THE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
The certification program is offered to community pharmacy practices with an interest in improving patient care. Participation in the program in on a voluntary basis, and certification is determined based the standards achieved by the pharmacy. The certification is valid for three years. The certification process consists of an application, site visit, and determination of certification status. The process is intended to be consultative in nature and best practices will be shared.
STANDARDS
The community pharmacy practice standards outline specific performance areas for community pharmacy practices to achieve certification. The community pharmacy standards are divided into nine key elements that most significantly influence safe medication use. Each element is defined by one or more core characteristics of a safe pharmacy system Community Pharmacy standards have two categories one of them is mandatory and essential for patient safety (Highlighted as Critical), the other represent innovative practices and system enhancements (Highlighted as Developmental) that are not widely applied in pharmacies today. However, the value of these practices in reducing errors is grounded in expert analysis of medication errors, scientific research, or strong evidence of their ability to reduce errors.
THE STANDARDS FOCUS ON NINE AREAS
The community pharmacy standards are divided into nine key elements that most significantly influence safe medication use:
- Pharmacy Technology.
- Patient Information/ Identification.
- Drug Information.
- Patient Counseling and education.
- Drug Standardization, Storage and Distribution.
- Medical Care Services.
- Governance/ Leaderships
- Staff and community pharmacy certification and licensure
- Quality assurance.
HOW TO APPLY FOR THE CERTIFICATE:
Fill in the registration form through the Center's website.
Schedule the visit to the pharmacy.
Obtain the certificate
DYNAMIC PROCESS/NEW EDITIONS:
Standards shall be reviewed/updated every three years.
The standards’ value could be changed from developmental to critical.
Standards to be added or deleted as applicable.