Readers should not confine themselves to one area of practice; rather, when a particular setting is used as a platform for discussion, they should also see how the issue manifests itself in another setting. The concepts and skills underpinning the management of human resources, drug distribution systems, formularies, and drug use evaluations are transferable among the variety of practice settings. The chapters are written by contributors within and outside pharmacy practice. As such, the style of writing and presentation of information will vary among chapters. This diversity of contributors, as well as the diversity of writing styles, should not be considered a distraction, but rather a reflection of the complexity of management in pharmacy settings.The text is organized into three sections. The foundations of management section discuss some of the more pertinent managerial issues facing pharmacists. Starting with a background in basic management theories and a detailed discussion of systems theory, the section will help readers develop a foundation on which to analyze other managerial systems encountered in pharmacy practice. The systems approach will allow students to understand the contextual relationships among seemingly disparate concepts. For example, the discussion of professionals and their roles in society is juxtaposed with discussions of organizational designs and power. Understanding and applying good leadership and motivation strategies will enhance the professional’s ability to resolve conflict and recruit and retain valuable employees.
In the second section, human resources discussions are followed by other traditional chapters on accounting, inventory control, and purchasing. These chapters begin the foundation for developing profession-specific concepts, such as drug formularies, P&T committees, DUEs, and disease management. How technology can help in the flow of products and information related to drugs and drug use is the basis for the chapter on eHealth. This section is designed to help the reader use these systems and solutions to improve the quality of care through reduced medication errors and improved medication use.
All of these topics serve as the groundwork for the final section, which describes major business and policy changes affecting the profession. The section begins with an overview of the current U.S. health care system, including how managed care and pharmacy benefit managers influence practice. It also involves a discussion of pharmaceutical care as a system and how this practice philosophy can operate within current and future practice models. These topics are complemented by discussions of organizations affecting pharmacy. Chapters are dedicated to accrediting agencies and regulatory bodies, professional organizations, and corporate compliance. Lastly, time is dedicated to social trends affecting pharmacy, such as the diminishing workforce, consumerism, and other health policy decisions impacting the practice.
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