How to become a consultant pharmacist

How to become a Consultant Pharmacist

The pathway to becoming a consultant pharmacist entails formal education, licensure, and specialized training. Here’s a guide to entering 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 consultant pharmacists to work in a pharmacy or healthcare setting to build foundational skills. Experience in geriatric care, long-term care, or clinical pharmacy is especially valuable.

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.

In some jurisdictions (e.g., Florida), you may need to obtain a specific Consultant Pharmacist License, which involves additional training and examination.

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

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

• Certified Consultant Pharmacist (CCP) – Offered by the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) in the US, this credential, which demonstrates specialized competence as a consultant pharmacist, focuses on medication management in long-term care settings, regulatory knowledge, and clinical skills.
• Board Certified Geriatric Pharmacist (BCGP) – This is the primary credential that formally recognizes advanced knowledge in geriatric pharmacotherapy. It is awarded by the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) and is highly regarded in the field.
• Board Certified Pain Management Pharmacist (BCPMP) – This certification is targeted at pharmacists who provide integrated, comprehensive, and accessible healthcare services to patients experiencing pain and associated symptoms.
• Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS) – This certification is targeted at pharmacists who ensure the safe, appropriate, and economical use of medications in a variety of practice settings, with emphasis on direct patient care and optimization of medication therapy.
• Other BPS Certifications – Besides the BPS credentials cited above, the Board of Pharmacy Specialties also administers certifications in these specialties: Ambulatory Care Pharmacy, Cardiology, Compound Sterile Preparations Pharmacy, Critical Care Pharmacy, Emergency Medicine Pharmacy, Infectious Disease Pharmacy, Nuclear Pharmacy, Nutrition Support Pharmacy, Oncology Pharmacy, Pediatric Pharmacy, Psychiatric Pharmacy, Solid Organ Transplantation Pharmacy.
• American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Professional Certificates – ASHP, one of the largest organizations for hospital and health-system pharmacists, primarily in the United States, awards certificates in Pharmacokinetics, Basics of Oncology in Pharmacy, Pharmacy Leadership: Beyond the Basics for Advancing Managers, Pharmacy Leadership: Management Basics, Medication Safety, Perioperative Pharmacy Services, Medical Writing, Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Pharmacy, Investigative Drug Service, Research Skills, Drug Diversion, Basics in Cardiology Pharmacy, Weight Management, Emergency Medicine, Specialty Pharmacy, Pharmacy Informatics, Nutrition Support, Quality Improvement for Pharmacy, Teaching, Clinical Pharmacy Basics, Fundamental Pharmacy Practice Skills for Acute Care Settings, Pharmacy Accreditation and Regulatory Compliance, Pharmacogenomics, Pain Management, Anticoagulation, Basics of Data Analytics, Billing and Reimbursement for Patient Care Clinical Services, Diabetes Management, Pediatrics, Compounded Sterile Preparations, Medication History-Taking, Pharmacy Revenue Cycle Management, Wellbeing and Resilience, Critical Care.
• 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 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.
• Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) – This certification, administered by the Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education, equips pharmacists to help patients manage their condition effectively.
• Certified Geriatric Care Manager (CGCM) – While not pharmacy-specific, this certification, offered by the International Commission on Health Care Certification (ICHCC), focuses on coordinating care for older adults and can complement a pharmacist’s role in multidisciplinary teams.

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 practices, advancements, and regulations. Consultant pharmacists often take continuing education courses related to medication therapy management, drug safety, geriatrics, long-term care practices, and regulatory compliance.

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

• Gerontological Society of America (GSA) – Although multidisciplinary, GSA includes pharmacists among its members and offers valuable gerontology research and networking.
• 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 consultant pharmacy.
• International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) – This is a global organization that supports pharmacists worldwide.