Book excerpt: Get an invaluable view of the impact of economics and politics on pharmaceuticals in the United States Pharmacy and pharmaceutical drug use are highly regulated and the various regulatory forces interact with diverse goals. Pharmaceutical Public Policy is a comprehensive review of the legislation, trends, business developments, and policy interpretations that have shaped drug use during the last 50 years. This unique single source explains drug regulatory activity, the major insurance and payment systems, and the impact of economics and politics on drug use in the United States. Leading experts provide a thorough and objective look at public policy issues, making this text perfect for upper level undergraduate and graduate level pharmacy, medical, and public health educators and students. Pharmacists and pharmacy students must learn more than just the physical sciences and clinical aspects of the pharmaceutical industry. The rationale for policies, rules, and regulations is integral to understanding how to best serve patients and make the entire pharmaceutical sector more equitable and cost-effective. Pharmaceutical Public Policy examines the most pressing issues facing the industry, including control of the rising costs for drugs and ensuring correct drug usage by patients. This insightful text offers an in depth perspective of the policies and the debates that surround them. Chapters are well-referenced and many include helpful figures and tables to illustrate facts and ideas. Topics in Pharmaceutical Public Policy include: pharmacy law and regulation Medicare and prescription drug coverage FDA drug approval process Medicaid and prescription drugs public health pharmacy Department of Veterans Affairs pharmacy programs Department of Defense pharmacy programs innovative state drug program practices state and federal regulation of pharmacy the future of the pharmaceutical industry managed care pharmacy PBM’s (pharmacy benefit managers) risk minimization importation and reimportation biotechnology and pharmacogenetics policy and issues product promotion competition between drugs drug insurance design patient compliance abuse of prescription drugs health care systems and insurance in Europe much more Pharmaceutical Public Policy is a one-of-a-kind resource that explains just who the players are and the complexity of the issues that are examined in most pharmaceutical policy debates, and is perfect for pharmacy students, educators, other health professionals, trade association leaders, and policymakers.