Report Highlights
Did you know that 46 states require an average of 15 continuing pharmacy education (CPE) credit hours per year?
(Source: RXinsider)
The objective of this report is to educate Pharmacy500 professionals, pharmacy leadership, and other stakeholders on key trends within the supply chain as it relates to accredited pharmacy CE providers.
What is Continuing Education (CE)?
Continuing education (CE) refers to structured and accredited learning activities designed to enhance the knowledge, skills, and competencies of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Some people also use the term continuing pharmacy education (CPE). These programs aim to ensure that pharmacy professionals remain current with advances in pharmaceutical science, clinical practices, and regulatory requirements, thereby supporting high-quality patient care. Pharmacy CE is essential for lifelong learning and is a critical component of professional practice, ensuring pharmacists and pharmacy technicians can meet the dynamic needs of patients and the healthcare system.
Pharmacy500 Accredited Continuing Pharmacy Education Providers
There are 24 companies in the 2026 Pharmacy500 that are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) to provide CE, constituting the continuing education supply chain category.
Key Components of CE
- Accredited Learning Activities
• Provided by organizations accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)
• ACPE provides a list of accredited pharmacy CE providers on their website
• Activities include live seminars, online courses, webinars, and journal-based learning - Learning Formats
• Live CE: These include in-person or real-time virtual sessions
• Home Study CE: These include self-paced modules available online or in print
• Practice-Based CE: These include hands-on or experiential learning activities - Credit Hours and Certification
• These are measured in Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or Contact Hours (1 CEU = 10 hours of participation)
• Pharmacists are required to complete a specified number of CE hours periodically to maintain state licensure - Mandatory Topics
• Certain state boards of pharmacy mandate CPE on specific topics, such as opioid stewardship, immunizations, HIV, or pharmacy law
Accreditation Overview
The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) is the national agency responsible for ensuring the quality of pharmacy education in the U.S. Established in 1932 and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, ACPE accredits professional degree programs in pharmacy, continuing pharmacy education providers, and, in collaboration with the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, pharmacy technician training programs. In 2000, ACPE led the transition to the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) as the profession’s sole entry-level degree, reinforcing its commitment to advancing pharmacist-provided patient care. ACPE also offers international services through its International Services Program (ISP), supporting global efforts to enhance the quality of pharmacy education. Guided by values such as excellence, innovation, professionalism, and collaboration, ACPE continues to play a leading role in shaping the pharmacy profession through rigorous accreditation standards and support for continuous quality improvement. (Source: ACPE)
Pharmacy500 Market Intelligence Reports
The objective of RXinsider’s weekly Market Intelligence Reports is to educate Pharmacy500 professionals, pharmacy leadership, and other stakeholders on key trends within the supply chain as it relates to the pharmacy industry.
Learn more about RXinsider’s weekly Market Intelligence Reports on our website: RXinsider.com/pharmacy_market_intelligence
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