Community pharmacy in South Africa: a changing profession in a society in transition.

The analysis of community pharmacy as a profession in transition acquires an additional dimension in South Africa, since it is inextricably linked to its social characteristics as well as to the political transformation taking place. Using data collected by means of a documentary search, interviews with key informants and a survey of community pharmacists, the paper presents the relevant societal features and explores some of the complexities associated with the existing as well as the potential future role of community pharmacy in the context of changing health services in a society in transition. It concludes that the changes in community pharmacy and the role it can play in the provision of Primary Health Care to all the people of South Africa are linked to the greater transition in society and its future health care services.