Leading Up: Moving Pharmacy Toward the 2015 Vision

Abstract

Discussions about leadership generally assume the model that leaders lead and followers follow. Many thoughtful analyses of leadership have provided varying assessments about leadership styles and motivational strategies. But what if the followers chose to lead? What would this model and its impact look like? Perhaps it would be the study of a revolution! But what if the leaders embraced, encouraged, and even expected leadership from the followers? What if they truly listened to the voices of the followers? And further, what if the followers were focused on the greater good of their cause rather than self-interest? What if their goal was to create positive change as the first result, rather than the outcome of a second or third effort? What if this happened in pharmacy? Arguably, pharmacy is on the cusp of the greatest opportunity it will have for professional practice change in the 21st century. I draw this conclusion based on the following 2 facts. First, our collective national pharmacy leadership, both volunteers and staff members, are actively working to achieve the vision for pharmacy practice in the year 2015 articulated by the Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practice (JCPP). Closely aligned with the work by JCPP, the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) is well into their fourth year of Health-system Pharmacy 2015. This is their contribution to improving the practice of pharmacy in health systems by the year 2015. A parallel effort specific to community pharmacy's advancement of health care, which is labeled Project Destiny, was initiated in July 2007 by the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), and the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA). This level of energy, and the associated commitment of resources, is remarkable, but perhaps more exciting is the level of cooperation among our national organizations. I can only assume they realize the magnitude of the opportunity as well. The second fact has to do with a force completely outside of pharmacy, which is the unprecedented and pending impact of the baby boomer generation. A 2003 article in USA Today by Fred Bayles highlights that the wealth and size of the baby boomer generation alone makes then impossible to ignore. (1) Most are aware of the size, but consider that between 2003 and 2030, which is when all the boomers turn 65, the number of Americans 65 and older will double from 35.6 million to 71.5 million. This will represent nearly 20% of the US population, which is an increase from 12% in 2003. Specific to wealth, Bayles points out that this cohort will ultimately control 40% of the nation's disposable income and 77% of the private investments. As the boomer's health care needs increase, one can only imagine the time they will spend seeking counsel from a pharmacist and the opportunity for pharmacists to receive compensation for this effort. Remember, baby boomers have always played by their own rules. They have rejected everything from their parent's car, which they replaced with a painted van, to their parent's clothes and music! We clearly have a reason to suppose that boomers will reject their parent's health care expectations for pharmacy when they reach the years of increasing medication use. If one envisions this reality, then what will be the expected model of pharmacy service? And, for a generation that has redefined our expectations of consumers, what will they pay for? Again, the opportunity for pharmacy is significant and unprecedented. If we view the professional practice model that supports the pharmacist in 2015 as a three-legged stool, then the efforts by our national leaders and the impact of baby boomers turning 65 serve as 2 sturdy legs of this stool. They represent our practice model and our patients, respectively. My suggestion is that the critical third leg is every pharmacist who we can respectfully characterize as a follower, and the individual and collective efforts of this group to lead toward the 2015 vision. …