Monday October 1, 2012

Pharmacists can now apply to become specialists

THERE are pharmacists who specialise in different areas of medicine, and starting today they can apply to be recognised as such.

The newly formed Pharmacy Specialists Accreditation Board will accept submissions for pharmacist specialists in oncology, cardiology, geriatrics, infectious diseases and psychiatry.

Minister of Health Gan Kim Yong, making the announcement on Saturday at the Singapore Pharmacy Congress, said well-certified pharmacists are needed to promote safe and effective drug use.

“With the growing emphasis on integrated care, we need pharmacists to take on expanded roles in the community, long- term care and home-care settings,” he said.

An estimated 20 are expected to be eligible when the accreditation starts, said an MOH spokesman.

There are more than 2,000 registered pharmacists here, up from 1,814 in 2010, and some of them are now expected to go for further training with this latest move. — The Straits Times / Asia News Network