Pharmacy is a dynamic professional requiring specialized education, training, and intellectual skills; for the well-being of patients served by the pharmacy profession, this education and training must keep pace with the state-of-the-art.

The value of experiential learning is complementary to but cannot replace knowledge and skills obtained through an organized, systematic educational process.

The intuitive value of a systematic, documented program of continuing education is apparent to the public and such a program will satisfy public desire/demand for professionals with current skills and knowledge.

A requirement to document continuing education as a means of promoting professional competence and public confidence may be a more logical first step than alternatives such as periodic challenge exams.

Without a continuing education requirement in place, Virginia (being only one of thirteen states not requiring continuing education for re-licensure) may subject its practitioners to future reciprocity difficulties.

The Virginia Society of Health-System Pharmacists supports the concept of re-licensure based upon demonstrated participation in continuing education; VSHP views such a program as a logical first step toward the development of practitioner competency in the interest of improving the health of Virginians through proper medication use.

The Virginia Society of Health-System Pharmacists will work in concert with the VPhA, the MCV/VCU School of Pharmacy, and the Virginia Board of Pharmacy to promote the enactment of appropriate continuing education for re-licensure legislation during the 1989 session of the Virginia General Assembly.

Approved by VSHP Board of Directors: 6/19/88

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