Establishment of Pharmacy Specialties

In January of 1973, a Task Force on Specialties in Pharmacy was created by the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) to respond to changes occurring in health care and the pharmacy profession. Of particular interest was the issue of specialization in pharmacy practice.

Following the recommendations of the Task Force, the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) was organized in 1976 as an independent certification agency of APhA.

BPS has four primary responsibilities:

• Identifies and recognizes critical specialty practice areas;
• Sets standards for the certification and recertification of pharmacy specialists;
• Objectively evaluates individuals seeking certification and recertification;
• Serves as information resource and coordinating agency for pharmacy specialties.

The overriding concern of BPS is to ensure that the public receives the level of pharmacy services that will improve a patient's quality of life. Toward this goal, the Board has recognized five specialty practice areas.