title: Pharmaceutical services in the United States Navy.
abstract: The status of pharmaceutical services in the United States Navy is described. In support of operational forces, pharmacists serve on hospital ships and in tent-based-fleet hospitals. The Navy has a long-term commitment to ensuring that its pharmacists receive postgraduate education and training; each year, pharmacists are selected for specific programs. Pharmacy technicians in the Navy have considerably more responsibility than their civilian counterparts; all complete a 23-week course, and many are board certified. Increasingly, Navy pharmacists provide pharmacokinetic services, counsel patients, serve as an information resource for provides, work in pharmacist-managed clinics, develop clinical pathways, and evaluate drug therapy. Automation and computerization are viewed as answers to challenges created by continued "rightsizing" of the staff and fiscal restraints. A project is under way that will consolidate historical and current patient information for improved clinical decision-making. The scope of Navy pharmacy practice is expanding dramatically.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Department, Naval Medical Center, San Diego, CA, USA.
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Bayles
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hostettler
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Woker
mesh_terms: D001331:Automation; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000592:standards*; D004513:Education, Pharmacy, Continuing; D006772:Hospitals, Military; D006801:Humans; D008889:Military Personnel; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000458:organization & administration*