Ways to Stay Current on Drug Information

Pharmacists have a great responsibility to stay current with drug information. Even an excerpt from the “Oath of a Pharmacist” states: “I will accept the lifelong obligation to improve my professional knowledge and competence.”¹

Here are some great ways to stay abreast of changes in the pharmacy profession:

Attend continuing education (CE) conferences

Attending industry conferences that offer CE credit is a great way to expand your professional horizons. States have different CE requirements for pharmacists, and it is important to ensure you have completed all of your requirements prior to licensure renewal. Attending conferences such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Midyear Clinical Meeting can provide you with the latest drug information.

Participate in a journal club

Staying current with clinical studies can be challenging, but to do so, you and your colleagues could hold a monthly journal club. Each participant can select a clinical study and briefly discuss the background, methods, results, and conclusion. Additionally, you can critique the studies and discuss the application to your practice setting.

Join a professional organization

Joining a state or national organization offers a variety of benefits. Many organizations such as the ASHP and the American Pharmacists Association provide members with print or electronic journals as part of the membership. Regardless of whether you are a hospital, community, or ambulatory care pharmacist, this is a great way to stay current in your pharmacy practice.

Reference:

1. American Pharmacists Association. Oath of a Pharmacist. Available at: http://www.pharmacist.com/oath-pharmacist. Accessed June 7, 2015.