**Intended Audience: Everyone**

Ever wondered how drug interaction alerts end up in your EHR or pharmacy system? In this week’s episode, Dr. Sommer takes us on a deep dive into the world of drug information databases—sharing her journey, the challenges her team tackles, and advice for pharmacists eyeing the informatics space.

A Few Can't-Miss Insights:

• Shaping Clinical Data : Dr. Sommer reveals her team’s crucial work maintaining allergy, drug-drug interaction, and pharmacogenomics content at FDB.
• Adapting with Technology : Christine reflects on her nearly 30-year career, from the era of mainframes to today’s advanced database systems, highlighting how FDB’s content has grown far beyond classic drug interactions.
• Integration Woes & Wins : Learn what it’s like to ensure FDB’s drug knowledge fits seamlessly into diverse EHR and dispensing systems, and why close collaboration with vendors is key to success.
• The Real-life Impact : Dr. Sommer shares how FDB data helps clinicians not only avoid harmful interactions but also tailor therapy to the patient level—think pharmacogenomics and personalized medicine!
• Career Advice : For anyone interested in pharmacy informatics, Dr. Sommer emphasizes the importance of strong clinical skills, adaptability, multitasking, and a commitment to continual learning, and plus, why staying grounded in hands-on patient care still matters.

And if you’d like to connect with Dr. Christine Sommer or learn more about pharmacy informatics roles at First DataBank, she invites you to reach out on LinkedIn.

Disclaimer: Views expressed are those of the individuals and do not reflect thoughts and opinions of any entity with which speakers have been, is now, or will be affiliated.
New to LinkedIn and not sure where to start? Download my free ebook, "Professional Networking Unlocked", at https://www.tonydaopharmd.com/#ebook
Follow us on social media!
Twitter: @pharmacyitme
Instagram: @pharmacyinformatics
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pharmacyitme/
Website: Pharmacy IT & Me
Email: tony@pharmacyitme.com
Follow Tony's personal Twitter account at @tonydaopharmd

Network with other pharmacists at Pharmacists Connect!
http://pharmacistsconnect.com

For more information on pharmacy informatics, check out some of the following useful links:

ASHP's Section of Pharmacy Informatics and Technology: https://www.ashp.org/Pharmacy-Informaticist/Section-of-Pharmacy-Informatics-and-Technology/
HIMSS: https://www.himss.org/resources/pharmacy-informatics-and-its-cross-functional-role-healthcare

Disclaimer: Views expressed are my own and do not reflect thoughts and opinions of any entity with which I have been, am now, or will be affiliated.

**Intended Audience: Everyone**

Today's episode is a very short episode to let you know that the BPS has announced Pharmacy Informatics as a new specialty certification. They are calling on volunteers to serve on the council as the next step.

More details here:

https://bpsweb.org/2025/12/08/bps-announces-pharmacy-informatics-as-new-specialty-certification/

Disclaimer: Views expressed are those of the individuals and do not reflect thoughts and opinions of any entity with which speakers have been, is now, or will be affiliated.
New to LinkedIn and not sure where to start? Download my free ebook, "Professional Networking Unlocked", at https://www.tonydaopharmd.com/#ebook
Follow us on social media!
Twitter: @pharmacyitme
Instagram: @pharmacyinformatics
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pharmacyitme/
Website: Pharmacy IT & Me
Email: tony@pharmacyitme.com
Follow Tony's personal Twitter account at @tonydaopharmd

Network with other pharmacists at Pharmacists Connect!
http://pharmacistsconnect.com

For more information on pharmacy informatics, check out some of the following useful links:

ASHP's Section of Pharmacy Informatics and Technology: https://www.ashp.org/Pharmacy-Informaticist/Section-of-Pharmacy-Informatics-and-Technology/
HIMSS: https://www.himss.org/resources/pharmacy-informatics-and-its-cross-functional-role-healthcare

Disclaimer: Views expressed are my own and do not reflect thoughts and opinions of any entity with which I have been, am now, or will be affiliated.

Intended Audience: Everyone

🎙️ Excited share today's episode featuring Dr. Andrew McLaughlin's journey from student pharmacist to leading product management in healthcare IT. This episode's packed with lessons for anyone navigating the intersection of pharmacy and technology.

Three key takeaways:

• Pharmacists are uniquely positioned for health IT roles: Andrew emphasized how pharmacists bridge the gap between clinical care and technology, leveraging their analytical mindset and broad understanding of medication workflows to create patient-centered solutions.
• Boots-on-the-ground experience matters: His background as a pharmacy delivery consultant gave him invaluable insights into real-world implementation and optimization, shaping his success in product management.
• Impactful innovation requires action: For those looking to transition into health tech, Andrew recommends being proactive—draft business proposals, utilize new AI tools to prototype ideas, and continually seek ways to add value beyond your current role.

Andrew’s story is a reminder that healthcare IT thrives when clinicians bring their practical knowledge to the table and stay relentlessly curious.

If you’re interested in career advice or insights into health tech product management, he’s open to connecting via LinkedIn.

You can reach Andrew on his LinkedIn profile here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-mclaughlin-1312a817/

Disclaimer: Views expressed are those of the individuals and do not reflect thoughts and opinions of any entity with which speakers have been, is now, or will be affiliated.
New to LinkedIn and not sure where to start? Download my free ebook, "Professional Networking Unlocked", at https://www.tonydaopharmd.com/#ebook
Follow us on social media!
Twitter: @pharmacyitme
Instagram: @pharmacyinformatics
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pharmacyitme/
Website: Pharmacy IT & Me
Email: tony@pharmacyitme.com
Follow Tony's personal Twitter account at @tonydaopharmd

Network with other pharmacists at Pharmacists Connect!
http://pharmacistsconnect.com

For more information on pharmacy informatics, check out some of the following useful links:

ASHP's Section of Pharmacy Informatics and Technology: https://www.ashp.org/Pharmacy-Informaticist/Section-of-Pharmacy-Informatics-and-Technology/
HIMSS: https://www.himss.org/resources/pharmacy-informatics-and-its-cross-functional-role-healthcare

Disclaimer: Views expressed are my own and do not reflect thoughts and opinions of any entity with which I have been, am now, or will be affiliated.