Dear Colleagues:
The featured article in this issue of ACCP International Clinical Pharmacist, “COVID-19 Pandemic Helped Develop Positive Impact of Pharmacists in a Tertiary Care Government Hospital in Pakistan,” describes how one institution’s response to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has resulted in the expansion of pharmacist services from primarily distributive functions to the provision of clinical services. Although the number of pharmacists on the institution’s multidisciplinary teams remains small, the inclusion of pharmacists in health care teams that provide direct patient care services to ensure rational medication use represents an important paradigm shift and may positively affect the future of the pharmacy profession, both regionally and nationally.
The article titled “Precision Health Was Focus of Keynote Presentation at 2020 ACCP Annual Meeting” describes a movement toward precision health and the importance of environmental and social factors in precisely predicting, preventing, and curing disease in a more holistic and proactive approach to health care. I urge clinical pharmacists to review the key principles for precision health outlined in this article; reflect on how these principles are applied in their own patient care practices, regardless of the setting; and explore how pharmacists can further advance precision health.
The title featured in the Book Highlights department of this issue is the second edition of Pediatric Pharmacotherapy. Edited and written by practicing clinicians and educators, this peer-reviewed text summarizes the scientific and clinical evidence for major disorders encountered in practice. This comprehensive resource will be useful to all practicing clinicians, residency trainees, and students providing care to the range of pediatric patients, from neonates to adolescents.
Finally, the article titled “‘Medication Optimization Through the Provision of Comprehensive Medication Management’ – A Certificate Program for International Pharmacists” describes a virtual certificate program designed for international pharmacists seeking to improve processes and outcomes associated with their patient care services. Pharmacists interested in learning about and taking part in this unique program are asked to complete a brief survey by December 15, 2020.
Sincerely,
Wafa Y. Dahdal, Pharm.D.