Foundational Reports to Advance Global Quality in Pharmacy Education and Continuing Professional Development Released by FIP

PRESS RELEASE

Chicago, IL (October 16, 2014)— The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) is pleased to announce the recent release of two key reports to advance quality in pharmacy education and continuing professional development throughout the world. The reports were launched in September at the 2014 International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) World Congress in Bangkok, Thailand and can be accessed at http://www.fip.org/educationreports. FIP is a global federation that represents 132 national associations of pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists worldwide.

Quality Assurance of Pharmacy Education: the FIP Global Framework 2nd Edition was developed through the FIP Education Initiative (FIPEd) Quality Assurance Domain to update and expand the components of a quality assurance framework for pharmacy education programs adopted by FIP in 2008. The second edition emphasizes the continued and essential need for quality assurance in pharmacy education globally.

Continuing Professional Development/Continuing Education in Pharmacy: Global Report, developed by FIPEd’s Continuing Education/Continuing Professional Development (CE/CPD) Domain, addresses the current status, activities and trends of CPD and CE. The report emphasizes the critical need for lifelong learning in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences as technology and healthcare evolve. Key components and recommendations for developing and advocating for the transformation of CPD/CE systems are introduced. Through this report, FIP aims to trigger dialogue and action to create stronger policies and programs for lifelong learning of pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists.

Mike Rouse, BPharm (Hons), MPS, who serves as the Assistant Executive Director, Professional Affairs, and Director, International Services for ACPE, was actively engaged in the development and editing of these reports in his capacity as FIPEd’s Lead for Quality Assurance and Co-Lead for Continuing Education/Continuing Professional Development. According to Peter H. Vlasses, PharmD, DSc (Hon), BCPS, FCCP, "ACPE is honored to collaborate with FIP through our memorandum of understanding to synergistically advance the quality of pharmacy education across the continuum from entry-level education through lifelong competence. We are pleased that Mike Rouse and other members of the ACPE Staff, International Commission and International Services Program Advisory Group contributed their expertise through these important international initiatives.”

About the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)

ACPE is the national agency for the accreditation of professional degree programs in pharmacy and providers of continuing pharmacy education. In collaboration with the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, ACPE accredits pharmacy technician education and training programs. ACPE also offers evaluation and certification of professional degree programs internationally. The mission of ACPE is to assure and advance excellence in education for the profession of pharmacy. ACPE is an autonomous and independent agency whose Board of Directors is derived through the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), and the American Council on Education (ACE). To learn more about ACPE, visit www.acpe-accredit.org or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.