Editorial: A New Year with Opportunities and Challenges

A lot happened in 2007 that impacted pharmacy in many different practice settings. From low reimbursements for government-sponsored prescription plans, to repackaging issues, Safe Compounding Act in Congress, continued growth in the HRT compounding market, lack of progress in commercial pediatric dosage form development, release of USP Chapter <797>, information, misinformation and disinformation!

What do we face in the compounding arena for 2008? That is difficult to say with certainty, but we can probably look for the following:

• Compounding will continue to grow and expand to meet patients' needs.
• New opportunities for compounding will become available.
• Physicians will become more aware of how they can individualize therapy for their patients.
• Additional pharmacies will become PCAB accredited.
• State Boards of Pharmacy will continue to modify and enhance quality standards for compounding.
• Communication of quality compounding information will continue to grow.
• Educational and training programs for nonsterile and sterile compounding will increase.
• National pharmacy organization meetings will increase their content of compounding programs.
• Implementation of USP Chapter <797> will be a major activity for compounders in both ambulatory and institutional settings.
• More companies will become involved in providing supplies and equipment to compounding pharmacists.
• FDA Appeal of the Midland case will go forward.
• We, at IJPC, will continue to support and promote quality compounding in both the US and around the world.

Well, that's probably enough. But, as is evident, pharmacy compounding is an ever-expanding and important component of pharmacy practice and is vitally necessary for quality patient care.

Compounding's Great... in 2008! Can't Wait!


Loyd V. Allen, Jr., PhD, RPh
Editor-in-Chief

English Delftware Drug Jars
Edited by Briony Hudson
Chicago, IL: Pharmaceutical Press; 2006 (www.pharmpress.com)

Offered in this text is a detailed illustrated catalogue where readers can enjoy and appreciate all of the many layers of these English tin-glazed items. Not only is this recorded history of delftware foundational; it is hoped that knowledge of apothecary vessels and display jars grows and develops for years to come. Being an invaluable resource for studying these jars from an art-historical point of view, Briony Hudson compiled a study of the production methods and styles of the delftware potters by giving an overview of the designs and styles used over the production period of these wares. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the world of pharmacy and medicine combined to invent different forms and presentation of these vessels, whether dated or not, all collected to preserve jars and pill tiles alike.

Out of the 172 jars on display at the Society, 40 are dated the highest number to date of any other collection. Out of the 6 pill tiles, 3 are dated, bringing the grand total collected to be those three. Impressive is this collection and extremely significant to the history of the apothecary. It will be worth your time to enjoy and appreciate the knowledge collected from many to fit in one text the art and history of English delftware collected from the 17th and 18th centuries.

From out of the past!
Cosmetic compounding has been a part of pharmacy throughout history. This is one example. Hoyt's German Cologne can still be purchased, but in a 1902 edition of "Secrets of Wise Men, Chemists and Great Physicians", the formula is presented as: