INSIGHTS AND PERSPECTIVES

Pharmacy is a profession that is in the midst of perhaps the greatest changes experienced in more than 50 years, according to Michael Hogue, president-elect designate of the American Pharmacists Association.

William Sieber, president of E. F. Bavis and Associates, explains how the pharmacist-patient relationship requires the sharing of concise and detailed information, which can include times, dosage amounts, possible interactions with other medications, and more.

Simplifying the pharmacy payment model is an enormous undertaking that will necessitate participation from all players in the prescription medication channels, according to Doug Hoey, CEO of the National Community Pharmacists Association.

Chris Fitzmaurice, director of industry data resources at ScriptPro, explains why pharmacists should accept a greater measure of responsibility and continue to accept the demands of medical professionals, as well as expand on what it means to provide pharmaceutical care.

This will be a year of major shifts in pharmacy, as new players enter the field and adoption of pharmacy innovation continues to increase, said Scott Seidelmann, executive vice president and chief commercialization officer at Omnicell. 

To remain relevant, pharmacies must have a value add or differentiation other than location, says Doyle Jensen, executive vice president of global business development at Innovation. 

In order to provide the best care for patients, real impediments to delivering patient care in all pharmacy practice settings need to be addressed, according to Janet Engle professor, senior associate dean for professional and international affairs at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy.

Through thoughtful design features that addressed injection therapy obstacles, Owen Mumford brought to market a product that made injection therapy easier, safer and more convenient, explains Casey Pflieger, director of North American marketing at Owen Mumford.