Serendipity as a Product of Perseverance

In “The Unusual Discovery of 10 Commonly Prescribed Medications," Pharmacy Times® contributor Timothy O’Shea, PharmD, highlights the phenomenon of serendipity (ie, finding something surprising while looking for something else) in the process of drug discovery. According to one analysis, serendipitous events were identified in the discovery of nearly 6% of all drugs in use today.¹ Did you know that 3 of these drugs are Viagra (sildenafil), Librium (chlordiazepoxide), and Coumadin (warfarin)? See parts 1 and 2 of O’Shea’s online series for the interesting story behind the development of these drugs and 7 others. The recurring theme is that something wonderfully unexpected can happen when individuals are hard at work.

You might say the same of the 2017 Next-Generation Pharmacist® finalists featured in this issue. This is the eighth year that Pharmacy Times®, in partnership with Parata Systems, has showcased the achievements of pharmacists through this unique awards program. These outstanding individuals are cited for excellence in 10 categories representing the main facets of the pharmacy profession. As in the past, categories for students and pharmacy technicians are included to acknowledge their very important roles within pharmacy.

These Next-Generation Pharmacist® finalists represent the cornerstone on which a strong profession is built. They are innovators and motivators, inspiring others with the can-do attitude required to solve the health challenges that we face as a nation. By focusing on patients and counseling for better health, these finalists are ready for the patient-focused future of pharmacy. They have also demonstrated their innovative spirit and passion for serving their communities by establishing new adherence models, introducing cost-effective solutions to improve outcomes and work flow, and creating new ways to reach patients.

At an awards gala on August 19 at the San Diego Zoo, Pharmacy Times® and Parata will announce and honor the 10 winners. It is sure to be an inspiring event, so we invite you to join in the celebration. For details, please visit nextgenerationpharmacist.com. The winners will also be featured in the August issue of Pharmacy Times®. Take a look and get inspired by how their hard work has paid off in unexpected and impactful ways.

Thank you for reading!

Reference

1. Hargrave-Thomas E, Yu B, Reynisson J. Serendipity in anticancer drug discovery. World J Clin Oncol. 2012;3(1):1-6.