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Montreal • 5 September 2026
The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) is calling for stronger and more consistent systems to recognise pharmacists’ advanced and specialist expertise, with the publication of a new FIP White Paper on credentialing and professional recognition in pharmacy today.
As pharmacists take on increasingly advanced and specialised roles across healthcare systems, the white paper highlights the need for credible pathways that recognise demonstrated competencies, support professional development and help ensure that pharmacists’ expertise is effectively used to meet evolving patient and health system needs. It emphasises that advancement in pharmacy is not limited to clinical practice, but also encompasses areas such as advocacy, education, health policy, pharmaceutical manufacturing, regulatory science and research.
FIP proposes that credentialing should be viewed as a structured and progressive continuum, rather than simply a step between registration and advanced practice. Well-designed systems can bridge pharmacy education and professional practice by translating educational outcomes into demonstrated competencies aligned with healthcare delivery, patient needs and workforce expectations. They can also support clearer links between continuing professional development, workplace responsibilities and career progression.
The white paper sets out eight guiding principles for credentialing programmes, including a clearly defined purpose, transparent development, strong governance, adequate resources, clear stakeholder responsibilities, well-defined credentials, quality assurance and a proportionate “right-touch” regulatory approach.
“There is no single model of credentialing that will fit every healthcare system. What is needed is a shared foundation of principles that can be adapted to national circumstances while maintaining quality, credibility, transparency and a clear focus on patient care,” said Ms Bronwyn Clark, co-chair of the white paper taskforce and chief executive officer of the Australian Pharmacy Council.
Beyond supporting professional development and career progression, credentialing and professional recognition systems can provide assurance of competence, strengthen confidence in the pharmacy workforce and help ensure pharmacists’ expertise is effectively used to meet evolving patient and health system needs.
“FIP calls on regulators, professional pharmacy organisations, credentialing and accrediting bodies, education and training providers, health ministries and policymakers, employers, workforce planners, healthcare funders and pharmacists to collaborate in developing and strengthening credentialing and professional recognition systems. This white paper provides a framework to help countries strengthen these systems in ways that are appropriate to their own context,” said Dr Brian Lawson, co-chair of the white paper taskforce and executive director at the Board of Pharmacy Specialties.
Notes for editors
About FIP
The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) is the global body representing over 5.5 million pharmacists, pharmacy educators and pharmaceutical scientists. We work to meet the world's healthcare needs. FIP is a non-governmental organisation that has been in official relations with the World Health Organization since 1948. www.fip.org
PRESS CONTACT
Laila Ghorab
Communications Manager
International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP)
Email laila@fip.org