A matter of degrees

We have completed a decade of enormous progress in pharmacy education. The signs of this are apparent in faculty growth, innovative curricula, and expanded clinical and research programs. Many of the rewards of these advances will be realized in the 1980s. The move between the decades is accompanied by economic, social, and political changes that could have an impact on education and the profession. The challenge is to maintain what has been gained and to mold existing and new resources to meet new priorities. In conclusion, the profession of pharmacy will agonize through the 1980s as the sore of two entry level degrees festers in a climate of resource scarcity. By this time, educators should cease the debate and, as difficult as it might be, get on with moving to the Pharm. D. as the entry level degree. To do less might be argued on the basis of societal need, educational cost, academic standards, and other sound reasons. However, the fault in all of these arguments is that they leave the profession torn apart and anguishing over itself.