Growing standards boost pharmacy practice.

PHARMACY; PHARMACEUTICAL services; STANDARDS; BEST practices; CERTIFICATION; STANDARDIZATION; PROFESSIONAL practice; MEDICAL practice; PHARMACISTS

The article discusses standards, best practices, and certification in pharmacy practice and pharmaceutical services in the U.S. The development of standards is a complex process involving federal regulators, pharmacists' associations, and pharmacists themselves. An Institute of Safe Medication Practices best practice is focused on the elimination of abbreviations. The Board of Pharmaceutical Services offers certification on the skills and knowledge of pharmacists in the areas of psychiatric pharmacy, pharmacotherapy, and nuclear pharmacy.