Editorial: Priorities: First Three, Then Me!
With the hurricane disaster in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, we are again confronted with "priorities". Time after time on the news reports we hear, "our family is alive and okay and all the rest of it can be replaced". The individual's priorities are now such that the safety and well-being of the family and friends is foremost. I think this is the first time, however, that I have actually seen news reporters break down during their interviews as the impact on these families is discussed. Many have lost everything they owned and now must start over; some have insurance and some do not. What a tragedy! There are several lessons to be learned from this experience.
First, there are warnings that precede an event. Hurricane warnings were broadcast days in advance and many, many people gave heed to the danger and left. Some, however, either could not leave due to lack of transportation, physical disability, some had no place to go or no money to travel, and some opted to stay and weather the storm. Each individual responded in some way.
Second, there should be preparation for an event way before the event occurs. Many coastal areas have accomplished construction projects to minimize the events and have plans in place for response when the events occur. It is difficult, however, to predict the magnitude of an event before it occurs so in general, we must prepare for the worst case scenario.
Third, there is the actual event that occurs and it is during this time that one feels very helpless because it is generally out of our hands to do anything. There are many forces to reckon with and some of them are known, but some are unknown.
Fourth, there is the response to the event where each of us wants to do something but oftentimes we don't know what to do. Also, the news media coverage brings the tragedy right into our living rooms and you have a feeling of wanting to do something to help to solve immediate needs of water, food, clothing, shelter, etc. In Oklahoma we are fortunate to have the headquarters for the Feed The Children organization (www.feedthechildren.org), which provides food to disaster victims all over the world, and the BGCO (www.bgco.org) services which are specially designed semi-truck trailers staffed by volunteers that cook thousands of meals daily that are delivered by the Red Cross, etc. These trucks were prepared to leave before the storm hit and left the day of the storm for staging for where they are needed.
Fifth, there is the cleanup and then rebuilding; this is what takes a long time and goes on well past the emotional aspects of the event itself. However, the families are still struggling to get their lives back together so they can go on.
Sixth, there is the impact on other aspects of our society. In this case, we all are affected; at least by the increase in gas prices and associated price increases in other commodities related to transportation.
Finally, we have to look at this event and see what we can learn from it to help minimize their occurrences or our responses in the future.
What can we do as pharmacists? Obviously there is a need to help our fellow pharmacists get back up and running so they can continue to serve their patients. If you know of anyone with a need, please submit it to the Compounder's Network List. (http://compoundingtoday.com/CNL) and we can see if other participants can provide any assistance to those in need by this communication network.
Having lived through the Murrah Building bombing in Oklahoma City, the events of 9/11, various hurricanes and, in Oklahoma, the destruction by hundreds of tornadoes, we learn something from each tragedy that shapes our preparation for the future. One of the things we continue to have reinforced is "priorities". I was taught years ago as a child to remember the phrase, "First Three, Then Me"! The first three are God, Country and Family. These three come first, before me. I think this has been evidenced many times in recent years by many, many people and pharmacists. Despite the challenges we have from nature or mankind, we respond to these events to help.
One last thing, we have many forces that are shaping pharmacy and especially, compounding pharmacy; some good and some not so good. We need to apply the same steps outlined above in preparing to respond to these forces so we don't experience a disaster where we will not be there to help our patients with individualized medications. We must prepare and be forewarned by constantly observing the political and regulatory activities of various agencies so we can adequately respond to protect our profession and our patients.
Loyd V. Allen, Jr., Ph.D., R.Ph
Editor-in-Chief | 
