The International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding has a student rotation program where senior students from either the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy or Southwestern Oklahoma State University School of Pharmacy spend a month with us. I enjoy the opportunity of working with these students, as you can introduce them to a lot of different aspects of pharmacy they don't ordinarily see in other rotations.

We introduce the students to compounding, publications, legislation, professional organizations, litigation, formulation for clinical trials, pharmaceutical standards, and many, many other topics. One area of concern I see for the future in pharmacy schools across the nation, however, is that many students (1) are not active in professional organizations, (2) are active while in school to put it on their r�sum� to help get a job after graduation and then plan on dropping their membership(s), or (3) may actually plan on continuing their activity in the professional organization(s) after graduation.

The students who rotate through our organization discuss how many students express that they don't really care about doing anything but making money; they have no real dedication to the profession of pharmacy. In other words, they view their degree and license as simply a ticket to making a good living in the future but don't plan on putting anything back in to the profession.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't really view these upcoming pharmacists as dedicated professionals but as jobholders or workers taking advantage of the efforts of many others that spend time working to enhance and protect the practice of pharmacy. I remember when many organizations' annual meetings had thousands of pharmacists; now they have hundreds.

If you are already a preceptor, thank you, and please encourage your students to get active. If you are not a preceptor, get involved and make a difference in the future by setting an example as an involved pharmacist.

As it has been said, if you don't vote in a political election, you have no right to complain. Well�if you don't participate in professional pharmacy organizations, you have no right to complain and will probably get what's coming to you (which may be AWP less 25% plus $1.00)! I'm not sure how long the $100,000 per year salaries will last at that rate! Think about it.


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:

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CompoundingToday.com's literature search database this week looks at 39 citations on miscellaneous skin disorders (anaphylaxis, with emphasis on bites and stings and drug allergies; pyoderma gangrenosum; melasma and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation; seborrheic dermatitis) and 2 other miscellaneous articles that have been mentioned on the Compounders' Network List (CNL). Here is a sampling of them:

Anaphylaxis: Drug allergy, insect stings, and latex.
Chiu AM, Kelly KJ. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am 2005; 25(2): 389-405,viii.

Role of antifungal agents in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis.
Gupta AK, Nicol K, Batra R. Am J Clin Dermatol 2004; 5(6): 417-422.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-itch activity of sertaconazole nitrate.
Liebel F, Lyte P, Garay M et al. Arch Dermatol Res 2006; 298(4): 191-199.

Topical treatments for melasma and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Lynde CB, Kraft JN, Lynde CW. Skin Therapy Lett 2006; 11(9): 1-6.

Regression of gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms using dietary supplementation with melatonin, vitamins, and aminoacids: Comparison with omeprazole.
Pereira RD. J Pineal Res 2006; 41(3): 195-200.

Reading about the diagnosis of a veterinary patient's illness and the medications compounded to treat the diagnosis can be beneficial for veterinary compounders. However, when the patient is in fact a pet of a compounding pharmacist and that pharmacist submits an article who furnishes details of the treatment, you realize you are reading both a professional and personal testimonial. Read such an article, titled Taurine for the Treatment of Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy: A Veterinarian's Personal Experience, in our November/December 2006 issue, pages 421 through 424. If you are not a subscriber you can purchase and download this article at www.ijpc.com/backissues/ArticleDescription.cfm?ABS=2492

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.

Polyethylene Troches
From Bob Listecki, Pharmacist of Glen Ellyn, Illinois
After completing the mixing and melting steps in the formulation on a hot plate, turn off the heat and let the formulation cool for 2 to 3 minutes. Then, place the troche mold tray on the slightly cooled hot plate and pour the mixture into the mold. The troches will cool very slowly and produce a smooth, finished preparation!

Thanks Bob! Anyone else have a tip they would like to share? Just e-mail them to: lallen@ijpc.com