A Proposal for Clinical Pharmacy and Clinical Pharmacology Collaboration—The Time Has Come

Abstract

THE DISCIPLINES of clinical pharmacy and clinical pharmacology have evolved in parallel to a great extent. Both groups have similar professional objectives and have experienced a similar intraprofessional identity problem. For example, in the literature of clinical pharmacy and clinical pharmacology, references are frequently made to the goal of “rational drug therapy.” Also, both disciplines are struggling with the concept of specialty recognition within their profession. Because of these and other similarities, there seems to be great potential for a broad range of cooperative activities in day-to-day practice as well as in the political arena for both disciplines. However, for much the same reasons there is also a great potential for conflict between the two disciplines. The purpose of this commentary is to briefly address the nature and value of clinical pharmacy and clinical pharmacology collaboration and to propose a formal relationship at the professional association level.