Featured Pharmacist of the Month (August)

Dr. Peter Koshland

Interview with Dr. Koshland:

1) Why did you choose to become a pharmacist?

I received my bachelor's degree in Chemistry from Georgetown University. When I graduated, the only jobs that I was qualified for were in laboratories. I felt the lab work was isolating (and often times boring), and really wanted to find a profession where I could interact with people more. In Pharmacy, I was able to use my science background still but also have the personal interactions I was looking for. Also, I wanted to find a job where I could be of service to people. Being of service has many intangible benefits.

2) What do you like most about working in a pharmacy? or what is your favorite part of your day's work? I like the variety of things that I do in a day's work. Certainly talking to paitents and helping them with drug questions or issues can be very rewarding, but I also enjoy taking to colleagues, researching out health/drug information, and giving health related talks.. Even counting and filling prescriptions can be meditative. This variety keeps things from ever getting boring or dull.

3) What are some things that you wish you could improve on in the pharmacy field/business?

I think almost any pharmacist will say that one of the top hassles of being a retail pharmacist is dealing with the insurance companies. This can be very frustrating, and often patients take out the frustrations they have with their health coverage (or lack of) on us, because we are one of the only ones they actually have contact with. The answer to this is universal health care in this country, which is the answer to many of the problems with our current medical system, but I'm not holding my breath that it will happen any time soon.

The other thing that many new pharmacy graduates will find is that their skills are underutilized in our current system. What I mean is that when you graduate with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree you will be a drug expert. However, doctors are still the ones that are going to be prescribing and making most of the final medical decisions, so we have to be bold and offer our expertise even though the doctor has the final say. This is starting to change with things like pharmacist prescribed emergency contraceptive and pharmacists rounding with doctors and nurses in hospital intnsive care units. The next generation of pharmacist, however, will have to continue to push to expand the role of pharmacists in the years to come.

4) What are your favorite activities and your dream/favorite vacation destination?

I enjoy surfing and playing jazz guitar in my spare time. Being a pharmacist allows me to pursue other activities outside work, which is great.

5) Any advice you'd like to give to future aspiring pharmacists at UC Berkeley?

Socrates says, "the unexamined life is not worth living." Being a pharmacist is not for everyone, and going to pharmacy school is a major commitment, not just the 3 or 4 years of school but a lifetime profession afterword. Do the soul searching and ask yourself honestly what are your talents and what are your passions. Ask yourself if you took away the salary and the social standing pharmacists have, would you be excited to do this job, take on its challenges, and be a leader in this profession. I believe it is important for everyone to do this type of self evaluation while in their early 20's. If you realize that pharmacy isn't your life's passion, then great, you just saved $100,000 in wasted tuition and dozens of wasted years doing something you weren't suited for. If you realize that pharmacy is for you, you will have gained added depth and focus as you move through the application process. I guarantee that pharmacy school interviewers can tell the difference between those who have honestly done this work and those who have not.