I’m too analytical

A pharmacist colleague made an interesting remark today while we were working and I couldn’t help but think about it long after our discussion had ended. This pharmacist graduated in 2007 and grew up in a pharmacy household. Her father owns five independent pharmacies so she is familiar with small business. While we were discussing our health benefit plans through our current corporate employer she made the comment that her parents pay nearly $20,000 a month for health insurance for all of their employees. What she didn’t tell me was how many employees that includes, what types of benefits does that cover, and what is that number as a percent of sales for the pharmacies. Her comment was made in a complaining tone of voice, like “gosh it is expensive to pay for health insurance for employees.”

While I’m sure $20,000 per month sounds like a big expense we have to remember that everything is relative. If that figure comes from the cost to insure employees at five separate pharmacies then we can do a little guesswork to figure how big that number really is. For instance, assuming the five pharmacies are average independent pharmacies then after all expenses are paid each pharmacy will bring a net income that is 3% of sales. At an average sales of about $6 million per year per pharmacy, total sales would be about $30 million. This means a rough guess would put her parents’ net income (after all bills are paid) to around $900,000 per year. Let me say that again, her parents make nearly $1 million dollars per year after paying all of their expenses, including the measly 20,000/month for health insurance for employees. Not too shabby considering the median household income in this country is $40,000.

I guess I overanalyze things a little bit, but I can’t help it when simple statements are made to explain complicated situations.

Central Fill

I really have to share an interesting experience. Last Sunday I picked up an overtime shift at Kentucky Central Fill, also known as the Kroger Refill Center. It is basically a location that prepares thousands of refills for Kroger Pharmacies all over Kentucky and Ohio. This is possible because Kentucky state law allows a company to fill refill requests at a separate location than the pharmacy where the patient picks up the prescription.

Sunday night is the busiest night of the week for Kentucky Central Fill, because a majority of refill requests are made over the weekend and set to pick up on Monday at the pharmacy. When I arrived for my shift I was surprised to see that there were nearly 2,500 prescriptions in the queue to be prepared. The night was extremely busy and repetitive. I basically verified the product and quantity being dispensed for each patient and order, free from phone calls and other typical distractions in a pharmacy. The best part about it was that I never had to look at an insurance card or a physician’s sloppy handwriting.

So far so good

The past few days have been amazing. I became a licensed pharmacist on Thursday and yesterday was my first day at work in my new role. I am extremely excited and scared to death all at the same time. I didn’t learn anything new last week, but I quickly became responsible for everything I learned in school once I received my state license. It is a great feeling to know that I finally made it.

Computer malfunction

Today I experienced a major test at the pharmacy. Mid-afternoon our computers went down and we were unable to process prescriptions for about two hours. As you can imagine, stress levels went through the roof for all of the employees at our store. This is the type of situation that I knew would eventually happen considering the position I accepted with my company. As a trainer on this computer system, I understand all of the theory and functionality behind the design of the system and how to teach employees to use it. However, I am not a computer programmer and cannot fix major malfunctions when the system comes to a hault.

Times like these really put you to the test. When stressful situations occur you really can see how ready you are by how you respond. My blood pressure definitely went up today, but I think I am growing and getting better at this sort of thing.

Still Writing

My exams are over and I am waiting on the results to find out if I am going to be a real pharmacist.  Today should be a relaxing Sunday, as I have nothing to study for and I am off of work.  Of course, things just never are that easy.  I find myself brainstorming for 2 articles that have deadlines fast approaching.  I'm now one month removed from pharmacy school and I still have academic-like projects on my plate.  Some of my friends might think, "You work for a retail community pharmacy, why are you writing papers?"  

Throughout my career I hope to fight the stigma that chain community pharmacists are just highly paid pill counters.  I plan to contribute to the profession on a regular basis, even if it means submitting a short article to a pharmacy magazine or journal.  My passion for this profession does not change because of my practice or because of the person who signs my paycheck.

A taste of the career I turned down

"It doesn't matter what I believe, it only matters what I can prove.  So please don't tell me what I know and what I don't know.  I know the law!" - Lt. Kaffee (Tom Cruise in A Few Good Men)

As I sit here studying for my pharmacy law exam

I can't help but think about my favorite movie of all time, A Few Good Men.  I can quote most of the movie at the drop of a hat.  While everyone's favorite scene from that movie is when Jack Nicholson takes the stand, I can't really pick a favorite scene.  There are so many one-liners that are classic.  

Groing up I always thought I would go to law school.  My elementary school teachers all thought I would make a great lawyer, usually after I made a compelling case during an argument about something silly.  In addition with my ability to argue, I had also noticed how so many politicians began with law school.  For the longest time I thought that I had to go to law school to get into politics.  My love for science and having a pharmacist role model as an uncle pulled me away from a career in law.  While I will sometimes think about "what might have been" if I had traveled down that other path, I can no longer imagine my life without pharmacy.  I guess I will never get to stand in front of a jury and fight fiercely for a client, but throughout my career I will be able to stand as an advocate for every one of my patients.

Well I better stop blogging and get back to studying so I can pass this law exam and actually be a real pharmacist.

One test down…

I completed the first step to becoming a licensed pharmacist today by taking the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX).  It was a four hour examination taken on the computer at a professional testing center.  I was a nervous wreck during the hours leading up to the exam.  I won’t find out the results until later this week, so there is no sense in worrying about it anymore.