Thanks to everyone for viewing the blog and passing the word around. I haven't added much content the past several days because I've been reviewing the personal statements sent to us. I am happy to announce that we just reviewed our 200th Personal Statement.
Please keep the emails and suggestions coming. Please bookmark the blog or follow it here.
We don't make a dime off of this service (other than the pennies we get when someone clicks on an ad), but we hope to assist you as you prepare for your future as a pharmacist.
Thank you!!!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Generic biologics - is 12 years too long to wait?
In case you haven't been paying attention, there was great debate in Washington regarding the potential for generic biotech drugs. Why is this such a key issue? Well, two reasons: 1) These drugs are really expensive; 2) The government pays for most of these medications through Medicaid and Medicare.
To this point, law has not allowed for generic production of such biologic drugs (think Procrit and Neupogen). However, some politicians seeing the potential financial risk the government would have in the coming years with more and more of these agents being used, decided to promote a bill that would allow for generic production of such medications. We applaud that part of the story.
Sen. Kennedy proposed 13 1/2 years of exclusivity (the time in which a drug could be marketed before a generic could be sold). Several other U.S. Senators wanted a period of 7 years. The generic drug makers want it to be 5 years. The brand drug companies want it to be 500 years (or never).
In the end, it appears that the politicians have agreed to allow 12 years of exclusivity. It's much longer than I prefer because of my experience with drug costs impacting patient care, but it's better than no generic biologics which is what we currently have.
Please share your thoughts if you have any.
WSJ article / blog: http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2009/07/13/when-should-biotech-drugs-face-generic-competition/
To this point, law has not allowed for generic production of such biologic drugs (think Procrit and Neupogen). However, some politicians seeing the potential financial risk the government would have in the coming years with more and more of these agents being used, decided to promote a bill that would allow for generic production of such medications. We applaud that part of the story.
Sen. Kennedy proposed 13 1/2 years of exclusivity (the time in which a drug could be marketed before a generic could be sold). Several other U.S. Senators wanted a period of 7 years. The generic drug makers want it to be 5 years. The brand drug companies want it to be 500 years (or never).
In the end, it appears that the politicians have agreed to allow 12 years of exclusivity. It's much longer than I prefer because of my experience with drug costs impacting patient care, but it's better than no generic biologics which is what we currently have.
Please share your thoughts if you have any.
WSJ article / blog: http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2009/07/13/when-should-biotech-drugs-face-generic-competition/
Updates via email
Question: I'm on your mailing list but I'm not receiving many e-mails. I was wondering: how often do you send e-mails?
Answer: Good question. The blogspot system only allows us to enter 10 emails addresses for immediate notification of blog entries, etc. Of course, those email spots were filled in about 2 hours and we haven't gone to the trouble to figure out how to send more - maybe someone who reads the blog can help us out. Truth be told, however, we haven't send many emails out, preferring to respond to emails received and reviewing personal statements. We do hope to make the email feature more prevalent as we near interview season this fall.
If you would like to be informed of happenings with the blog, please send us an email.
Answer: Good question. The blogspot system only allows us to enter 10 emails addresses for immediate notification of blog entries, etc. Of course, those email spots were filled in about 2 hours and we haven't gone to the trouble to figure out how to send more - maybe someone who reads the blog can help us out. Truth be told, however, we haven't send many emails out, preferring to respond to emails received and reviewing personal statements. We do hope to make the email feature more prevalent as we near interview season this fall.
If you would like to be informed of happenings with the blog, please send us an email.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Drug Prices - United States vs. Europe
Every once in a while on this blog, I like to direct your attention to something pharmacy or drug related that I find interesting, amusing, or alarming. As your progress in your career one of the most common questions that you will be asked is, "Why does this medication cost so much?". Here is a brief article I saw online: http://www.fiercepharma.com/story/europe-pays-40-less-drugs-u-s/2009-07-08
I have worked with enough patients and families to try and determine the most cost effective treatments to know that we have an inherently flawed system in the United States. Here, patients are *told* by their doctor what to use and end up paying the bill for their physician's whims. I believe there will be great need for pharmacists by governmental agencies and insurance groups in the future to handle cases where physicians use poor processes by which they choose the medications they prescribe.
Case in point: Why use Nexium (esomeprazole) instead of generic Prilosec (omeprazole)? One is being marketed like crazy by a drug company and costs $4-5 a day. The other can be purchased for about 1/10 that amount. Not much difference other than that. A couple of years ago the president of the AMA castigated his fellow physicians for prescribing Nexium due to it's cost and the lack of benefit when compared to the generic PPI available. Despite all this, Nexium is one of the top selling drugs in the world. You know who is paying for all those little purple pills? Yep, you and I - the people paying taxes (Medicaid and Medicare) and insurance premiums.
I challenge you to be an advocate for your patients in your professional practice. Ask patients why they are taking a medication that is prescribed. Inquire with the physician why a certain agent was chosen if you feel an alternative might be as effective. You will have earned your degree - you must use it.
I'll step down from my soapbox for now.
I have worked with enough patients and families to try and determine the most cost effective treatments to know that we have an inherently flawed system in the United States. Here, patients are *told* by their doctor what to use and end up paying the bill for their physician's whims. I believe there will be great need for pharmacists by governmental agencies and insurance groups in the future to handle cases where physicians use poor processes by which they choose the medications they prescribe.
Case in point: Why use Nexium (esomeprazole) instead of generic Prilosec (omeprazole)? One is being marketed like crazy by a drug company and costs $4-5 a day. The other can be purchased for about 1/10 that amount. Not much difference other than that. A couple of years ago the president of the AMA castigated his fellow physicians for prescribing Nexium due to it's cost and the lack of benefit when compared to the generic PPI available. Despite all this, Nexium is one of the top selling drugs in the world. You know who is paying for all those little purple pills? Yep, you and I - the people paying taxes (Medicaid and Medicare) and insurance premiums.
I challenge you to be an advocate for your patients in your professional practice. Ask patients why they are taking a medication that is prescribed. Inquire with the physician why a certain agent was chosen if you feel an alternative might be as effective. You will have earned your degree - you must use it.
I'll step down from my soapbox for now.
Personal Statement Advice - Part 4
Below is a small portion of a personal statement that I recommended some changes to.
while volunteering in the hospital pharmacy, I came to the conclusion that it is not a field I am interested working in long-term. The pharmacists at the hospital did not seem to have much, if any, interaction with patients. As I restocked medications, I would watch the staff pharmacists sit in front of their computer for hours reading prescriptions, arguing with physicians, and minimally interacting with anyone.
Response: As noted in an earlier blog entry, don't close doors. I would not recommend making the negative hospital pharmacy reference noted above. It is likely that at least some committee members will have hospital experience (and probably much more clinical than what is described). Why give them the notion that you "think you know it all", "have it all figured out", "are too good to be a hospital pharmacist".
Instead, I would simply make a reference to having shadowed in a hospital pharmacy and leave it at that. Focus more on the other pharmacy experiences that you found useful.
while volunteering in the hospital pharmacy, I came to the conclusion that it is not a field I am interested working in long-term. The pharmacists at the hospital did not seem to have much, if any, interaction with patients. As I restocked medications, I would watch the staff pharmacists sit in front of their computer for hours reading prescriptions, arguing with physicians, and minimally interacting with anyone.
Response: As noted in an earlier blog entry, don't close doors. I would not recommend making the negative hospital pharmacy reference noted above. It is likely that at least some committee members will have hospital experience (and probably much more clinical than what is described). Why give them the notion that you "think you know it all", "have it all figured out", "are too good to be a hospital pharmacist".
Instead, I would simply make a reference to having shadowed in a hospital pharmacy and leave it at that. Focus more on the other pharmacy experiences that you found useful.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Becoming a "research pharmacist"
Question: I was wondering if there was any stigma attached to those of us who don't want to go into retail or clinical practice, but rather would like to pursue research oriented careers with the PharmD. Would it work against me if I wrote about my desire to do research instead of retail or clinical in my personal statement? I am primarily applying to several so-called "research schools," as well as other schools that seem to be more oriented toward more traditional pharmacist roles.
Answer: This is a good question and one that will have wildly varying responses depending on the institution. I know of a couple of committee members at my present school who have frowned on applicants who express no desire to work in pharmacy practice, figuring instead that the school is better served admitting those who will follow a traditional path (note: I disagree with their view). I wonder, however, if research based schools such as those mentioned might have committee members who have similar experiences to what you desire and might give you some preference.
As I tell most applicants, I usually discourage using your statement to tell the committee members what specifically you are going to do - it gives the appearance of not being open minded. Many applicants tell us they want to be in academia or work in a clinical setting because they have no desire to be a retail pharmacist. I caution anyone from closing too many doors in an opening statement, but instead I suggest mentioning those pharmacy disciplines that interest you and keep all doors open.
My bottom line answer (and suggestion) is this: You can safely state that research interests you, but also indicate that you are excited to learn about the various disciplines pharmacy has to offer.
I hope that helps.
Answer: This is a good question and one that will have wildly varying responses depending on the institution. I know of a couple of committee members at my present school who have frowned on applicants who express no desire to work in pharmacy practice, figuring instead that the school is better served admitting those who will follow a traditional path (note: I disagree with their view). I wonder, however, if research based schools such as those mentioned might have committee members who have similar experiences to what you desire and might give you some preference.
As I tell most applicants, I usually discourage using your statement to tell the committee members what specifically you are going to do - it gives the appearance of not being open minded. Many applicants tell us they want to be in academia or work in a clinical setting because they have no desire to be a retail pharmacist. I caution anyone from closing too many doors in an opening statement, but instead I suggest mentioning those pharmacy disciplines that interest you and keep all doors open.
My bottom line answer (and suggestion) is this: You can safely state that research interests you, but also indicate that you are excited to learn about the various disciplines pharmacy has to offer.
I hope that helps.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
How to stay in contact with our Blog
We have received hundreds of emails over the past couple of months and have responded to 100% of them. We thank you for your questions, suggestions, and input.
Just a reminder: we invite you to join our email list. You can join our notification email service in one of two ways:
1) Join our blog as a "follower" by clicking on the link near the right hand side of this page.
2) Send us an email: pharmacyschooladmissions@gmail.com and request to be added to the email notification list.
2a) Of course, we encourage you to bookmark this site and forward the blog address to your classmates, colleagues, or anyone else interested in pursuing pharmacy as a profession. We have received positive feedback from numerous schools of pharmacy as well as advisors for Pre-Pharmacy organizations. We thank everyone responsible for spreading the word and making this a participatory site.
Thank you and best of luck.
Just a reminder: we invite you to join our email list. You can join our notification email service in one of two ways:
1) Join our blog as a "follower" by clicking on the link near the right hand side of this page.
2) Send us an email: pharmacyschooladmissions@gmail.com and request to be added to the email notification list.
2a) Of course, we encourage you to bookmark this site and forward the blog address to your classmates, colleagues, or anyone else interested in pursuing pharmacy as a profession. We have received positive feedback from numerous schools of pharmacy as well as advisors for Pre-Pharmacy organizations. We thank everyone responsible for spreading the word and making this a participatory site.
Thank you and best of luck.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Personal Statement Advice - Part 3
I have been catching up on reading many of the personal statements sent to us during the preceding week and I wanted to offer some advice. So many of the statements are well written and are probably better than anything I could formulate right now, but I frequently notice something as a reviewer that I probably never would have realized as an applicant.
When writing your application, do not simply focus on your personal characteristics and your efforts try to and convince me WHY you would make a good pharmacist. Examples - Intelligence, etc. Instead, add something to inform me HOW you plan to be an excellent practicing pharmacist Examples - What will you do to help patients, give back to the community, provide care, etc.
If you can incorporate your abilities into a statement that examines how you will use your PharmD when you have finished pharmacy school, I suspect you will have an excellent personal statement.
I hope you have an excellent 4th of July.
When writing your application, do not simply focus on your personal characteristics and your efforts try to and convince me WHY you would make a good pharmacist. Examples - Intelligence, etc. Instead, add something to inform me HOW you plan to be an excellent practicing pharmacist Examples - What will you do to help patients, give back to the community, provide care, etc.
If you can incorporate your abilities into a statement that examines how you will use your PharmD when you have finished pharmacy school, I suspect you will have an excellent personal statement.
I hope you have an excellent 4th of July.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Question about speech waivers
Question: I am applying to a program that has Speech as one of the prerequisites. I did not take Speech in college so I am writing a two page document detailing my work experience as a sales rep to demonstrate my communication abilities. This school will accept Speech waivers as a replacement for taking the course as long as they feel you have demonstrated sufficient communication skills in your professional experience. Does anyone have experience with this or can someone help me if they have encountered a similar situation?
Answer: If the school allows for a waiver for this course, I suspect working as a sales rep would give you as much speech / presentation experience as just about any field. I would detail your job responsibilities and indicate how many presentations and speeches you give in a normal day, week, month of work activity. Adding a reference from a superior or someone who can vouch for you might not hurt either.
Note: If you have experience with applying for a waiver (for this course or a similar prerequisite), please leave comments below to assist. Thank you.
Answer: If the school allows for a waiver for this course, I suspect working as a sales rep would give you as much speech / presentation experience as just about any field. I would detail your job responsibilities and indicate how many presentations and speeches you give in a normal day, week, month of work activity. Adding a reference from a superior or someone who can vouch for you might not hurt either.
Note: If you have experience with applying for a waiver (for this course or a similar prerequisite), please leave comments below to assist. Thank you.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Personal Statement... words of advice, part 2
Please see the numerous previous blog entries written about personal statement, specifically part 1 (http://pharmacyschooladmissions.blogspot.com/2009/06/personal-statements-words-of-advice.html). I thank everyone for sending in their personal statements and allowing us to choose select portions to point out some areas to avoid.
Below is a paragraph from a personal statement that we received today. I understand the angle the applicant was using, but my reaction as a reviewer was not a positive one:
Unlike numerous jobs, pharmacists have flexible hours. A lot of pharmacies are open for 24 hours and this provides a great flexibility. The pharmacy I shadowed had only two pharmacists and they discussed about their schedule and made changes when necessary easily by phone. So, the pharmacist could go on a vacation with his family pretty frequently and was able to spend quality time with them. I rarely saw the pharmacist working more than 5 days a week; sometimes he only worked 2 days a week. Another pharmacist I met at a hospital could take an entire month off so he could help his wife with two new born babies. I value my family significantly and I would also like to have a career that will provide me with flexible hours.
Response: While the schedule of a certain work environment may be appealing to you, I would suggest avoiding potential "flexible scheduling" as a primary reason why you want to be a pharmacist. The bolded paragraph would probably be a concern for most committee members. I agree a schedule such as this would be appealing, but it wouldn't be hard for a committee member to turn this statement into a negative for the applicant. I have a couple of committee members in mind who I can already hear say, "This guy/gal doesn't plan to work hard once out of school - how hard will they work while in school?".
My response was to suggest the applicant revise the statement to mention learning about the various disciplines of pharmacy and how s/he hoped to find a specific field of pharmacy that offered the best opportunity to meet his/her personal and professional goals.
Thanks for all the emails. I should have the personal statement reviews in queue completed in the next couple of days.
Below is a paragraph from a personal statement that we received today. I understand the angle the applicant was using, but my reaction as a reviewer was not a positive one:
Unlike numerous jobs, pharmacists have flexible hours. A lot of pharmacies are open for 24 hours and this provides a great flexibility. The pharmacy I shadowed had only two pharmacists and they discussed about their schedule and made changes when necessary easily by phone. So, the pharmacist could go on a vacation with his family pretty frequently and was able to spend quality time with them. I rarely saw the pharmacist working more than 5 days a week; sometimes he only worked 2 days a week. Another pharmacist I met at a hospital could take an entire month off so he could help his wife with two new born babies. I value my family significantly and I would also like to have a career that will provide me with flexible hours.
Response: While the schedule of a certain work environment may be appealing to you, I would suggest avoiding potential "flexible scheduling" as a primary reason why you want to be a pharmacist. The bolded paragraph would probably be a concern for most committee members. I agree a schedule such as this would be appealing, but it wouldn't be hard for a committee member to turn this statement into a negative for the applicant. I have a couple of committee members in mind who I can already hear say, "This guy/gal doesn't plan to work hard once out of school - how hard will they work while in school?".
My response was to suggest the applicant revise the statement to mention learning about the various disciplines of pharmacy and how s/he hoped to find a specific field of pharmacy that offered the best opportunity to meet his/her personal and professional goals.
Thanks for all the emails. I should have the personal statement reviews in queue completed in the next couple of days.
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