Pharmacist's role in projects for children and youth.

The establishment of clinical and distribute pharmaceutical services in an ambulatory care clinic serving primarily children and youth is discussed. In addition to assuring that drug therapy is appropriate and needed drugs are dispensed, the pharmacy staff administers the first dose of medications prescribed for pediatric patients. As part of the clinic's interdisciplinary health care team, pharmacists also provide therapeutic and pharmacokinetic consultations, drug monitoring, drug information, educational programs for patients, staff, pharmacy students and the community, and drug dependency and poison prevention services. Health professionals, patients, and the community have accepted the expanded role of the pharmacists.