BACKGROUND: Pharmaceutical consultation (PC) aims to maximize the successful outcome of a drug treatment. Although its benefits are well documented, several different PC models are implemented in various healthcare settings (HCS) and no optimal model has been identified. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the characteristics of PC models most relevant to key clinical, monetary, and social objectives, and to design PC models that optimize them and could be implemented in various HCS and in primary care in Israel. METHODS: We systematically reviewed studies of PC programs published from 2000–2010. We analyzed the programs by their organizational characteristics and defined a scale for measuring their success that incorporated the clinical, monetary and social objectives. Their results were then scored accordingly. We calculated the association between each of the key organizational characteristics and the success score to identify the characteristics that maximize the program's success. RESULTS: The analysis revealed three core patterns: consultation to patient and physician, patient alone, and physician alone. For each pattern, three feasible models for optimal PC were found. The organizational characteristics of each model included the subject and location of the consultation, target population, consultant's profession, communication method, incentives, duration, financing, and the PC process steps. CONCLUSIONS: This method for optimizing a model for PC program could be implemented in a variety of HCS to maximize successful drug treatment reflected in the prevention and control of illnesses, improved clinical outcomes, enhanced well-being of the population and maximum economic benefits. Interviews with a sample of key players in HCS could reveal preferences and benefits, which then will be combined with the results of the previous analysis to optimize a PC program for primary care in Israel and for other HCS.