Overs! As children, when playing we could rectify or change a bad decision by simply calling "Overs" and we would get to try again�.sometimes with different results and sometimes with the same results.

But, as an adult, we don't get to call "Overs." In fact, as we grow from childhood and mature into our teen years and early adult years, we learn quickly that life does not offer us the chance of "Overs" and that we are responsible for all our actions.

In making decisions as a pharmacist, we learn to analyze the situation, gather information, evaluate the information, formulate options, analyze those options, and make a decision. Obviously, we don't necessarily stop and do each step individually; rather, it gets to where it comes naturally. As I look back over my teenage years and growing up, it seems we were making major decisions earlier in life when compared to today. Working almost full-time by the time I was in my early teenage years, I found out very quickly that "Overs" were not an option. Customers expected employees to do a job and do it correctly and courteously.

How about in current pharmacy practice? Is there anything we currently do that we would like the opportunity to do "over"? How about the following list?

• Third-party insurance programs
• State prescription aid programs
• Medicare Part D
• Political involvement or lack of it
• Pharmacy school curricula
• Supporting organizations that are self-serving
• Not being involved in professional pharmacy organizations
• Providing data to other parties that use it against your practice
• Dispensing mistakes that have been made
• Mis-statements in patient counseling
• Personnel decisions
• Purchasing decisions
• Computer software

Well, it's the start of a new year and the closest many will get to say "Overs" and do it again; hopefully, the correct way. It's not necessary to make New Year's resolutions on these things; just decide to do them and get the job done.


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

The International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding, Inc. (IJPC) has published 10 years of journals. IJPC offers these professional binders that enable you to protect and organize your back issues! Each one has a mortar and pestle graphic with the IJPC logo and a place on the spine to put what years of journals are in the binder. Features include:

• Each binder holds up to two years of IJPC journals
• Provides protection for your journals
• Easy to use, professional style

To see a picture of the binder go to www.ijpc.com/Products/ProductDescription.cfm?PID=2499. To order, complete and mail or fax the IJPC Binder Order Form or call (800)757-4572 today.

CompoundingToday.com's literature search database this week looks at 35 citations on hirsutism (idiopathic or secondary to hyperandrogenism) and 12 articles on intravenous immunoglobulin and a couple of miscellaneous articles that have been mentioned on the Compounders' Network List (CNL). Here is a sampling of them:

Spironolactone for hirsutism in polycystic ovary syndrome.
Christy NA, Franks AS, Cross LB. Ann Pharmacother 2005; 39(9): 1517-1521.

Dermatology of androgen-related disorders.
Essah PA, Wickham EP 3rd, Nunley JR et al. Clin Dermatol 2006; 24(4): 289-298.

Antiandrogen therapy for skin and hair disease.
Harper JC. Dermatol Clin 2006; 24(2): 137-143, v.

Diagnosis and management of the dermatologic manifestations of the polycystic ovary syndrome.
Lowenstein EJ. Dermatol Ther 2006; 19(4): 210-223.

Endocrinological markers for assessment of hyperandrogenemia in hirsute women.
Mueller A, Cupisti S, Binder H et al. Horm Res 2006; 67(1): 35-41.

Treating medical problems of felines and compounding medications for their illnesses can be a challenge. IJPC's November/December 2006 issue includes three separate articles pertaining to felines and the compounding of medications to treat their illnesses.

• Compounding for Feline Herpetic Keratitis
• Case Report: Transdermal Fluoxetine as Therapy for Feline Anxiety
• Ronidazole in the Treatment of Trichomonad Infections

You can find those articles on pages 411 through 414; page 418; and pages 434 through 435, respectively. If you are not a subscriber you can purchase and download these articles using the above links or see the entire issue's contents at http://www.ijpc.com/editorial/SearchByIssue.cfm?PID=2469.

Sign up today at www.IJPC.com and start your journal print and electronic subscriptions. You can download what you are currently subscribed to and purchase electronic access to our complete set of back issues.

Dry Air Solution
Air dry in your pharmacy? This happens a lot in arid climates and even in non-arid climates during cold weather. This can be alleviated by installing a decorative fountain in your pharmacy that can aid in restoring humidity into the air. Properly done, it can be an attractive, eye-catching section of the pharmacy where patients can wait while their prescriptions are being prepared. A well-selected fountain can be a positive addition to the pharmacy, as long as it is properly maintained.