In Japan, each society has developed its own certification system for the pharmacy specialists in a specific area of pharmaceutical care. Since 2020, we have conducted research activities supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to assure the quality of pharmacy specialists similar as other medical professionals. We proposed three reform plans. First, we defined a pharmacist career path after obtaining a license by redefining the name of a qualified pharmacist: Step 1, Training-Certified Pharmacist; Step 2, Board-Certified Pharmacist; and Step 3, Pharmacy Specialist. Second, we proposed common external standards for the Pharmacy Specialist. Third, we proposed the need for third-party certification for pharmacy specialists. New reforms for the pharmacy specialists are required under the autonomy of pharmacists.
Keywords: career path; pharmacy specialist; quality assurance; third-party certification.