Pharmacists can get on specialist track with certification

There are pharmacists who specialise in different areas of medicine, and from tomorrow 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 yesterday at a congress at the Shangri-La Hotel, 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.