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The Importance of Global Pharmacy Perspectives and Engagement

By Delaney McGuirt posted 08-06-2020 15:24

  

Combating a global pandemic has brought a plethora of challenges, but with it have also come unique opportunities. One such opportunity is a renewed focus on the importance of international engagement in a time of shared global experience. I have been fortunate to have the occasion to work with the ASHP Global team during my internship, through which I have gained a greater appreciation for international perspectives and engagement in pharmacy.

 

My work has been with ASHP’s Office of Global Resource Development and Consulting and Dr. Paul Bush, its Vice President. ASHP recognizes that advancing pharmacy practice does not stop with the United States alone, and in acknowledging this, provides a wealth of resources to the global pharmacy community. Countries can obtain ASHP Accreditation Standard for International Pharmacy Practice Residency Programs and/or International Hospital and Health-System Pharmacy Services. ASHP Consulting offers substantive programs and tools to aid countries in preparing and applying for these accreditations. Additionally, through a dedicated ASHP Global website, ASHP introduces countries to a host of other resources, including Professional Certificate Programs, Board Certification Resources, textbooks, and AJHP publications, to name a few. Of particular note, in transitioning conference meetings amidst COVID-19 to the virtual space (Midyear Clinical Meeting, National Pharmacy Conference for Leaders, etc.) the door is now open for attendance from countries where this may not have been feasible in-person.

 

Working with Dr. Bush and the ASHP Global team has been an exercise in broadening my perspective and appreciation for pharmacy practice on a global scale. I have conducted research on various countries and learned different models of healthcare delivery, drug supply and access, and health-system pharmacy. In my findings, it has been fascinating to see many of the issues currently facing health-system pharmacy in the U.S., such as achieving provider status and a need for increased awareness of the clinical pharmacists’ services, echoed in other countries around the world. This serves to strengthen the need for international collaboration and resource sharing in pursuit of the advancement of our profession. Practice advancement need not occur in isolation, and we can learn so much from our international pharmacy peers.

 

I have had the incredible opportunity to witness this in practice by attending webinars ASHP Global leadership hosts with the international community, each week dedicated to a different country. Such events allow ASHP to disseminate its resources globally while also fostering meaningful international connections. The webinars are an opportunity to hear from international pharmacy leaders and learn about their practice models, pharmacy challenges, and where they are in their pursuit of health-system pharmacy advancement. In gaining such valuable perspectives, opportunities for collaboration can be identified in order to further develop the world’s understanding and appreciation of the meaningful impact health-system pharmacists have on patient care. 

 

As a result of my work with the ASHP Global team, I can confidently say that I will leave this internship with an expanded understanding and perspective of pharmacy practice on an international scale. I will carry this renewed appreciation with me as I progress through pharmacy school and into practice, dedicating myself to a continual expansion of my awareness of international pharmacy issues and pursuit of global engagement. As Dr. Bush charges us, “The world is becoming smaller, and as leaders, we should participate globally.”

Delaney McGuirt
ASHP Summer Intern 2020
PharmD Candidate, Class of 2023
University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore

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