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Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade – kept in heaven for you… I. Peter 1: 3-4
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Each issue will include an editorial on a topic that is important for the profession of pharmacy, as well as a review of a new drug that includes a comparison of the new drug with previously marketed drugs that are most similar in activity, and a New Drug Comparison Rating (NDCR) for the new drug. Read on for this month's issue.
« « « « « SPECIAL EDITION » » » » »
Easter 2020 Issue [Download PDF format]
In this issue:
• Editorial
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EDITORIAL:
Life is Suspended, But God's Love Continues!
I enjoy southern gospel music and one of my long-time favorites is "The King is Coming" written by Bill Gaither and sung by the Gaither Vocal Band:
The marketplace is empty
No more traffic in the streets
All the builders' tools are silent
No more time to harvest wheat
Busy housewives cease their labors
In the courtroom no debate
Work on earth is all suspended
As the King comes through the gate
O the King is coming
The King is coming
I just heard the trumpets sounding
And now His face I see
O the King is coming
The King is coming
Praise God, He's coming for me.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, this verse of the song came immediately to mind in describing the experience that is so prevalent now. I am not predicting that the final coming of the King is imminent, but Easter is. This provides the opportunity, as does the pandemic, for recognizing the values, the people, and the actions that are most important and should receive our highest priority, not just now but on a continuing basis. For those who believe in God (the King), and the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that are celebrated at Easter, nothing else is more important than recognizing God's love for mankind.
COVID-19
I have not yet addressed COVID-19 in The Pharmacist Activist and the numerous issues and decisions that it encompasses, but I will in an upcoming issue. When I do, it will be with a focus on what can be learned from this experience and how we can best prepare for facing crises in the future. The only thing that is entirely clear at this time, it is that no one has the wisdom and/or the authority to make "perfect" or best decisions and actions in this time of crisis. Accordingly, I have attempted, with occasional lapses resulting from my own imperfections, to avoid criticizing or second-guessing the decisions and actions that have been made by the President, Governors, public health officials, and others in authority. They have a huge responsibility and I believe that, notwithstanding differences of opinion, they are motivated by a commitment to do what they consider to be in the best interests of the public and our country.
I do wish, however, to address two recent commentaries/responses. One is a newspaper op-ed titled, "The Road to Coronavirus Hell was Paved by Evangelicals." The second is the allegation that the mobile emergency hospital in New York City established and staffed by Samaritan's Purse (an evangelical organization headed by Franklin Graham) will discriminate with respect to the patients they serve. I am an evangelical Christian, pharmacist, scientist, and humanitarian who does not deny science. I am very familiar with and support the work of Samaritan's Purse and Franklin Graham. Their ministry and humanitarian relief programs are motivated by the recognition that God loves everyone and that they have a responsibility to do likewise. They will not discriminate against any individual.
I acknowledge that I was angered by the above commentaries. However, that initial emotional reaction has been replaced by the hope that those who have made these comments might come to experience the same peace and encouragement that I derive from my faith in God and His love for everyone.
Moving forward with hope
The last verse of "The King is Coming," is inspiring and offers hope in our current experience:
Happy faces line the hallways
Those whose lives have been redeemed
Broken homes that He has mended
Those from prison He has freed
Little children and the aged
Hand in hand stand all aglow
Who were crippled, broken, ruined
Clad in garments white as snow
O the King is coming…
The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6: 9-13) was provided by Jesus at the time He lived on earth. It is just as important at this time, and at all times:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom and the power
and the glory forever. Amen.
HE IS RISEN!
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