Specialist pharmacist

What fields are available?

The chambers distinguish between specialist designations and area designations. Fields include general pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, pharmaceutical information, pharmaceutical analytics and technology, toxicology and ecology, clinical chemistry, public health, and theoretical and practical education. In addition there are areas such as oncological pharmacy, geriatric pharmacy, infectious disease, nutritional counselling, naturopathic medicine and homeopathy, and prevention and health promotion. Which fields are specifically offered depends on the individual state pharmacy chamber; the Nordrhein Chamber of Pharmacists, for example, lists eight fields.

How does postgraduate specialist training work?

The prerequisite is the pharmacy licence (Approbation). Training in the specialist fields lasts three years in primary professional employment under the supervision of an authorised trainer, accompanied by seminars; in Nordrhein at least 120 seminar hours are required. It concludes with a chamber examination, frequently supplemented by a project piece and a documentation booklet. Because postgraduate training law is state law and the Federal Pharmacy Chamber's model regulation has only a recommendatory character, recognition requirements, fees, and deadlines differ between chamber districts. Relocating to another state during training can trigger enquiries. Part-time working is generally possible but extends the duration accordingly.

What applies to pharmacists with qualifications from EU countries abroad?

Automatic recognition under Annex V, Point 5.6.2 of Directive 2005/36/EC covers only the basic training. Unlike for medical specialists, there is no Europe-wide automatism for specialist designations for pharmacists. Those who studied in Bulgaria, Romania, or Hungary and have already obtained a specialisation there must therefore have it assessed individually by the relevant state pharmacy chamber. Whether and to what extent periods are credited is at the chamber's discretion, and the postgraduate training itself requires a German pharmacy licence.

Common misconceptions

The specialist pharmacist title is not a requirement for managing a retail pharmacy. For certain activities, however, such as in a hospital pharmacy or in cytostatic drug preparation, postgraduate training is in practice the customary route. It should also be distinguished from the annual continuing education that applies to all pharmacists.