Endocrinology: the next 60 years.

Advances in clinical chemistry, molecular biology and information technology have brought about major changes in the field of endocrinology. The future practice of endocrinology will be influenced by secular health trends, consumer expectations and the globalisation of health. Pharmacotherapy will remain the backbone of endocrine therapy led by developments in drug delivery technology, pharmacogenomics, combinatorial chemistry and paracrinology. The endocrine-related consequences of obesity and ageing will be major health problems, demand for anti-obesity and anti-ageing treatments will escalate. There will be increased blurring between endocrine disease and non-disease. The future clinical endocrinologist must continue to practice evidence-based medicine to improve the treatment of genuine endocrinopathies.