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Pharmacists face change Don’t be surprised if your pharmacist asks you to come back next week, even if your prescription won’t need a refill until next month by Dick Peterson Public Relations It’s a trend that may soon be the norm as pharmacists team up with other health care providers to monitor their patients’ progress, evaluate treatment effectiveness and teach patients how to administer their medications. Community pharmacists becoming a part of this trend were at the MUSC College of Pharmacy for two days in January and another weekend session in February to learn how they can assist their customers with their respiratory disease management regimens.  Dr. Charlie Strange, associate professor of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, instructs participants how to perform spirometry. From left are: Sharmilla Dawani, and Kyle Robottom, third year Pharm.D. students. Back row are: Virgina Ceva, Medicine Shoppe, Charleston, and Brian Musgrove, Medicine Shoppe, Surfside Beach. The four-day Disease Management Program sessions included appropriate pathophysiology, treatments, pulmonary function tests, and drug therapy options for asthma, smoking cessation, colds, allergic rhinitis and community acquired pneumonia. “We had 41 pharmacists here for the four-day sessions,” said Rachel Couchenouer, Pharm.D. They were introduced to pulmonary diseases like bronchitis, emphysema and asthma, and learned about respiratory therapy devices.  They studied therapies for coughs and colds, allergic rhinitis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and community acquired pneumonia. And they were presented with information about setting up a respiratory disease management program in their practices. “Pharmacy practice is changing,” Couchenouer said. “It’s moving from providing a product to providing a service.”   Community pharmacists respond The disease management program will forever change the way pharmacy is practiced. No longer can we as pharmacists hide behind the counter and be content to just fill the prescription. This is a call to arms to stand up and be part of the health care team. To actively participate in the patient’s care and treatment. —Brian P. Musgrove, The Medicine Shoppe, Surfside Beach, S.C. Disease state management is an important role for the pharmacist to become an active part of the health care team, to help educate and make the patient and care giver an active part of their disease management. In my pharmacy practice, we are planning to remodel to have a consultation room and become an active partner in our patient’s disease state management and drug regimen. —Janet DeFee, Pharm.D., Sandhills Phamacy, McBee, S.C. The respiratory disease management program was an excellent educational opportunity for me to enhance my skills as a pharmacist to improve clinical outcomes in my patients with chronic conditions. I want to use these skills to work with other practitioners in the communities as part of the health care team to enhance the therapeutic management of these patients. —Kelly Sams, R.Ph., Kerr Pharmacy, Charleston, S.C. If pharmacy is to move to the 21st century, we must change our thought process. Respiratory therapy has given me tools to help my patients deal with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and allergies, now I must use them. —Becky Gramling, R.Ph., CDE, Orangeburg Pharmacy, Orangeburg, S.C.  Disease management is a doorway which allows pharmacists to educate patients to better understand and have more control over their medical condition. Proper drug therapy may actually decrease the quantity of medications and reduce the need for medical treatment. —Ron Young, R.Ph., Hubbard-Young Pharmacy, Clemson, S.C. By applying the knowledge presented at MUSC’s disease state management programs, a pharmacist can provide a higher level of care. We can ultimately interact with the patient’s physician to positively impact the patient’s care. —Patti Langston, R.Ph., Patient Care Pharmacy, Lexington, S.C.  Being more proficient in respiratory disease management will allow me to help my patients use their medications more efficiently, stay healthier and feel better. To have my patients recognize that I can do more than just put a label on a their medicines—that I can and do work with them and their physicians to optimize their care—is my goal. —Donna Barrio, Pharm.D., Kerr Drug, Charleston, S.C. The College of Pharmacy faculty who are involved in the Disease Management Courses are getting pharmacists ready to administer patient care in a way that will help patients better care for themselves. They are getting us ready for the future of pharmacy.  —Nancy Culberson, Patient Care Pharmacy, Lexington, S.C. It’s a win-win situation for pharmacists and patients. Pharmacists can help patients manage their disease. Patients feel better and that’s what disease management is all about. —Jay Watts R.Ph., Family Pharmacy, Aiken, S.C. Respiratory Disease Management will change the practice of pharmacy by equipping us to interact with physicians to help patients control their asthma and stay out of the hospital. I plan on trying to educate patients in use of their medications and devices and inform physicians about their progress. —Toni G. Moore, R.Ph., Goose Creek, S.C.