(9) Theories of professions and the pharmacist

In the preceding articles in this series we have discussed various issues impacting on pharmacy as a professional group. One key issue has been the migration of increasing numbers of women and ethnic minority groups into pharmacy. We have also discussed the re-professionalisation agenda of pharmacy and where that links into the health services within the developed economies of the West. Both these issues raise questions about pharmacy as a profession, and in this article we attempt to understand issues affecting the pharmacy profession using sociological theories on the role of the professions in society. We begin with an overview of selected sociological theories of professions, followed by a focus on the pharmacy profession. Finally, we suggest research questions that are relevant today.