Strengthening Pharmacy, Globally. Looking Outside the Box

Abstract

To strengthen pharmacy practice globally, new and more efficient strategies are needed. Pharmacy has traditionally viewed medicine as its reference group. This commentary questions the appropriateness of medicine as a benchmark for pharmacy and suggests the need for new thinking on the professionalization of pharmacy. Useful lessons from outside the medical field, in matters of professional training, practice and autonomy, are highlighted. The commentary concludes that, strategies that focus on the consumer are more effective in transforming practice globally. Type: Commentary

Keywords

• pharmacy education, reference group, professionalization, specialization, practice