Pharmacy Trends Report to be Presented at ASHP

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Foundation recently released their trends report, Pharmacy Forecast 2017: Strategic Planning Advice for Pharmacy Departments in Hospitals and Health Systems.

This goal of these reports are to help pharmacy practice leaders plan for the upcoming year, according to a press release from the ASHP Foundation. The report will be published in ASHP’s January issue for the first time, as well as available online, as it has been in the past.

The most recent Pharmacy Forecast report will focus on changes in 8 important areas that are likely to affect hospital and health system pharmacists over the next 5 years. According to the ASHP Foundation, these areas include:

• Population Health Management
• Health-Systems Operations
• Health Information Technology
• Therapeutics
• Managing Medication Costs
• Regulatory Requirements
• Pharmacy Work Force
• Presidential Election

The report is based on data from a survey of trend watchers, and analyzes predicted trends. The report also outlines 40 strategic recommendations for pharmacists to implement.

Approximately 150 individuals from ASHP’s practice sections are the trend watchers. Additionally, the report is overseen by a panel of qualified pharmacy executives and clinical leaders, the ASHP Foundation reported.

The editor of the report, William A. Zellmer, is a pharmacy leader with extensive experience in policy development, planning, advocacy, and communications.

A session dedicated to the Pharmacy Forecast 2017 will be taking place at the upcoming 51^st Midyear Clinical Meeting and Exhibition conference in Las Vegas. After the session, all those involved in creating the report will be discussing its contents and answering any questions attendees may have.

The report was supported by a grant from Omnicell, Inc given to the ASHP Foundation’s David A. Zilz Leaders for the Future Fund, according to the press release. The ASHP Research and Education Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving outcomes and overall patient health by promoting safe medication use.

The Foundation believes that patient outcomes improve as a result of pharmacist education.

“The ASHP Foundation is committed to supporting pharmacists in being proactive and able to plan for and anticipate key issues and healthcare trends,” said ASHP Foundation CEO Stephen J. Allen. “The Pharmacy Forecast reports have established a strong reputation as an essential go-to resource for practice leaders as part of their strategic planning process.”