Hosannas to pharmacists

Do pharmacists get enough respect? Not when you consider that they still conspicuously lack provider status under Medicare Part B.

But while provider status is still an elusive goal for the profession, pharmacists will be getting recognition in many new areas, thanks to a confluence of factors. Consider the following unprecedented developments:

All right! Pharmacists should high-five over all this special attention. As the headline of our last cover story (Drug Topics, June 20) goes, "More power to you!" But with new opportunities come new tests to see whether pharmacists will rise to the occasion. Will R.Ph.s step up to the plate and pass muster? I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Then in an August issue, we'll be offering you a CE on Medicare Part D. While there are already several CEs out there on this subject, our three-credit article is written by Jo Wyeth, Pharm.D., and Deb Kozak, senior policy analyst, both of CMS. So you'll be getting the scoop straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak.

Let us know what you think of our new column. You can e-mail your comments to drugtopics@advanstar.com
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