Over the next few years, over 40 000 pharmacists in the US will have to make themselves more valuable as the processes of automation and centralisation occur, otherwise they face the bleak prospect of being replaced by automated technology. The future of pharmacy in the changing healthcare environment may depend on the ability of the discipline to prove the value of pharmaceutical care in the provision of comprehensive healthcare. The future role of the profession was discussed at the 10th Annual Meeting of the National Managed Health Care Congress [Atlanta, US; April 1998].