July 1, 2000 -- CCGP is pleased to announce that it has signed an Agreement with the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) to provide an internationally recognized avenue to certification in geriatric pharmacy practice for all Australian pharmacists. This landmark agreement will allow Australian pharmacists to sit for a competency-based examination to determine their capability in providing pharmaceutical services to the elderly.

"SHPA's decision to offer this type of pharmacy practice certification reflects the changes in the Australian age demographics," says Helen Dowling, SHPA Federal President. "Hospital pharmacy is not isolated from the issue of dealing with an aging population for example, people older than 65 years represent 12 percent of the total Australian population. This group accounts for 35 percent of overall healthcare expenditures in Australia."

The first offering of the examination was held in conjunction with the SHPA Clinical Pharmacy Conference in 2000.  Applicants must be licensed pharmacists with at least two years of practice experience. Candidates who successfully meet all requirements receive the designation Certified Geriatric Pharmacist (CGP).

SHPA is working to ensure that real benefits will be available to pharmacists gaining the CGP credential. SHPA negotiated with the Australian government to establish CGP certification as the basis of a pathway to accreditation to provide medication management and review services to the elderly, and to receive payment for this work.  

From April 2006, incentive payments will also be made by the Australian government to all pharmacists who become accredited by SHPA, with additional yearly payments as part of the re-accreditation process. More information is available on the SHPA website.

SHPA is the professional body representing nearly 1900 pharmacists and pharmacy technicians practising in all parts of the Australian health system.  The SHPA vision is “excellence in medicines management through leading edge pharmacy practice and research”.

SHPA was established in 1941 following the pioneering efforts of 25 public hospital pharmacists in Victoria.  From 1947 to 1964 other branches were developed.  Therefore, SHPA has a long-standing commitment to the pharmacy and to the profession’s role in ensuring optimal health outcomes for Australian consumers by the safe and effective use of medicines. Safe and effective medication use is the core business of hospital pharmacists.  SHPA is the only professional pharmacy organisation with an especially strong base of members practising in public and private hospitals and other facilities.  Pharmacists working in hospitals have an established role at all steps of the medicines management pathway. 

With more professional services being offered via community pharmacy and other pharmacy practice settings, the medicines management pathway concept will play an increasingly greater role across the continuum of care.  The changing nature of health care delivery is reflected in the diversity of practice settings of SHPA members including: public and private hospitals, community pharmacy, academia, research, industry, government, consultant / accredited pharmacists providing reviews at home or in residential aged care, quality use of medicines projects, medication safety, clinical governance and medicines management programs.

If you would like more information about the CGP examination, please continue reading in the Pharmacist Center on the following pages: exam schedule and test center.  You may also register online for the exam.