The LICQual Level 6 Diploma in Specialty Pharmacy (D Specialty Pharmacy) is a specialized qualification designed for pharmacy and healthcare professionals seeking to enhance their career prospects, expand their expertise, and strengthen their Continuing Professional Development (CPD). This comprehensive programme equips learners with the advanced knowledge and practical skills required to manage complex therapies and provide patient-Centred care in specialty pharmacy settings.
Learners undertaking this diploma will explore a wide range of topics including advanced pharmacology, complex medication management, biologics and high-cost therapies, patient counselling, and multidisciplinary care coordination. The course emphasises evidence-based practice, clinical decision-making, and innovative approaches to managing specialty therapies, enabling learners to optimise treatment outcomes and improve patient safety.
Centres delivering the LICQual Level 6 Diploma in Specialty Pharmacy are required to maintain the highest standards of training. This includes employing competent and qualified staff, providing access to up-to-date learning materials and resources, and creating a supportive environment that fosters learner success. By adhering to these rigorous standards, centres ensure learners gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills essential for professional excellence in specialty pharmacy.
Whether you are a practicing pharmacist, a clinical healthcare professional, or an individual committed to specializing in complex therapies, this diploma offers a recognized pathway to advanced professional development.
Course Overview
Qualification Title
LICQual Level 6 Diploma in Specialty Pharmacy (D Specialty Pharmacy)
Total Units
6
Total Credits
120
GLH
480
Qualification #
LICQ2201203
Qualification Specification
To enroll in the LICQual Level 6 Diploma in Specialty Pharmacy (D Specialty Pharmacy), applicants must meet the following criteria:
|
Qualification# |
Unit Title |
Credits |
GLH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
LICQ2201203-1 |
Advanced Specialty Pharmacology |
20 |
80 |
|
LICQ2201203-2 |
Complex Medication Management |
20 |
80 |
|
LICQ2201203-3 |
Patient-Centred Care in Specialty Pharmacy |
20 |
80 |
|
LICQ2201203-4 |
Ethical, Legal, and Professional Standards in Specialty Pharmacy |
20 |
80 |
|
LICQ2201203-5 |
Research and Evidence-Based Practice in Specialty Pharmacy |
20 |
80 |
|
LICQ2201203-6 |
Leadership and Quality Assurance in Specialty Pharmacy Services |
20 |
80 |
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
Unit 1: Advanced Specialty Pharmacology
Learners will be able to:
- Analyse the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of specialty medications, including biologics and high-cost therapies.
- Evaluate mechanisms of action, efficacy, and safety profiles of complex therapies.
- Identify potential drug-drug and drug-disease interactions in specialty pharmacy practice.
- Apply principles of personalised medicine and precision therapies.
- Critically appraise emerging research and novel therapies in specialty pharmacy.
Unit 2: Complex Medication Management
Learners will be able to:
- Develop strategies for managing complex therapy regimens and polypharmacy.
- Monitor patient responses and optimise dosing for specialty medications.
- Identify and manage adverse effects and therapy-related complications.
- Apply clinical guidelines to ensure safe and effective treatment delivery.
- Integrate multidisciplinary approaches in complex therapy management.
Unit 3: Patient-Centred Care in Specialty Pharmacy
Learners will be able to:
- Implement patient-centred care strategies for individuals receiving complex therapies.
- Communicate effectively with patients, families, and healthcare teams.
- Provide counselling and education to support adherence and self-management.
- Address psychosocial, behavioural, and cultural factors affecting patient care.
- Promote holistic care and optimise patient outcomes in specialty pharmacy.
Unit 4: Ethical, Legal, and Professional Standards in Specialty Pharmacy
Learners will be able to:
- Apply ethical principles in decision-making for specialty pharmacy practice.
- Demonstrate understanding of legal and regulatory frameworks governing complex therapy management.
- Maintain professional standards, confidentiality, and informed consent.
- Identify and resolve ethical dilemmas in specialty therapy delivery.
- Evaluate organisational policies to ensure compliance with professional standards.
Unit 5: Research and Evidence-Based Practice in Specialty Pharmacy
Learners will be able to:
- Critically appraise research literature and clinical studies relevant to specialty pharmacy.
- Apply evidence-based guidelines to inform clinical decision-making and therapy optimisation.
- Design and conduct audits or small-scale research projects in specialty pharmacy.
- Analyse and interpret clinical data to improve patient care and outcomes.
- Integrate research findings into professional practice and service delivery.
Unit 6: Leadership and Quality Assurance in Specialty Pharmacy Services
Learners will be able to:
- Demonstrate leadership and team management skills in specialty pharmacy services.
- Implement quality assurance systems and audit processes to improve service delivery.
- Develop strategies to enhance patient safety, efficiency, and therapy effectiveness.
- Evaluate organisational performance and recommend service improvements.
This advanced qualification is ideal for:
- Pharmacy Professionals seeking to specialize in specialty pharmacy and enhance their career prospects.
- Clinical Pharmacists aiming to optimize medication management for patients receiving complex therapies.
- Healthcare Practitioners involved in prescribing, dispensing, or monitoring high-cost or specialized medications.
- Nurses and Support Staff working in specialty care settings, outpatient clinics, or community healthcare services looking to expand their knowledge of complex therapy management.
- Pharmacy Team Leaders and Managers seeking to develop leadership skills and implement quality assurance in specialty pharmacy services.
- Professionals Committed to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) who wish to gain internationally recognised expertise in specialty pharmacy.
- Healthcare Organisations and Centres aiming to upskill staff in advanced pharmaceutical care and compliance with professional standards in specialty therapy management.
To ensure high-quality delivery and learner success, centres offering the LICQual Level 6 Diploma in Specialty Pharmacy must meet the following requirements:
- Qualified and Competent Staff: Centres must employ trainers and assessors with relevant qualifications, professional experience in specialty pharmacy, and expertise in managing complex therapies and patient care.
- Access to Learning Resources: Centres should provide learners with up-to-date textbooks, journals, digital resources, and practical tools to support advanced specialty pharmacy training.
- Training Facilities: Centres must have adequate classroom or virtual learning environments equipped with modern technology to facilitate interactive teaching, assessments, and learner engagement.
- Assessment and Evaluation Systems: Centres should implement robust systems to monitor learner progress, conduct assessments, and provide constructive feedback in line with international standards.
- Compliance with Professional Standards: Centres must adhere to ethical, legal, and professional regulations, ensuring learners are trained according to best practices in specialty pharmacy.
- Support for Learners: Centres should offer mentoring, guidance, and additional learning support to help learners successfully complete the course and apply their knowledge in professional practice.
- Commitment to CPD: Centres must encourage a culture of continuing professional development, motivating learners to regularly update their skills and knowledge.
- Quality Assurance: Centres must implement internal quality assurance systems to continuously review and improve training delivery, assessment, and learner outcomes.
By meeting these requirements, centres ensure that learners receive a high-quality, internationally recognized qualification that prepares them for advanced roles in specialty pharmacy and complex therapy management.
Assessment and Verification
All units within this qualification are subject to internal assessment by the approved centre and external verification by LICQual. The qualification follows a criterion-referenced assessment approach, ensuring that learners meet all specified learning outcomes.
To achieve a ‘Pass’ in any unit, learners must provide valid, sufficient, and authentic evidence demonstrating their attainment of all learning outcomes and compliance with the prescribed assessment criteria. The Assessor is responsible for evaluating the evidence and determining whether the learner has successfully met the required standards.
Assessors must maintain a clear and comprehensive audit trail, documenting the basis for their assessment decisions to ensure transparency, consistency, and compliance with quality assurance requirements.
