Pharmacists and Public Health

<p>Rear Admiral (RADM) Pamela Schweitzer - retired Chief Professional Officer of Pharmacy for the <a href='https://www.usphs.gov'>United States Public Health Service (USPHS)</a> - talks to us about the roles and responsibilities of pharmacists during a public health crisis.  Dr. Schweitzer was responsible for providing leadership and coordination of USPHS pharmacy programs for the Office of the Surgeon General and the Department of Health & Human Services from 2014-2018.</p> <p>Key Lessons:</p> <ul><li>Pharmacists play a critical role in the USPHS because they have a unique skill set.</li> <li>A pandemic, like COVID-19, requires a coordinated effort between the public and private sectors to address mass vaccination efforts as well as shortages of medications, testing, and personal protective equipment using an <a href='https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/incident-response/Pages/default.aspx#:~:text=The%20HHS%20ASPR%20Incident%20Response%20Framework%20represents%20a,Command%20System%20(ICS)%20doctrine%20at%20the%20federal%20level.'>incident command structure</a>.</li> <li>USPHS pharmacists are deployed to the hardest-hit zones to provide medical and scientific assistance.  With the COVID-19 pandemic, USPHS officers have been helping set-up community testing and mass-vaccination sites as well as providing input on federal guidance impacting pharmacists and pharmacies.</li> <li>Pharmacists in the USPHS must wear many hats. While formal training is helpful, getting a wide breadth of on-the-job experiences is critical.</li> <li>Be curious. Learn new skills in every position/job. Be flexible and positive. Be comfortable with shifting conditions. Step up, speak up, and volunteer.  Act when you can.  Be a role model.</li> <li>If you'd like to get more involved, consider volunteering with your local <a href='https://mrc.hhs.gov/homepage'>Medical Reserve Corps</a> , applying to become a <a href='https://www.usphs.gov/professions/pharmacist/'>Commissioned Officer in the USPHS</a> or the newly formed <a h