What is the next big thing?
I think its safe to say that we all look forward to big things, whatever they be, in our lives. Weddings, vacations, holidays, all drive some excitement for us to look forward to. I thing that big things drive our economy as well. In the 80’s it was electronics. Our economy was driven to new heights with all things computer related. Everybody wanted a home computer, video games and cell phones. It begat new industries and a zillion jobs, (many of which have evaporated unfortunately).
I was thinking about “big things”in pharmacy recently. Not all big things are good for the profession but I have lived thru several of them For me, the first big thing was computerization. As I mentioned before, when I was just starting out, we filled everything on typewriters, bates stamped and hand priced. Computers changed everything in the pharmacy procedure wise. Then it was the introduction of Third Parties. This was a big thing that definitely was not a positive thing for pharmacy. Next, I believe it was the corporate takeover (or the death of the independent rule) of the profession. OBRA took every pharmacy and forced it to remodel down on the same level as the rest of the store. No more feeling safe a few steps up.
More recently the profession has been manipulated by HIPAA and all of its machinations that make our day long and arduous. And, while I cannot speak for all pharmacists, I think one of the most recent big things was the introduction of vaccinations done by pharmacies. As small as it seems, it is the first time a pharmacist has performed a PROCEDURE and gotten paid for it.
So, the question that hangs in the air now is, WHAT is the next big thing? I dont think it will be MTM, if it is, its very slow to take off, but I could be wrong.
Our economy certainly could use a BIG thing to get it moving….something never seen before, transforming culture and business, and desired by everybody.
What do you think the pharmacy next big thing could be? should be? that you want it to be?