Yes. A specialist pharmacist will be subjected to the disciplinary and health inquiries as stated in the Act just like any other registered pharmacist.

The Act governing the pharmacy profession provides the framework for registration as a specialist pharmacist. The Act also restricts the use of the specialist titles to those who are registered as specialist pharmacists. If a pharmacist is found to be practising as a specialist pharmacist or claiming to be a specialist pharmacist when in fact he/she is not registered with the Singapore Pharmacy Board as one, the pharmacist would be subjected to the disciplinary proceedings as spelt out in the Act.

Yes. An individual has to register himself/herself as a pharmacist before he/she could be registered as a specialist pharmacist.

Specialist pharmacists will provide a higher level of service. As such, patients may see their fees increasing slightly. This slight increase in fee will be more than negated by the better quality of life (due to optimal therapy, less adverse effects, less hospital admissions, shorter length of stay, etc.) that patients will be enjoying.

Specialist pharmacists derive greater job satisfaction as their professional role and responsibilities would expand. They provide an important resource for other pharmacists and healthcare professionals who may need to tap on their expertise. Specialist pharmacists receive the recognition that is due to them. Their career development will also receive a boost.

Worldwide, there are currently estimated 4,700 pharmacists who are certified by the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties (BPS), USA and estimated 1,200 pharmacists certified by the Commission for Certification in Geriatric Pharmacy. (CCGP), USA. These pharmacists take up roles and responsibilities as specialists in their practice areas. Presently, there is no legislated Specialists Register for pharmacists in these countries as yet.

Yes, pharmacists have to possess post-graduate qualifications recognised by the pharmacy Specialists Accreditation Board and also undergo formalised experiential training in order to be registered as specialists.

Pharmacy specialisation will result in patients enjoying a higher level of pharmaceutical care. Specialist pharmacists will be able to manage patients? drug therapies better. This will result in better quality of life and cost-savings for patients.

There will not be a cap. Pharmacists who fulfil all requirements set by the pharmacy Specialists Accreditation Board to be registered as specialist pharmacists will be registered as such.

Yes. A specialist pharmacist must fulfill prevailing CPE requirements in order to maintain his/her registration status.

Yes. A pharmacist who is registered as a specialist under a certain specialty can practise in any other general areas of pharmacy practice. However, he/she cannot practise or hold himself/herself out as a specialist pharmacist in an area of specialisation that he/she has not been registered under.

For a start, the pharmacy SAB can recognise the specialty of Oncology and the specialty of Pharmacotherapy. Following that will be the specialties of Geriatrics and Psychiatry. The pharmacy SAB may consider listing other specialties which may include both clinical and other pharmacy-related specialties if the number of pharmacists in these specialities is sufficient.

The pharmacy SAB will be appointed to look into the details of specialist training and the exit criteria. A specialist pharmacist would have to fulfill prerequisites such as postgraduate qualification, and residency training in the specialty area.

Employers will be able to select the pharmacist with the specialist qualification, skills and experience for a specific job to serve the specialised needs of patients / clients. Employers will also be assured that the person?s output would be of a high quality.