SUMMARY
A contemporary ethic of care is based on studies of the moral reasoning of women facing ethical dilemmas and on the experience of maternal nurturance. Because a care ethic stresses particular relationships rather than impartiality, it raises concerns about potential exploitation of caregivers, most of whom are women. While applicable to health care and pharmaceutical care, an ethic of care also raises questions regarding its theoretical justification and practical feasibility. This paper reviews the literature on care and its critics, and suggests possibilities for combining justice and care both theoretically and practically.