Harvey A. K. Whitney Lecture. To a new beginning from converging paths

The implementation of the pharmaceutical care concept is discussed. Current activities of professional pharmacy organizations are laying the groundwork for the new emphasis on patient outcomes, which is seen in the mission statements of the American Pharmaceutical Association (APhA) and the Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners (JCPP). APhA is revalidating its standards of practice; the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) has formed a Commission to Implement Change in Pharmaceutical Education; the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE) is revising its standards to be consistent with entry-level practitioners' ability to provide pharmaceutical care and seeking ways in which pharmacists currently practicing in all sites can upgrade their skills. These groups are called on to implement pharmaceutical care: To make known the "value-added services" encompassed in pharmaceutical care, JCPP should market to the public its concept of pharmacists' mission. APhA should analyze pharmaceutical services currently provided and promote postgraduate training programs in pharmaceutical care. ACPE must focus on ways pharmacists can achieve the competencies required for pharmaceutical care, and AACP must ensure that academic programs are consistent with the needed competencies. ASHP should hold a national conference on implementation of pharmaceutical care, create a commission for this purpose, direct more effort at pharmacists practicing in nonhospital settings, and accelerate its clinical skills development program. Employers should put less emphasis on "clinical" designations and Pharm.D. degrees and more on the ability to provide pharmaceutical care. Implementation of pharmaceutical care is imperative.