Qualitative research with GPs, pharmacists and consumers explored their views of patients' needs for drug information, and perceived difficulties in communication between GPs, patients and pharmacists. Strategies suggested by participants for improving patient drug education were: guidelines for giving information on medication; conventions for writing the prescription; a referral mechanism from the pharmacist to the GP; distribution of patient education materials; professional bodies to reduce ethical and organisational barriers to inter professional communication; and the development of local networks and education programs.