Abstract
As a pharmacy student, I was extremely appalled at the lack of respect and professionalism displayed by the new practitioner who was quoted in a recent editorial, saying that “All pharmacists over the age of 40 should be forcibly retired.” 1 Although I do not know the exact context of the quote, it saddens me to think that narrow-minded statements like this are being uttered by the newest (and brightest?) pharmacists who are expected to lead our profession. I do encourage new pharmacists and pharmacy students to take more action in advancing our profession through practice change and advocacy, but I still believe that the guidance from practising pharmacists is invaluable and necessary in order for new practitioners and our profession to grow.
Interprofessional collaboration is seen as the future of the health care system in Canada. But how can we expect this to occur when there seems to be a lack of infra-professional collaboration?
I do not believe that Ms. Killeen's March/April editorial encouraged ageism, 2,3 but rather it commented on the resistance of some current pharmacists to moving away from the traditional dispensing role; and this resistance is what is fostering statements like the one above. Although I do not agree with that statement I do feel that in order for our profession to grow we need to be focusing on integrating youthful ideas and practices into the current professional landscape.
Pharmacists must be willing to work with the new generation of pharmacists who are being educated with the expanded scope in mind, and accept that our profession is changing. At the same time, new practitioners and students must appreciate the wisdom and experience of current pharmacists and respect the difficulty of adapting to a changing environment.