LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Specialty Pharmacy
Modern healthcare is becoming increasingly complex, with patients requiring advanced therapies that go far beyond traditional medicines. Rare diseases, biologics, oncology treatments, and personalized therapies are reshaping the pharmaceutical landscape. Managing these specialized therapies demands precision, safety, and deep expertise. This is where specialty pharmacy plays a transformative role. It ensures that patients with complex conditions receive the right treatment, supported by monitoring, counseling, and adherence strategies that safeguard outcomes.
The LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Specialty Pharmacy (Dip Specialty Pharmacy) highlights the growing importance of this discipline in today’s healthcare systems. Specialty pharmacy is not simply about dispensing high‑cost medicines—it is about bridging science with patient care, ensuring therapies are accessible, safe, and effective. As demand for advanced treatments rises globally, professionals trained in this area are essential for improving patient quality of life and supporting sustainable healthcare delivery. For learners, engaging with this subject is more than academic—it is an opportunity to contribute to cutting‑edge pharmaceutical practices, strengthen healthcare systems, and play a vital role in shaping the future of specialized medicine.
Program Outline
The LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Specialty Pharmacy is a structured qualification designed to provide learners with essential knowledge of advanced pharmaceutical care. Comprising 6 specialized units and worth 60 credits, the program introduces learners to areas such as biologics, rare disease therapies, oncology treatments, patient adherence strategies, compliance frameworks, and ethical considerations in specialty practice.
This section explains how the course equips learners with the ability to understand specialty pharmacy, apply evidence‑based practices, and align with international standards effectively. It highlights the type of learners the program is aimed at, the skills they will gain, and the career pathways available upon completion. Readers will also discover how this internationally recognized qualification opens opportunities in hospitals, specialty clinics, pharmaceutical companies, and research institutions, making it a valuable credential for anyone aspiring to build a career in specialty pharmacy.
Unit Structure
| Qualification | Unit Title | Credits | GLH |
| LICQ2201171-1 | Introduction to Specialty Pharmacy Practice | 10 | 40 |
| LICQ2201171-2 | Advanced Pharmacotherapy in Specialty Medicines | 10 | 40 |
| LICQ2201171-3 | Patient-Centered Care in Specialty Pharmacy | 10 | 40 |
| LICQ2201171-4 | Supply Chain, Access, and Regulation of Specialty Medicines | 10 | 40 |
| LICQ2201171-5 | Clinical Decision-Making and Evidence-Based Practice | 10 | 40 |
| LICQ2201171-6 | Professional Development and Research Skills | 10 | 40 |
Who Can Benefit
The LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Specialty Pharmacy (Dip Specialty Pharmacy) is designed for individuals who want to specialize in advanced pharmaceutical care for patients with complex conditions. This program is particularly valuable for those who aim to address challenges such as biologics management, rare disease therapies, and patient adherence. It helps learners strengthen their expertise, improve employability, and prepare for roles where specialty pharmacy is central to healthcare delivery.
Ideal Learners
- Students aspiring to enter pharmaceutical sciences with a focus on specialized therapies.
- Entry‑level professionals seeking structured training in specialty pharmacy.
- Pharmacy assistants wanting to expand knowledge of biologics and rare disease treatments.
- Community pharmacy staff preparing for responsibilities in advanced patient counseling.
- Hospital pharmacy technicians aiming to strengthen skills in oncology and specialty care.
- Healthcare professionals transitioning into specialty pharmacy roles.
- Career changers interested in advanced pharmaceutical practice and patient support.
- Ambitious learners who want to develop practical skills for specialty pharmacy careers.
What You’ll Be Able to Do
Unit 1: Introduction to Specialty Pharmacy Practice
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Define the scope and role of specialty pharmacy within healthcare systems.
- Identify therapeutic areas where specialty medicines are commonly applied.
- Explain the professional responsibilities of pharmacists in specialty care.
- Evaluate the challenges and opportunities of delivering specialty pharmacy services.
Unit 2: Advanced Pharmacotherapy in Specialty Medicines (10 Credits, 40 GLH)
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the pharmacology of key specialty medicines.
- Apply therapeutic approaches to managing complex conditions such as oncology, immunology, and rare diseases.
- Evaluate the safety, monitoring, and adverse effects of specialty drug therapies.
- Integrate pharmacotherapy principles into patient-centred treatment plans.
Unit 3: Patient-Centred Care in Specialty Pharmacy
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Demonstrate effective patient counselling and communication strategies.
- Support patients in managing long-term therapies and complex treatment regimens.
- Assess the psychosocial, ethical, and cultural aspects of patient care.
- Apply patient-centred approaches to improve adherence and treatment outcomes.
Unit 4: Supply Chain, Access, and Regulation of Specialty Medicines (
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Describe the supply chain processes for sourcing, storing, and distributing specialty medicines.
- Analyse regulatory frameworks governing the handling and access of specialty medicines.
- Apply compliance standards to ensure safe and ethical distribution of pharmaceuticals.
- Evaluate global challenges related to affordability, access, and equity in specialty medicine supply.
Unit 5: Clinical Decision-Making and Evidence-Based Practice
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Apply clinical reasoning to pharmacy-based decision-making in specialty care.
- Critically evaluate clinical guidelines and research evidence to support practice.
- Demonstrate the use of risk-benefit analysis in complex therapeutic decisions.
- Integrate patient data and evidence-based resources into clinical recommendations.
Unit 6: Professional Development and Research Skills
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of research methods relevant to pharmacy practice.
- Critically appraise pharmacy-related literature and apply findings to practice.
- Develop and maintain a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) plan.
- Reflect on ethical practice, professional responsibilities, and lifelong learning in pharmacy.
