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How to respond to connotation of big business with the pharmacy profession?

People often negatively associate the pharmacy profession with big business. We get comments often on prices, availability, etc. However, pharmacist are often just middle men in the process of pharmacutical companies and insurance companies. #bigpharma #bigbusiness #pharmacy #pharmacist #negative #july20

july20 pharmacy pharmacist negative bigbusiness bigpharma
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Danielle’s Answer

Hi Shayna, There could be an argument for every business on the planet. Some people are totally against Pharmaceuticals yet they will promote vitamins. What's the difference? A matter of opinion both assist people with their mental and physical health. From the Pharmacist perspective like Doctors they spend over six figures for their education and continue to educate themselves so that they can bring their knowledge and perspective to keep people alive and hopefully thriving as well. It's all about perspective.

What do you think is what matters - Big Business or Help People?
Thank you comment icon Helping people definitely matters more to me, which is why it can get frustrating when people view our profession and just a business. However, you are right... that can be argued for almost every profession out there! I think there is just a very negative connotation with Big Pharma that adds onto the negativity for pharmacy. Shayna
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Shelly’s Answer

As a pharmacist, you can choose to be an advocate within the realm you practice in. Whether that be in a retail, hospital, manufacturer or insurance setting. Its important to differentiate between the business of pharmacy vs the profession of pharmacy. While it is true that the business of pharmacy is very lucrative, as a practicing pharmacist you would be an integral part of a multi-disciplinary team involved in patient care and helping people on their path to better health.
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David’s Answer

As a pharmacist, you are delivering pharmaceutical innovation that is improving lives. If it weren't for the business side, most of these medicines would not be available, including those that are life-saving, life-extending, or dramatically improve people's lives. These are difficult conversations and engaging in a debate can be exhausting and upsetting; such discussions are unlikely to change someone's mind. Consider simply responding that you are proud to work in pharmacy and being a part of a systems that saves or improves people's lives, including being the front-line resource for providing the information they need for safe and effective use.

David recommends the following next steps:

The PhRMA website provides information on the value of pharmaceutical R&D https://www.phrma.org/en
Thank you comment icon Great perspective. Thanks David! Shayna
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