Guidelines for the practice of pharmacy. Ontario College of Pharmacists.

What do pharmacists need to know, and what should they be doing in their practice of pharmacy? These questions have not been adequately answered by the profession. In March 1990, the American Pharmaceutical Association House of Delegates votes on the right of pharmacists to exercise judgment in the implementation of standards of practice. Our colleagues in Canada have provided a valuable set of guidelines that are succinct and practical. They are useful as a starting point for anyone who has responsibility for creating position descriptions, writing guidelines for education and training programs, informing third-party reimbursement programs, or establishing regulatory standards. The outline format makes the guidelines easily adaptable, and persons interested are encouraged to use them freely. There will be those who will say that some of the points stated are more applicable for pharmacy technicians, and I would agree. In fact, another use for this document is to consider what parts are appropriate for pharmacy technicians, because more differentiation is needed between the work that pharmacists and technicians do.