Menu
  • Join
  • Login
  • Contact
Press Releases 

New policy statement sets out FIP’s commitment to establish strategies on developing and implementing CPD

All press releases

The Hague • 6 October 2022

The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) has today published a new Statement of Policy on continuing professional development (CPD). FIP recognises that pharmacists acquiring, developing and maintaining professional competence throughout their careers is a fundamental and ethical requirement, and the statement sets out FIP’s commitments to help them achieve this.

The statement replaces an earlier statement published in 2002. Whereas the 2002 statement defined CPD and continuing education, and made a number of general recommendations, the latest statement greatly expands on this. It contains a number of recommendations specifically for government agencies and policymakers, for FIP member organisations and national pharmaceutical associations, for CPD providers, for employers and for pharmacists themselves.

It establishes a framework through which obligations set out in other quality assurance related FIP guidance — including its Statement of Policy on quality assurance of education, its code of ethics for pharmacists, its reference guide on good pharmacy practice and its statement on good pharmacy education practice — can be met.

In the statement, the federation sets out a number of commitments whereby it agrees to develop strategies which, among others: (i) highlight the importance of CPD and how it ensures a competent workforce; (ii) develop indicators to measure the implementation of the workforce element of FIP Development Goal 9 (CPD strategies); (iii) promote international cooperation to close education and training gaps; and (iv) advocate the development of programmes to support return to work after career breaks or sector changes.

“As pharmacists’ roles continue to expand, it is essential that they commit to lifelong learning and that they maintain and develop competence relevant to current and future levels of professional practice,” said Prof. Rula Darwish, chair of FIP’s CPD Policy Committee. She added: “As well as demonstrating pharmacists’ commitment, participation in CPD enhances the profession’s reputation and, ultimately, improves patient care. FIP’s new CPD statement provides a foundation upon which this can be built.”

Notes for editors

The 21 FIP Development Goals, launched in 2020, are a key resource for transforming pharmacy globally, regionally and nationally to 2030, aligned with FIP’s mission and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

ABOUT FIP
The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) is the global federation of national associations of pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists, and is in official relations with the World Health Organization. Through our 146 member organisations, we represent over four million practitioners and scientists around the world. Our vision is a world where everyone benefits from access to safe, effective, quality and affordable medicines and pharmaceutical care. www.fip.org

PRESS CONTACT
Lin-Nam Wang, head of communications & advocacy
International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP)
Email linnam@fip.org
Tel +31 70 302 1987

Last update 5 July 2018

FIP Congresses