In this article, Sue Frankland looks at the global problem of wastage of medications, including causes such as overprescribing and non-adherence. She also presents information from her master’s dissertation on how people understand, and respond to, medication expiration dates
Rising to the challenge
The theme of Michael Hammond's short but varied pharmacy career so far has been challenge, his chase of it and how it can better him as a health professional. Now 26, he has completed both his clinical pharmacy certificate and diploma, and has recently become the first Kiwi pharmacist to start the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia's Diploma of Leadership and Development. He has continued to push the boundaries of the forged pharmacy path, taking on the role of clinical pharmacist facilitator in Rotorua, where he challenged the traditional role of the pharmacist and their relationship with general practice. Michael has now moved to Auckland where he is embarking on his next challenge. Pharmacy Today journalist Georgia Merton sat down with him to get his views on all things pharmacy