The field of pharmacy is in a state of constant, dynamic evolution. From pioneering clinical roles to the integration of advanced technologies, the pharmacy professional’s impact on patient care has never been more critical. For years, the Council on Pharmacy Standards (CPS) has been dedicated to championing this evolution, working diligently behind the scenes to establish and uphold the rigorous standards of excellence that define modern pharmacy practice. Our core mission has always been to support the profession by providing a clear framework for competence, safety, and lifelong learning.
Today, we are thrilled to take a significant step forward in our commitment to communication and transparency. We are officially launching the CPS News & Announcements Hub—a centralized, digital source for all official updates, insights, and developments from the Council. This hub is more than just a new section of our website; it is a direct reflection of our dedication to serving the pharmacy community more effectively. It is a promise to provide you with timely, accessible, and relevant information that supports your professional journey and enhances our collective mission to advance patient care. We invite you to explore this new resource and join us in this exciting next chapter of communication and collaboration.
Our Enduring Mission: A Foundation of Excellence
Since our inception, the Council on Pharmacy Standards has operated with a singular, unwavering focus: to safeguard public health by advancing and advocating for the highest standards in the pharmacy profession. This mission is the bedrock of everything we do. It has guided our collaboration with distinguished Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) from across the nation, informed the meticulous development of our certification programs, and driven our continuous analysis of the evolving roles and responsibilities of pharmacy professionals.
Our work is rooted in a data-driven, consensus-based approach. Through comprehensive Job Task Analyses (JTAs), environmental scanning, and partnerships with leading healthcare organizations, we ensure that our standards and certifications are not only relevant but also forward-thinking. We have always believed that a credential should be more than a title; it should be a trusted symbol of validated expertise, a commitment to ethical practice, and a dedication to continuous professional growth. This hub will now serve as a window into that process, sharing the insights and outcomes that shape the standards we set. While this digital platform is new, the principles of integrity, rigor, and service that it represents have been the cornerstones of our organization for years.
Why a Centralized Hub? Why Now?
In an era of information overload, clarity is paramount. As our portfolio of certifications has grown and the complexity of pharmacy practice has increased, we recognized the critical need for a single, authoritative source for all Council-related information. The launch of this News & Announcements Hub is a direct response to this need and is driven by three key objectives:
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To Enhance Clarity and Accessibility. Our primary goal is to make it easier for you to stay informed. No longer will you need to navigate multiple pages or wait for periodic newsletters to find what you’re looking for. Whether it’s an update to an examination blueprint, a change in recertification policy, or the announcement of a new program, you will find it here first. This centralized model ensures that every member of our community—from candidates and certificants to employers and regulators—has immediate access to the same reliable information.
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To Improve Timeliness. The healthcare landscape changes rapidly, and pharmacy professionals must adapt in real-time. This hub provides us with the agility to communicate essential updates as they happen. In a profession where timely knowledge can directly impact patient outcomes and professional compliance, a static communication strategy is no longer sufficient. This platform allows us to disseminate critical information instantly, ensuring you are always equipped with the most current knowledge regarding CPS standards and certifications.
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To Foster Greater Community Engagement. We view this hub as the beginning of a richer, more interactive dialogue with the community we serve. It is a space not just for our announcements, but for our shared profession. In the coming months, we plan to expand our content to include thought leadership articles from industry experts, spotlights on the incredible work being done by our certified professionals, and summaries of our research findings. We see this as a platform to celebrate our collective achievements and tackle our shared challenges together.
What You Can Expect to Find Here
We encourage you to bookmark this page and visit often. We are committed to populating it with valuable and varied content designed to support your professional needs. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll find:
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Official Announcements: The primary source for all major news, including the launch of new certification programs and significant updates to existing ones.
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Key Dates and Deadlines: A clear and consistent location for important timelines, such as registration windows, examination schedules, and recertification deadlines.
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Policy Updates: Transparent communication regarding any changes to CPS policies, procedures, or the code of ethics.
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Research and Insights: Access to executive summaries and key findings from our Job Task Analyses, white papers, and practice-related research.
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Community Spotlights: Features on the invaluable contributions of our volunteers, Subject Matter Experts, and board members.
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From the Archives: To provide historical context on our long-standing initiatives, we will occasionally digitize and share pivotal announcements and policy statements from the Council’s archives. This will offer valuable perspective on the journey of our standards and the profession itself.
Our Commitment to the Future
This hub is a foundational element of our vision for the future—a future built on enhanced communication, collaboration, and innovation. As we continue to develop new programs and adapt to the needs of the pharmacy profession, this platform will be our primary tool for keeping you engaged and informed every step of the way.
Thank you for being a part of the Council on Pharmacy Standards community. We are incredibly proud to serve this vital profession and are excited to embark on this new chapter of communication with you.
The Team at the Council on Pharmacy Standards