The knowledge needed by nurses to educate patients and their caregivers on medication use was examined to provide policymakers, practitioners, and others with the information needed to plan nursing education programs in England. The study focused on the following topics: the contributions of nurses to medication education; their preparation for the role of educating patients about medication use; and the impact of contextual factors on nursing education and clinical practice related to educating patients on medication use. The main data collection activities were as follows: (1) an extensive literature review; (2) case studies of three sites (sites offering adult nursing/elder care, mental health nursing, and specialist pathways in general practice nursing and community nursing in homes); and (3) a national survey examining learning outcomes, assessment strategies, and other curriculum design and delivery factors related to pharmacological knowledge, communication, and patient education skills. The following were among the key conclusions: (1) nurses need more education in pharmacology; (2) pharmacology should be taught in relation to its application in nursing practice; and (3) given the extensiveness and dynamic nature of pharmacology knowledge, a balance of formally taught programs, self-direction, and updating is needed. (Contains 66 tables/figures/boxes and 99 references.) (MN)