06-04-2013, 03:12 PM
CPD and CE Survey
CPD and CE.pdf (Size: 150.56 KB / Downloads: 66)
INTRODUCTION
As pharmacists assume the increased responsibilities demanded
in new roles, they must also make a corresponding commitment
to improve their professional competence1. Indeed the past
four or five decades have seen an explosion of new knowledge
relevant to the practice of pharmacy. In addition, particularly
in the past decade, there have been a vast changes in the practice
of pharmacy. Keeping knowledge and skills up to date and
addressing new concepts in the delivery of pharmaceutical
services have been major challenges for pharmacists.
Healthcare professionals are expected to meet patients’ requirements
for better and more accessible services, optimising
the benefit they gain from their medicines, and reducing
drug-related problems, while making the best use of pharmacists’
skills and knowledge within a multidisciplinary team.
Competence is the first and most fundamental responsibility
of all health care providers and must be reinforced throughout
the years of practice. After the degree is conferred, continuing
professional education is the only real guarantee of the optimal
quality of healthcare providers1. Maintaining competence
throughout a career during which new and challenging professional
responsibilities will be encountered, is an ethical
requirement for all health professionals 2. FIP has recognised
this responsibility in its Code of Ethics for pharmacists “to
ensure competency in each pharmaceutical service provided
by continually updating knowledge and skills”3.
Mandatory CPD and CE
A total of 37 countries, from both the Pharmacy Workforce
Survey and the CPD/CE survey, responded to the question
on whether CPD and/or CE is mandatory for pharmacists.
Results showed that CPD and/or CE i s mandatory in 9
countries and not mandatory in about 28 countries.
From the responses of the survey, we observe that many
countries are in various developmental stages of CPD and
CE implementation. The scenario can be unique in certain
countries.For example, in Denmark there is no obligation
for CPD or CE to renew or maintain pharmacist registration,
however, Pharmakon(www.pharmakon.dk) is the central
institution for providing CE programmes for pharmacists.
Also the Danish University of Pharmaceutical Sciences
(www.dfuni.dk) also offers a range of learning activities.
Incentives
The most common incentive for pharmacists to undergo
CPD or CE is the renewal of a license to practice as a pharmacist
in the country. In some provinces of Canada, pharmacists
require proof of completion of a minimum number of hours
of CE to renew their license. In some other provinces, during
a quality assurance process, pharmacists may be required to
have their learning portfolio reviewed.
Penalties
In most countries with mandatory CPD and/or CE, a failure
to complete the requirements for CPD or CE often results
in the inability to renew a pharmacy practice license or risk
being struck off the pharmacy register.
In Kenya, in the event that a pharmacist does not comply
with the CPD requirements, the Pharmacy and Poisons Board
(PPB) may impose any or more of the following:
· Requiring the pharmacist to follow a remedial CPD
programme.
· Requiring the pharmacist to write an examination.
· Registering the pharmacist in a category that requires
supervision.
· De-registering the pharmacist.
Pharmacists who find difficulties in performing CPD may be
supported in the United Kingdom with remedial programmes.
In Portugal, pharmacists may have to undertake an extensive
examination to maintain a license to practice or undergo a
disciplinary action and be suspended from practice.