JULY, Edition # 29, 2001

EDITOR'S NOTE:
The model represented below is the graphical continuation of reviewing the job of what a pharmacist ought to be, with the interaction of all the variables such as functions, legals, education, money etc.
Rollo Manning has recruited a panel of pharmacists, some of who are writers for the newsletter, to help him in this project. A Bulletin Board is currently under construction to maintain the ideas in an orderly flow.
Some ideas have already been presented in previous editions of the newsletter, and a consensus is evolving.
The model will be revisited with each edition, added to and filled out, linked and interwoven, with information and creative ideas. The eventual result will be a graphic representation as to what could be, if we "think out of the square".
The Wilkinson Review into pharmacy has opened the opportunity to reinvent ourselves and become more relevant in health issues.
We should seize the chance.
If you have any ideas you wish to contribute, then please do, by e-mailing Rollo Manning direct at rollo@austarnet.com.au or to the editor's address noted below.
A password will be e-mailed back so that you can access the Bulletin Board.

Two panels have been added to the model in this edition, one relating to place, and the other relating to support. Click on the links if you wish to go directly to this current material. You will then find further links to take you to a comments page, the first of these comments relating to pharmacy types that may emerge.
Recent events surrounding the reduction in wholesaler margins (with a flow-on to community pharmacy) have highlighted the fact that government will continue to drive the health agenda, with price as the major determinant.
By pushing the envelope to the limit, only the fittest will survive.
Pharmacy does not manufacture the products, or prescribe them, so it can be argued that pressure on pharmacy is unfair, as it does not determine the price or the demand, and cannot legally pass on PBS induced overhead increases.
Pharmacy does control a segment of distribution, and it is expected that this should match "best practice" with the lower costs involved with efficient business structure and materials handling processes.
With its current "cottage industry" approach, pharmacy is not structured to survive, and if it is not up to the job, well, the door opens for operators (Woolworths etc) who can and will do the job.
And this is before we even consider the global operators beginning to knock on the door!
What do you think?

"The time has come when a comprehensive review has to be undertaken of the job being asked of pharmacists in community practice."

What will be the job of a pharmacist in the future?
Money How much is needed? Where will it come from? Who will manage it? Consider: *Remuneration rate for pharmacists should be reviewed when their contribution to health gains could be established. *financial planning, *asset acquisition *systems development.		Functions * Professionally based tasks * Medication reviews *Patient counselling *Case conferencing with other health professionals *Training other professional in drug developments *Community development aspects of substance/drug misadventures
Legal Framework The Pharmacy Technician will be legally responsible for "dispensing" through amendments to the Poisons Act in all States/Territories. All Scheduled poisons (S2, S3) medicines must be sold in premises where a Pharmacist is available for consultation and counselling.		Education Universities will give students an option of the following electives to choose from in Year 3 for further study: · Medication reviews · hospital · research · manufacturing · retail operations · e-commerce and pharmacy software development · pharmacy governing law
Input is needed on the above as it is believed the present forward planning opportunities are a bit like…. Absolutely Nothing....next 22 miles... and also some starters on the following....
Place Where will the "pharmacy" be? The pharmacy will be divided into two operations: 1) The Government dispensary - which may be owned by a consortium of pharmacists who have tendered to supply PBS to a large geographical population. The partners will be the owners of surrounding "boutique" style pharmacies. The PBS needs to be done as cheaply as possible, and economies of scale must be used to supply prescriptions through an efficient system. 2) Boutique style pharmacies - trading in the OTC medications, private prescriptions, and providing a consulting service to other private operating health practitioners.		Support What support will be available to the Pharmacists at their place of practice? 1) Enormous potential for high tech systems capable of automated dispensing, video surveillance of operations, and electronic transmission of prescribing and dispensing data. 2) Online purchasing of prescription and other medicines as the Internet takes over the supply of goods. 3) Direct billing of HIC for cost at time of dispensing. 4) Online communication with patients for conducting medication reviews. 5) Detailed data base for immediate reporting of clinical responses from patients in monitoring effectiveness of medication treatment. 6) Immediate drug usage statistics for local, regional and State health board areas.
HELP US TACKLE THE DIFFICULT ISSUES FOR YOUR BENEFIT, AND THE FUTURE OF THE PHARMACY PROFESSION We want to build a better future for Pharmacy, so we don't end up like this man…….

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