Address of the President-Elect

Address

of the PresidentElect At the Second General Session of the A.Ph.A.'s l02nd convention, President-Elect John B. Heinz discusses "Our Broadening Horizon."

As

EACH OF US pursues his given role in life, we are beset with challenges, disappointments, hardships and heartaches. To compensate, however, there are the moments of joy and success which more than atone for that which has gone before. For me this is one of those moments, and lowe it all to you. I am humbled as the full significance of this honor is realized. I am not unmindful of the tremendous responsibilities inherent to this office. I am pleased and proud, for this; occasion is surely the climax of my forty-three years in the profession of pharmacy. These years have been good to me. There have been jobs to do and tasks completed. I feel in my heart the practice of pharmacy has been rewarding both spiritually and temporally. It is my hope that these experiences and services to pharmacy will provide the sound foundation upon which judgments and actions during the coming year can be based so that each action may contribute to the ultimate good of our ASSOCIATION.

I am reminded at this moment of those familiar lines of wisdom by which one must realistically gauge his performance: There is a destiny which makes us brothers; N one goes his way alone. The administration of a body of the magnitude of 368

ours is not, and can never be, a one-man" affair." Truly in our profession "none goes his way alone." I am deeply grateful for the fine officers and delegates with whom you have designated that I shall work. With their guidance, their cooperation, their judgment and their counsel, I hope that my performance as your president will be satisfactory. The president of this ASSOCIATION comes into office with an open mind-without platform and specifics, but rather to perform as you would have him perform and do only those things which are in accord with majority thinking and dedicated to the advancement of ph~Tmacy. I t is my purpose to base my remarks upon that realization. I have certain personal views which I shall eventually pass along but there will be no concrete resolutions, as such, today. These will await my becoming thoroughly familiar with precisely what you would have me do in the performance of the duties of this office. We have, in the AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION, a past of which we are proud, a present of which we can also be proud, and a future unlimited and challenging. The vista of the future is as broad and unlimited and inspiring as our vision and courage will make it. More than one hundred years are now behind our ASSOCIATION. Tremendous as that seems, Vol. XVI, No.6

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the advances of the last decade stand as an epoch in our profession.

Golden Era Dean Ivor Griffith, at the Centennial in 1952, reviewed Pharmacy for us in 1852 when our ASSOCIATION was founded. '\That a trying time that must have been. Adulteration and substitution were common. Fraud was more frequent than fairness, and their were persons practicing in our field who were far from qualified in education, experience and integrity. How thankful we should be for Mr. Zollicoffer, who called that first meeting of druggists and apothecaries to discuss ways and means of abating the abuses that prevailed in pharmacy. Since that early time when our membership numbered not more than twenty dedicated souls, our AsSOCIATION has grown to a position of importance and esteem at the present time. Through the efforts of similarly dedicated groups through the years our profession has reached the period described by R. Q. Richards in his address of 1952 as "The Golden Era of Therapeutics." From that same convention in 1952 there came what I like to call a prophecy for the profession of pharmacy. Englishman Hugh N. Linstead, in discussing the many functions that a professional body can and should perform and speaking of the vast progress of our Asso-

CIATION in matters of ethical and professional pharmacy, remarked, "It is because it has so successfully achieved this goal in the first century of its existence that \\ e from other parts of the world applaud the achievements of the AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION, and we confidently look to the ASSOCIATION to tend this lamp of professional freedom here and overseas during its second century of life and service." From the community level our sphere of influence and the responsibilities for leadership inherent thereto have grown to the state level, then to the national level, and now and in the future, to the international level. As head of the delegation of the AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION I saw an expression of our expanding influence and international responsibility last December when I attended the Congress of Pharmacy and Biochemistry at Sao Paulo, Brazil. There was a decided urge for the AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION to lead the way in research and in pha~aceutical practice-and subsequently to share that knowledge with other countries. In fact, I sensed an invitation for us to expand our paternal interest in the problems of pharmacy of countries everywhere. Since we are a humanitarian enterprise, without political aspirations, our acceptance is assured. I recommend we (Continued on page 379)

"Our wives ..• are trelDendously helpful in auglDenting our efforts." WOlDen's Auxiliary officers are (I. to r.) Mrs. Henry M. Burlage, Secretary; Mrs. R. Q. Richards, First Vice President; Mrs. Hugo H ,. Schaefer, President; and Mrs. Earl P. Guth, Treasurer

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Instructing eInbryo pharInacist Jeff Dixon are IViessrs. Stewart (I.) and Heinz. Jeff is sonofW.Va.Ass'n. Secy. W.J.Dixon

President-Elect's Address • • • • • • • • • • • • • from page 369

become aware of this attitude and get active in the affairs of professional pharmacy wherever mankind exists. Along with study, research and careful, cautious, deliberate action, sympathetic understanding must be included as still another useful function of our ASSOCIATION as we embark on what I like to call "The Era of International Pharmacy," wherein all mankind may share the fruits .of our own Golden Age of Therapeutics.

Room for Improvement As we look afield, however, there must remain the continuing efforts for improvement within our own immediate sphere. For example, what of the ever-present problem of ethics and internal supervision. I am certain that President Stewart and the chairman of our House of Delegates will have dealt at length with this subject. However, please penllit me this one observation. Some time ago Louis E. Kazin in his feature Your Pharmacy and Mine wrote a challenging article entitled "You Are Your Brother's Keeper." In it he expressed a thought vital to our ASSOCIATION responsibilities. He said, "Professional organizations have assumed this supervisory or guiding role within the framework of a code of ethics. As such these codes become the moral and ethical standards upon which the rights, privileges, prerogatives and actions of all June, 1955

individuals within a specific group are based. Maybe," Mr. Kazin continued, "pharmacy's code of ethics needs to be re-examined, refurbished and strengthened." I agree with Mr. Kazin. Ours is not a matter of legislation alone, but rather encouraging our members and associates to try to achieve those maximum standards of conduct as prescribed in our ethics. We must assume the role of our "Brother's Keeper." Strengthening our code, revising when needed, assuring comprehensibility and enforcement of ethics, these are a continuing concentration activity for our ASSOCIATION. I would like to suggest, too, further and continued exploration in the development of interprofessional ethics to include the medical profession and other allied professions. Because of our relationships with all of these groups, and since such interrelation admittedly seems most important to the profession of pharmacy, a position of leadership in this field has been thrust upon us. It is just another example of our expanding responsibility and sphere of influence. As we grow and assume an expanding professional stature we must be vigilant to problems such as these- and work to instigate measures adequate to cover them. Such is the role of an organization of the magnitude of the AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION and its constituent bodies.

Education Spells Progress When we become aware of our growing or expanding spheres of influence, we must at the same time become aware of a problem posed by that growth. Again I feel certain that President Stewart or the chairman of the House of Delegates, or perhaps both, have dwelt at length on this topic. But even so, I should still like to mention that much of the success of this job falls to our colleges as they prepare young men and women to assume the mantles we now wear. How many of us opine what improvements we could make if only we had been taught additional things while we were still in school. Our new curriculum, for example, promises opportunities in business administration, political science, marketing, additional scientific subjects, cultural subjects and others. As a retail pharmacist I am acutely aware of this need. As a professional pharmacist I am just as deeply concerned. In my opinion we have acted wisely . We have recommended an expanded five year course for our undergraduates. I should like to go on record as commending this laudable effort; for it marks our awareness of the growth and expansion of our profession. I t recognizes the 379

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needs of our upcOlIling members as they train to become active professionals. Yes, education problems will continue, but' let us remember that the finest brass must be burnished by fire. While on the s~bj~ct of education may I submit one more thought for your consideration. This Golden Era ~9f ours is a fine and wonderful thing; but is it not for everyo:ge of us to enjoy? New medicament$ : and formulp.e, new processes and procedures ai~ many, and,'their contributions to our effectivene~s are multitude. The youngsters will learn this, but what of our elder statesmen. They, too',;' must keep up. They must be informed and :,t his, let :rp.e assure you, is a Herculean task. Qur brothers in medicine have found the key to 1}.eeping tip ... and it seems to me that we might ','/gp and d'o likewise." They have instituted re~fesher ~ourses and symposia for the purpose keeping. ;the practitioner informed on advances. Wha1 a fine thing it would be for us to'~~'goandc d6)ikewise." This area should certainl)\.be c~refully scrutinized and acted upon with disp~tch". " Th¢ colleges will no doubt take the lead, b4t;w:e can~U give encouragement to the venture. ~" Up to this junctun~~, t4e, approach has been a positive one. Out or: f,~irness, to you and to myself I would like to ~faf~ the 'reality that all is far from what it shoulq. ', be in bur profession. We are still faced with th~ growing problems of self-medication, self-service" imitation and duplication in manufacturing,' and substitution. These contribute to unethical and dangerous practices. I feel that t4ese~ problems are not insurmountable, but by the ;same token we must work together and constantly upon them. This task is a joint one in whidli ' leadetship must be exerted by the AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION, but also one in which at the same time we must work in close liaison with other groups. I pledge my cooperation. I implore yours ... and theirs. Working together, in fairness, and with an avowed devotion to bring solution to these problems we cannot but succeed. Whether we like it or not, ' this is a time to be realistic about the facts of pharmacy as it is going to be practiced in the future. In concentrating on these practical issues, however, we should not avoid another immediate problem of pharmacy in the item of distribution of education for public relations effects. All too often, in an egocentric group, where we live with and practice a common enterprise each and every day, we become thqroughly familiar with all of the factors inherent ;in that practice. We have a tet\:0ency to assume ' that all others, laymen and ·those in allied fields alike, are as

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familiar with our profession as we are. This ~s a fallacious assumption, and I wonder if we ~re up to taking constructive self-criticism as Well as we claim. It's difficult. In this field of public relations, for example, are we not more inclined to say, to ourselves and to each other, "Sure, our program is sufficient; our program is effective and leaves little if anything, yet to be done." Because we say it, does not make it so. Of course we have made progress and we are continuing our efforts but, if I may, I would like to suggest a few thoughts here which may be helpful.

Public Relations Prograllling We in pharmacy know that today's health dollar is purchasing more, health-wise, than ever before. We know that out of each health dollar only 17 cents is expended for drugs. We know that some of the new wonder drugs are costly. We know that overhead is up and that costs throughout the apothecary process are up. We also know that our prices are fair, but the important thing is that the public does not! As compared to other groups, our program of public education for pharmacy is still aft infant. Our public relations prognull is not a success even though we hide our heads and say "our program is fully effective." Laymen continue to berate us out of a lack of understanding for our prices, for example, and in some instances for our practices. The costs of a "paid" program of national public relations directed to laymen is presumed to be prohibitive. There is a way, however, that we can progress. We can begin od the firing line, with the conduct of every individual pharmacist in relation to his public. He must act professionally at all times. He must be dependable and responsible. He must be understanding and in every contact with a patient or customer try to educate the layman to our problems; take time to explain prices, and take the time and make the effort to be a public relations representative for pharmacy. We must conduct ourselv'.es in such a way as to be above reproach, and when this happens our program of public relations will go forward. Incidentally, the same formula will work with our related health professions groups. It is the individual who counts. Dr. Paul C. Olsen in an article "Convention Speaking Is Rewarding" suggests still another way in which our public relations program, especially aJIlong doctors and rullong our manufacturers and suppliers, can be implemented. rt is simple but, let me assure you, effective. Invite (Continued on page 382)

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President- Elect's Address • • • • • • • • • • • • • from page 380

and encourage greater participation in our activities on all levels. Urge representatives of the medical profession and our manufacturers to participate in local meetings, branch activities, state meetings and, of course, in national gatherings such as this. As they participate and become "one of us" our public information and public relations program will be strengthened. Internally, too, among among our divisions and branches, and with each individual inember, we still have the problem of distributing information and gathering reactions to our programs and activities. Allied industries and professions, state groups, community groups, educational institutions and neophytes at the preprofessional level-we must reach them all. We must explain to them fully our intent and purpose, our activities-what it is we stand for and the importance of our function from both the standpoint of economy and humanity. Here a "one, two, three" solution is not readily evident. May I urge you to think about the problem. I assure you we will be deeply grateful for your thoughts, suggestions and criticisms because the area of public relations is truly the lifeblood of this ASSOCIATION, as in any other! We need more pharmacists. Public relations will attract them. We need broader participation in our affairs. Public relations will encourage it! We need greater understanding-for out of understanding comes unity, and out .of unity comes strength. Distribution of information, public relations, both internal and external, will bring about understanding as nothing else can. Let's get to work! Let's build a public relations program that in later years we may look back upon as having been effective. I t is a universal effort, one which must be undertaken by the individual and by the ASSOCIATION.

Professional Freedolll Earlier a reference was made to professional freedom in pharmacy as it is guarded by the AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION. Our professional freedom is a cherished heritage. I t behooves each and every one of us to be constantly vigilant against encroachments upon it from any quarter. For a period exceeding twenty-five years we have seen the steady growth of governmental centralization on all levels. We have been subjected to legislative regulation and in some instances, as in the case of the infamous "socialized medicine bill," there was an outright attempt to usurp our professional free382

dom and to regiment all the peoples in the various fields of health protection. Were we not vigilant during that trying time we could well have seen our professional freedom, as well as that of the medical profession, lost for good. Periodically throughout the last century we have seen such efforts; fortunately most of them , have been defeated through the combined efforts of the allied professions. We must look upon these affairs as warnings, which in turn shOUld make us resolute in our united efforts to retain our heritage. Federal legislation can be both good and bad. Fortunately representatives of the AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION have generally been accorded the greatest of respect by our legislators, so that our recommendations for the most part have formed the basis for their judgment and action. In the field of Federal legislation we continue to be constantly alert. Provisions which have been determined to be needed for the betterment of pharmacy and public health have been encouraged. As a matter of fact, the bulk of such legislation is instigated by our ASSOCIATION. Certain regulation is conceivably best obtained at the nationat level, and in these areas we must work to bring about the necessary implementing legislation. On the other hand, we must scrutinize each and every document, weigh its effect upon our profession and upon our membership, and then decide upon a course of action and see to it that the desired action is taken. On the state and local level our branches and our individual membership must assume this same leadership and responsibility. We should see to it as a sacred trust that needed legislation is enacted and detrimental legislation is discouraged or, better, defeated. Internationally, too, as the effectiveness of such organizations as the United Nations expands, we must maintain a continuous scrutiny of each and every action which may, directly or even remotely, affect our profession of pharmacy. As internal legislation has always been the focal point of unending attention, we now must be aware of the international factor and guard against any encroachment upon our p:r:ecious professional freedom from outside sources. But what of '55 and beyond? The horizon is broad and bright. Our historical background is deep and sound. At the present time we as an association are strong and virile. Almost daily we are being deluged with the fruits of research and discovery. In just the past few weeks, for example, the results of the Salk polio vaccine tests were announced, opening up Vol. XVI, No.6

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a completely new phase of mass medication! Procurement and distribution of this one formula alone will revolutionize our profession, will bring us new stature and import in the eyes of laymen and the medical profession alike! What an era of opportunity! As our ancient art has been continuously dedicated to progress in protecting the health and welfare of mankind, this age truly becomes an era of fulfillment! It is also an age of healthful competition between our individual practitioners, and out of fair and aggressive competition will come even greater improvements in our shops, in our methods and in our services. Through the medium of press, radio, television and personal effort there is an increasing promotional program sponsorship throughout our profession designed to encourage greater participation by the people of our nation in the better health made possible by our better pharmaceuticals.

Professional Responsibility A result of these achievements and activities is a greater public consciousness of our profession as it relates to the birth rate, the life span, and the better health which accrue from our labors. But inherent in this public awareness is an everincreasing responsibility on our part to conduct ourselves as individuals and as a profession so as to realize, out of that consciousness, their profound respect. We should be aware of just what it means to be a pharmacist and then conduct ourselves so as to earn and to keep the designation "professional!" The economic structure of our nation and the world is changing. The standard of living everywhere is improving and in our own beloved nation at a pace far beyond our pioneers' fondest dreams! We as professional pharmacists are important to that standard of living, for through our contributions, time and money losses due to illnesses are being reduced. As the economy and standard of living improve, so must our profession improve. Formulation of the patterns for continued improvement of our services and practices rests squarely upon the shoulders of this body- the AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION and its cosmopolitan and widespread membership. Our membership appears not to be totally aware of our position. I;n our society professional responsibility is not enough. Our pharmacy people are educated people. They have demonstrated their capacity for learning and for thinking. They have demonstrated their diligence and industry. Otherwise they would never have reached the status of registered, professional pharmacist. Expanding responsiJune, 1955

bility is the consequence. We cannot withdraw unto ourselves. . .and our mortars and pestles and vials! We are obliged and obligated to participate in all phases of community life! We must be willing to assume leadership there, too, in political activity, social work, and in the very direction of all activities in which our contemporaries are engaged. They should look to us for this leadership and participation, just as they do to the clergy, the doctor, lawyer and as teacher. This reality is inescapable, for it is a responsibility clearly drawn and imposed upon us the very instant we are accepted into the professional fraternity! The same is true of our ASSOCIATION. Yes, our first responsibility is to our profession and to our members, but it does not and cannot stop there! As individuals and as a profession, the fulfillment of our calling or destiny comes when we master our internal affairs and reserve the necessary time and energies to participate in those external functions which are inescapable. Our ASSOCIATION is big! It is growing! ~t has power, and it commands respect! In collaboration with coexisting associations and groups, let us dedicate' our good fortunes to the betterment of the processes of living together, as well as to the prolongation of life itself. Our final usefulness will be gauged by the sum total of all of our individual effortsprofessional and general. Such is the im portance of an association like ours.

Salient Recommendations I have in mind at this point other areas requiring attention which I should like to note. For example, our Practical Pharmacy Edition is a superb publication and it fulfills an important need. Recent issues, moreover, have been particularly good but its format could be further improved, with the result that it would be even more attractive and effective. May I suggest that this be given some attention during the coming year. Our building program at 2215 Constitution Avenue also requires prompt attention. We are growing and expanding, and our facilities must keep pace if we are to operate efficiently and effectively. Attention on this endeavor will be focused at a later date, contingent upon certain economic and legislative factors now emerging. We must concentrate on encouraging greater activity in our sections and divisions on all levels. New local branches are being organized. Student branches are growing in number. Their activities are also increasing, evidenced by the recent es(Continued on page 385)

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President-Elect'8 Address (Concluded) tablishment of the Student Branch Section within the framework of the ASSOCIATION itself. Constructive action should be taken by us to help these young people with financing their delegation to the conventions. I am not thinking of gifts, I am thinking of cooperative projects which will benefit the student branches and the ASSOCIATION. We must encourage all these local and student branch people and assure them that we are interested in their work and that we can and will help them in every way possible. Primarily this is an ASSOCIlATION-Ievel task, but the work of each individual in his own community and state is certainly the motivating force for a beginning. Our future growth and progress unquestionably depend on our attitude and efforts in this important field. Just one more parting thought about our young people. As an association, but especially as individuals, we have a tremendous responsibility to our students and to our young pharmacists. Remember your beginnings in the profession and I am sure you will visualize, as I have, the importance and value of encouragement, guidance, counsel and help during the formati ve years. These young people need and want to profit by our experience! Let us each and every one give them that opportunity. Our Code of Ethics, United States Pharmacopeia and National Formulary should all be continuously under observation. As our profession and as our ASSOCIATION grow these basics must grow with us. We must constantly evaluate and re-evaluate our moral and drug standards and we must change them so that they are always current and applicable. We must be cautious, however, and use wisdom and discretion so that what we may add or take away will contribute to the ultimate good of the entire profession of pharmacy. Lauds Women's Auxiliary In our conventions, congresses and gatherings we must encourage expanded activity as an expression of the leadership which rests with the AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION. Auxiliary activities should be stimulated so that our wives will enjoy a growing interest and understanding in our ASSOCIATION and our profession. They are tremendously helpful in augmenting our efforts and, frankly, I doubt there is a man among us whose wife does not influence his judgment and whose encouragement does not sustain him in his work! This excepts, of course, the unfortunate bachelors, if there be such unhappy mortals in our group. June, 1955

I might suggest that we re-analyze our systems of awards. From the standpoint of public prestige an award does much to reflect favorably on an association, since at the precise moment of the award the recipient represents the best the association has to offer. In addition, honors, awards ·and recognition stimulate our members to put forth their best efforts. They are, in fact, an incentive, very important to bringing out the best in anyone! They should have an increasing value! I want to give this area some thought and attention during the coming months. I am sure it will represent an important inducement to ASSOCIATION membership and increased participation. ·In closing may I suggest a vote of gratitude to those pion~ers who were the fathers of our AssoCIATION, for without their work and vision this occasion could not have been possible. We should extend to President Stewart and his fellow officers and delegates a deep and sincere thanks for their valiant and notable work of the year just past! A treasured place in the annals of our history has been earned by each and every one of them-and our status at this hour has reached a new pinnacle due to their work and devotion. That they will be available to me and to those with whom 1 am privileged to serve during the coming term is my petition to them. Also, may I solicit the counsel of each and every one of you. I covet your guidance and your prayers, that each action during my tenure of office will be as you would have it be and that your incoming officers and delegates may add in some sman measure to the stature and growth of our beloved ASSOCIATION. To that end, I shall do my best. Election as your president is a great honor. 1 am humble yet proud. But I recognize a truth of life in that each individual is but transitory in import. That I shall do little harm and a little good in relation to the total effort of the AMERIC1\N PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION during this year is indeed my sincere hope. Cooperation is the keynote for success and progress. With your cooperation and help we shall certainly see within our time an even higher ascension of the AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION and the profession of pharmacy as a whole. This is a Golden Era. This is an inspiring time! The future is bright and is bounded only by our own vision and courage. One cannot stand still. An association is constantly in motion-backward or forward-never still! With God's help we shall go forward. Thank you for your kindness ... and God bless you all. 385