So far, we have two comments on my earlier blog post that challenged readers to describe what you do in terms an eighth grader could understand. We’ll be taking your descriptions through the weekend, and then will award a copy of The Practitioner’s Quick Reference to Nonprescription Drugs to the best one.

In case you are unfamiliar with the “prize,” The Practitioner’s Quick Reference to Nonprescription Drugs contains information from the current edition of APhA’s more comprehensive Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs: An Interactive Approach to Self-Care. Information in the quick reference has been edited and formatted to include only the content that practitioners are most likely to need during self-care consultations with patients. The book covers 25 common self-treatable conditions including acne, common cold, cough, fever, and headache.

Take a shot! We look forward to reading your descriptions.

As I write this, we continue to hear more and more stories of the utter despair felt by the people of Haiti in the aftermath of the horrible earthquake they suffered. We all express our sympathy.

But in additon to our prayers, let’s also provide tangible support. Posted on www.pharmacist.com is a link to the American Red Cross. If you would like to help the Red Cross in their relief efforts, donate online, or text HAITI to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross.

We will continue to monitor the situation and look for additional opportunities to help.