EDITORIAL

Welcome to Issue 19 of i2P E-Magazine, published on the eve of the FIP-PAC congress, which is destined to be the big event for Australian Pharmacy in 2003.
I hope to see many of the readers of i2P at this event, and if anyone is interested in contacting me there, my mobile phone number will be 0412 977 106.

In this month's edition we have endeavoured to explore some social issues in pharmacy which are not specifically confined to pharmacy. Broad aspects of pharmacy culture are looked at, using the backdrop of globalisation (see "I am So Tired" article).
Are we becoming manipulated through a "dumbing down" of our culture, particularly in important aspects of education?
One important subset of pharmacy culture is the way we treat our employees-particularly the aging employee (see "Hiring Attitude for Survival). Are your workplaces really employee-friendly?
Or are they really places where discontinuity exists and no real thought is given to retention.

Given that the immediate future area of competition will be decided upon through access to an adequate depth and breadth of human resources; the high cost of training and the need to retain for the maximum period possible, will determine who will be left standing, particularly after Woolworths Rx and their ilk really come on the scene.
Even if Woolworths Rx an Co compete indirectly, they will poach your accredited and trained staff to achieve their ends.

Have you got a big enough cheque book?

Rollo Manning discusses moves to prevent the expansion of indigenous pharmacies, and one really has to ask why this is happening. One obligation imposed on democracies is that they look after their minorities, and the best way for pharmacy to do this is to write indigenous pharmacy practice into the various Pharmacy Acts. I am passionately of the view that pharmacy must be owned and controlled by pharmacists-with one or two exceptions. If indigenous people were formed up into Friendly Societies, or some other acceptable organisational structure, there would not be an issue.
Worth a thought?
By being gracious in the area of indigenous health, official pharmacy could be seen to be giving indigenous people the gift of health.
And health is what they sorely need!

James Delahunty alerts us to digital photographic opportunities and the threats that exist if the concept is not fully engaged. James is a new writer and has years of expertise in the photographic industry.
Heather Pym and Ken Stafford comment on aspects of consultant pharmacy, while Karalyn Huxhagen takes manufacturers to task on some of their dubious marketing practices.

Jon Aldous talks on all the major drug shortages. Not many stories in pharmacy media about this crisis, which is deepening each day, with official pharmacy not seeming to come to terms with the problem.
Val Johanson of the Complementary Healthcare Council discusses some exciting activities in the world of complementary medicines, and it is good to see a strong come back, after the unnecessary PAN drubbing.

And finally, Lachlan Rose, our final year student, is planning to enter the workforce and become one of our potential hopefuls for the future of pharmacy. Prospective employers should read what he has to say and perhaps contact him with an offer he cannot refuse.

Neil Johnston, September 2003