Professions take different approaches to competency-based continuing education: (1) pharmacy and nursing analyze competence in terms of roles and tasks (performance); (2) law analyzes professional knowledge, skills, and attitudes (attributes); and (3) medicine analyzes attributes in the context of performance of professional tasks, an integrated…

Problems associated with prescription drug use and misuse are discussed. The role of the pharmacist in providing information that patients need to use drugs appropriately is emphasized. (SFJ)

The pharmacist-physician-patient relationship is discussed as well as factors that affect the prescribing and dispensing of drugs. It is suggested that pharmacists coordinate their efforts with those of the physicians by taking a more active role in serving their customers. (SF)

Current issues in pharmacy education are reviewed, including pharmacy manpower policy, federal legislation for catastrophic care insurance, the relationship between medicine and pharmacy, and elevation of the status of the profession within the health professions education and practice community. (MSE)

Within academic health centers there exists a well-established "pecking order" influencing daily life and reflecting fundamental relationships between medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, and allied health. Relationships between individual professionals and between schools within a center are examined for clues to possible change. (MSE)

Barriers to role expansion for pharmacists working in institutional settings are discussed, such as competency, interdisciplinary responsibilities, and financial reimbursement. Underlying principles that may be applied to overcome the traditional barriers to pharmacist intervention in drug use problems are examined. (SF)