University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy Announces Online Program to Certify Pharmacists as HIV Treatment Specialists
The University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences has introduced an online program to certify pharmacists as specialists for HIV treatment, Virus Weekly reports. The program -- the first of its kind in the nation -- will teach pharmacists around the world the type of care necessary to "comfortably and knowledgeably" work with HIV/AIDS patients and their health care providers as part of an effort to improve pharmacists' access to new techniques in HIV pharmacotherapy. Pharmacists enrolled in the program will access readings and case studies from the school's online HIV Pharmacotherapy Network, as well as detailed information about new HIV treatment strategies. Participants must pass online exams and are required to submit a total of 40 case studies from their own practice, which HIV editorial board members review and comment upon via e-mail. A one-day live workshop on HIV care is also required. "Many pharmacists have never received training in HIV pharmacotherapy, and trying to keep up with the advances in the field is daunting, to say the least," Gene Morse, chair of the UB Department of Pharmacy Practice and director of the Laboratory for Antiviral Research, said. AIDS health care providers, insurers and pharmacy chains can participate in the program as well (Virus Weekly, 5/21).
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