May 2006
(To Hospital Chief Executive Officers and other Pharmacy Stakeholders)
Management Leadership Crisis in Hospital Pharmacy
The Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists stronglysupports theprinciple of appointing pharmaciststolead hospital pharmacy services in Canadian healthcare institutions.
Hospital pharmacy, like many other disciplines, is facing an impending crisis in the availability of management leadership manpower. In this environment, it is not surprising that alternative management structures for pharmacy departments have been considered and adopted in some organizations.
Despite this impending crisis, consensus is that the profession of pharmacy needs management leaders and strong managers in every area and at every level of pharmacy practice.1 Pharmacists are the best equipped personnel to lead pharmacies and direct the medication-use systems in hospitals.
The pharmacy departmentin hospitalsis unique in that its responsibilities range from individualized,bedside patient careto the oversight, design, and management of the entire medication-use process. In addition to this broad scope, the quality of pharmacy services has tremendous therapeutic, safety and cost impacts to the organization.2,3,4
The advances in new drug therapy, drug delivery systems, and models of direct pharmacist-to-patient care have introduced a very high level of complexity into the provision of pharmacy services. True responsibility for this complex process requires a professional who is knowledgeable about the pharmaceutical supplychain, drug delivery automationtechnology, applied therapeutics, human resource management, expense management, and the unique artof direct pharmacist-to-patient care.
There are a number of distinct reasonswhy a pharmacist should lead hospital pharmacy services, asidentified by the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists in itsposition statement entitled The Role of the Pharmacist as Head of Hospital Pharmacy Services.5 The reasons are as follows:
1.The complexity of the medication use system necessitates a comprehensive and specializedknowledge base.
2.Pharmacists are best suited to have the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of a head of hospital pharmacy services.
3.Several provincial regulatory bodies in Canada specify that the head of hospital pharmacy services must be a pharmacist.
- National and international professional practice guidelines recommend that heads of hospital pharmacy services be pharmacists.
- Pharmacists are needed in management roles for leadership and advancement of the profession of pharmacy.
To deal with the crisis in hospital pharmacy management, pharmacy professionalsand hospitals must work together to find ways to encourage pharmacy practitioners to seekleadership and managerial positions. As a part of a formalized succession planning process, opportunities must be provided for pharmacists who are identified as potential leaders to acquire the education and trainingthey need.
CSHP is committed to working together with key stakeholders in the development of new management leaders for hospital pharmacy practice.
If you require more information on this issue or any other hospital pharmacy matter, please contact Dr.MyrellaRoy, Executive Director, CSHP, at 613-736-9733, ext 225, or .
Sincerely,
Emily Lap Sum Musing, R.Ph., B.Sc.Phm., M.H.Sc., ACPR, FCSHP, CHE
President
Encl. (2)
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1.MacKinnon NJ, Clark S, McCaffrey KJ. Storm clouds on the horizon: the future of hospital pharmacy management. Can J Hosp Pharm 2005;58:261-2.
2.Bond CA, Raehl C, Franke T. Clinical pharmacy services, pharmacist staffing, and drug costs in United States hospitals. Pharmacotherapy 1999;19(12):1354-62.
3.Bond CA, Raehl C, Pitterle ME, Franke T. Health care professional staffing, hospital characteristics, and hospital mortality rates. Pharmacotherapy 1999;19(2):130-8.
4.Bond CA, Raehl R, Franke T. Clinical pharmacy services and hospital mortality rates. Pharmacotherapy 1999;19(5):556-64.
5.Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists. The role of the pharmacist as head of hospital pharmacy services. Can J Hosp Pharm 2005;58:299-303.