Pharmacy is a dynamic, information-driven, patient-oriented profession, through its infrastructure, competence and skills, is committed to fulfil the health care needs of South Africa and its people by being the: (a) custodian of medicine; (b) formulator, manufacturer, distributor and controller of safe, effective and quality medicine; (c) advisor on the safe, rational and appropriate use of medicine; (d) provider of accessible, essential clinical services, including screening and referral services; (e) accessible provider of healthcare information; (f) provider of pharmaceutical care by taking responsibility for the therapeutic outcome of a therapy and by being actively involved in the design, implementation and monitoring of an effective pharmaceutical service; (g) profession committed to co-operation with members of the health care team in the interests of the patient; and (h) profession committed to cost-effective pharmaceutical services (SAPC, 2004, p. 1).