Hosp Pharm 2014;49(6):493 2014 © Thomas Land Publishers, Inc. www.hospital-pharmacy.com doi: 10.1310/hpj4906-493
Editorial Semel Pro Semper Dennis J. Cada, PharmD, FASHP, FASCP*
F
or those who may not be familiar with idiomatic Latin phrases, the title of this editorial means “once and for all.” I thought the title was appropriate as this is my last editorial in Hospital Pharmacy. Pharmacy practice has developed on a foundation of the past, which, in turn, is dependent on a foundation also given semel pro semper. Its foundation, therefore, is not the independence of the sort that is today called progressive or creative that has the relative independence of a developing, germinating organization not based on the natural law. Natural law is a dictate of practical reason. The possibility of error increases when the process of deduction moves further from principle into the complicated and changing region of contingent events. It has been the lot of our age to replace the absoluteness and majesty of the natural law with the irrelevance of mere opinion. Hospital Pharmacy has always been a practitioner-focused journal dedicated to the promotion of safe medication practice and the prevention of medication errors in order to optimize rational patient care provided by the health-system pharmacist. The journal has specialized in practical clinical and distributive data for well over 40 years. I was fortunate to have served as assistant editor for the journal for 5 years under Neil Davis and as editorin-chief for another 10 years. It was an honor for me to work with Neil as well as the authors, editors, and peer reviewers of the journal. I would like to thank Thomas Land Publishers and Joyce Generali, current editor-in-chief of Hospital Pharmacy, for allowing me to continue to contribute in a small way to the
*
journal. Joyce is a true leader in our profession and has continued its primary focus by providing peerreviewed data applicable to hospital pharmacists and organized health systems. As an example, I would like to refer you to the article in this issue on the efficacy of electronic medical record review combined with pharmacist-conducted medication interviews to prevent medication errors and identify potentially harmful medication discrepancies [Lee A, et al. Value of pharmacist medication interviews on optimizing the electronic medication reconciliation process. Hosp Pharm. 2014;49(6):530–538]. I recall the days of innocence as I entered college as a vulnerable undergraduate. The school that I had chosen and that, with some reluctance, acceded to my choice, was in the custody of the Jesuits. It was my first introduction to modernism; I had no idea how far it would progress. The terra firma on which stood the humble people from the working class neighborhood in which I lived turned into quicksand when I stepped onto the college campus and first heard those novelties in the 1960s. The semel pro semper on which I was grounded was being enveloped in mystery. My trust returned while I was working with many honest, devoted pharmacists that we are lucky to have in our profession. I will continue to edit The Formulary Monograph Service for a time, an example of which is published each month in this journal. I will be retiring in North Idaho near a town that was recently named one of the ten most beautiful small mountainous towns in the United States. My fly rod is ready. J
Founder and Contributing Editor, The Formulary, and Editor, Off-Label Drug Facts
Hospital Pharmacy
493
Copyright of Hospital Pharmacy is the property of Thomas Land Publishers Incorporated and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.
Editorial Semel Pro Semper Dennis J. Cada, PharmD, FASHP, FASCP*
F
or those who may not be familiar with idiomatic Latin phrases, the title of this editorial means “once and for all.” I thought the title was appropriate as this is my last editorial in Hospital Pharmacy. Pharmacy practice has developed on a foundation of the past, which, in turn, is dependent on a foundation also given semel pro semper. Its foundation, therefore, is not the independence of the sort that is today called progressive or creative that has the relative independence of a developing, germinating organization not based on the natural law. Natural law is a dictate of practical reason. The possibility of error increases when the process of deduction moves further from principle into the complicated and changing region of contingent events. It has been the lot of our age to replace the absoluteness and majesty of the natural law with the irrelevance of mere opinion. Hospital Pharmacy has always been a practitioner-focused journal dedicated to the promotion of safe medication practice and the prevention of medication errors in order to optimize rational patient care provided by the health-system pharmacist. The journal has specialized in practical clinical and distributive data for well over 40 years. I was fortunate to have served as assistant editor for the journal for 5 years under Neil Davis and as editorin-chief for another 10 years. It was an honor for me to work with Neil as well as the authors, editors, and peer reviewers of the journal. I would like to thank Thomas Land Publishers and Joyce Generali, current editor-in-chief of Hospital Pharmacy, for allowing me to continue to contribute in a small way to the
*
journal. Joyce is a true leader in our profession and has continued its primary focus by providing peerreviewed data applicable to hospital pharmacists and organized health systems. As an example, I would like to refer you to the article in this issue on the efficacy of electronic medical record review combined with pharmacist-conducted medication interviews to prevent medication errors and identify potentially harmful medication discrepancies [Lee A, et al. Value of pharmacist medication interviews on optimizing the electronic medication reconciliation process. Hosp Pharm. 2014;49(6):530–538]. I recall the days of innocence as I entered college as a vulnerable undergraduate. The school that I had chosen and that, with some reluctance, acceded to my choice, was in the custody of the Jesuits. It was my first introduction to modernism; I had no idea how far it would progress. The terra firma on which stood the humble people from the working class neighborhood in which I lived turned into quicksand when I stepped onto the college campus and first heard those novelties in the 1960s. The semel pro semper on which I was grounded was being enveloped in mystery. My trust returned while I was working with many honest, devoted pharmacists that we are lucky to have in our profession. I will continue to edit The Formulary Monograph Service for a time, an example of which is published each month in this journal. I will be retiring in North Idaho near a town that was recently named one of the ten most beautiful small mountainous towns in the United States. My fly rod is ready. J
Founder and Contributing Editor, The Formulary, and Editor, Off-Label Drug Facts
Hospital Pharmacy
493
Copyright of Hospital Pharmacy is the property of Thomas Land Publishers Incorporated and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.
