Commission for Certification in Geriatric Pharmacy Inc.

Overview

The Commission for Certification in Geriatric Pharmacy Inc. (CCGP) was established in 1997 by the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) as a nonprofit organization. It operates autonomously from ASCP with the mission to protect and serve the public interest through the credentialing of qualified practitioners of geriatric pharmaceutical care.

History and Function

Initially, the CCGP was responsible for developing and overseeing the Certified Geriatric Pharmacist (CGP) credential. However, in recent years, the certification program for geriatric pharmacy has transitioned to the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS), which now administers the Board-Certified Geriatric Pharmacist (BCGP) credential.

Mission and Impact

The CCGP aimed to ensure that healthcare professionals providing pharmaceutical care to older adults meet high standards of competency. By credentialing qualified geriatric pharmacists, the organization contributed to improving medication management and safety among older adults. Although the certification process is now managed by BPS, the CCGP's historical role was significant in establishing standards for geriatric pharmacy practice in the U.S.

Transition to BPS

As of 2017, the Commission for Certification in Geriatric Pharmacy no longer oversees the certification process for geriatric pharmacy. The responsibility for this specialty certification was transferred to the Board of Pharmacy Specialties, which continues to certify professionals under the BCGP designation. This transition marked an important shift in the governance and administration of geriatric pharmacy certifications in the U.S.

Summary

The Commission for Certification in Geriatric Pharmacy played a pivotal role in establishing and maintaining standards for geriatric pharmacy practice before transferring its certification responsibilities to the Board of Pharmacy Specialties. Its efforts helped ensure that pharmacists working with older adults possessed the necessary knowledge and skills to deliver high-quality care.

[1] https://bpsweb.org/geriatric-pharmacy/ [2] https://bpsweb.org/2017/01/03/certified-geriatric-pharmacist-credential-moves-to-bps/ [3] https://www.ascp.com/page/BCGP [4] https://www.idealist.org/en/nonprofit/119d31be3e994928b934cae17f983e14-commission-for-certification-in-geriatric-pharmacy-alexandria [5] https://www.rxinsider.com/20ways/articles/20_ccgp_article_winter.pdf