The National Health Service Corps (NHSC), the federal agency that recruits health professionals to provide care in underserved areas, has announced the availability of loan repayment funds for pharmacists and chiropractors through a demonstration project. To be eligible to receive the funds, pharmacists must agree to practice in a medically underserved area for a minimum of 2 years. This demonstration project is part of a trial program to determine whether adding pharmacists and chiropractors to the Corps "would enhance the effectiveness of the NHSC".   Information for chiropractors and pharmacists who wish to apply for the NHSC Loan Repayment Program can be found here: http://nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov/demo_project/clinician.html.  The application deadline is June 16, 2003.

The NHSC must quickly identify sites that wish to participate in this program.  The legislation requires that a health professional licensed to prescribe drugs must provide NHSC obligated service at a site concurrently with the pharmacist who would participate in the demonstration project.  If your site would like to participate, you can find additional information at: http://nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov/demo_project/site.html.  The NHSC would like to begin posting sites on their website as soon as possible, so please submit your application as soon as possible.  The application deadline is June 16, 2003.