Do you have an opinion?
Have you ever wished that your opinion could be heard at your state legislature?
How about in Congress?

Amazingly, elected officials are interested in what we (pharmacists) have to say because of our positions in our communities. The question is, however, how can we best maximize our influence?

One easy-to-use method is by supporting the various pharmacy organizations. Every pharmacist should be a member of at least their state and national organization, the two organizations that best represent you, depending upon your practice site. Several of our organizations are very, very active at the national level in the political arena, including APhA, ASHP, NCPA, and IACP. If you are involved in compounding pharmacy, whether it is in a community or a hospital, you should consider being a member of at least two or three of the four organizations listed.

How about at the local or state level? It has been sad to see many state organizations decrease in size and level of activity over the years. Some states are still very active, while others are struggling to survive. What is the secret of those that are active? Is it their political activity, their educational programs, or their communication activities, or all or a combination of these activities in keeping their membership up to date?

What would it take to increase membership in these organizations? Have you ever tried to determine why many pharmacy organizations are not growing, are not exciting, and their meetings are not enjoyable? What can you do to help?

What is your responsibility as a pharmacist? Is going to school 5 or 6 years considered "paying your dues", and now you feel that the profession owes you a $100,000 a year salary for the rest of your life? You are earning that because of the efforts of pharmacists over the past 50 years who have helped develop pharmacy into the profession that it currently is. You might say, "Well, I don't like what I'm doing and would like for pharmacy to be something else!" Okay, join your pharmacy organizations and work to effect a change.

I was talking with a state pharmacy association executive a few weeks ago who said that the pharmacist from whom he received the most complaints in his state wasn't even a member of the organization. My response to that is, "If they are not members, they don't have a voice!" If they would turn the "griping energy" into "positive working energy," then something positive might happen.

Pharmacy is a great profession, but we have to work to keep it that way and to improve it. We can improve it more effectively by working within an organized group.

-If you are not a member...Join.
-If you are a member...Participate.
-If you are an active member...Thank You!

Loyd V. Allen, Jr., Ph.D., R.Ph
Editor-in-Chief

This discussion group of over 1000 pharmacy personnel worldwide continues to be active with discussions over the last week including:

• Compounding time and wait time for patients
• Diabetic neuropathy treatments
• Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) treatments
• Update & Latest News regarding Avastin

Join the list today at www.CompoundingToday.com/CNL and read what others have to say and/or contribute, and what questions are posted. It's easy, free, and informative.

In continuing the dermatological treatments series, there have been 41 citations added to our drug information database this week to the topic of alternative/complementary therapies in dermatology. There are two articles on the treatment of radiotherapy-induced skin damage, one on herpes simplex, and one on herpes zoster/postherpetic neuralgia, which were topics discussed on the Compounders' Network List this last week. Here is a sampling:

• Ebner F, Heller A, Rippke F et al. Topical use of dexpanthenol in skin disorders. Am J Clin Dermatol 2002; 3(6): 427-433.
• Gaby AR. Natural remedies for Herpes simplex. Altern Med Rev 2006; 11(2): 93-101.
• Maddocks-Jennings W, Wilkinson JM, Shillington D. Novel approaches to radiotherapy-induced skin reactions: A literature review. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2005; 11(4): 224-231.
• Roxas M. Herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia: Diagnosis and therapeutic considerations. Altern Med Rev 2006; 11(2): 102-113.
• Stone SP. Unusual, innovative, and long-forgotten remedies. Dermatol Clin 2000; 18(2): 323-338, xi.

See the entire group of citations at http://compoundingtoday.com/Articles/SearchResult.cfm?Batch=72

EPS® EMERGENCY DRUG AND MEDICAL BOXES

Responding to its customers' needs, EPS®, Inc. has expanded its line of storage and transport items to include a wide assortment of Emergency Drug and Medical Boxes.

EPS Emergency Drug Boxes are available in two designs and three sizes. They expand to almost twice their footprint in order to hold a maximum amount of supplies in a compact area. All are equipped with durable carrying handles and have a "rain-tight" construction.

EPS Medical Boxes are stocked in two-, three-, four-, and six-drawer models. The drawers are removable and interchangeable for quick stocking needs. The boxes are manufactured from durable polypropylene with drawers produced from rugged ABS plastic, and all EPS Emergency Drug and Medical Boxes can be sealed with EPS Tamper-Evident Safety Control Seals.

For additional information, please contact: EPS®, INC., 70 Industrial Drive, Ivyland, PA 18974, Toll-Free Phone: (800)523-8966; Toll-Free Fax (800)323-8966; E-Mail: info@medidose.com, Website: www.medidose.com

Interested in dermatology or veterinary compounding? IJPC's upcoming issues focus on dermatology in September/October and veterinary compounding in November/December. Sign up today at www.IJPC.com and start your Journal subscription which includes downloadable electronic issues and fully searchable articles.

Using Light!

Need to bring some emphasis to a certain display or a certain part of your store? Use light! Lighting is relatively inexpensive and is reusable. Floods, spots, ropes, colors, black, and other types of lighting can be used to focus attention. Ever been to a play or production and observed the use of light? As light moves, so does your attention�you follow the light. Light can be used to emphasize something, to create a mood, and to stimulate activity. Many different types of lighting can be created by using a local lighting store or visiting eBay. Have fun and be creative!