Author Topic: are you a pharmacist (Read 7162 times)

allopathicholistic · « **on:** January 06, 2007, 10:00:34 pm »

just wondering if anyone here's a pharmacist or works in a pharmaceutical co. or if you know someone (family member, friend) who does. i think i might have to become a pharmacist so i can stay as close as possible to the world of HAART. i am HIV positive after all.... maybe i can even "learn to love" the field

AlanBama · « **Reply #1 on:** January 06, 2007, 10:10:22 pm »

Don't know of any pharmacists we have, Alex..... a very interesting question though.

I am very sad this month to "lose" my pharmacist of 15 years, Melanie. Due to a change in my insurance situation and going on Medicare Part D and Alabama ADAP program, I will no longer be able to use her pharmacy (in Atlanta).

A good pharmacist is such an important thing to have! I cannot tell you how helpful Melanie has been to me over the years, and I consider her a major factor in my successes. She handled everything, effortlessly and with never a complaint.

Now, it's probably Wal-Mart or Wal-Greens for me, haven't had to fill anything yet - I dread it.

I was able to 'carry' a balance with her pharmacy; I'm sure that won't happen at Wal-Mart.

allopathicholistic · « **Reply #2 on:** January 06, 2007, 10:13:09 pm »

Quote from: AlanBama on January 06, 2007, 10:10:22 pm

Now, it's probably Wal-Mart or Wal-Greens for me, haven't had to fill anything yet - I dread it.
I was able to 'carry' a balance with her pharmacy; I'm sure that won't happen at Wal-Mart.

You'll make new friends at Walgreens too honeypie

poet · « **Reply #3 on:** January 07, 2007, 06:25:36 am »

I worked, long ago for Genovese Drugstores which I think CVS picked up... but in management, not pharmacy. From what I have read, pharmacists make major dollars since there aren't enough of them. On the other hand, private pharmacies are being killed along every other retail option by the Wal-Marts and chains, squeezed to being unable to make a profit. The problem with working for a large company is that you will be under the microscope to fill prescriptions as fast as you can because that's what brings in the cash. CVS does own Pharmacare, part of which is dedicated to serving the hiv population, having bought out Stadlander's first. You may also remember the ties between poz.com and a gay, hiv positive pharmacy. Best, Win

blondbeauty · « **Reply #4 on:** January 07, 2007, 07:14:26 am »

When choosing my university degree I thought about studying Pharmacy but I finally graduate in Advertising and Public Relations.
I like think the pharma industry is a very interesting field.
We should all buy share options in the big pharma companies that make our meds. Every pill we take would make us richer!

AlanBama · « **Reply #5 on:** January 07, 2007, 09:29:58 am »

I wish I could do that Juan! I'm so poor, I couldn't buy a fur coat for a piss ant these days.....

$:-\$

Life · « **Reply #6 on:** January 07, 2007, 09:31:54 am »

Alex, my Brother is a Pharmacist.... I get all my kewl drugs from him...

allopathicholistic · « **Reply #7 on:** January 07, 2007, 10:11:05 am »

the bottom line is this:

keep your friends close and your AMBIGUOUS "FRIENDS" even closer!!!!!!

http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=7528.0

As poz people, the big drug companies are our ambiguous "friends" Hey Ann: Thanks

Cliff · « **Reply #8 on:** January 07, 2007, 10:28:27 am »

I invest in pharma. I don't think they are an easy or guaranteed investment, cause you can lose money (and a lot of it) investing in stocks (especially risky stock like pharma). People think the industry is awash in cash and a great investment, but they do have their problems (and many go bust) just like any other co/industry. I've also recommended certain drug companies to friends (a select few that were having problems, so their stock price was cheap, and I was fairly certain those companies had the ability to overcome their problems).

HIV is small potatoes, (at least compared to other disease/conditions), for most drug companies (though Gilead, think Viread, Truvada and Emtriva, is heavily invested in HIV). I see them not as a friend or an enemy. Just an entity fulfilling a need for profit. I don't think we need them, per se. Or should be beholden to them. But at the same time, I don't see them as the spawn of the devil as some people do. There just should be checks and balances, to ensure the drug co's drive to maximize profits (as all private companies do) doesn't harm consumers (like Abbott's attempt to stifle the PI market would).

I personally think Norvir should be deemed a monopoly product and regulated like other monopolies (basically allow any company to produce their own version of Norvir while paying a licensing fee, set by the government, to Abbott.

allopathicholistic · « **Reply #9 on:** January 07, 2007, 12:33:14 pm »

i need to be near the "water well" i think. this quote from randym in another thread pretty much sums it up!

Quote from: randym431 on January 07, 2007, 11:15:05 am

But as I always thought, even before I had this illness that needs monthly maint, job based med coverage is for the birds. Thats the way it is in the US, and it really needs to change. Going year by year, and not knowing whats in store for the future is fine if your young and healthy. But pretty scary if you need to depend on med insurance. And hope your employer is able to cope as well.

I would say job based med coverage is for the birds and the question marks get even larger and more glaring if your employer is not part of the medical world.

Well then folks, looks like I'll be going to pharmacy school or something along those lines ... NOT REALLY MY CUP OF TEA but hey sometimes you gotta do whatcha gotta do

And who knows perhaps I can learn to love it $:-\$ $:-\$ $:-\$

Congratulations HIV: You have pretty much forced me into a line of work I have zero interest in

I hate you HIV

God bless America $:-\$ $:-\$ $:-\$ Why do I feel slightly angry and confused right now?

I can feel some rage building up inside, ughhhhh..... $:-\$ $:-\$ $:-\$ $:-\$ $:-\$

And to Cliff: Thanks for the food for thought

Iggy · « **Reply #10 on:** January 07, 2007, 02:15:15 pm »

allopathicholistic · « **Reply #11 on:** January 07, 2007, 03:31:01 pm »

bump filled with RAGE

Cliff · « **Reply #12 on:** January 07, 2007, 07:00:51 pm »

Allo,

I'm not sure I understand why you would go into a field that you have no interest in. Why is HIV making you study pharmacy?

Strayboy74 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 07, 2007, 08:56:03 pm »

Quote from: AlanBama on January 07, 2007, 09:29:58 am

I wish I could do that Juan! I'm so poor, I couldn't buy a fur coat for a piss ant these days.....

$:-\$

I've got a fur coat for you!

-joseph

allopathicholistic · « **Reply #14 on:** January 07, 2007, 10:30:15 pm »

Quote from: Cliff on January 07, 2007, 07:00:51 pm

Allo,

I'm not sure I understand why you would go into a field that you have no interest in. Why is HIV making you study pharmacy?

Because if big pharma is gonna make us pozzies into a meal ticket then I will make big pharma into my personal drinking well (a well which never runs dry) ..... Please see Ann's thread: http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=7528.0

Life · « **Reply #15 on:** January 07, 2007, 11:02:16 pm »

Quote from: Strayboy74 on January 07, 2007, 08:56:03 pm

I've got a fur coat for you!

-joseph

What about the tunic and a spear?

FiercenBed · « **Reply #16 on:** January 07, 2007, 11:22:45 pm »

those abbott people r a buncha nazis

allopathicholistic · « **Reply #17 on:** January 07, 2007, 11:58:14 pm »

If I try to go back to Wall Street, somewhere down the line some H.R. person's gonna ask me why I haven't worked since the summer of 2005.

"Oh, I had an illness."

"How did you support yourself?"

"Welfare."

Hmmmm, let's see -- illness, welfare, NYC resident, it's gotta be HIV/AIDS! Next!

I'm not a masochist.

And even if I do get back in, office politics on Wall Street are more atrocious than the stereotypes -trust me, I was there for nearly 9 years. Look at how Wall Street made me, an otherwise normal person, into a bloody psycho. Insurance plans can be major headaches too. I need to find the path of least resistance and going back to Wall Street ain't it. My mental and physical health depend on me finding the path of least resistance, so I'm thinking about the world of pharmaceuticals. After all, I'll be needing HAART for the rest of my life unless a cure for HIV is found so why not be near the source right?

skeebo1969 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 08, 2007, 12:03:03 am »

Alex...

In our talks I know you have shown your displeasure with Wall Street. Definitely stay away from something that is only going to make you unhappy!

Goodluck in what ever you choose... How is the throat by the way?

Thomas

allopathicholistic · « **Reply #19 on:** January 08, 2007, 12:11:41 am »

Thing is, Wall Street turned me into a monster. I liked the income. But I did not like what it did to my mind and soul.

Perhaps if I get into pharmacy I'll be forced to seriously seriously care about people

Too much mucinex has dried my throat.

lydgate · « **Reply #20 on:** January 08, 2007, 12:47:46 am »

Alex, you don't have to enroll in pharmacy school to become something of an expert on HIV meds or pharmaceuticals in general. Hell, Karen Walker (W&G) and Patsy (AbFab) probably knew/know more about pills than your average pharmacist.

But seriously, I'm a bit concerned that you're considering a career in a field in which you say you have zero "natural" interest. You can be a lay expert (NO pun intended) without being a professional (again, I'm not punning).

Jay
(eating more ice cream)

Eldon · « **Reply #21 on:** January 08, 2007, 01:56:18 am »

Hey Alex,

I wanted to chime and and wish you the BEST on your journey.

"What can I notice right now that makes me smile?"

Cliff · « **Reply #22 on:** January 08, 2007, 02:10:49 am »

Quote from: allopathicholistic on January 07, 2007, 10:30:15 pm

Because if big pharma is gonna make us pozzies into a meal ticket then I will make big pharma into my personal drinking well (a well which never runs dry) ..... Please see Ann's thread: http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=7528.0

I still don't get it. I don't see how that's connected with what you plan on doing for the rest of your working life.

Iggy · « **Reply #23 on:** January 08, 2007, 10:04:43 am »

penguin · « **Reply #24 on:** January 08, 2007, 11:32:34 am »

one doesn't just "become" a pharmacist.
4 year degree course, + 12 months pre-reg, then more exams.

(and no, they don't get to take leftovers home)

why not look into taking your wall st skills (assume finance related?) to an NGO/charity..?

Just a thought.

Kate

Forums Index

Welcome

Author Topic: are you a pharmacist (Read 7162 times)