SPOTLIGHT -
Peter A. Kreckel practices pharmacy in Lemont Furnace, Pennsylvania.
Celebrating Women in Pharmacy
Through her work at the Centre Volunteers in Medicine, my wife—now retired—has made an impact on more people than I ever will.
Dance With the Girl That Brung Ya
PBMs, retail chains, and pharmacy schools have all contributed to the current state of the profession. It's time they worked on fixing it.
The Senior Citizen Vote Is Feared With Good Reason
Despite the increase in drug costs outpacing inflation, Pennsylvania seniors are still paying the same amount for prescriptions that they did in 1990.
Number One No Longer
Issues within chain pharmacies have made the profession less attractive for new graduates.
A Return to Normalcy
Despite a massive COVID-19 vaccination campaign, many still fear a return to normal.
Show Them The Money
The role of the pharmacy technician has evolved over the past 45 years—but pay hasn’t caught up
The Trouble With Satisfaction
It’s not possible to phone it in to your job in community pharmacy.
To Improve Retail Pharmacy, Look Beyond Figures and Dig Into Facts
A local West Virginia mechanic exemplifies the kind of problem-solving that pharmacy executives from major chains should apply to their stores.
What’s in a Title?
When it comes to practicing pharmacy, do titles and degrees actually matter?
Crisis (Not) Averted
It’s too late for retail chain pharmacies to engage in the preventive maintenance that would have spared them the worst of the Great Resignation.
Follow the Money
As he prepared to move house, our columnist was struck by the similarities between a yard sale and the prescription drug pricing infrastructure.
Pendulum Ping Pong
A pharmacist reflects on how prescribing behaviors have changed over the years and the potential for stigma linked to providing buprenorphine to patients who need it.
Welcome to the Apotheke
American pharmacies can learn a lot from the Germans about safety, cost containment, and pharmacist satisfaction.
A Lesson From the Friendly Skies
A twice-cancelled trip, a delayed flight, and a United Airlines employee can show retail pharmacies how it’s done.
Pharmacy’s New "Dirty Little F-Word”
Government money to pay for COVID-19 vaccines has run out, but pharmacists are still obligated to provide these services without compensation.
Empty Nails Are the Cure for What Ailed Them
Our columnist shares true stories of pharmacists who have left the practice for their own greener pastures.
When Perfect is the Enemy of Good
While volunteering at a COVID-19 vaccine clinic, our columnist learned about the benefit of lightening up.
Pharmacists’ Plates Are Piled High
As pharmacists administer more immunizations than ever, managers must provide a larger tray (pharmacy technicians) or smaller plates (fewer responsibilities) to balance things out.
Profits Soar, But Pay Stays the Same: Chain Pharmacists Are Ready to Speak Up
Overwhelmed pharmacists are no longer scared of speaking up to managers.
The #PizzaIsNotWorking: It’s Time to Rethink Pay for Pharmacy Technicians
This occasional “reward” hardly makes up for the belligerent customers, insurance issues, and—yes—stressed-out pharmacists.
What I Learned From 40 Years in Pharmacy
Money isn’t everything in this profession.
Women Pharmacists Are Leading Successful COVID-19 Vaccination Programs
In an opinion piece, pharmacist Pete Kreckel highlights the ways that women have been leading the COVID-19 vaccination effort.
Advocate for Your Pharmacy Staff
“If some among you fear taking a stand because you are afraid of reprisals from customers, clients, or even government, recognize that you are just feeding the crocodile hoping he’ll eat you last.” – Ronald Reagan
Mask Wearing: A Small Sacrifice for the Greater Good
In the absence of rock-solid data to the contrary, wearing a mask seems to be a small sacrifice to protect each other’s health.
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
This small, 1200-square-foot drugstore will take care of the patients and their problems that the big-box guys could care less about.
Opinion: What Chain Pharmacies Can Learn from Independents
From Pete Kreckel, why chain pharmacists have answers that chains are looking for.
Opinion: Color Coded Inhalers
"I’ve yet to meet a pharmacist who ever had this covered in pharmacy school," writes Kreckel.
Opinion: Perish Together as Fools?
We need to stand up for anywhere our profession has a profound impact on healthcare, writes Kreckel.
Opinion: Staying Afloat
PBMs are making it nearly impossible to navigate the waters of healthcare, writes Kreckle.
Opinion: Training the Technicians
Figuring out the equations for quality technicians.