The pharmacist and the Medicare Modernization Act: beauty and the beast?

Pharmacists across the nation envisioned great benefits from a nationally funded prescription drug insurance program to aid our senior and disabled patients. The Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA), containing this prescription drug provision, reminds me of a wild animal that you begin to see in the distance moving toward you. You try to find higher ground to give a defensive advantage. It slowly comes into view and then it finally arrives with loud roaring and vicious threats-ugly and wonderful at the same time. When the animal's attack comes, you engage all your defensive and offensive moves. If you survive, you become stronger and wiser before the next beast appears. In the same way, the pharmacist's vision of improved access to care has been realized, although it is occurring through much pain for our beautiful pharmacy profession.