Tampa, FL (October 19, 2012) The Specialty Pharmacy Certification Board (SPCB) announced plans to launch a feasibility study for a Certified Pharmacy Officer^TM (CPO^TM) designation. SPCB will be working in partnership with the National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP), other professional Associations, and the publishing staff of the Chief Pharmacy Officer™ Journal to develop the study.

Chief Pharmacy Officers are responsible for the business management and leadership of pharmacy departments, a role uniquely differentiated from patient pharmaceutical care services. As business leaders who represent pharmacy at an executive level, Chief Pharmacy Officers are responsible for regulatory compliance, support of corporate strategic goals, and resource management. In addition to significant experience as pharmacists, they have strong business and financial skills, understand pharmaceutical supply chains, build relationships with manufacturers and distributors, are able to manage human resources effectively, and have a demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development.

The Certified Pharmacy Officer^TM feasibility study will determine if there is sufficient interest by major pharmacy stakeholders to support the development of a CPO certification program and establish national standards of education, experience and practice for CPOs. Data will be gathered from a diverse range of pharmacy stakeholders to assess market interest and need.

Specialty pharmaceuticals intersect all channels, including hospital and managed care organizations. It is important that the leadership and management of pharmacy operations have the proper information, and education to manage their staff, formularies, and especially patient outcomes. CPO provides innovative approaches to pharmacy leadership, and will help pharmacy establish more share of voice, and credibility in the C-Suite Boardroom. "The potential to establish standards for a chief pharmacy officer, and assess competencies and requirements for certification, may have a positive effect on the emerging marketplace with specialty pharmaceuticals. We see the connection with improving pharmacy health systems, and pharmacy care, and the importance specialty pharmaceuticals will play going forward. SPCB is very interested in assessing the need for this credential.” Stated Gary M. Cohen.

The SPCB is dedicated to promoting the Specialty Pharmacist’s responsibility in maintaining the highest possible quality standards, to advocate for professional development to ensure that specialty patients receive appropriate care now and in the future, and to provide certification and credentialing programs for healthcare professionals to assure protection of the public.

http://www.spcboard.org

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