James C. McAllister III, MS, FASHP

With a lack of staff and resources to help determine what drugs are used in busy clinics and to document standard protocols prescribed in them, perhaps a starting strategy is to enlist the help of professional students or pharmacy residents.

Diverse practice settings and avoiding cumbersome new bureaucratic requirements should be taken into account when developing evidence-based health care guidelines.

The election of the new president ushered in the theme, "a time for change." Pharmacy needs to stay abreast of these changes and plan and react accordingly.

The use of drugs for unapproved indications is frequently discussed and sometimes causes great angst in hospitals and health systems.

Regulatory intervention may be necessary in order to guarantee the quality of compounded intravenous medications.

As a new administration prepares to take office, now is the time for pharmacists to be proponents of the change promised for health care.

The recent controversy of pharmaceuticals found in drinking water has raised questions about the proper disposal of pharmaceuticals.

Pharmacy leaders and practicing pharmacists should realize the expertise and professional commitment that IV admixture pharmacists bring to hospital departments.

Certain events impact the patient?provider relationship and need to be monitored to ensure appropriate oversight of drug therapy.

As preceptors, practitioners have the opportunity to model the shape of the profession's future; however, several items are threatening this historical practice—how can we reverse this trend?

Many recent news items have raised questions regarding the quality of the pharmaceutical supply; solving this will be a challenge, but suggestions are presented here.

Pharmacy's advocacy for optimizing medication use and dedication to caring for patients should be a global, profession-wide commitment.

Is a third class of drugs on the horizon for pharmacy?

"Ain't no stopping us now"?ASHP meeting highlights 2007 accomplishments and looks to bright future.

Can we develop strategies in our departments?

Mr. McAllister is director of pharmacy at University of North Carolina Hospitals and Clinics.

Mr. McAllister is Pharmacy Times Editor, Health-systems Pharmacy Section and director of pharmacy at University of North Carolina Hospitals and Clinics.