Pharmacy Evolution: Interview With Leading Pharmacist Mr. Kevin Johnson - Interview Example

Introduction

I recently interviewed one of the leading pharmacists in the state Mr Kevin Jonson to help find out how the field of pharmacy has evolved and impacted the medical world. Johnson has worked for the Pfizer, a drug leading company for over 20 years, his career has been shaped by the way people in the medical and pharmaceutical world interact with one another to bring change in the profession. The interview was conducted at his office, which helped to increase the knowledge about the field of pharmacy.

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The pharmacist's education and where they obtained their degree(s).

My journey in the pharmaceutical world begun way back when I was eight years old. Though with little knowledge, I was not sure what it takes to be in the field of pharmacy I was fascinated by the activities she performed, and always admired to be like her when I grew up. I started my journey at the University of Colorado as a means of getting into my post-graduate pharmacy school.

I further extended my pharmacist degree to a Doctor of Pharmacy, completing four years of study, as a way or increasing my experience and knowledge in the field. The Pharm. D degree provided the necessary foundation of medicine and the technical aspect of managing prescriptions and the ins and outs of a patient care.

In 1990, the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) mandated that a doctor of pharmacy degree would be the minimum degree for practicing pharmacy instead of a Bachelor's degree. Do you think that was a good move? Have there been any educational requirement changes since you graduated?

The government took a brisk step in furthering the grip on the profession, through raising the bar. One of the benefits that come with the rising the minimum requirements helps every graduate to have a concrete understanding of the profession. For instance, while the Bachelor's degree in the field only requires the candidate to have basic knowledge on topics such as chemist, Physics, anatomy and biology, the doctor of pharmacy degree take a different stand.

The doctor of pharmacy degree, not only gives a firm grip on the matter but also plays a vital role in furthering the knowledge, through incorporating real-life practices. Some of the subjects include drug absorption rates, medicinal chemistry, pathophysiology, toxicology, biopharmaceuticals, pharmacy ethics and law. As a result, these changes have redefined and increased the grip of knowledge in the profession. Since my graduation in 1988, the government has not yet revisited the regulations to make significant changes in the profession. As a result, this step has increased trust in what schools are offering to our students in the field of pharmacy.

How much is continuing education required for a pharmacist?

The field of pharmacy is highly dictated by the constraints of gradual change in the health sector. Currently, the general population is faced by numerous health complications, that are not adequately addressed. While the field of pharmacy and medical portrays a more substantial fight against the emerging threats, there is a lot we still have not done. There is the need to further the education in the pharmacy world, to help upscale the level of ideas, we have today. The general population poses new challenges to the pharmacists, as new epidemics are being discovered, yet, the pharmaceutical industry is still relying on the old technology, to help put up a fight against the new diseases. Indeed, it is our high time, to show more concerns in extending our studies in the field, for better performance and knowledge.

How do you feel about the proliferation of Herbal and Nutritional Supplements? How do you advise individuals seeking herbal medication?

For centuries the pharmaceutical industry has been developed and operated based on natural herbals. In other words, natural supplements have been the sole bedrock for the pharmaceutical industry that we celebrate today. While many still believe in the natural supplements, a concept that has proliferated the herbal supplements, people fail to understand the serve or nature of the shift in epidemics wave. The epidemics in the current century is much different from the epidemics that we experienced in five or six centuries ago, and the diseases are mutating and getting better than ever. In the worst case, the mutation has caused the evolution of the diseases more resistible to natural treatment.

However, many people fail to understand that the evolution and strengthening of the disease have rendered natural supplements less effective. As a result, the public should take greater caution while seeking herbal and natural supplements to treat their conditions. The pharmaceutical industry has played a vital role in conducting various researches n different epidemics, their causes, and the evolution of these conditions. As a result, pharmaceutical industries remains to be reliable sources when it comes to medication and treatment.

More so, the researchers are conducted under federal and states regulations to help increase the accuracy of the findings. Thus, the public should have a firm believe in the pharmaceutical industry, and the medication developed under their observation. On the contrary, I believe it is the responsibility of the government and the pharmaceutical industry, in conjunction with the health ministry to educate the public on the importance and efficiency of using laboratory medication as opposed to the ancient medicines that are not thoroughly scientific certified.

Do prescriptions that are changed to Over-the-Counter affect the role of the pharmacist?

The pharmacist has always played a vital role when it comes to the recommending of the Over-the-Counter drugs (OTC) to help patients deal effectively with their health issues. Changing of the prescription to over the counter, has a diverse effect on the pharmacist, especially considering the condition of the patient. As a result, a pharmacist has the opportunity to advise the consumer on the benefit of using the prescribed or switching to the OTC products to help relief the patient.

What is your opinion in regards to the role of the registered nurse in medication administration and teaching?

Nurses are among the main pillars of the pharmaceutical and medical world due to their devotion and determination. However, the demands in the medical world are higher, with only fewer nurses in the industry to help quench the rising demand. The registered number of nurses is slightly lower, as compared to the need and the pressure from the industry. As a result, the federal government must push in for more nurses in the field.

What can be done to reduce medication errors in the ambulatory and/or Inpatient setting?

The medical field has provided a unique feature of cultivating errors, that have caused departments a more substantial sum of money. However, to limit the ever-growing room for error, it is essential to have a thorough knowledge of the medication use process in the hospital. More so, there is the need to develop strategies that are geared towards each individual step in their practice. Some of the strategies include medication error-analysis, standardizing the medication-use process, medication reconciliation (Brown et al., 2019). However, despite the deployment of all these factors, the journey in preventing medical errors begins with the adoption of a culture that promotes acknowledging and reporting medical errors as they emerge. Many healthcare lacks this culture, a concept that has worsened the risk of many patients, as medical errors are not reported in time.

Do you perceive the pharmacist's role changing over the next ten years? Fifty years? Has it changed since you began practicing?

The role of the pharmacist is gradually changing, especially with more excellent knowledge of medication, epidemics and their suitable countermeasures. On the contrary, the pharmacists are taking the responsibility of not only prescribing but also advising the patients on their condition, making it easier to track and offer vital medication treatment alternatives.

What are the three most important issues facing the profession of pharmacy today?

The higher cost in training and qualification are among the issues in the sectors. Cost factors have become a primary barrier, hindering many to undertake the professional. Secondly, the hiking of prices has led to an unexpected drop in sales, a concept that is widely affecting the job scale, and growth. As a result, this has made the profession to be one of the slowly developing in terms of job shares and growth in the market. Lastly, the shift in patient-centric healthcare has affected the general field of pharmacy.

Reference

Brown, K. P. D., Salerno, G., Poindexter, L., & Trotta, K. (2019). The evolving role of the pharmacist in interprofessional practice. North Carolina medical journal, 80(3), 178-181.doi: 10.18043/ncm.80.3.178