The coverage of pharmacy law in this book is wide extending to all aspects of the law that are likely to be encountered by pharmacists in the USA. The first chapter outlines the development of law, and the second covers the various forms of business organization. The next two chapters cover specific laws; the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and the controlled Substances Act. Other chapters cover topics like Professional Liability, Intellectual Property, Employment Law and Taxation as they specifically apply to pharmacists and pharmacy. There is a useful chapter on Medicare and Medicaid; Medicare being for the elderly and some long term disabled and Medicaid is for those on low incomes. Several chapters address problems with handling of patient personal information, electronic prescribing, telepharmacy and the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS™). Although these chapters cover specific US laws the problems addressed will be experienced by any country that moves towards e‐pharmacy. Collaborative drug therapy management includes aspects of pharmacists prescribing drugs, something that the UK is moving towards. There is a full account of the various advanced accreditation available to pharmacists, for example, a specialisation in geriatric pharmacy. Malpractice, medication error reporting and liability are treated in specific chapters. There is also a chapter on the relationship between law and ethics.
The book is edited by Delbert Konnor, who was for 16 years the president and chief executive of the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, and has served in a number of professional roles. In his introduction, Konnor explains that he had wished there was a book like this long before he set out to produce it, (and the prepublication reviews make similar comments). Konnor gives as his reason for producing the book: “The more government administrators and lawmakers know about pharmacy practice, the more likely they will be to design and implement effective regulations that serve the public interest. And the better pharmacists understand the regulatory and legislative framework that shapes their practice, the better they will be able to carryout their responsibility to patients”. An aim that could lead to books in many areas. In producing the book Konnor has had chapters written by 26 experts in pharmacy law and pharmaceutical practice.
In the UK the nearest equivalent book is Dale and Appelbe, which is now in its eighth edition (Appelbe and Wingfield, 2005) having started in 1976. This suggests that now “Konnor” is available there will be future editions. Dale and Appelbe is, for a large part, an explanation of the UK Medicines Act of 1968, which occupies 16 of the 26 chapters. This probably reflect the difference in the organization of law in the UK, where there are no local laws applying to pharmacy. Similarly, the chapter on the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, which is charged by law to regulate pharmacy, reflects the local situation. Topics like employment law and data protection are covered in a chapter on Miscellaneous Legislation Affecting Pharmacy. It will be interesting to see if the balance of chapters in later editions of Konnor change. In its current form it clearly addresses the editor's aims.
Clearly the market for this book is very wide within the USA. Beyond the sale to individual pharmacists there will be a use for this book in the teaching of both pharmacists and lawyers. (Mr Konnor taught pharmacy law early in his career.) Beyond the USA this book will be of use to those supplying goods and services to the US market. It will also be useful to those involved in the regulation of pharmacy in their own country to see how the USA deals with particular issues.
