Pharmacy's societal purpose.

The changing societal purpose of pharmacy is discussed. Historically, the societal purpose of pharmacy has been to make drugs and medicines available. While this core function of pharmacy remains unchanged, the profession's purpose has evolved with new medical and pharmaceutical knowledge and technological advancements. The traditional role of dispensing medications has been expanded to include developing and managing drug distribution systems that provide access points to consumers and assure drug safety and compliance with legal and professional standards. These new responsibilities have required pharmacists to acquire expertise in the storage of data, distribution, and inventory control functions, and the management of data for drug histories, patient records, quality assurance programs, and drug information services. Pharmacists and support personnel who are qualified to perform the physical and scientific aspects of drug distribution and control must also be able to handle the interpersonal relationships required at the interface of the pharmacy system and the ultimate consumer. Today's pharmacists must provide services that transmit the knowledge and skills they have at their command to physicians, other pharmacists, and patients. The service component of pharmacy should supplement and complement its core function.