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House of Delegates American Pharmaceutical Association
374
JOURNAL OF THE
AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION
HOUSE OF DELEGATES AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION Report of the Chairman By Sylvester H.Dretzka in August, 1912, t o attend the Denver meeting of the I t is a pleasure to address the elected representaASSOCIATION.At this meeting, the plan was pretives of the House of Delegates through the printed sented and freely discussed, and after a number of work in the absence of a personal meeting. modifications, the House of Delegates was created, Inasmuch as government wartime regulations being organized on August 21, 1912.”’ banning large-scale conventions were not removed It is still of highest interest t o read the “Resoluin time for our ASSOCIATION t o hold a convention, a “proceedings convention” by means of our pub- tion Creating a House of Delegates and Defining Its Functions and Duties,” adopted by the Council, lications was decided upon and arranged. The elimination of the 1945 Convention with its a t Denver on August 19, 1912,2 and the discussion accompanying election necessitates carrying over the about the planned institution during the third present officers of the House of Delegates. There- general session on August 21, 1912.8 The suggestions of Beal and Whelpley came as a fore, I have reappointed all House Committees to surprise t o those attending the 1912 meeting of the act until our next Annual Convention. ASSOCIATION and when As Chairman of the House of Delegates, I should AMERICANPHARMACEUTICAL like to focus the attention of our members upon the Mr. Mayo asked that Dr. Beal “be called upon t o approaching Centennial of the AMERICAN PHARMA-state exactly what he hoped t o accomplish by the formation of such a House of Delegates” in order t o CEUTICAL ASSOCIATION.I believe it is not too soon ~ certainly spoke for the t o take cognizance of the importance of the occasion “clear the ~ i t u a t i o n , ”he great majority of those present. What a t that and to institute initial plans to make the wisest time, in the explanation given by Dr. James H. possible use of this marvelous opportunity t o present organized pharmacy t o the public and the allied Beal, struck the imagination of everybody and caused the unanimous adoption of his resolution professions in an interesting and appealing manner. As the legislative body of our ASSOCIATION, the concerning the creation of a House of Delegates, House of Delegates annually is becoming increas- was the wide aspects opened by the new institution. I n order to create for the f i s t time an all-inclusive ingly important. With the Centennial plans being laid, it is well Pharmaceutical Forum, the constituent groups of ASSOCIATION were that we understand the historical background of the the AMERICANPHARMACEUTICAL granted the privilege of electing representative House, for t o function effectively, this instrumentality of expression should be appreciated. Under- delegates. This provided a definite place of debate for all groups, on an equal footing with the members standing is essential t o that end. PHARMACEUTICAL Compared to the ASSOCIATION itself, the House is of the Council of the AMERICAN young in years. Its proper functioning is important ASSOCIATION. Soon it was discovered that this method was too to ASSOCIATION progress. I n order t o stimulate our enthusiasm and inspire all-inclusive. Among the groups, the delegates of which were entitled not only to discuss the problems us. as members of the House of Delegates, t o rededicate ourselves to the aims and ideology to which t o be ventilated but also to vote on them, were the we subscribe, a resume of the history of the House American Medical Association, the American seems appropriate a t this time. I here present it to Chemical Society, the Association of Federal and State Food and Drug Officials and other similar you in abridged but authenticated form. organizations. To many pharmacists that meant undue influence given t o groups outside of pharmacy HISTORY proper. Whereas the pendulum had swung too The House of Delegates of the AMERICAN PHAR- much t o one side when the House of Delegates was MACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION is now thirty-two years of founded, it now swung too far the other way. I n age. About its origin, Joseph W. England, then 1915, Dr. Henry P. Hynson suggested the House of Secretary of the Council, wrote in 1915: “The idea of a House of Delegates originated in the fertile brain of Dr. James H. Beal, enroute with Dr. Henry M. Whelpley, from St. Louis t o Denver,
1
THISJOURNAL 4 845(1915).
* Ibid.,.l,
929(16li). ’ 09. G I . , pp. 1079-83. 09. ~ i l .pp. , 1079-80. 4
SCIENTIFIC EDITION
375
Delegates consist exclusively “of three regularly function as the truly representative association of organized American pharmacy-what the name appointed delegates from each State Pharmaceutical American Phurmaceutical Association should mean t o Association, from the District of Columbia Asso- the pharmacists of this c o ~ n t r y . ” ~ ciation, and from similar associations in Puerto Rico, The suggestions of Dr. Kelly, actively supported the Philippines and any other foreign American by the then Secretary of the House of Delegates, State.” This suggestion was adopted in 1916 and Jeannot Hostmann, were approved, and from 1922 it was only on the urgent recommendation of Dr. James H. Beal that “delegates from other bodies or on the House of Delegates has functioned as a very PHARMACEUTICAL important part of the AMERICAN organizations” were at least given “the privilege of or, t o quote from the address of Mr. the floor.”‘ The further suggestion of Beal t o ASSOCIATION, “include certain of the general officers of the ANERI- M. N. Ford, delivered a t Richmond in 1910,’O as “the legislative division of the ASSOCIATION.”Its CAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION as ex-officio charter, Chapter V of the By-laws of the AMERICAN members, and possibly several additional members ASSOCIATION, has been changed elected by the C o ~ n c i l ”was ~ not heeded. In 1917, PHARMACEUTICAL in its wording here and there as t o the representait was resolved that the delegates sent by the State tion of government departments and groups not Associations to the House of Delegates shall have listed in ’Article I, but no changes have been made the right to vote only if they are members of the since 1922 with regard t o the character of the work PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION. AMERICAN of the House of Delegates, t o its place and imDr. Hynson regarded his reform of the House of portance within the ASSOCIATION, and as an instruDelegates reducing the latter t o a representative ment t o express and to make active “One Voice for organ of retail pharmacy as, t o use his own words, Pharmacy.” We have, as Dr. flugo Schaefer put “the last work I am going t o do.”’ It was indeed it in his Chairman’s Address at Detroit in 1941, his final gesture. His successor as Chairman of the “a truly representative group and a good cross secHouse of Delegates was Dr. E. F. Kelly, who betion of retail pharmaceutical thought and interest’l’l PHARMACEUTICAL came Secretary of the AMERICAN ASSOCIATION in 1926 and whose recent death still is in the House of Delegates. It is up to us t o use this fact to the best advantage of American pharmacy as felt by all of us as deeply regrettable. This mild, a whole. soft-spoken, courteous gentleman, although retiring With this understanding of our heritage in the in manner, was keen and alert, and accomplished a great deal during his tenure of office. Dr. Kelly’s House, let us proceed t o determine, if possible, the reasons why the ideals of our forebears have not aim was t o make the House of Delegates a reprecome t o fruition. sentative organ of pharmacy as a whole. In 1921, There is a justifiable feeling on the part of pharmahe published an excellent article entitled “The Need ceutical leaders that the House is not functioning of Organization and Cooperation in American Pharmacy”* in which we may find almost all the to its paximum potentialities as contemplated by those whose foresight brought it into being. arguments so emphatically discussed in recent times What and where is the difficulty and how can the in the pharmaceutical press under the heading “One Voice for Pharmacy.” In conclusion, I quote some remedy be found and applied? I n order to make a contribution toward a clarificapassages of an address delivered by Dr. Kelly in his tion and correction, I have taken the liberty as capacity as Chairman of the House of Delegates at the New Orleans meeting of the AMERICAN PHAR- Chairman to inquire of my predecessors in this capacity as t o their ideas with respect t o cause and corMACEUTICAL. ASSQCIATION of 1921. This quotation is rection. This search has disclosed the following both a memorial t o the deceased and a declaration comments on my query as t o how t o make the of his ideals: House more interesting and serviceable: “What American pharmacy needs most is a na1. Place a time limit of fifteen minutes on Comtional organization which would include pharmacists and pharmacy in all its phases. This can be ac- mittee Reports. complished by a reorganization of the AMERICAN 2. Encourage free discussion by being Jess formal PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION, embodying a repub- and parliamentary. lican form of government, of which the State Phar3. State Associations should be asked t o notify maceutical Associations would be the units compaASSOCIATIONheadAMERICANPHARMACEUTICAL rable to the states of our nation, the combination of quarters sixty days in advance as t o who the delewhich units would give the parent Association the increased membership so greatly desired. These gates will be. This will allow an interchange of units would in turn delegate certain powers t o the information before the Convention. House of Delegates and Council, comparable t o the 4. Have alternates and regular delegates inHouse of Representatives and Senate of our nation. and these organic divisions would then he able to formed beforehand as t o procedure, agenda, etc. 6
THISJOURNAL, 6,369(1917).
Ibid., 4, 845(1915). I b i d . , 6.365(1917). I Ibid., 10, 327-29(1921). 6
7
@
‘0
Op. cit., p. 786.
Ibid., 30, 391(1941).
11 I b i d . ,
10, 509(1941).
376
JOURNAL OF THE
AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION
5. State Associations could provide for new delegates some in-service training by those who had previously acted in that capacity. 6. Send information to delegates monthly during the year by bulletin. 7. Provide physical segregation of delegates from nondelegates on the floor when assembled. I project these comments t o you delegates of the House so that you may give thought to them in ample time for some action if necessary when our next convention is held. It is my hope that the House will become the living organ it was intended to be when its founders brought it into being. There is no doubt that you gentlemen as delegates wish t o function t o the maximum of your possibilities as elected representatives t o this body. With that in mind, I solicit your comments by letter so that a composite of our ideas may crystallize into action when we meet. ,
SECRETARY
With the selection of Dr. Robert P. Fischelis as ASSOCIATIONSecretary, the House also acquired a new Secretary. The ASSOCIATION Secretary also acts as Secretary of the House. Early in 1945, Dr. Fischelis replaced Charles R. Bohrer who had acted temporarily in that capacity since the death of Dr. E. F. Kelly in October, 1944. I wish to acknowledge the fine services of Mr. Bohrer, and also thank him on behalf of the Delegates of the House. CONTINUATION STUDY
I urge that in the interim we emphasize every angle of study and modernization that will revivify and stimulate the creative imaginations of pharmacists. Let us avail ourselves of every facility that will keep practitioners up t o date and well informed on the spectacular developments in the scientific field of medication. Science and medication are in a state of flux with startling discoveries being brought t o light constantly. We are dealing with an informed and alert public. We, as professional men, cannot remain static. We must develop and progress personally in proportion to the advancement and innovations developing all the while within the field of science. One method of keeping abreast of changes in medication is a program of continual study which has figured prominently in pharmacy’s progress in some states during the past decade. There should be an amplification of this program. It has been carried out with maximum success t o the satisfaction of many pharmacists in too few states up to the present time. With a reasonable expenditure of time and money, this program can be extended to all areas of the United States. Bill S-619 now before Congress would facilitate this. I n the postwar period, the pharmacist will have more time for
this and the money is available to states able t o qualify under the George-Deen Act. Returning veterans not able to go t o our educational centers for refresher study, may find some help under this arrangement, as projected in some states. PROFESSIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS We, as pharmacists, should become more profession-conscious, that is, we should accept seriously our position as servants, with a dual duty: service to the public since we are literally servants of the people, and service t o our allied professions which we should dignify and glorify. We are indeed as much a servant to the science of medication as is the physician, or even more so inasmuch as medical men look to the pharmacist as a specialist in medication. The very fact that we are specially licensed with a yearly renewal of our license t o practice carries the implication that we are well informed and up t o date. We cannot remain well informed if OUT scientific awareness is predicated upon knowledge acquired prior to the passing of the State Board examination. The enterprising and sincere pharmacist will remain forever a student with an insatiable desire for learning and achieving in his chosen art. SUPERVISION O F DISTRIBUTION The development of synthetic compounds in recent years poses a problem the solution of which lies in a closer supervision of the distribution of drugs. As public servants, we dare not become lax in our efforts at control. This is a matter of vital importance to the public in general and t o the pharmacist specifically because it is the bulwark behind which he can entrench himself as an effective guardian of public health and safety. I t is the duty, and should be the desire of all members of the House t o constitute themselves missionaries to carry this message t o all pharmacists in their respective states. DRUG CONTROL Due to research, the number of barbituric acid derivatives are becoming more numerous. Isn’t this a matter that challenges some serious thought? In connection with the control of these drugs, I would submit for your attention and consideration the following facts. There has been some talk of bringing before the ASSOCIATION the matter of putting barbituric acid and derivatives on a prescription basis, similar t o Harrison Narcotic Act control. Since these are habit-forming compounds, although not narcotic, this may be desirable and should have our careful thought, as present controls appear inadequate. Here is a record of the total annual deaths in the United States from
SCIENTIFIC EDITION barbituric acid and its derivatives from 1933 to 1942, with the exception of 1940 and 1941, for which no figures were available: Year
1933. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1934. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1935. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1936 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1937. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1938. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1939. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1942........... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
No. Deaths
107 145 133 165 195 199 201 197
What d o these figures signify? In 1938, the much-heralded Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act was passed, yet these figures would indicate that the remedy does not lie in legislation alone, as the number of deaths has increased. Obviously the fault was not with the retail pharmacist. Are controls too loose in the offices of some physicians where dispensing is frequently in the hands of girls uninformed as to medication? Is the physician prescribing too liberally? Should he prescribe smaller quantities and more frequently? In contrast t o the foregoing table of figures, another tabulation indicates that total deaths from all poisonings decreased over the same period as follows: Year
1933. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1934. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1935. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1936. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1937. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1938. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1939. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1942 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
No. Deaths
1490 1417 1411 1465 1482 1437 1371 1193
It seems significant that the number of alcoholic poisoning deaths went down over one-half during this same interval, from 198 in 1933 to 74 in 1942, during a period when the sale of alcoholic beverages was in a sense unrestricted. READJUSTMENT TO PEACETIME
Our nation now’has emerged from a colossal war into a period of reconversion. The pharmacist will meet the new challenge with the same high courage and clear vision with which he met the emergency. His praiseworthy contribution to the public welfare during the war was the maintenance of high standards by accepting less volume, due to shortened hours made mandatory by the shortage of pharmacists. In the postwar adjustment, he will make his
377
peacetime contribution by the re-employment of our Service pharmacists, thus continuing our present high standards. N O PROFESSIONAL ISOLATIONISM Every movement designed to promote unity and a spirit of cooperativeness within the ranks of our profession, is reflected in an improved service t o the public and in an acceleration of the general recognition of the importance of pharmacy. True unity will result in “one voice” for pharmacy which is well on the way to full establishment through joint conferences between the Council of the PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION and the AMERICAN Executive Committee of N. A. R. D. This significant departure from long-established procedure, resulting in semiannual meetings, alternately in Chicago and Washington, a t which they review everything of timely interest and resolve various important points, has promulgated a feeling of fraternal helpfulness that augurs well for the future of our profession. Within the ranks of pharmacy, there can be no spirit of isolationism. “One World” has become a reality politically. We must become increasingly aware of the need of “One Profession” where pharmacy is concerned. There is no room for professional jealousy; selfishness and progress cannot be nurtured side by side. If in our progress we are to advance onward and upward, we must not be averse t o broadening influences as well. I recommend professional cooperation whenever and wherever possible in order that we may attain a singleness of purpose within our profession, and establish a common goal to which we may aspire. I n this spirit, we may reach new and shining heights from which to serve as clispensers of health and safety service t o our fellowmen. I review this here so you, the leaders of our profession, may project this philosophy t o the pharmacists of your respective states. A healthy sign of progress is the increased interest shown in our historical heritage as evidenced in the prominence given Kremer and Urdang’s History of Pharmacy and the formation of the American Institute of the History of Pharmacy. This interest iu our professional background is a good sign, for we can only plan intelligently for the future if we know and appreciate the past. When planning for the Centennial, let us strive to make our past significant, both to the laity and the allied professions.
JOURNAL OF THE
AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION
HOUSE OF DELEGATES AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION Report of the Chairman By Sylvester H.Dretzka in August, 1912, t o attend the Denver meeting of the I t is a pleasure to address the elected representaASSOCIATION.At this meeting, the plan was pretives of the House of Delegates through the printed sented and freely discussed, and after a number of work in the absence of a personal meeting. modifications, the House of Delegates was created, Inasmuch as government wartime regulations being organized on August 21, 1912.”’ banning large-scale conventions were not removed It is still of highest interest t o read the “Resoluin time for our ASSOCIATION t o hold a convention, a “proceedings convention” by means of our pub- tion Creating a House of Delegates and Defining Its Functions and Duties,” adopted by the Council, lications was decided upon and arranged. The elimination of the 1945 Convention with its a t Denver on August 19, 1912,2 and the discussion accompanying election necessitates carrying over the about the planned institution during the third present officers of the House of Delegates. There- general session on August 21, 1912.8 The suggestions of Beal and Whelpley came as a fore, I have reappointed all House Committees to surprise t o those attending the 1912 meeting of the act until our next Annual Convention. ASSOCIATION and when As Chairman of the House of Delegates, I should AMERICANPHARMACEUTICAL like to focus the attention of our members upon the Mr. Mayo asked that Dr. Beal “be called upon t o approaching Centennial of the AMERICAN PHARMA-state exactly what he hoped t o accomplish by the formation of such a House of Delegates” in order t o CEUTICAL ASSOCIATION.I believe it is not too soon ~ certainly spoke for the t o take cognizance of the importance of the occasion “clear the ~ i t u a t i o n , ”he great majority of those present. What a t that and to institute initial plans to make the wisest time, in the explanation given by Dr. James H. possible use of this marvelous opportunity t o present organized pharmacy t o the public and the allied Beal, struck the imagination of everybody and caused the unanimous adoption of his resolution professions in an interesting and appealing manner. As the legislative body of our ASSOCIATION, the concerning the creation of a House of Delegates, House of Delegates annually is becoming increas- was the wide aspects opened by the new institution. I n order to create for the f i s t time an all-inclusive ingly important. With the Centennial plans being laid, it is well Pharmaceutical Forum, the constituent groups of ASSOCIATION were that we understand the historical background of the the AMERICANPHARMACEUTICAL granted the privilege of electing representative House, for t o function effectively, this instrumentality of expression should be appreciated. Under- delegates. This provided a definite place of debate for all groups, on an equal footing with the members standing is essential t o that end. PHARMACEUTICAL Compared to the ASSOCIATION itself, the House is of the Council of the AMERICAN young in years. Its proper functioning is important ASSOCIATION. Soon it was discovered that this method was too to ASSOCIATION progress. I n order t o stimulate our enthusiasm and inspire all-inclusive. Among the groups, the delegates of which were entitled not only to discuss the problems us. as members of the House of Delegates, t o rededicate ourselves to the aims and ideology to which t o be ventilated but also to vote on them, were the we subscribe, a resume of the history of the House American Medical Association, the American seems appropriate a t this time. I here present it to Chemical Society, the Association of Federal and State Food and Drug Officials and other similar you in abridged but authenticated form. organizations. To many pharmacists that meant undue influence given t o groups outside of pharmacy HISTORY proper. Whereas the pendulum had swung too The House of Delegates of the AMERICAN PHAR- much t o one side when the House of Delegates was MACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION is now thirty-two years of founded, it now swung too far the other way. I n age. About its origin, Joseph W. England, then 1915, Dr. Henry P. Hynson suggested the House of Secretary of the Council, wrote in 1915: “The idea of a House of Delegates originated in the fertile brain of Dr. James H. Beal, enroute with Dr. Henry M. Whelpley, from St. Louis t o Denver,
1
THISJOURNAL 4 845(1915).
* Ibid.,.l,
929(16li). ’ 09. G I . , pp. 1079-83. 09. ~ i l .pp. , 1079-80. 4
SCIENTIFIC EDITION
375
Delegates consist exclusively “of three regularly function as the truly representative association of organized American pharmacy-what the name appointed delegates from each State Pharmaceutical American Phurmaceutical Association should mean t o Association, from the District of Columbia Asso- the pharmacists of this c o ~ n t r y . ” ~ ciation, and from similar associations in Puerto Rico, The suggestions of Dr. Kelly, actively supported the Philippines and any other foreign American by the then Secretary of the House of Delegates, State.” This suggestion was adopted in 1916 and Jeannot Hostmann, were approved, and from 1922 it was only on the urgent recommendation of Dr. James H. Beal that “delegates from other bodies or on the House of Delegates has functioned as a very PHARMACEUTICAL important part of the AMERICAN organizations” were at least given “the privilege of or, t o quote from the address of Mr. the floor.”‘ The further suggestion of Beal t o ASSOCIATION, “include certain of the general officers of the ANERI- M. N. Ford, delivered a t Richmond in 1910,’O as “the legislative division of the ASSOCIATION.”Its CAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION as ex-officio charter, Chapter V of the By-laws of the AMERICAN members, and possibly several additional members ASSOCIATION, has been changed elected by the C o ~ n c i l ”was ~ not heeded. In 1917, PHARMACEUTICAL in its wording here and there as t o the representait was resolved that the delegates sent by the State tion of government departments and groups not Associations to the House of Delegates shall have listed in ’Article I, but no changes have been made the right to vote only if they are members of the since 1922 with regard t o the character of the work PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION. AMERICAN of the House of Delegates, t o its place and imDr. Hynson regarded his reform of the House of portance within the ASSOCIATION, and as an instruDelegates reducing the latter t o a representative ment t o express and to make active “One Voice for organ of retail pharmacy as, t o use his own words, Pharmacy.” We have, as Dr. flugo Schaefer put “the last work I am going t o do.”’ It was indeed it in his Chairman’s Address at Detroit in 1941, his final gesture. His successor as Chairman of the “a truly representative group and a good cross secHouse of Delegates was Dr. E. F. Kelly, who betion of retail pharmaceutical thought and interest’l’l PHARMACEUTICAL came Secretary of the AMERICAN ASSOCIATION in 1926 and whose recent death still is in the House of Delegates. It is up to us t o use this fact to the best advantage of American pharmacy as felt by all of us as deeply regrettable. This mild, a whole. soft-spoken, courteous gentleman, although retiring With this understanding of our heritage in the in manner, was keen and alert, and accomplished a great deal during his tenure of office. Dr. Kelly’s House, let us proceed t o determine, if possible, the reasons why the ideals of our forebears have not aim was t o make the House of Delegates a reprecome t o fruition. sentative organ of pharmacy as a whole. In 1921, There is a justifiable feeling on the part of pharmahe published an excellent article entitled “The Need ceutical leaders that the House is not functioning of Organization and Cooperation in American Pharmacy”* in which we may find almost all the to its paximum potentialities as contemplated by those whose foresight brought it into being. arguments so emphatically discussed in recent times What and where is the difficulty and how can the in the pharmaceutical press under the heading “One Voice for Pharmacy.” In conclusion, I quote some remedy be found and applied? I n order to make a contribution toward a clarificapassages of an address delivered by Dr. Kelly in his tion and correction, I have taken the liberty as capacity as Chairman of the House of Delegates at the New Orleans meeting of the AMERICAN PHAR- Chairman to inquire of my predecessors in this capacity as t o their ideas with respect t o cause and corMACEUTICAL. ASSQCIATION of 1921. This quotation is rection. This search has disclosed the following both a memorial t o the deceased and a declaration comments on my query as t o how t o make the of his ideals: House more interesting and serviceable: “What American pharmacy needs most is a na1. Place a time limit of fifteen minutes on Comtional organization which would include pharmacists and pharmacy in all its phases. This can be ac- mittee Reports. complished by a reorganization of the AMERICAN 2. Encourage free discussion by being Jess formal PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION, embodying a repub- and parliamentary. lican form of government, of which the State Phar3. State Associations should be asked t o notify maceutical Associations would be the units compaASSOCIATIONheadAMERICANPHARMACEUTICAL rable to the states of our nation, the combination of quarters sixty days in advance as t o who the delewhich units would give the parent Association the increased membership so greatly desired. These gates will be. This will allow an interchange of units would in turn delegate certain powers t o the information before the Convention. House of Delegates and Council, comparable t o the 4. Have alternates and regular delegates inHouse of Representatives and Senate of our nation. and these organic divisions would then he able to formed beforehand as t o procedure, agenda, etc. 6
THISJOURNAL, 6,369(1917).
Ibid., 4, 845(1915). I b i d . , 6.365(1917). I Ibid., 10, 327-29(1921). 6
7
@
‘0
Op. cit., p. 786.
Ibid., 30, 391(1941).
11 I b i d . ,
10, 509(1941).
376
JOURNAL OF THE
AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION
5. State Associations could provide for new delegates some in-service training by those who had previously acted in that capacity. 6. Send information to delegates monthly during the year by bulletin. 7. Provide physical segregation of delegates from nondelegates on the floor when assembled. I project these comments t o you delegates of the House so that you may give thought to them in ample time for some action if necessary when our next convention is held. It is my hope that the House will become the living organ it was intended to be when its founders brought it into being. There is no doubt that you gentlemen as delegates wish t o function t o the maximum of your possibilities as elected representatives t o this body. With that in mind, I solicit your comments by letter so that a composite of our ideas may crystallize into action when we meet. ,
SECRETARY
With the selection of Dr. Robert P. Fischelis as ASSOCIATIONSecretary, the House also acquired a new Secretary. The ASSOCIATION Secretary also acts as Secretary of the House. Early in 1945, Dr. Fischelis replaced Charles R. Bohrer who had acted temporarily in that capacity since the death of Dr. E. F. Kelly in October, 1944. I wish to acknowledge the fine services of Mr. Bohrer, and also thank him on behalf of the Delegates of the House. CONTINUATION STUDY
I urge that in the interim we emphasize every angle of study and modernization that will revivify and stimulate the creative imaginations of pharmacists. Let us avail ourselves of every facility that will keep practitioners up t o date and well informed on the spectacular developments in the scientific field of medication. Science and medication are in a state of flux with startling discoveries being brought t o light constantly. We are dealing with an informed and alert public. We, as professional men, cannot remain static. We must develop and progress personally in proportion to the advancement and innovations developing all the while within the field of science. One method of keeping abreast of changes in medication is a program of continual study which has figured prominently in pharmacy’s progress in some states during the past decade. There should be an amplification of this program. It has been carried out with maximum success t o the satisfaction of many pharmacists in too few states up to the present time. With a reasonable expenditure of time and money, this program can be extended to all areas of the United States. Bill S-619 now before Congress would facilitate this. I n the postwar period, the pharmacist will have more time for
this and the money is available to states able t o qualify under the George-Deen Act. Returning veterans not able to go t o our educational centers for refresher study, may find some help under this arrangement, as projected in some states. PROFESSIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS We, as pharmacists, should become more profession-conscious, that is, we should accept seriously our position as servants, with a dual duty: service to the public since we are literally servants of the people, and service t o our allied professions which we should dignify and glorify. We are indeed as much a servant to the science of medication as is the physician, or even more so inasmuch as medical men look to the pharmacist as a specialist in medication. The very fact that we are specially licensed with a yearly renewal of our license t o practice carries the implication that we are well informed and up t o date. We cannot remain well informed if OUT scientific awareness is predicated upon knowledge acquired prior to the passing of the State Board examination. The enterprising and sincere pharmacist will remain forever a student with an insatiable desire for learning and achieving in his chosen art. SUPERVISION O F DISTRIBUTION The development of synthetic compounds in recent years poses a problem the solution of which lies in a closer supervision of the distribution of drugs. As public servants, we dare not become lax in our efforts at control. This is a matter of vital importance to the public in general and t o the pharmacist specifically because it is the bulwark behind which he can entrench himself as an effective guardian of public health and safety. I t is the duty, and should be the desire of all members of the House t o constitute themselves missionaries to carry this message t o all pharmacists in their respective states. DRUG CONTROL Due to research, the number of barbituric acid derivatives are becoming more numerous. Isn’t this a matter that challenges some serious thought? In connection with the control of these drugs, I would submit for your attention and consideration the following facts. There has been some talk of bringing before the ASSOCIATION the matter of putting barbituric acid and derivatives on a prescription basis, similar t o Harrison Narcotic Act control. Since these are habit-forming compounds, although not narcotic, this may be desirable and should have our careful thought, as present controls appear inadequate. Here is a record of the total annual deaths in the United States from
SCIENTIFIC EDITION barbituric acid and its derivatives from 1933 to 1942, with the exception of 1940 and 1941, for which no figures were available: Year
1933. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1934. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1935. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1936 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1937. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1938. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1939. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1942........... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
No. Deaths
107 145 133 165 195 199 201 197
What d o these figures signify? In 1938, the much-heralded Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act was passed, yet these figures would indicate that the remedy does not lie in legislation alone, as the number of deaths has increased. Obviously the fault was not with the retail pharmacist. Are controls too loose in the offices of some physicians where dispensing is frequently in the hands of girls uninformed as to medication? Is the physician prescribing too liberally? Should he prescribe smaller quantities and more frequently? In contrast t o the foregoing table of figures, another tabulation indicates that total deaths from all poisonings decreased over the same period as follows: Year
1933. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1934. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1935. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1936. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1937. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1938. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1939. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1942 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
No. Deaths
1490 1417 1411 1465 1482 1437 1371 1193
It seems significant that the number of alcoholic poisoning deaths went down over one-half during this same interval, from 198 in 1933 to 74 in 1942, during a period when the sale of alcoholic beverages was in a sense unrestricted. READJUSTMENT TO PEACETIME
Our nation now’has emerged from a colossal war into a period of reconversion. The pharmacist will meet the new challenge with the same high courage and clear vision with which he met the emergency. His praiseworthy contribution to the public welfare during the war was the maintenance of high standards by accepting less volume, due to shortened hours made mandatory by the shortage of pharmacists. In the postwar adjustment, he will make his
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peacetime contribution by the re-employment of our Service pharmacists, thus continuing our present high standards. N O PROFESSIONAL ISOLATIONISM Every movement designed to promote unity and a spirit of cooperativeness within the ranks of our profession, is reflected in an improved service t o the public and in an acceleration of the general recognition of the importance of pharmacy. True unity will result in “one voice” for pharmacy which is well on the way to full establishment through joint conferences between the Council of the PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION and the AMERICAN Executive Committee of N. A. R. D. This significant departure from long-established procedure, resulting in semiannual meetings, alternately in Chicago and Washington, a t which they review everything of timely interest and resolve various important points, has promulgated a feeling of fraternal helpfulness that augurs well for the future of our profession. Within the ranks of pharmacy, there can be no spirit of isolationism. “One World” has become a reality politically. We must become increasingly aware of the need of “One Profession” where pharmacy is concerned. There is no room for professional jealousy; selfishness and progress cannot be nurtured side by side. If in our progress we are to advance onward and upward, we must not be averse t o broadening influences as well. I recommend professional cooperation whenever and wherever possible in order that we may attain a singleness of purpose within our profession, and establish a common goal to which we may aspire. I n this spirit, we may reach new and shining heights from which to serve as clispensers of health and safety service t o our fellowmen. I review this here so you, the leaders of our profession, may project this philosophy t o the pharmacists of your respective states. A healthy sign of progress is the increased interest shown in our historical heritage as evidenced in the prominence given Kremer and Urdang’s History of Pharmacy and the formation of the American Institute of the History of Pharmacy. This interest iu our professional background is a good sign, for we can only plan intelligently for the future if we know and appreciate the past. When planning for the Centennial, let us strive to make our past significant, both to the laity and the allied professions.