US Pharm
. 2006;3:6.
Here in the snowbelt we are
anxious for spring to arrive. With spring comes a reawakening of nature, birds
singing, flowers budding and blossoming, and of course, baseball season
nearing. Spring is inspiring; it is a time to reevaluate, move forward, try a
different approach.
Step up to the plate and bring home a new,
powerful you. With a strong and growing U.S. pharmaceutical market, pharmacy
practitioners are poised to wield greater influence in health care. Show off
your wares--share your knowledge and skills to promote safe and proper use of
medications and healthy lifestyle habits. Let your community and your
legislators know the important roles you fulfill in patient care and within
the pharmaceutical industry. Those who study pharmaceutical sciences and
devote themselves to discovering medications, or to reaching out to help
senior patients maintain quality of life as they age, or to teaching acutely
ill patients the importance of adhering to dosing regimens, for example, are
to be looked up to. You must demand the respect you deserve.
Although the FDA approved far fewer new
molecular entities in 2005 than in prior years, the demand for pharmaceuticals
is rising and prescription volumes are increasing. Drug utilization is
expected to increase this year through Medicare Part D. According to IMS
Health reports, seven new products with potential global blockbuster status
are expected to launch here in 2006, including a number of standouts:
Sanofi-Aventis' Acomplia (for obesity), Pfizer's Sutent (for cancer),
Pfizer's Exubera (inhaled insulin for the treatment of type 1 and type 2
diabetes), and Pfizer/Neurocrine Biosciences' Indiplon (for insomnia). These
new product introductions are expected to help offset some of the $18 billion
in sales at stake for products losing patent protection in 2006, IMS notes.
"The U.S. market's continued success this
year will depend largely on enrollment in the new Medicare benefit, the
ability to overcome safety concerns, and new product launches to make up for
the higher level of patent expirations," says Diana Conmy, corporate director,
Market Insights, IMS. "New strategies will be needed by pharmaceutical
manufacturers to meet the challenges of this environment." My feeling is,
pharmacists are the key.
Pharmacists in all practice settings must be
knowledgeable about new drugs in order to provide optimal pharmaceutical care.
This month U.S. Pharmacist offers two new-drug CE programs
online. To borrow from a well-known expression, when you've got the expertise,
flaunt it. Be the game's MVP. You are a major league player!
Laura La Piana Simonsen
Executive Managing
Editor
To comment on this article, contact editor@uspharmacist.com.