Redefining the practice of military pharmacy

Pharmacists throughout the U.S. health care system must keep pace with chan ge or face being left behind. To move military pharmacists from a primarily distributive role to a clinical one, the Assistant Secretary of Defense fo r Health Affairs directed the Department of Defense Pharmacy Board of Direc tors to develop a plan to redefine the role of military pharmacists and tec hnicians in ambulatory care. That document, summarized here, describes the future roles of military pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. The document was prepared with input from pharmacists and technicians, officers and enl isted members, working in day-to-day pharmacy operations. The complete docu ment can be obtained by contacting Colonel James W. Normark, 1050 W. Perime ter Road, Andrews Air Force Base, MD 20762 (normaj@mgmc.af.mil).