Good morning!
I am just back from a convention. The meeting was that of the
Academy of Managed Care Pharmacist…. about 3,500 of my closest
pharmacy geek friends (and physicians, managers, and
consultants). After reviewing a bunch of scientific articles for
the JMCP (Journal of Managed Care Pharmacists) and
writing a long letter to the editor (See
PHARMATOPIA ) they
decided that they could keep a better eye on me if they put me
on the Editorial Advisory Board. I was treated to three very
nice meals and given a very nice bottle of California wine for
my efforts. The other people on the EAB proved to possess some
major ‘intellectual horse-power”. Everyone has put in numerous
hours such that the rate of pay for all the meals and wine would
come out to about a dollar an hour.
So what motivates these people to take hours away from family
and leisure to try to make the JMCP better and further AMCP? I
am sure each person has their own story but the common thread is
“each one CARES” about their profession. The Journal promotes
the exchange of information between professionals who may be in
competing companies. Each realizes that furthering the knowledge
of all of the pharmacist members and those we contact in
government, industry, and practice eventually trickles done to
the real object of our efforts…the patient.
JMCP was just recognized by MEDLINE as a top quality, peer
reviewed scientific journal. Every member of the AEB was very
proud of that accomplishment. Can we rest there? No way!
However,
we are
reaching a point where we could use some additional help. Presently the
“horse-power” could use some turbocharging. JMCP needs more reviewers to
take some of the load off of those doing the heavy lifting right
now. You too can make a difference. You don’t have to know
everything about statistics or biometry (although this is a
particular need) but you should have a grasp of SOME aspect of
managed care. Physician, pharmacists, nurses can all
participate. You don’t have to be a member of the Academy of
Managed Care to be a peer reviewer. If you participate I can’t
promise you ANYTHING in exchange for your help. The millions
of patients we end up eventually helping will not know of or
appreciate your efforts. If you think you could spare some time
to review a few articles then drop us a
line and I’ll
contact the people I know in high places (….that would be you,
Fred). If you “Grasp the (managed care)
subject then”, as Cato the Elder said so long ago,
“the words will follow”. If you are VERY lucky then
maybe a little appreciation or even wine will follow that.
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