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For the past two years, we have been inundated with "experts" dictating what we can and cannot do regarding the COVID situation. Interestingly, these "experts" do not always agree, and it seems that many of them were cherry-picking their statements from the literature or other media to suit their own narrative, which was presented in the media as their "expert opinion." This really became apparent as the "experts began appearing on different media when spouting their "opinions"; sometimes they have been right but other times they have erred!
No doubt that some were sincere, but some yielded to the moment to gain publicity and fame and even financial gain.
Maybe we should look at some definitions of experts, science, etc. for a better understanding, as one of these "experts" boldly stated that "he is science!"
The following definitions are from the American Heritage Dictionary (2nd College Edition).
Expert: A person with a high degree of skill in or knowledge of a certain subject; Having or demonstrating great skill, dexterity, or knowledge as the result of experience or training.
Practitioner: One who practices an occupation, profession, or technique.
Scientist: A person having expert knowledge of one or more sciences.
Science: The observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of natural phenomena; an activity that appears to require study and method.
As pharmacists, we call ourselves "Drug Experts," so how is a pharmacist defined?
Pharmacist: A person trained in pharmacy.
Pharmacy: The art of preparing and dispensing drugs.
Pharmaceutics: The science of preparing and dispensing drugs
In summary, experts, practitioners, and scientists all commit errors. Proper training and strict and focused attention can help in minimizing errors.
To further illustrate the frustration many have felt the past two years about who to believe, Dan Hussar, in the recent issue of his publication, The Pharmacist Activist, presented the following conversation of Dilbert with a colleague:
| Colleague: | "You should follow the advice of experts."
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| Dilbert: | "What if the experts disagree?"
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| Colleague: | "Side with the majority."
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| Dilbert: | "Is that how science works?"
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| Colleague: | "Well, no. You also have to do your own research to know which experts are right."
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| Dilbert: | "If I knew which experts were right, wouldn't that make me smarter than the experts?"
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| Colleague: | "Doing my own research works for me, so you can always come and ask me who is right."
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| Dilbert: | "How would I know you are right?"
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| Colleague: | "Because I do my own research."
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| Dilbert: | "Maybe you can teach the experts how to do that." |
So, in conclusion, it seems that some are experts, most are practitioners, and a few are scientists. We have to do our own research and decide!
Loyd V. Allen, Jr., PhD, RPh
Editor-in-Chief
International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding
Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy Twenty-second edition
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