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"She gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke 2:7
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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.
December 2022 Issue [Download PDF format]
In this issue:
• Christmas, Blessings, and Giving
• "O Holy Night"
• Appreciation
• Index for Volume 17, 2022
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EDITORIAL:
Christmas, Blessings, and Giving
We should recognize and be grateful throughout the entire year for the many ways in which we have been blessed, but the close proximity of Thanksgiving and Christmas, and the anticipation of the start of the new year provide a special opportunity for most to reflect and derive enjoyment from the love and support of family and friends, as well as the personal and professional activities that are especially meaningful for us.
The many things which are of encouragement and value for me include the responses I receive from readers of The Pharmacist Activist. Most of these responses pertain to pharmacy and other healthcare topics I address in my commentaries. However, I also receive appreciative comments for the Bible verse that is included at the top of the first page of each issue. My wife Sue subscribes to Woman's Day and several years ago she informed me that a Bible verse was included on an early page of each monthly issue. We thought this would also be of value for readers of The Pharmacist Activist and beginning in August 2019 Sue has selected the Bible verse to be included in each issue.
One of the ways in which we can be blessed is through the encouragement, financial support, and time that we provide for the benefit of others. I have had the privilege of serving on the Board of Directors of World Vision (www.worldvision.org), a Christian relief and development organization that is dedicated to helping children (e.g., through child sponsorship programs) and their communities throughout the world by providing services and ministry that address issues associated with poverty (e.g., health, education, nutrition, clean water). World Vision publishes a Faith in Action Study Bible (New International Version) that also includes examples of Biblical instruction that serve as the basis for the work of World Vision. In my recent use of this Study Bible, I read the World Vision summary titled, "Biblical Instruction to the Rich," that includes the following information:
Psalm 49 teaches that the rich and poor stand equal before God. Yet the Bible contains instruction and cautionary advice to those who have greater resources. The following are key points:.
Instruction……Reference
If you lend to the poor, don't charge interest.……Exodus 22:25
Allow the poor to retain basic necessities for living.……Exodus 22:26-27
Don't deny the underprivileged justice in court.……Exodus 23:6
Make provisions so that the poor won't go hungry.……Exodus 23:11
Don't turn a needy individual into a slave.……Leviticus 25:39
Treat the lower-income worker with respect, not ruthlessness.……Leviticus 25:40-43
God alone grants the ability to become wealthy.……Deuteronomy 8:17-18
Don't be tightfisted or hardhearted toward the poor, but be generous.……Deut. 15:7-11
Pay just wages.……Deut. 24:14-15
Rich and poor stand equal before God.……Psalm 49:1-2
Wealth is a blessing from the Lord.……Proverbs 10:22
God is the creator of all people. ……Proverbs 22:2
Don't wear yourself out to become wealthy.……Proverbs 23:4
Whoever loves wealth is never satisfied.……Ecclesiastes 5:10-11
Don't boast in your affluence.……Jeremiah 9:23-24
It's harder for the rich to enter the kingdom of God.……Mark 10:17-31
Be rich toward God.……Luke 12:13-21
Give according to your ability.……2 Corinthians 9:7-11
The love of money is a root of evil and a hindrance to faith.……1 Timothy 6:9-10
Don't be arrogant in wealth or place your ultimate hope in it.……1 Timothy 6:17
Be rich in good deeds.……1 Timothy 6:18
God has chosen the poor to be rich in faith.……James 2:5
Riches can be corrosive.……James 5:1-5
Wealth can mask spiritual poverty.……Revelation 3:17-18
Most pharmacists would not consider themselves rich or wealthy. However, most of us live comfortably and can quickly think of others who have needs that are greater than our own. Services and monetary gifts to individuals with needs or through organizations such as World Vision are of great value. In addition to, or as an alternative for those who are not in a position to provide services or monetary gifts, our TIME can be a source of blessing for others, and for ourselves. One of my goals for the coming year is to call each day on average a personal or pharmacy friend whom I don't see often. I very much enjoy and benefit from such discussions and hope that those with whom I speak do also. Hold me accountable!
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"O Holy Night"
My celebration of Christmas would not be complete without the message and music of the hymn, "O Holy Night" (composed by Adolphe Adam; English lyrics by John S. Dwight).
O holy night, the stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth;
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
'Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn;
Chorus
Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel voices!
O night divine! O night when Christ was born.
O night, O holy night, O night divine.
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming;
With glowing heart by his cradle we stand:
So, led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here come the wise men from Orient land,
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our friend;
Chorus
He knows our need, To our weakness no stranger!
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King! your King! Before Him bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is Love and His gospel is Peace;
Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother,
And in His name all oppression shall cease,
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we;
Let all within us praise his Holy name!
Chorus
Christ is the Lord, then ever, ever praise we!
His power and glory, evermore proclaim!
His power and glory, evermore proclaim!
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Appreciation
This issue marks the completion of the seventeenth year of publication of The Pharmacist Activist. The index for this Volume 17 (2022) is included. All issues in Volumes 1 through 17 are available on the website, www.pharmacistactivist.com.
I wish to express my appreciation to the Board of Directors of the Delaware County (PA) Pharmacists Association for the financial support they have provided for the publication of The Pharmacist Activist. This support helps make it possible to continue to make this newsletter available free-of-charge via email to thousands of interested pharmacists, student pharmacists, and others.
Appreciation is also extended to Jeff Zajac for his design and distribution services, and my wife and Assistant Editor Suzanne Hussar for their expertise, skills, and encouragement in editing, preparing, and distributing each issue.
I am also very grateful to those who read The Pharmacist Activist, and to the many who provide thoughtful comments, experiences, and recommendations. Your responses provide the motivation to continue with this publication, and also provide a substantial part of the content of the issues during the past year.
Daniel A. Hussar
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Volume 17, 2022
January 2022 (No. 1)
• COVID-19 – Two Years Later
• Continued PBM Deception and Fraud
• New Drug Review: Aducanumab avwa (Aduhelm)
February 2022 (No. 2)
• Medication Errors – If the Public Knew…
• Oral Antivirals for COVID-19 – We Must Learn from Experience
• New Drug Review: Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid)
March 2022 (No. 3)
• COVID-19 Vaccine Follies – Are There Really Any "Experts"?
• CVS Ousts Executives After Probe
• New Drug Review: Atogepant (Qulipta)
April 2022 (No. 4)
• LIVE and IN-PERSON
• Chain Lowlights
• Does Anyone Monitor the Regulators?
May 2022 (No. 5)
• Which is Stronger (Weaker) – AMA or APhA? It Doesn't Matter – They Need a Synergistic Working Relationship!
• Walgreens Passes CVS in a Metric on the Race to the Bottom!
• National Day of Prayer
• Myth – Paxlovid – A Blemished Success Story
June 2022 (No. 6)
• The End of a Distinguished Era for the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy-And Best Wishes for Success in the Next Era!
• New Therapeutic Agents Marketed in the United States in 2021 (Table)
July 2022 (No. 7)
• Independence Day and Independents Day: THE FUTURE OF PHARMACY: The Suicide of Our Once-Noble Profession – Unless There is a Revolution!
August 2022 (No. 8)
• Concepts and Strategies for Rescuing and Rebuilding Independent Pharmacy
September 2022 (No. 9)
• Rescuing Independent Pharmacy: Part 3
October 2022 (No. 10)
• Rescuing Independent Pharmacy: Part 4 – The Inspiration of Independents Politics, Platforms, and Polls
November 2022 (No. 11)
• Paying $10 Billion Means Never Having to Say You are Sorry! NO ACCOUNTABILITY!
• Continued Deception and Arrogance of CVS
• Smoking – The Neglected Pandemic
• A Bipartisan Political Message
December 2022 (No. 12)
• Christmas, Blessings, and Giving
• O Holy Night
• Appreciation
• Index for Volume 17, 2022
All issues of The Pharmacist Activist are available without charge.
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