Errors encouraged by fast pharmacy pace

When managed pharmacy benefits began, the burdon of informing the patient of their limited benefits was shifted to the pharmacist. Some states pushed the carriers to take back the responsibility; they neither did that nor did they improve reimbursements to a level which would allow for more pharmacists to be hired.

This led to hiring more pharm techs to take up the load, but they don't have the skill sets. And despite the tv ads, it is rare for the pharmacist to be able to take time with worried patients to explain or explore.

What is considered improved efficiency in industry is often disruptive in human services.

Competition causes reduced services, not better services.

The number of pharmacy students is dropping as it becomes clear how lousy is the life of most retail pharmacists.

The public will blame the pharmacists for the errors, but they are driven to the exreme by the way the system is 'cutting costs'.

Does presidential candidate Barack Obama have the guts to eliminate affirmative action policies in his quest to change America and to launch our Nation in a better direction: on an "Obama Trajectory"?

Why?

Because I want to know that the "minority" pharmacist dispensing my prescription medicine is there because he/she is intelligent and not due to a governmentally imposed quota/mandate.

For instance, when Walgreens employs an African-American female pharmacist in the role of District "Manager" in Central New Jersey is that individual there because she's the "best and the brightest" or rather because Walgreens faced a racial discrimination suit (refer to March 2007 Wall Street Journal front page) and the corporation felt compelled to hire additional minorities in managerial positions?

How does such governmental pressure influence Corporate decision-making which ultimately impacts the safety of the consumer of Pharmaceutical products at the retail level?

Is the consumer put at risk by unfair, unjust Affirmative Action policies? What is the cost to the U.S. economy resulting from such policies?

Is Senator Obama sincere in wanting "change" in America?

Why not create a truly color-blind system wherein our Minority brothers' and sisters' are liberated from the question, "Is he/she there because of her skin-color? or because of her racial/ethnic heritage"?

I have found Walgreens to be the slowest pharmacy besides WalMart. I have had problems with CVS because they use machines that count pills and have received pills from someone else's prescriptions and when brought up with the Pharmacist, was told I would receive my full dose, as I once received 8 tablets of some medication even the Pharmacist didn't know what it was.

I would not recommend Walgreens to anyone. Even if you set up a date and time to pick up your prescription, it is NEVER ready. WalMart is just as slow and disorganized.

Recently I wrote to the Execs of CVS. They have begun a program of calling to remind you of prescriptions needing to be filled. The call came from the local CVS store. I wrote, saying the pharmacist is trained to do his job, without error, and by their code of standard......and the same with the Pharm Tech...not making phone calls. nice jesture for the customer however I visit this store often and see no increase in personnel, no matter which shift so that equals an increase on someones workload......bottome line...an error waiting to happen. As a nurse I doubt if sny of these Execs ever worked the pace expected of the Registered Pharmacist, without any errors!