Directors of Pharmacy are responsible for providing safe and effective management of the pharmacy via the provision of clinical services and distribution. We spoke with over 20 Directors of Pharmacy about their current goals, opportunities, and challenges to gain insight into their changing job roles, the new pharmacy regulations, and the shift to lean processes.
The Goal of the Pharmacy
Providing high quality patient care proved to be the center of focus for the pharmacy. Other high priorities included
- Increasing efficiency
- Reducing waste
- Improving processes
- Maintaining a trained, engaged staff.
To accomplish these goals, many Pharmacy Directors are implementing new technologies to automate processes and improve work flow.
Opportunities in the Pharmacy
Directors interviewed identified the number one opportunity for the pharmacy as the expansion of the pharmacist’s role as part of a team approach to patient care. Pharmacists are moving out of the traditional role and finding opportunities to work as clinical pharmacists alongside doctors and patients through:
- Influencing physicians
- Assisting physicians with prescribing and medication dosing
- Providing new treatment regimens
- Gathering patient medication history information
“I am looking at 3-5 years into the future and how I want to position the pharmacy to meet the needs of our organization. My short term goals are about daily operations (making us LEAN) and quality improvements, meeting regulatory requirements, and maintaining an engaged staff.”
- Mike Kyler, Director of Pharmacy, Grand River Hospital and Medical Center, Rifle, CO
Challenges in the Pharmacy
Pharmacists highlighted two major challenges in the pharmacy. One, the rising cost of drugs, and two, lack of human and financial resources to perform the growing number of responsibilities placed on the pharmacy. Other challenges included increasing regulatory and accreditation requirements, as well as educating administration and other healthcare workers on the changing pharmacy landscape.
What are your thoughts, comments, and opinions about the changing pharmacy landscape? Let us know by leaving a comment.
