Pharmacy is a field that is constantly changing and evolving. New drugs, technological advancements, regulatory changes, and changing patient needs make it essential for pharmacists to keep their knowledge and skills updated. This is why Continuing Education (CE) courses play a vital role in pharmacists’ professional development.
In 2025, Continuing Education is no longer just a means for pharmacists to maintain their license. It also provides them with the opportunity to expand their expertise, learn new techniques, and better serve patients.
Why is Continuing Education Important?
A pharmacist’s job isn’t limited to dispensing medication. They play a vital role in improving patient health outcomes.
- Continuous Knowledge Update: Staying up-to-date is essential due to new drugs, treatment protocols, and changes in pharmaceutical technology.
- Career Advancement: CE courses open doors to new opportunities and specializations.
- Professional Networking: Participating in CE programs allows pharmacists to connect with other professionals.
- Patient Safety: Expertise in advanced treatments and medication management improves patient health outcomes.
Therefore, CE courses in 2025 have become not just a statutory requirement but an important part of professional and personal development.
Top CE Course Options in 2025
PowerPak CE
PowerPak CE is a leading CE platform for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. It offers certified courses in various specialty areas.
- MTM Certificate Program: This course focuses on Medication Therapy Management (MTM), enabling pharmacists to create personalized medication plans for patients.
- Veterinary Pharmacy Certificate Program: Specialized courses for pharmacists interested in veterinary medicine.
- Medication Safety Courses: Focused on ensuring patient safety and improving medication management.
- Format: Online, self-paced course, certificate awarded upon completion.
- Benefits: Increase expertise, ensure patient safety, and enhance professional confidence.
Pharmacy Times Continuing Education (PTCE)
PTCE offers free and certified CE courses useful in various areas of pharmacist practice.
- Community Pharmacist Courses: Essential topics for pharmacists working in local pharmacies.
- Health-System Pharmacist Courses: For pharmacists working in hospital and clinical settings.
- Consultant Pharmacist Courses: For pharmacists working in long-term care or consulting roles.
- Format: Online interactive modules and assessments.
- Benefits: Expertise in various settings, improving patient care.
ASHP Continuing Education
ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists) offers CE courses in hospital and clinical pharmacy.
- Ambulatory Care: For pharmacists in outpatient settings.
- Infectious Diseases: Focuses on antimicrobial stewardship and infectious disease management.
- Pharmacy Law: A course on pharmacy law and compliance.
- Format: Live webinars, home study, and live events.
- Benefits: Increasing expertise in the health system, professional knowledge in accordance with legal and ethical standards.
freeCE
freeCE offers flexible and clinically relevant CE courses. This platform is suitable for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and APRNs.
- Target topics: Patient safety, medication management, new technologies, and expertise.
- Format: Live and on-demand courses.
- Benefits: Developing professional skills, maintaining licensure, and providing better patient care.
Premier Pharmacy CE
Premier Inc.’s CE program offers a variety of courses.
- CE Webinars: Monthly, one-hour webinars.
- Antimicrobial Stewardship Forums: Discussions on antimicrobial stewardship.
- Pharmacy Practice Forums: Sharing best practices in health-system pharmacy.
- Format: Live webinars and home study.
- Benefits: Professional development, networking, and knowledge of the latest pharmacy practices.
How to Choose a CE Course?
Understand your career goals: Clinical, hospital, retail, or research—choose a course that aligns with your expertise.
- Reliable Platform: Select an accredited and certified CE platform.
- Time and Flexibility: Online and on-demand options are best suited to your time and convenience.
- Certificates and Credits: Ensure the course provides credit toward your license renewal.
- Patient-Centered Learning: Explore how course content can improve patient care.
The Future of CE in 2025
CE courses in 2025 will no longer be limited to maintaining professional licensure.
- AI and Digital Learning: Interactive and personalized learning through artificial intelligence and virtual platforms.
- Specialized Courses: Focus on specialties such as cancer, cardiology, neurology, and diabetes.
- International Courses: Opportunities to learn about global health and new medicines.
- These changes will provide pharmacists with the opportunity to become more advanced, patient-focused, and technologically competent.
Conclusion
Continuing education has become an essential part of pharmacists’ professional lives. In 2025, CE courses are not only a means of maintaining licensure, but also provide opportunities for career advancement, specialization, patient safety, and professional networking.
Through platforms like PowerPak CE, PTCE, ASHP, freeCE, and Premier Pharmacy CE, pharmacists can expand their expertise and play a more influential role in healthcare.
Today’s pharmacist is not just a pharmaceutical distributor, but a patient health reformer, researcher, and healthcare system change professional. By investing in CE courses, you can make your pharmacy career journey even more successful in 2025.
