How to become a compounding pharmacist

How to become a Compounding Pharmacist

Becoming a compounding pharmacist starts with a pharmacy degree and licensure, followed by specialized training in compounding to develop the skills needed for this role. Here’s an overview of the pathway to the career:

Complete Prerequisite Education
Finish high school with strong grades in science and math. Take pre-pharmacy courses at a college or university – subjects commonly include biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy, physiology, and mathematics. The number of credits of transferable postsecondary coursework, specific prerequisite courses, and the minimum overall average on credits may vary from program to program.

Earn a Pharmacy Degree
Enroll in an accredited Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program, which typically takes four years to complete. In some countries (like the UK, Australia, or parts of Europe), this may be a Bachelor or Master of Pharmacy (BPharm or MPharm).

The PharmD curriculum covers pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, therapeutics, patient care, and pharmacy law.

Gain Clinical Experience
In addition to classroom instruction, PharmD programs have a practical component, during which students complete internships or clinical placements/rotations. It’s important for aspiring compounding pharmacists to work in a community or hospital pharmacy to build clinical and dispensing skills before seeking training in compounding techniques, either on the job or via a residency (see below).

Pass Licensing Exams
In most countries, you must pass national or regional licensing exams.

• US – Pass the NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination) and a state-specific law exam (often the MPJE – Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination).
• Canada – Pass the PEBC (Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada) exams.
• UK – Complete a pre-registration training year and pass the GPhC (General Pharmaceutical Council) registration assessment.

Register with the Appropriate Regulatory Body
Apply for licensure or registration with the national or regional pharmacy board in your country or state/province.

Complete a Residency (Optional but Recommended)
Consider completing a Postgraduate Year One (PGY1) pharmacy residency followed by a PGY2 residency in compounding pharmacy, which typically encompasses training in sterile and non-sterile compounding, ethic pharmacy compounding, and research and development including patient outcomes research.

Consider Further Specialization (Optional)
Depending on your interests, you might specialize further in areas like veterinary compounding, hormone replacement therapy, or pediatric formulations.

Pursue Optional Certifications
Compounding pharmacists can enhance their skills and expand their scope of practice through certifications in a variety of domains:

• Board-Certified Sterile Compounding Pharmacist (BCSCP) – Offered by the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS), this certification demonstrates advanced knowledge and skills in sterile compounding, including preparation of injectable medications and other sterile products.
• Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS) — Also administered by the Board of Pharmacy Specialties, this certification, while broader than compounding, enhances clinical knowledge that can complement compounding practice.
• Certified Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician (CSPT) – Provided by organizations like the Professional Compounding Centers of America (PCCA), this certification focuses on sterile compounding techniques, mainly for pharmacy technicians but valuable for pharmacists as well.
• Certified Medication Safety Professional (CMSP) – The Medication Safety Training Program, accredited by the American Institute for Medical Sciences and Management (AIMSM), is a specialized course concentrating on improving medication safety and reducing medication errors.
• Medication Therapy Management (MTM) Certification – MTM training focuses on optimizing medication use and improving patient outcomes through comprehensive medication reviews. In the US it is primarily offered through the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and specific programs accredited by them. Additionally, individual pharmacists or other healthcare professionals may obtain MTM certification through various professional organizations and institutions.
• Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) — The CQA credential, offered by the American Society for Quality (ASQ), focuses on quality management and auditing skills, useful for pharmacists overseeing compounding quality assurance.

In general, earning these credentials requires additional coursework, training, and passing exams.

Continuing Education
Continuous professional development (CPD) is often required to maintain licensure and stay up to date with compounding practices, advancements, and regulations.

Professional Organizations
In addition to the certifying bodies referenced above in the Certifications section, the following organizations also help compounding pharmacists stay updated on best practices, influence policy on manufacturing and compounding drug products, and connect with peers:

• American College of Apothecaries (ACA) – ACA is a professional association that focuses on compounding pharmacy practice, offering education, advocacy, and networking opportunities.
• US Pharmacopeia (USP) – USP is dedicated to helping improve global health through standards setting in compounding, biologics, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and other fields.
• National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) – While broader in scope, NAPRA, the alliance of Canadian pharmacy regulatory authorities, provides guidelines and standards affecting compounding practices.
• American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) – ASHP offers resources and guidance related to sterile and non-sterile compounding, especially in hospital settings.
• International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists (IACP) – IACP supports compounding pharmacists worldwide through education, advocacy, and industry collaboration.
• American Pharmacists Association (APhA) – This is the largest association of pharmacists in the US, offering resources and training programs.
• Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) – This association represents pharmacists across Canada and provides professional development and policy support.
• Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) – This is the professional body for pharmacists in Great Britain, supporting all areas of pharmacy practice including compounding pharmacy.
• International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) – This is a global organization that supports pharmacists worldwide.