Family pharmacy and family medicine: a viable private practice alliance.

The association of the new roles of the family physician and the family pharmacist in a model private practice is described. The pharmacist works closely with the family physician to offer personalized patient education and follow-up for therapeutic effectiveness. He also serves as a consultant to the physician for up-to-date drug information and assists in solving difficult therapeutic problems. Reimbursement for pharmacy services occurs for consultative time as well as by traditional methods. Initial response by the professionals themselves as well as the patients and staff has been very positive. An appropriate physical plant and ongoing communication between physician and pharmacist are mandatory for the success of this model. Some specifics of this practice at its present stage of development are included.