Clinical outcomes research in pharmacy practice.

Clinical outcomes research in pharmacy practice is essential to the sustained growth and maturation of the profession in the evolving health care system. Anecdotal evidence and ongoing studies have begun to identify and prioritize drug-related problems, methods to anticipate and solve these problems, and obstacles that will have to be overcome to maximize the place of pharmacy in health care. The health care system will change, and an increased level of pharmacist responsibility for paid pharmaceutical care should result in improved clinical outcomes. Clinical outcomes research is vital to demonstrate the effectiveness of pharmacists, document the cost benefits of pharmaceutical care, and determine a national standard of pharmaceutical care.