At our local pharmacies, we expect that prescribed medications will be in stock and that the well-educated pharmacist staff will clear up any uncertainties we have. Those norms don't exist everywhere. In remote villages, it can be difficult to ensure that essential medications are in adequate supply. Dedicated pharmacists may not exist. Pills, if they are in stock, might be wrapped in newspaper, with little instruction given.

The University of Washington, with partners, is working to train pharmacy assistants in the African nation Malawi. Its first cohort of students just graduated.