Pharmacy Students Nationwide Recognized in NCL’s 2026 Script Your Future Team Challenge
Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829
Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) is proud to announce the winners of the 2026 Script Your Future Team Challenge, an annual competition that engages pharmacy students in raising awareness about the importance of medication adherence.
“The creativity, leadership, and commitment to community health demonstrated by these students is truly inspiring,” said NCL CEO Sally Greenberg. “This year’s Script Your Future participants tackled some of the most urgent barriers to medication adherence through innovative outreach, interdisciplinary collaboration, and meaningful engagement with underserved communities.”
National Award Winner – Ohio Northern University Raabe College of Pharmacy
Ohio Northern University returned to the challenge this year with a focus on closing human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination gaps in its community. By cross-referencing pharmacy dispensing software and their state immunization registry vaccination, the team identified nearly 400 patients ages 9 – 26 due for one or more HPV vaccine doses. The team conducted direct outreach to educate patients, answer questions, and encourage vaccination, while also hosting on-campus awareness events and vaccine drives. Through these efforts, the team counseled more than 450 patients and students, hosted one vaccination event, and planned a second. At its vaccine drive alone, the team administered 16 HPV vaccines — matching the total administered for this age group in the area for all of 2025.
Media/Communications Award – Wilkes University Nesbitt School of Pharmacy
The team launched its “Stick to the Script” campaign, using Broadway-inspired visuals and messaging to promote medication adherence. They partnered with on- and off-campus organizations to provide materials in both English and Spanish. Through in-person events, social media outreach, and university media coverage, the campaign reached more than 600 patients, generated nearly 20,000 social media impressions, and was featured four times in the university’s “News@Wilkes Student Spotlight” series. This marks the second consecutive year Wilkes has received the Media/Communications Award.
Technology Innovation Award – Western University of Health Sciences School of Pharmacy
Western University of Health Sciences focused its campaign on medication adherence among patients with chronic conditions. The team developed a mobile-friendly resource website and used trending social media content across Instagram and TikTok to drive engagement, generating more than 15,000 views. The team also produced and published four professionally developed podcast episodes, each highlighting a different chronic condition and the role of medication adherence in treatment and disease management. Their innovative use of digital media and technology earned Western University the Technology Innovation Award.
Inter-Professional Award – Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) School of Pharmacy
LECOM integrated inter-professional collaboration into its Script Your Future campaign, involving students and ambassadors from the Colleges of Medicine, Podiatric Medicine, and Dental Medicine. Through wellness screenings, outreach, and vaccination events at independent living, skilled nursing, and other community facilities, LECOM reinforced longstanding community partnerships while emphasizing medication adherence and expanding access to care. This year, LECOM also partnered with the Erie Art Museum to connect healthcare providers and community members to emphasize the role of medication adherence in overall health. By bringing together healthcare professionals across disciplines, LECOM advanced innovative approaches to patient education and wellness, earning the Inter-Professional Award for the second consecutive year.
Under-Represented Community Outreach Award – Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy
Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy earned the Under-Represented Community Outreach Award for its work with diverse communities across Philadelphia. Partnering with the Institute of Clinical Bioethics through SJU’s “Health Promoter” programs, the team reached African, Asian, Hispanic, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities with medication adherence education and support. The team distributed pill organizers and drug disposal kits, answered patient medication questions, and educated more than 1,000 patients during the challenge period, including 200 reached through Health Promoter events.
This year’s Challenge saw participation from 11 colleges and schools of pharmacy across eight states, reaching approximately 70,000 individuals through in-person events and dynamic media and social media outreach. Teams also partnered with on-campus organizations, community facilities and groups, and participated in advocacy efforts before their state legislatures.
The Script Your Future Team Challenge is coordinated by NCL and supported by partners and sponsors, including Avadel, Johnson & Johnson, and the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.
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About the National Consumers League (NCL)
The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.
