Instructional design issues related to the preparation, implementation, and evaluation of instruction are gaining increased recognition at the tertiary level in health science educational areas such as pharmacy. However, what has been lacking in the available literature on pharmaceutical education is a comprehensive review aimed at characterizing past and current efforts with a view toward formulating a needed agenda for future work where instructional design is concerned. Accordingly, this paper: (1) examines those elements of an instructional unit that provide for the preparation, delivery, and evaluation of instruction; (2) reviews the professional literature available on instructional design themes in pharmaceutical education; and (3) recommends directions that pharmaceutical educators might assume regarding instructional design activities that remain most in need of attention. Three figures and a table present a systems-based model for designing instruction; a systems-based model for designing an instructional unit; a checklist for designing an instructional unit; and citations of instructional design literature, by author and date only, under the headings of Preparing Instruction, Implementing Instruction, and Evaluating Instruction. (Author/DB)