The state of the world's pharmacy: a portrait of the pharmacy profession.

Pharmacy is the health profession that has the responsibility for ensuring the safe, effective and rational use of medicines. As such it plays a vital part in the delivery of health care world-wide. However, there remain wide variations in the practice of pharmacy, not only between countries but also within countries. Nevertheless, in recent years there has been significant convergence, driven by a number of key factors. These include World Health Organization declarations concerning the role of pharmacists, changes in the political climate of many countries, and the pursuit by pharmacists themselves of the goals of medicines management and pharmaceutical care. This paper considers the main activities undertaken by pharmacists, describes their education and regulation, and explores the current state of pharmacy around the world.