Editorial: Change: One of the constants of the universe!

One of the definitions of change is to make something different in some particular way. We all change with time. Can you still do as many pushups as you did as a child? Can you still run as fast and as far as you use to? Do you still marvel at the simple things of life?

Change is hard to swallow by some people or agencies (even governmental agencies). Think of those individuals that still have not learned how to use a computer, the self-checkout line at the grocery store, online submission of your income taxes, or drive a car. Think of the governmental agencies that are mired in "yesteryear" as the world passes them by.

As far as pharmacy is concerned, do we still practice pharmacy in the same way we did 10, 20, 30, or 40 years ago? Do we still use the same drugs as we did 40 years ago? Do we still keep prescription records the same way we did 40 years ago (remember the Lokator System or the Bates Stamper)? No�things change and we tend to change along with them.

Oftentimes, change is good; sometimes change is bad; sometimes change has no real impact. We tend to view change as to how it affects our lives and impacts our daily activities. The importance of change can be related to the (1) causative factor, (2) the result, or (3) our attitude in response to it.

Causative factors (good changes):

• Wearing out old equipment so we must update with new, more efficient equipment
• New standards of practice to enhance patient safety
• Increased gas mileage technology that can help save money is a response to today's gasoline prices
• New research and development that can result in drugs to treat pain, diabetes, etc.
• Especially important is the availability of compounded preparations to provide to those patients whose drugs have been withdrawn from the market due to economic reasons. Compounding is good!

Results of change:

• Efficiency, economics, increased output, cost savings, increased profitability, and other business measures
• More free time as a result of change in household duties and less maintenance required on our automobiles, etc.
• New and better lawnmowers, clippers, etc. has shortened our weekend work time to keep up our yards and homes.
• New dispensing machines (robotics) are making a greater impact on our practice of pharmacy as well as new computer equipment and software. How about all the compounding equipment we use today that was not available 25 years ago?

Attitude:
Yes, change is wrought with many responses from different individuals. What we do with change is up to us. As I have heard it said many times, "Whether or not you have a good day is up to you!" Attitude is important. We can sit back and complain when things don't go our way�or�we can get busy and try to make changes to improve the situation. What is done is up to you! I used to have the following sign on my office wall relating to change:

   Some people make things happen!
   Some people watch things happen!
   Some people wonder what happened!

Which group are you in?


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

Those listings in bold are regular advertisers and supporters of the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding.

With all the outsourcing of U.S. manufacturing activities (including bulk drug synthesis) to China and the growth of China exports, China is experiencing record pollution problems. But, if they implement and enforce the same environmental standards we have here in the U.S., they may not be able to continue to provide bulk drugs at their cheaper prices. However, our capacity to synthesize bulk drugs has dramatically declined in recent years. Think about it!

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