Scrapes, sunburn, aching muscles, and chaffing in unpleasant places are the scourge of cyclists participating in RAGBRAI. Fortunately, the Iowa Pharmacy Association Foundation's RAGBRAI team is riding to provide relief to their fellow riders while promoting the pharmacy profession.
 
For the third consecutive year, the foundation's team of 20 pharmacists, easy to spot with their custom pharmacist white coat cycling jerseys, will provide first aid and over the counter treatment like sunscreen and pain relievers to riders along this year's route. The team will be outfitted with custom fanny packs and two pharmacy buggies full of supplies donated by pharmacies across the state.
 
“This is a unique outreach opportunity to tangibly showcase the medical expertise of pharmacists in delivering care beyond dispensing medications,” stated Anthony Pudlo, Pharm.D., MBA, the Iowa Pharmacy Association's vice president of professional affairs and RAGBRAI team captain. “As healthcare continues to evolve, it is important that Iowan's understand the resources and expertise that is readily accessible to them at their pharmacy.”
 
In addition to aiding their fellow cyclists and enjoying the festivities, the team will be visiting pharmacies allowing the RAGBRAI route.
 
“Community and hospital pharmacies all across Iowa are doing great things for their patients and we are excited to see it first hand,” added Pudlo.
 
This is the third year that the foundation's team will participate in RAGBRAI. The first team in 2014 had five week-long riders and another dozen sprinkled in throughout the week. This year's team has nearly flipped those number with 13 pharmacists riding the entire week with an additional six riding one to three days with the team.
 
The team will be tracking their progress and interactions with fellow riders on IPA's Facebook and Twitter profiles.

If you are interested in supporting the team, sponsorship opportunities are available. You can also purchase an official IPAF RAGBRAI team jersey, the proceeds of which will go to the IPA Foundation.