Being a Pharmacy Inventory Control Coordinator has allowed me to Make A Difference. There are countless ways that each of us make that difference everyday. Some of the significant contributions I make are buying right (reduction of costs year after year), verification (finding the $$ where we have been overcharged per our contract), financials (I do a financial analysis each month to show where we spent the money that goes to our CEO), keeping track of the money ( I have spread sheets that keep track of such things as rebates, reverse distribution $$ we receive, various financial analysis opportunties to save $$, opportunity savings for other departments where they could buy the item from the wholesaler cheaper than thru the normal Central Supply channels), writing policies & procedures including a Pharmacy requisition policy and paperwork for all medications procured by other department & clinics through out our organization, corresponding with our other system hospitals about issues I discover and in general being organizated and paying attention to details. I have really enjoyed the last 2 year's PPO conferences to learn more from all of you and getting to network with others that have similar issues. I am very fortunate to have a supportive Director and other Clinical Management.

Name of Facility: St. Francis Health Center

City, State: Acute

Years as a Buyer: 25+ in hard goods & 4 in Hospital Pharmacy

My first job as a technician I was awed by our pharmacy buyer. In the beginning I wasn't sure what she did, but she did it so well! I knew instantly that I wanted to eventually have this wonderful lady's job. This woman managed our inventory and did it with such a professional attitude! It took me 20 years to attain my goal of becoming a pharmacy buyer. These 20 years were well spent as I gained knowledge and experiences I use everyday to make key decisions to select the correct product for our inventory. I look back on these many years and am amazed at how much technology has changed. Do any of you remember looking up pricing information on a microfich? My advice to other buyers is to always move forward in technology...don't keep all of your purchasing information to yourself, have it written down in a book. Keeping the information tucked away is not a good form of job security!...If you are afraid of a new computer skill, get to know the new program and master it. You will feel an enormous sense of accomplishment!

Happy Buyer's Day to all of my collegues!

Name of Facility: McKesson Medication Management

City, State: Manage Hospital Pharmacys across the US & Puerto Rico

Years as a Buyer: 10