JULY, Edition # 30, 2001

THE JOB OF A PHARMACIST...AN EVOLVING MODEL 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.

EDITOR'S UPDATE NOTES:

One new panel has been added for this edition, and it relates to the Public Image of a pharmacist.
In the past, pharmacy has had a fair to good public image, and this has found its way into survey agencies, such as the Morgan-Gallup Poll.
In this survey, pharmacy has consistently rated second to nurses in a range of issues including such things as ethics, honesty etc.
About a decade ago, pharmacy was always placed first.
The general public are surveyed to arrive at these results, and they are surprisingly strong, given the pressures that pharmacy endures from political forces and other health professions.
It is obvious that we rate very low with the medical profession, for they are continually sniping at our supposed "unprofessional" approach to our job, and do not trust us sufficiently to refer patients to us for such things as medication reviews.
Governments always seem to have the perception that we are not competitive enough or providing a service at an economical price.
Are all these groups correct in their perception?
If they are, then we must do a better job.
If they are not, then we must improve communication and continually explain to them why their views are incorrect.
As one writer for this newsletter pointed out, he has never seen an advertisement or a television story relating to some of the new jobs pharmacy is endeavouring to perform, such as medication reviews.
Why?
Follow this link to Rollo Manning's new panel for the Job of a Pharmacist, or simply scroll down to refresh your memory of previous postings.

ROLLO MANNING'S MODEL FOR THE FUTURE JOB OF A PHARMACIST

"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.
The Public Image The way the public views a pharmacist will be as a health professional, as opposed to a retail shopkeeper. The pharmacist will be called upon by the media to comment on any issue that may arise concerning drugs, medicines and inhaled substances. "Official bodies" (Guild/Society) will not have to seek out publicity, or shy away from it, as the spokespeople will be acknowledged as the "authority" on all matters therapeutic. Pharmacy "trade" publications will disappear from the list of essential reading, to be replaced by properly structured professional magazines and journals. The image of a pharmacist will be as a health professional working in a team approach with doctors, nurses and other allied health professionals. The role will be projected as an authority on therapeutic matters. The "dispensary" or "pharmacy technician" will be the public face of the "dispensing" side of the business.
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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The comments and views expressed in the above article are those of the author and no other. The author welcomes any comment and interaction that may result from this and future articles. The editor would be pleased to publish any responses. You can now visit Rollo Manning's website at http://www.rollomanning.com

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