ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the basic elements of pharmaceutical care, the reasons for its importance in the state of pharmacy practice, its risk management properties, and the strategic elements for practice in the 21st century. Pharmaceutical care is the hallmark of the profession. The pharmaceutical care model empowers pharmacists to encourage patients to assume responsibility for drug therapy within the framework of their own lifestyle, values, and environmental factors. The strategic plan for pharmaceutical care should encompass the different main goals listed under Pharmaceutical care and risk management. Recommendations on the implementation of a pharmaceutical care strategic plan will center on pharmacists, pharmacy schools, and pharmacy boards. Pharmacy’s academic institutions must continue to reconfigure their educational programs to establish better alliances with stakeholders of pharmaceutical care. Pharmacy schools must continue to reinforce the basics of clinical practice, pharmacy business administration, and health systems management within the curricular designs.
