Intimations on a profession: Retrospect and prospect

Abstract

The evolution and development of institutional pharmacy and its pathfinders are discussed, and future directions for the profession are suggested. From the Bulletin of the American Society of Hospital Pharmacists to the American Journal of Hospital Pharmacy, hospital pharmacy literature has helped the profession evolve by providing specialized information while continuing to meet practitioners' changing needs over time. Editorials help to establish unity of purpose among members by encouraging consensus development. Other publications and programs of ASHP extend its mission into institutions nationwide. To achieve unity of purpose, the profession relies on the formal organization (ASHP and its chapters) for providing order and the informal organization (meetings) for exchanging information and providing motivation. Pharmacy "trains its own" via residency programs, whose prototypes, nonacademic internships, were designed by pathfinder preceptors like Harvey A. K. Whitney. These programs have ensured continuity in improving practice standards and a source of skilled professionals. Women have been leaders in the history and development of hospital pharmacy. The sound economic management of the Society has led to accelerated developments for institutional pharmacy. In the future, ASHP should seek to become more involved in public policy issues concerning health care in general; develop a written set of ethical standards to guide institutional practitioners; and prepare an updated history of ASHP and the hospital pharmacy movement, including an interpretation of events, or a cultural perspective. ASHP has established a strong foundation for hospital pharmacy as envisioned by the early pathfinders; young pharmacists are the pathfinders for future progress.