Published by Computachem Services

P.O Box 297.
Alstonville. 2477
NSW Australia

Phone:
61 2 66285138

In November 2001, a survey was taken in respect of the newsletter, to see what topics appealed to readers most. This was done in preparation to the launch of the I2P E-Magazine.
The question, and the results obtained, are reprinted for interest.
The topics selected for the I2P E-Magazine appear below.

QUESTION 6 of the survey:
"Computachem Newsletter has covered a wide range of topics and sub-topics over time. Please rate the following broad topic sections in terms of your interest to read them."

Obviously, the subject matter and the frequency of its appearance, is the most important consideration to the editor of any publication.
The above results will help us plan the number of articles per issue, the frequency of each subject type per issue, also the recruitment of future writers.
The top three subjects, as indicated by the above poll are:

Information Technology, Medical Practice Pharmacy, and Pharmacy Politics.

The next group, in order of polling are:

Education, Corporate Pharmacy, E-Commerce/Mail Order issues, Legal & Regulatory, Integrated Medical Centres, Pharmacy Structure, Marketing, and Complementary Medicine.

These subjects will form the primary focus of an upgraded publication, with all other subjects being slotted in on a rotating basis.
There may be a need to increase the number of subjects per edition if the frequency of publication reduces to once a month.

We were surprised at the relatively low ranking of consultant pharmacy, management and retailing.

THE FOLLOWING RANGE OF TOPICS HAVE BEEN SELECTED FOR THE
12P E-MAGAZINE

Information Technology
This subject ranked head and shoulders above all others in our newsletter survey, and we intend dealing with it across a broad spectrum of activity.
Information technology is transforming business and professional activities at an ever increasing rate. The understanding of the various issues, and the ability to form creative alliances, will determine who will eventually win out.
The playing field is reasonably level at the moment, but major retailers have the edge in the development of their online systems, and have already introduced a new dimension into their pricing systems i.e. passing on the savings made on overheads.
In the professional area, there exists the potential for pharmacists to become completely irrelevant.
Already, doctors can (and do) legally dispense.
With automated script writing systems plugged in to automated dispensing programs attached to automated dispensing equipment, where will the pharmacist fit?

The major classes of IT will be categorised as:
B2C (Business to Consumer); B2B (Business to Business); CI2C (Clinical Information to Client); Infrastructure Issues.

B2C
This primarily concerns retailing on the Internet and includes identifying strategies for extending the existing "bricks and mortar" business structure ethically into the new economy. Regarding the Internet as a new and interesting opportunity rather than a threat. Preparing to combat global competition.

B2B
Looking at opportunities to develop alliances and relationships with suppliers and other health professionals e.g. GP's.

CI2C
Looking at Internet systems to provide clinical and other information to pharmacy patients and other health professionals. To see what is necessary to become specialist providers of information.

Infrastructure Issues
Looking at what equipment may be required, what physical alterations need to occur in the layout of pharmacies, what specialist staff will be required, what new varieties of fixtures and fittings will be needed.
The fact that the pharmacy of the near future will need a division within their business, dealing with IT planning and delivery. As most IT areas outside of pharmacy tend to be male dominated, this may represent a pathway to even up the imbalance of males in the current pharmacy environment.

All the above areas overlap with each other.
Collectively, they represent the "new economy".
It is the transition and rate of change from the existing "old economy" that we will focus on.

Banking and Finance
Examining the issues that have emerged from some of the callous decisions of financial institutions and their specific impact on pharmacists. Also, the emergence of Bendigo Bank and its significance and development to a pharmacy owned financial service.
Other areas include private and business investment and developing new areas of development finance outside the traditional "wholesaler guarantee".

Complementary Therapy and Medicines
Reporting evidenced-based discoveries and applications of complementary therapies and medicines. Specifically examining their potential to interact with orthodox drugs and therapies.
This area has the potential to provide a "window of opportunity" for consultant pharmacists to develop private practice extensions.

Consultant Pharmacy
A look at all the issues surrounding the extension of health systems into the community and the development of this pharmacy specialty as it matures into a full clinical experience independent of distributive functions. Ultimately it will involve prescribing, either as a dependent or independent prescriber .
The current developments of government funded nedication reviews in nursing homes and DMMR (Domiciliary Medication Management Reviews) involving case-conferencing with GP's are looked at, and the problems that are evolving commented upon, plus endeavouring to present practical solutions to these problems.

Corporate Pharmacy
Reporting on the developments of corporate pharmacy as recommended in the CoAG recommendations, and the rationalisations and mergers that will evolve as Australian pharmacy gears up for globalisation challenges.
To date, this particular development has been a non-event as various state governments try to get their legislative houses in order.
The ability to incorporate is impeding the future ability of pharmacy to remain viable and to provide interesting workplaces for pharmacists.

Dispensing and Compounding
We also look at this "core business" of pharmacy to see what is required to handle it quickly and efficiently. With most pharmacists feeling under considerable threat as profitability deserts this sector, we look at the changing needs to manage e.g qualifying assistants as registered dispensers, building in automated dispensing equipment, introducing specialist services such as compounding and herbal dispensing, and value adding all the above with consultant pharmacist services.

Education
Education and training issues are assuming major importance. In an attempt to gain an "edge" businesses have to re-skill and multi-skill their management and staff.
In pharmacy terms this means a continuing education process to gain a practice certificate, a degree or a diploma for a pharmacy assistant, to provide knowledge skills to manage S2 and S3 drug schedules under supervision.
Future education will need to be delivered via the Internet and universities will have to re-engineer their course material to deliver their offerings.
Mandatory continuing education for pharmacists to achieve a uniform practice standard will enable pharmacists to work in a variety of countries with similar standards, and without the need to have to pass another qualifying exam
Pharmacy Boards may use education to extend a power base, and pharmacists will need to be vigilant. The free movement of pharmacists between countries may be a reality well before the free movement between Australian states.

The Economy
Dealing with the macro issues created by national and global events and how they impact on the micro area of pharmacy.

Genetically Modified Food and Drugs
The introduction of drugs manufactured by genetically engineered processes appear to have great potential for new cures and replacement therapies. However, the positives of new medicines are being manipulated to promote genetically modified foods, which may not have benefit to people or the environment.
As a side issue, we will also be looking at genetic counselling as an extension of consultant pharmacy, also as a means of understanding the new generation of drugs and foods being thrust onto the local market.

Globalisation
Few people realise the impact that globalisation will have on Australian business, including pharmacy. Timely reportage and strategy suggestions to cope with the rapid changes of globalisation are dealt with across a wide range of industries.
Not only businesses globalise.
Professional associations and government policies through UN treaties are also gloabl activities impacting on all levels of society.

Hospital Pharmacy
With the introduction of consultant pharmacy, the differences between hospital pharmacists and community pharmacists will begin to narrow. We intend to plot these converging interests, and predict that in the future, many hospital pharmacies will be privatised.

Human Resources and Employment
A look at the rapidly changes landscape surrounding the scarcity of skilled personnel, and what effect this will have on the Pharmacy profession as a whole.
Included will be projections on new types of managers, specialist pharmacists, specialist pharmacy assistants.
The training, and in particular, the retention strategies required to hold a corporate human resource together.

Integrated Medical Centres
Issues surrounding the development of corporate medical centres and any other medical issues that impact on pharmacy. Trying to develop an understanding of what strategies will evolve that could damage pharmacy's interests and why governments tend to favour the integrated concept, despite the potential for corruption and the fact that most current models have a range of inefficiencies that make them unprofitable. Big is not necessarily beautiful.

Legal and Regulatory Affairs
Legislation and regulations affecting pharmacy and the issues that arise.
These will mainly revolve around privacy issues, Internet marketing and pharmacy ownership issues.
Privacy Issues
While government organisations have had privacy legislation in place for some time now, private businesses have not. As from the end of December 2001, a raft of new legislation aimed at health service entities, will be in place.
Heavy penalties are involved for non compliance, and lawyers, together with their aggrieved clients, will find this a new and fertile area to develop. As a subset of Legal and Regulatory Affairs, it is important enough to be a topic in its own right.
Internet Marketing
Legislation has not kept pace with Internet development and there is not yet a clear pathway for pharmacies to fully engage the new Internet technologies and develop newer services with a wider reach. I2P will be keeping a very close watch on these issues, which are continually clouded by the fact that Official Pharmacy takes a punitive attitude to the Internet rather than a creative one. This is only a "head in the sand" attitude".
Pharmacy Ownership
Always a big and continuing issue for pharmacists.
The "pharmacy for pharmacists" principle is one that is supported by the majority of pharmacists, with governments giving variable support, depending on the strength of the lobby from the "big end of corporate town".
The recent CoAG Review opens the way for pharmacies to eventually incorporate and develop scales of ecomomy that will support adequate remuneration levels for pharmacists, as well as providing interesting work and safer workplaces.
The fact that legislation is not yet in place is disturbing, because it limits Pharmacy's ability to compete on a level playing field.

Management/Locums
Providing input on management theory, particularly with the pending corporatisation of pharmacy.
Current pharmacy corporate skills will need to be quickly upgraded to cope with this new pharmacy model.
Also looking at relief management in the form of skilled locums.
How can we encourage retiring pharmacists to upskill and provide professional locum services?
Do locum services need more recognition?
It has to be said that a locum has to contend with changes at all levels as he/she travels to different environments ( with the discomfort that travel entails away from home), the different systems that have to be embraced in each pharmacy and the lack of acceptance by all staff in the initial period of engagement.
These services require above average skills and need to be reimbursed accordingly.
Otherwise, you may never get a vacation.
On the other hand, locums need to be able to differentiate themselves so that prospective clients understand and know what they are getting.

Marketing
Marketing skills are required at a number of levels in pharmacy.
The traditional level is well catered for through marketing groups.
What is not catered for is the marketing of professional services and Internet marketing.
I2P will be looking at all areas, particularly e-commerce models of marketing and how to integrate traditional retailing with "bricks and mortar" businesses.
What is required to dispense online in Australia?
Some models have emerged, but legislative bodies have not kept pace with need.
Official pharmacy has not given good leadership in this area and has tended to try and "squash" any develoments by individual pharmacists.
So at I2P we look at developing the concept of "ideaviruses" and the "word of mouse" approach, and we try to integrate this with promotion of the new consultative services and how they can ethically evolve, both on the Internet and in the "brick and mortar" environment.

Men's Issues
A look at the mounting health problems and issues surrounding men, and their inability to organise support groups to advance their cause. Why is there a lack of male employees in community pharmacies?

Pharmacy Politics
Reporting on the Pharmacy Guild, the Pharmaceutical Society and all levels of state and federal government; their policies, future directions, and a critical look at their impact on pharmacy.

Pharmacy Structure
Issues surrounding the shape and direction pharmacy needs to develop at all levels, and includes political, community and hospital environments.

Retailing
With competitive onslaughts coming from all directions and a push to provide the "new" professional services as a means of replacing income, it is probably timely to remind pharmacists that retailing is part of their "core business".
Even in a hospital pharmacy you will find a cash register.
To not keep watch on this aspect of business is to let go of an income stream that has traditionally funded many other components of pharmacy, including the subsidisation of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
While this area may need to be selectively looked at in terms of range, management and presentation, it is too important an activity to simply let go.

Rural and Isolated
Looking at promoting the issues that have dogged this community group and some of the policies that have been developed in the isolation of Canberra or some other place remote from the actual problems.
Isolated decisions made for isolated and defenceless communities.

Student Issues
Those pharmacies that do not have a program to actively engage in student affairs and practical training, are losing a valuable edge in recruitment and training.
Much has changed since pharmacy proprietors themselves graduated from University.
Unless an attempt is made to communicate with students, practical issues such as having a full complement of pharmacist employees at any one time, and the planning of succession within a business to ensure its continuity, will be an ongoing source of stress.

Suggest an Issue
If there is an issue that you think I2P should cover, then please do not hesitate to suggest it to us. Just e-mail your suggestion to: admin@computachem.com.au