LICQual Level 6 Diploma in Specialty Pharmacy
Modern healthcare is evolving rapidly, with patients requiring highly specialized treatments tailored to complex conditions. From oncology and cardiology to rare diseases, the demand for advanced pharmaceutical expertise has never been greater. This is where specialty pharmacy plays a transformative role. It is not simply about dispensing medicines—it is about managing therapies that are often high‑cost, high‑risk, and life‑changing. These treatments demand precision, patient education, and close collaboration with healthcare teams to ensure safety and effectiveness.
The LICQual Level 6 Diploma in Specialty Pharmacy (D Specialty Pharmacy) highlights the importance of this discipline in today’s healthcare systems. Specialty pharmacy bridges pharmaceutical science with patient‑centered care, ensuring that individuals with complex medical needs receive therapies that improve outcomes and quality of life. As innovative biologics, targeted therapies, and advanced medicines continue to reshape treatment landscapes, professionals trained in this field are essential for guiding patients, supporting compliance, and strengthening healthcare delivery. For learners, engaging with this subject is more than academic—it is an opportunity to contribute to cutting‑edge care, enhance professional credibility, and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of specialized medicine.
Program Outline
The LICQual Level 6 Diploma is a structured qualification designed to provide learners with advanced knowledge of specialized pharmaceutical practice. Comprising 6 units and worth 120 credits, the program introduces learners to areas such as advanced pharmacology, patient safety frameworks, compliance standards, ethical considerations, therapy monitoring, and international healthcare policies.
This section explains how the course equips learners with the ability to apply evidence‑based approaches, strengthen decision‑making, and align with global 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, clinics, pharmaceutical companies, and research institutions, making it a valuable credential for anyone aspiring to build a career in advanced pharmaceutical care.
Unit Structure
| 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 |
Who Can Benefit
The LICQual Level 6 Diploma is designed for individuals who want to build expertise in advanced pharmaceutical practice for complex medical needs. This program is especially valuable for those aiming to tackle challenges such as therapy management, patient safety, and compliance with international standards. It enables learners to deepen their knowledge, enhance career prospects, and prepare for roles where specialized pharmaceutical care is central to improving healthcare delivery.
Ideal Learners
- Students interested in pharmaceutical sciences with a focus on specialized treatment.
- Early‑career professionals seeking structured training in advanced pharmaceutical practice.
- Pharmacy assistants looking to expand their understanding of complex therapies.
- Community pharmacy staff preparing for responsibilities in specialized medicine.
- Hospital technicians aiming to strengthen skills in therapy monitoring and patient safety.
- Healthcare professionals transitioning into advanced pharmaceutical roles.
- Career changers motivated by opportunities in specialized healthcare practice.
- Ambitious learners eager to develop practical skills for careers in advanced pharmaceutical care.
What You’ll Be Able to Do
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.
