A Year of Resilience: A Message from the CPS Board of Directors

To our community of certified professionals, candidates, volunteers, and partners,

As this extraordinary year draws to a close, it is a time for profound reflection. The year 2020 will forever be etched in our collective memory as a period of unprecedented challenge, deep uncertainty, and transformative change. It has tested our healthcare systems, our communities, and each of us personally and professionally in ways we could not have fathomed just one year ago.

Yet, as we look back from the vantage point of December, the overwhelming sentiment is not one of hardship, but one of immense pride and deep gratitude. This year, more than any other, has revealed the incredible strength, compassion, and resilience that lies at the very heart of the pharmacy profession. On behalf of the entire Board of Directors at the Council on Pharmacy Standards (CPS), we write to you today to honor your contributions, to reflect on the journey we have navigated together, and to look ahead with the hope and determination forged in this crucible of a year. 2020 was not simply a year to be survived; it was a year that revealed our profound and shared purpose.

A Tribute to the Pharmacy Profession: Our Front-Line Heroes

Before we speak of our own work, we must first pay tribute to yours. When the world was gripped by a pandemic, you, the pharmacy professionals, stood firm on the front lines. When many doors closed, yours remained open. You became pillars of calm and sources of trusted information in a sea of anxiety and misinformation. You did not flinch from your duty; you ran toward it.

We have watched in awe as you have redefined the boundaries of your role in real-time. You managed complex medication regimens for critically ill patients, ensured continuity of care for those with chronic conditions, and counseled countless anxious individuals with compassion and expertise. You rapidly adopted new technologies to connect with patients, ensuring that physical distance did not become a barrier to care. You became experts in logistics, navigating supply chain disruptions to ensure your communities had the medications they needed. And now, you are preparing to play a pivotal role in the largest public health undertaking in a century: the administration of COVID-19 vaccines.

You have been innovators, caregivers, counselors, and leaders. You have done this all while managing the same personal fears and challenges as everyone else—caring for your own families, protecting your own health. Your unwavering dedication is a testament to the profound commitment that defines this profession. It was with you in our minds and in our hearts that the Council on Pharmacy Standards undertook its own work this year, driven by a singular motivation: to support and champion the heroes on the front line. 

Our Journey Through 2020: A Year of Principled Pivots

Like every organization, CPS faced a crossroads in early 2020. The path forward was unclear, and our traditional methods of operation were suddenly untenable. In navigating this new landscape, we anchored ourselves to our core principles: Safety, Access, and Relevance. These principles guided every decision we made, leading to a series of pivots that have not only allowed us to continue our mission but have made our organization stronger and more responsive than ever before.

Part I: The Immediate Response (The Safety Principle)

In our March 16th message, our first and only priority was the health of our community. We immediately implemented flexible policies, waived rescheduling fees, and worked with our testing partners to enhance safety protocols at physical sites. This initial response was guided by the simple, non-negotiable principle that no candidate should ever have to choose between their health and their professional advancement.

Part II: The Innovative Leap (The Access Principle)

As the crisis continued and test centers closed, it became clear that flexibility was not enough. We needed a new solution. This led to what was perhaps the most intensive and innovative period in our organization’s history. As we announced on May 4th, after weeks of tireless work, we successfully launched Live Remote Proctoring (LRP). This was no small feat. It required a complete re-imagining of our delivery model, the adoption of cutting-edge technology, and the development of new, rigorous security protocols. The launch of LRP was a monumental achievement that ensured our promise of access to certification could be kept, allowing thousands of you to safely continue your professional journeys from home.

Part III: The Strategic Vision (The Relevance Principle)

Adapting our delivery methods was only half the battle. A true leadership organization must also adapt its content to meet the needs of the moment. The pandemic was highlighting the criticality of skills in public health, telehealth, and remote care. As we announced on July 20th, we fast-tracked and launched the Public Health & Remote Care Portfolio. These four new certifications were a direct and timely response to the evolving roles of pharmacists. This strategic launch ensured that the very skills you were deploying on the front lines could be formally recognized and validated, providing you with the credentials to match your demonstrated expertise.

Resilience by the Numbers: Our 2020 Impact

While the story of 2020 is one of human resilience, we believe it is also important to share some tangible metrics that illustrate the success of our collective efforts:

• Candidate Success: Since the launch of LRP in May, over 5,000 examinations have been successfully and securely delivered to candidates in all 50 states, allowing professionals to advance their careers without compromising their safety.

• Program Growth: We successfully launched four new, critically relevant certification programs (CPHP, CTP, CROVP, CTCS), with inaugural candidate registration numbers far exceeding our initial expectations.

• Community Engagement: In a year of immense professional strain, we received a nearly 300% increase in applications for our Subject Matter Expert corps. This overwhelming response is a powerful testament to the desire of pharmacy professionals to give back and shape the future of their profession.

• Resource and Support: Our dedicated COVID-19 Resource Page and our comprehensive Guide to Remote Proctoring were accessed over 100,000 times, becoming a trusted central source of information and support for candidates navigating the new testing landscape.

The Unseen Engine: Our Volunteer Community

None of these achievements would have been possible without the unseen engine that powers our organization: our community of volunteers. Our Subject Matter Experts, committee members, and Board members are the lifeblood of CPS. This year, their service was nothing short of heroic. These individuals, many of whom were also working on the front lines of the pandemic in their own institutions, still found the time and energy to write exam questions late at night, to participate in virtual standard-setting studies on weekends, and to provide the expert guidance that allowed us to pivot with confidence and integrity. To our volunteers: thank you. Your selfless dedication in the face of adversity is the ultimate embodiment of our “by practitioners, for practitioners” ethos.

Looking Ahead to 2021: Lessons Forged in Fire

As we look to 2021, we do so with a profound sense of hope and purpose. The challenges of 2020 have forged us into a more agile, innovative, and resilient organization. The digital transformation we underwent out of necessity has now become a permanent part of our identity, making our programs more accessible than ever before. Live Remote Proctoring is no longer just a crisis response; it is a permanent feature that will serve the profession for years to come. The new certifications we launched are not just for a pandemic; they are for the future of pharmacy practice that is now arriving.

The greatest lesson of this year has been a powerful reminder of what truly matters: our health, our community, and our shared commitment to serving others. We will carry these lessons forward, continuing to innovate, to listen, and to support you in the vital work you do.

On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, thank you for your trust, your partnership, and your incredible service throughout this historic year. We wish you and your loved ones a safe, healthy, and peaceful end to 2020 and a hopeful start to the New Year.

Sincerely,

The Board of Directors Council on Pharmacy Standards (CPS)