[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 142 (Wednesday, November 1, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S11491]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                  RECOGNIZING THE ROLE OF PHARMACISTS

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, every year in October there is 
recognition made of our nation's pharmacists in the form of National 
Pharmacy Week. This year's designation was October 22-28, 2000. I would 
like to take a few minutes to talk about that profession and its role 
in the safe, cost-effective delivery of medication to American 
citizens.
  I have great respect for the innovation that this nation's scientists 
have demonstrated to continually produce new and better ``wonder 
drugs'' that have played a major role in the prevention and treatment 
of disease. Farther down the line within the drug delivery system are 
pharmacists, using those same drugs every day, getting them to patients 
along with information for their safe use.
  The role of the pharmacist is changing. In addition to the 
traditional role of accurately dispensing prescription drugs, today's 
pharmacists are successfully involved in all areas of the drug use 
process. The result of this involvement, often termed ``pharmacy care'' 
has made a huge positive difference in many studies within the areas of 
anticoagulation, asthma and diabetes treatment, pain control and many 
others. When pharmacists are proactively involved, there have been 
demonstrations of not only increased effectiveness and fewer adverse 
reactions, but cost savings as well.
  Within the startling report issued earlier this year by the Institute 
of Medicine, which pointed out that tens of thousands of American die 
every year from medical errors, was a recommendation to increase the 
utilization of pharmacists and pharmacy care.
  So today I would like to congratulate the pharmacy profession for its 
accomplishments in improving patient care. During this Congress several 
bills have included provisions to encourage and support pharmacy care. 
I believe this is a fascinating approach that we should strongly 
consider as we continue to work toward optimizing the safe and cost-
effective use of prescription drugs.

                          ____________________