The American Pharmaceutical Association: a lens for viewing pharmacists (from compounders to therapeutic judges).

OBJECTIVE

(1) To document the changes that have occurred in pharmacy in the last century and (2) to investigate the role played by the American Pharmaceutical Association (APhA) during the changes.

DATA SOURCES

Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association (JAPhA).

STUDY SELECTION

Sample articles published in JAPhA pertaining to practice and ethical issues.

DATA EXTRACTION

Examples of articles at 10-year intervals from 1912 through 1997.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Short reviews of the articles are included containing their purpose and topic. Authors' notes are included where appropriate. The research was performed using a qualitative/historical method.

CONCLUSION

The changes that have occurred in pharmacy throughout the 20th century are seen through JAPhA. APhA has been a stabilizing social structure over the years, and continues to serve society in this manner.