Making the Most of Change

As autumn arrives, change is in the air: the weather shifts, the school year begins, and elections alter our political landscape. With the presidential election quickly approaching, some Americans may be dissatisfied with their options. Writer Gerard Gianoli, MD, FACS, expresses it this way: “The choices we have from our major [political] parties are between a polarizing figure and a dishonest one.”¹

No doubt, many individuals will be disappointed with the election result, but whatever it is, America will persevere as it always has. We have enough smart, driven people in this country to keep growing personally and corporately even when we face difficult changes. I propose that change—even if we don’t like it—is always an opportunity for empowerment because we have the freedom to recalculate our course, thereby becoming more proactive and less reactive.

Here’s one change I think you’ll like: Pharmacy Times is presenting this first Men’s Health issue in recognition of pharmacists’ need for health care information specific to male patients. Enclosed, please enjoy carefully crafted articles on androgenetic alopecia, testosterone replacement therapy, prostate health, and more. Did you know that 34.5% of men 20 years and older are obese?² To help you address this alarming statistic in your work, this issue provides practical information in “Weight Management in Obese Individuals with Common Comorbid Conditions.”

Another surprising statistic: men aged 25 to 64 years are now more likely to die of a drug overdose than a car accident.³ You probably already know that opioids and benzodiazepines are the most common causes of accidental drug overdose. Pharmacists are on the frontline of the battle to help patients avoid overdose, and Pharmacy Times will continue to support you in your efforts (see “The Value of Prescription Monitoring Programs” within).

I encourage you to embrace change this fall: find ways to reinvent and improve yourself, your work, and your business. And, especially, consider new ways you can help your patients change their health for the better. Don’t underestimate your influence as one of the most trusted health care professionals.

Thank you for reading!

Mike Hennessy, Sr

Chairman and CEO

REFERENCES

• Gianoli G. A tale of two conventions—controversy and deceit. Association of American Physicians and Surgeons website. aapsonline.org/index.php/site/article/ a_tale_of_two_conventionscontroversy_and_deceit. Accessed September 6, 2016.
• Men’s health. CDC website. cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/mens-health.htm. Accessed August 15, 2016.
• Xu J, Murphy SL, Kochanek KD, Batian BA. National Vital Statistics Reports. Deaths: final data for 2013. CDC website. cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr64/nvsr64_02. pdf. Published February 16, 2016. Accessed August 15, 2016.