Hospital Pharmacists Play a Major Role
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Harry Bernstein’s (“Prescription for Pharmacist Shortage” Feb. 6) focused on the pharmacist shortage in the community setting. We would like to point out that a similar shortage also exists at most hospitals, threatening a number of services provided by many pharmacy departments.
Hospital pharmacists can detect and correct deficiencies in drug use, reduce adverse drug reactions and length of hospitalization and cost in the management of disease. This is well documented in medical literature.
In addition, hospital pharmacists in recent years have provided valuable specialized services to medical centers, including the management of drug information and poison control centers.
It is hoped that a solution to the pharmacist shortage will be shortly forthcoming so as not to detract from the contributions made by these vital members of the health-care team.
ROBERT MARCUS
Clinical Staff Pharmacist
DALE PASTEL
Antibiotic Use Review Pharmacist
RITA SHANE
Director, Pharmacy Services
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles
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