An action-oriented consultation of experts in pharmaceutical education and pharmacy practice (Appendix A) was convened by the World Health Organization to explore the topic, Preparing the Future Pharmacist: Curricula Development. In preparing for the consultation, an organizing committee (Appendix B) was assembled and agreed on the following working objectives:

¹ Vancouver, BC, Canada, 27-29 August 1997

• To contribute to the formulation of global strategies for implementing resolution WHA47.12 on the Role of the Pharmacist.

• To strengthen and extend international collaboration by identifying model institutions and providing expertise to chose in need of it.

• To develop technical guidelines for introducing, implementing and evaluating change in pharmaceutical education consistent with resolution WHA47.12.

• To promote interdisciplinary education with other health professionals.

The organizing committee further identified an agenda consisting of three themes (The Ideal Profile of the Pharmacist, The Social Responsiveness of the Profession and the University, and Adapting Today the Education for Future Needs) supported by background papers (Appendix C) from the published literature. Discussion papers (Appendix D) were commissioned that specifically addressed each theme. All participants in the consultation received both the background papers and the discussion papers prior to the Vancouver consultation.