The clinical pharmacist in drug research and development: the publication record

A viable discipline requires the generation of new information. Clinical pharmacists have recognized that their success depends on their ability to contribute to (Table: see text) the expansion of the body of knowledge of their discipline. They have developed practice and research programs in a variety of areas. One of the results of these programs is the publication of articles in a variety of pharmacy and medical journals. Clinical pharmacists with specialty interests publish in journals that represent those interests. In comparing the type of clinical pharmacists' publications in the area of drug development, it is also clear that they are most suited for research in the clinical phase; that is, clinical pharmacists conduct research on the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety and efficacy of new and old drugs. Clinical pharmacists tend to be members of research teams but bring a unique perspective to the team. In their collaboration with physicians, basic scientists, and other health-care personnel, clinical pharmacists are often cited as first author. Their research is important to researchers with similar specialty interests, regardless of whether they are pharmacists. Data retrieval has developed so that researchers with similar interests can identify key publications wherever they are published. Articles published by clinical pharmacists in pharmacy journals are quoted by other researchers. Therefore, I conclude that a number of clinical pharmacists are active in drug research and development. Many of these pharmacists were trained as practitioners, but have developed into researchers through trial and error and hard work.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)