RESUMEN
As prescription drug costs continue their rapid rise, managed care organizations (MCOs) are giving greater attention to containing drug costs. This article examines the impact of managed care on pharmacy practice and reviews types of reimbursement for managed care prescriptions. The author outlines cost-containment measures for MCOs and pharmacy benefit management companies, including the use of mail order pharmacies, electronic claims payment, establishment of formularies, therapeutic interchange and generic incentives, and other measures. Cost-containment steps for pharmacies focus on identifying dispensing costs, decreasing overhead, and reducing ingredient costs. The author recommends that pharmacists begin to demonstrate and establish the value of their cognitive services, especially in patient counseling, in order to obtain reimbursement for these services.
Asunto(s)
Programas Controlados de Atención en Salud/tendencias , Servicios Farmacéuticos/economía , Servicios Farmacéuticos/tendencias , Humanos , Programas Controlados de Atención en Salud/economía , Pautas de la Práctica en Medicina/economía , Pautas de la Práctica en Medicina/tendenciasRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To determine how senior-level executives in the pharmaceutical industry perceive pharmacists as managers in their industry. DESIGN: Mailed survey. Senior executive officers of 72 companies who were members of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers' Association indicated in which of 47 different areas an entry-level pharmacy degree would be beneficial for management positions. RESULTS: 40 responses (56%) were received after a follow-up mailing. The areas chosen most frequently were product development and quality control in pharmaceutics (88%), formulation (88%), drug information (88%), quality assurance (85%), pharmaceutics in research (83%), and product management (83%). The 25% of respondents who had a pharmacy background chose more areas where a pharmacy degree would be beneficial (t = 6.87, df = 38, p < .05) than did nonpharmacists. CONCLUSION: To the extent that senior executives represent the current culture and the future direction of the pharmaceutical industry, pharmacists have a variety of career opportunities within pharmaceutical companies.
Asunto(s)
Personal Administrativo , Industria Farmacéutica/organización & administración , Farmacéuticos , Actitud , Movilidad Laboral , Humanos , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
Cross training is a job design method that can increase the efficiency and effectiveness of a hospital pharmacy department. Although employee satisfaction is often improved, some employees may fear that cross training makes them expendable. Good communication and employee participation are keys to successful implementation of a cross-training program. Methods of implementing cross-training programs and avoiding potential pitfalls are also described.