Viewpoints

Pharmacy mistakes can sometimes lead to injury or even death. Pharmacists can be held liable in a civil suit for money damages; now a pharmacist in Ohio may be convicted of a criminal charge in the accidental death of a two-year-old girl. It is possible that the effect of criminal liability upon professional practices will worsen outcomes rather than improve them.

Pharmacy in the 21st century will be more integrated into provision of health services than ever before. Electronic health records will become increasingly important, as will e-prescribing, prescription data, pharmacist intervention/counseling, and collaboration with other healthcare providers.

Direct-to-consumer advertising is an idea that won't win any fans among pharmacists.

Pharmacists can interact directly and personally with patients only during counseling. This practice reduces the risk of mechanical prescription errors and shows patients what the pharmacist's education and training were all about.

Pharmacists who are motivated to educate themselves about the treatment of chronic pain can relieve suffering and improve lives.

The profession of pharmacy is dedicated to supporting health and wellbeing. The sale of cigarettes in pharmacies is a blemish upon that healthcare image. Pharmacists and their organizations must act to stop this practice.

A pharmacy risk manager can help reduce medication errors, improve patient safety, manage quality improvement, monitor claims and expenses, and improve healthcare delivery.

Group practice can be a fulfilling alternative to corporate drudgery. Each participant brings skills that strengthen the whole. Retail, long-term-care, and institutional pharmacists can combine forces and succeed.

21st century pharmacy: Everyone's frustrated and services suffer.

Physical and personal trainers recommend supplements and OTC products to their clients without considering possible interactions with other supplements or meds. By becoming an information resource to trainers, pharmacists can take the lead in promoting safe use of these products.

The pharmacy profession needs to turn around its Rodney Dangerfield attitude and start focusing on goals that serve its members as well as the community.

The author believes that the FDA should be given more funding to beef up its inspections of foreign sources of drugs.

A new year is coming, and with it a new administration in Washington, a new Congress, and a new, skeptical look at Medicare Part D.

Pharmacy owners should have an exit strategy mapped out for their business.

The author has mixed feelings about whether pharmacists should apologize to patients after they make a drug error.

It's hard to train technicians about pharmacy when confusion reigns in everything from claims processing to drug names

John Lemberger gives his point of view about a failure to counsel citation from the Wisconsin Board of Pharmacy

Two IRS criminal investigators caution pharmacists about healthcare fraud.

All prescription drugs should have a sell-by date for consistency and patient protection.

DEA's new rule allowing multiple prescriptions for Schedule II controlled substances could engender greater Rx drug abuse.

Pharmacists must find creative ways to offer medication therapy management services and get paid for them.

Pharmacy schools' emphasis on chemistry is unjustified, according to this community pharmacist.

The author relates his personal experience with mercury toxicity through dental amalgams and calls on pharmacists to watch out for the condition among their patients.

Most pharmacists are still not providing medication therapy management, although it is required by law under Medicare Part D.

The author calls for a transparent system for reimbursing pharmacists for their drugs and services that takes into account their operating costs and allows for cost-of-dispensing adjustments.

The Food & Drug Administration offers many job opportunities for pharmacists, from working for the Office of Generic Drugs to reviewing new drug applications

Community pharmacies should seek accreditation so they can continue to serve patients under the Medicare Part B DMEPOS program.

Authors discuss what steps must be taken to achieve ASHP's 2015 Initiative, which sets down goals to advance patient care and pharmacy practice

What's community pharmacy like? Here's a poem that gives a slice of life

This column challenges you to determine the name of a drug, based on the clues given. See if you can figure it out.