Clinical pharmacy administration

Clinical pharmacy administration has emerged as a separate discipline, but this new field has not been functionally defined. This article defines clinical pharmacy administration from an academic point of view and provides a framework within which it may be understood. It is an applied field of study that deals with the research, evaluation, and management of the patient, the drug, and the health care practitioner as they all relate to patient care. These entities and relationships are studied at the micro, macro, and global levels from financial, economic, managerial, legal, ethical, social, behavioral, educational, and historical perspectives. It is intended that this paper generate debate and discussion in order to refine and develop the field.