmacists
  • Recruit and reward top notch students with the capabilities and desire to be successful pharmacy entrepreneurs, team players and effective communicators. Place those students in preferred internships and residencies
  • Advocate for legislative and policy changes that establish pharmacies as the most efficient access to affordable and appropriate community health services

2011: First I2P2 endowed professorship awardedDon_Downing

Clinical Professor of Pharmacy Don Downing was named the first recipient of the I2P2 endowed professorship. As the I2P2 Endowed Professor, Downing has increased opportunities to further enhance innovations in pharmacy practice and education.

Downing is a prolific advocate for pharmacists, patients and underserved populations. He has devoted his career as a professor and practitioner to moving the profession of pharmacy forward.

His practice and training interests have included the development of the nation’s first pharmacist-provided emergency contraception program and the first pharmacist-initiated ongoing hormonal contraception services. Further, Downing and then-Professor Jackie Gardner led the first-in-the-nation charge in the 1990s to educate and certify Washington state pharmacists to provide flu shots and other vaccines to large populations of vulnerable people.

He has also created pharmaceutical care and business strategy partnerships between the School of Pharmacy and the Nisqually, Skokomish and Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribes. His close relationship with area tribes stems from his previous role as pharmacy director of the Puyallup Tribal Health Authority for more than a decade.

Downing, along with now Professor Emeritus Jackie Gardner, co-founded the School of Pharmacy’s Institute for Innovative Pharmacy Practice in 2005. He currently directs the institute. As the I2P2 Endowed Professor, he will have increased opportunities to further enhance innovations in pharmacy practice and education.

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