The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) has called for stronger and more consistent systems to recognise pharmacists advanced and specialist expertise.
The call was made following the publication of a new FIP White paper on credentialing and professional recognition in pharmacy as resolved from the World Congress held in September at Montreal.
The FIP, through a press statement shared with Pharmanewsonline, noted that pharmacists are taking more advanced and specialised roles across healthcare systems, making it important to have credible pathways that recognise their demonstrated competencies and support their professional development.
The global pharmacy said the professional advancement in pharmacy goes beyond clinical practices and also covers areas such as advocacy, education, health policy, pharmaceutical manufacturing, regulatory sciences and research.
FIP said credentialing should be seen as a structured and progressive process rather than a step between registration and advanced practices. It explained that well- designed credentialing systems can connect pharmacy education with professional practices by linking educational outcomes to demonstrated competencies and the needs of patience and healthcare systems
The White paper outlined eight guiding principles for credentialing programmes, including clear purpose, transparent development, strong governance, adequate resources, defined stakeholder responsibilities, clear credentials, quality assurance and a proportionate regulatory approach.
“There is no single model of credentialing that will fit every healthcare system. What is needed is a shared foundation of principles that can be adapted to national circumstances while maintaining quality, credibility, transparency and a clear focus on patient care,” said Ms Bronwyn Clark, co- chair of the white paper task force and chief executive officer of the Australian Pharmacy Council.
The association added that effective credentialing and professional recognition systems could provide assurance for pharmacists’ competence, strengthens confidence in the pharmacy workforce and ensures that pharmacists’ expertise is better used to meet changing patient and health system needs.
The federation called on regulators, pharmacy organisations, education and training providers, policy makers, employers, work force planners, health care funders and pharmacists to work together to strengthen credentialing and professional recognition systems.
Dr Bryan Lawson, co- chair of the White paper task force and executive director at the board of pharmacy specialists, said that white paper provides a framework that countries can adapt to strengthen their systems according to their individual needs.
%20has%20called%20for%20stronger%20and%20more%20consistent%20systems%20to%20recognise%20pharmacists){kind=link}