Examining Pharmacy Workforce Issues in the United States and the United Kingdom

Objective. To examine available data and actions surrounding current pharmacy workforce issues in the United States and United Kingdom.Methods. Published pharmacy workforce data from the United States and United Kingdom were gathered from various sources, including PUBMED, Internet search engines, and pharmacy organization websites. Data was collated from additional sources including scientific literature, internal documents, news releases, and policy positions.Results. The number of colleges and schools of pharmacy has expanded by approximately 50% in both the United States and United Kingdom over the previous decade. In the United States, continued demand for the pharmacy workforce has been forecasted, but this need is based on outdated supply figures and assumptions for economic recovery. In the United Kingdom, workforce modeling has predicted a significant future oversupply of pharmacists, and action within the profession has attempted to address the situation through educational planning and regulation.Conclusion. Workforce planning is an essential task for sustaining a healthy profession. Recent workforce planning mechanisms in the United Kingdom may provide guidance for renewed efforts within the profession in the United States.     

Emerging policy contradictions between the United Nations drug control system and the core values of the United Nations

This paper argues that the image of the UN as a benevolent organization is a crucial factor in the functioning of the global drug prohibition regime. It contends, however, that from certain normative perspectives, particularly that of harm reduction, it is possible to identify the emergence of policy contradictions between what can be broadly defined as the United Nations drug control system and the core values of the UN as laid out in the Charter and other key instruments from which the UN derives its image of benevolence. Four interrelated areas of perceived conflict are discussed: sovereignty and jurisdiction; human rights; the promotion of solutions to international economic, social, health and related problems; and the maintenance of international peace and security. It is suggested that such a situation may undermine a key mechanism for regime adherence. The paper concludes by offering some options that may exploit systemic contradictions and assist in instigating incremental change to the regime.     

Mushroom poisoning in the United States--an analysis of 1989 United States Poison Center data.

An analysis of mushroom case exposures reported in 1989 to the American Association of Poison Control Centers "National Data Collection System" by poison centers in the United States was conducted to obtain a clearer view of mushroom poisoning epidemiology and outcome in the United States.     

Assessment of a United States pharmaceutical care model for nursing homes in the United Kingdom

Objective

To assess the suitability of an American model of pharmaceutical care for nursing home residents (The Fleetwood model) for application in nursing homes in the United Kingdom.

Method

Pharmacists (those from a hospital setting or involved in prescribing support), general practitioners, nursing home managers and advocates for older people were invited to participate in semi-structured interviews or focus groups. The American Fleetwood model was explained to all participants who were asked for their views and opinions on how such a model could be adapted for use in the UK setting. All interviews and focus groups were tape-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using the framework method.

Main outcome measure

An adapted model of pharmaceutical care for use in UK nursing homes.

Results

There was general concern about prescribing in nursing homes, particularly in relation to psychoactive drugs. All participants were supportive of the proposed model of care and endorsed the greater involvement of pharmacists. However, participants also recognised that unlike pharmacists in the US nursing home setting for which the Fleetwood model had been developed, pharmacists implementing this approach in the UK would face major challenges in relation to access to records (medical and medication), prescribers and residents.

Conclusion

The findings highlighted the key elements of access which will need to be considered if this model of pharmaceutical care is to be applied to nursing home residents in the UK.

Impact of findings on practice

The model has been revised to take account of the challenges relating to access and will be tested in a randomised controlled trial.

     

Rohypnol Misuse in the United States

Rohypnol, a potent sedative-hypnotic drug prescribed extensively throughout the world, is illicit in the United States. Recently, this drug has gained popularity among United States youths as a cheap means of intoxication and subsequently has become the focus of numerous criminal investigations. College men are alleged to slip Rohypnol tablets into unsuspecting women's drinks and then sexually abuse their sedated victims. Although law enforcement agencies and drug policy groups consider Rohypnol to be an “imminent problem,” little is actually known about patterns of misuse. Presented here is a brief overview of Rohypnol's contemporary appearance in the United States.