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  • A History of Military Service by Pharmacists

    This Remembrance Day, We at Centrum Pharmacy would also like to inform you of the roles and services that Pharmacists in the military have played and continue to play in safeguarding our troops and ultimately our freedom. 

    History of Pharmacists in the Military: 

    This history lesson highlights the indispensable role pharmacists have played in various wars, from World War II to modern conflicts. 

    World War II: The Unsung Heroes: Pharmacists faced dangers of combat, with individuals like Robert Knecht and Paul Stanley Frament losing their lives. Despite the risks, wounded soldiers expressed gratitude for the vital role played by medics, including pharmacists.

    Early Challenges: 1930s-1940s: Pharmacy education required a baccalaureate degree, but this didn’t grant a military commission. The value of pharmacists wasn’t always aligned with their rank and pay. Ultimately, a dispensing error in 1930 highlighted the need for employing skilled pharmacists in the military.

    Recognition and Struggle: In 1943, President Roosevelt established the Pharmacy Corps in the Army. Approximately 14,000 pharmacists or students served during WWII. Post-war, the Pharmacy Corps was replaced by the Medical Service Corps in 1947.

    Korean War: Advancements and Opportunities: The Korean War saw advancements in pharmacy and pharmaceuticals. Pharmacists contributed to formulary development, and pharmacy officers played a crucial role in intravenous fluid therapy.

    Postgraduate Training and Recognition: In the late 1950s and early 1960s, pharmacy officers competed for postgraduate training. In 1958, the first master’s degree program in hospital pharmacy was completed. In 1966, the Secretary of Defense mandated that major military medical treatment facilities must be staffed with licensed pharmacists.

    Vietnam War: Controversy and Improvement: The Vietnam War sparked controversy, but military medical services improved in specialization and speed. Pharmacists played crucial roles in medical evacuation systems, highly trained medical specialties, and biomedical research.

    Modern Era: Clinical Pharmacy and Combat Deployment: In the 1980s, clinical pharmacy took shape, and the Pharm.D. degree became recognized for promotion. The 1990s saw the establishment of clinical pharmacy practices. Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Somalia, Haiti, and Bosnia provided pharmacists with opportunities in combat deployments.

    Present Day: Homeland Security and Unified Forces: All branches of military medicine work jointly for homeland security. Pharmacists are responsible for pharmacy operations, personnel, and entire ambulatory healthcare facilities. They play a significant role in medication logistics, inventory activities, and homeland defense readiness.

    Conclusion: Military pharmacists, in wartime and peacetime, continue to play a crucial role in protecting the country. Their sacrifices deserve honor and respect, in all its aspects.

  • The Role of Pharmacists in the Military

    This Remembrance Day, We at Centrum Pharmacy, would also like to inform you of the crucial roles and services that pharmacists in the military play in safeguarding our troops and ultimately our freedom. 

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  • This Halloween let’s discuss something genuinely frightening: Premature Death

    Death is an inevitable part of the human experience. What’s truly terrifying is premature death, the abrupt cessation of life before one’s time, leading to disability, pain, human suffering, and the agonizing prolongation of dying.

    The risk of experiencing premature death is deeply intertwined with the accessibility and availability of both beneficial and harmful products and services. Geography and economic factors play a significant role, often resulting in disparities that are both diverse and inherently unfair. Human behavior is remarkably malleable, influenced by the environment we inhabit. The availability of care and the presence of both advantageous and detrimental products further shape our fate.

    Consider that the average life expectancy at birth in North America is approximately 74.5 years for men and 80.2 years for women. The median age at death, when we remove gender, geography, race, or ethnicity as dividers, stands at 73.7 years. The World Health Organization (WHO) designates death before the age of 70 as “premature.” So, let’s uncover the common culprits responsible for prematurely ending North Americans’ lives, and at what age they typically strike:

    1. Gunshot wounds: Median age at death, Striking at 28 years.
    2. Fentanyl: A devastating 35 years.
    3. Vehicular accidents: Crashing lives at 40 years.
    4. Overdose not otherwise specified (NOS): A chilling 46 years.
    5. Alcoholism: A sobering 57 years.
    6. Tobacco addiction: Snuffing out lives at a mere at 66 years.
    7. Cirrhosis: A grim 67 years.
    8. Diabetes: Cutting lives short at 67 years.
    9. Chronic kidney disease: Claiming victims at 68 years.
    10. Lung cancer: A tragic 71 years.
    11. Cancer NOS: A cruel end at 73 years.
    12. Stroke: Taking lives too early at 73 years.
    13. Myocardial infarction (heart attack): time stops ticking prematurely at 73 years.

    All other significant causes of death, with median ages above 73.7, fall outside the “premature” category. These include Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, influenza, pneumonia, and sepsis.

    Premature death, typically defined as occurring before the age of 70, is closely linked to factors like behavior control, addiction, and the presence of harmful agents. These agents encompass street drugs, alcohol, tobacco, unhealthy foods, and even firearms.

    The accessibility of these harmful agents, including sugar-laden foods, ultra-processed junk, illicit drugs, and firearms, contributes to a wide array of health problems, from obesity and diabetes to addiction and violence. While society derives certain benefits from these substances and tools, it is imperative to weigh the risks they pose to our health.

    Conversely, the availability of beneficial elements, such as quality education, gainful employment, safe living environments, and nourishing foods, can serve as a shield against premature death.

    Addressing this alarming issue demands a multifaceted strategy, focusing on interventions that shape demand, harm reduction tactics, and the provision of support to encourage healthier choices. Despite the formidable challenges, it’s vital to strive for a society that prioritizes longevity and well-being.

    Ultimately, it all boils down to choices—individual, family, societal, and governmental choices, whether wise or reckless. Life, along with its timing, is a calculable risk. So, why not choose a longer life and work towards making it better? Happy Halloween!