LICQual Level 7 Diploma in Specialty Pharmacy
Modern healthcare is increasingly defined by precision, innovation, and the ability to meet complex patient needs. As treatments become more advanced, the demand for professionals who can manage specialized therapies has grown significantly. This is where specialty pharmacy plays a vital role. Specialty pharmacy focuses on high‑cost, high‑complexity medications used to treat chronic, rare, or life‑threatening conditions. It is not just about dispensing drugs—it is about ensuring patients receive the right support, monitoring, and education to achieve the best possible outcomes.
The LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Specialty Pharmacy (PgD Specialty Pharmacy) highlights the importance of mastering advanced expertise in this evolving discipline. Specialty pharmacy professionals are essential for bridging pharmaceutical science with patient‑centered care, reducing risks, and improving adherence to complex therapies. As healthcare systems worldwide adapt to the challenges of chronic disease management and personalized medicine, specialists in specialty pharmacy are increasingly recognized as key contributors to better patient outcomes. For learners, engaging with specialty pharmacy is more than academic—it is an opportunity to shape the future of healthcare delivery, strengthen professional credibility, and make a meaningful impact on patient lives.
Program Outline
The LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Specialty Pharmacy (PgD Specialty Pharmacy) is a structured qualification designed to provide learners with advanced expertise in managing complex therapies and pharmaceutical practice. Comprising 6 specialized units and worth 120 credits, the program introduces learners to areas such as chronic disease management, patient safety frameworks, compliance with international standards, ethical considerations, and global best practices in specialty pharmacy.
This section explains how the course equips learners with the ability to understand specialty pharmacy, apply evidence‑based approaches, 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, community pharmacies, 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 |
| LICQ2201235-1 | Advanced Principles of Specialty Pharmacotherapy | 20 | 100 |
| LICQ2201235-2 | Clinical Assessment and Medication Management | 20 | 100 |
| LICQ2201235-3 | Patient Safety, Risk Management and Regulatory Compliance | 20 | 100 |
| LICQ2201235-4 | Evidence-Based Practice and Research in Specialty Pharmacy | 20 | 100 |
| LICQ2201235-5 | Ethical, Legal, and Professional Considerations | 20 | 100 |
| LICQ2201235-6 | Advanced Therapeutic Interventions and Specialist Management | 20 | 100 |
Who Can Benefit
This postgraduate diploma is designed for individuals who want to specialize in advanced medication management, patient safety, and compliance with global standards. It is particularly valuable for those who aim to address challenges such as therapy optimization, adherence to complex treatments, and integration of specialized pharmaceutical services. The program helps learners strengthen their expertise, enhance employability, and prepare for roles where advanced pharmaceutical practice 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 advanced medication management.
- Pharmacy assistants wanting to expand knowledge of chronic disease management and patient monitoring.
- Community pharmacy staff preparing for responsibilities in specialized care services.
- Hospital pharmacy technicians aiming to strengthen skills in compliance and patient safety.
- Healthcare professionals transitioning into roles involving advanced therapy services.
- Career changers interested in pharmaceutical innovation and complex treatment practice.
- Ambitious learners who want to develop practical skills for careers in advanced pharmaceutical care.
What You’ll Be Able to Do
Unit 1: Advanced Principles of Specialty Pharmacotherapy
- Analyse pharmacology and pathophysiology relevant to specialty medications
- Evaluate pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in complex therapy management
- Review evidence-based guidelines for biologics, high-cost therapies, and orphan drugs
- Assess risks and benefits of polypharmacy and complex medication regimens
Unit 2: Clinical Assessment and Medication Management
- Conduct comprehensive assessments of patients requiring specialty therapies
- Perform medication reviews to optimise therapy and minimise adverse effects
- Integrate comorbidities, organ function, and patient-specific factors into treatment plans
- Apply principles of personalised medicine and shared decision-making
Unit 3: Patient Safety, Risk Management and Regulatory Compliance
- Identify and manage adverse drug reactions and medication errors in specialty pharmacy
- Implement strategies for safe prescribing, dispensing, and monitoring of complex therapies
- Apply regulatory frameworks and compliance standards for high-cost medications
- Promote patient safety, adherence, and quality assurance
Unit 4: Evidence-Based Practice and Research in Specialty Pharmacy
- Critically appraise research, clinical trials, and real-world evidence in specialty pharmacy
- Apply research methods to improve clinical decision-making
- Develop interventions to enhance patient outcomes
- Use data to support policy, protocol development, and evidence-based practice
Unit 5: Ethical, Legal, and Professional Considerations
- Examine ethical dilemmas in specialty pharmacy, including access to high-cost medicines
- Understand legal responsibilities in prescribing, dispensing, and counselling
- Analyse patient consent, confidentiality, and safeguarding issues
- Promote professional standards and reflective practice in complex therapy management
Unit 6: Advanced Therapeutic Interventions and Specialist Management
- Design individualised treatment plans for patients on complex or high-cost therapies
- Evaluate specialist interventions and monitoring strategies for high-risk patients
- Implement multidisciplinary approaches in specialty pharmacy care
- Monitor, review, and optimise therapy to improve clinical outcomes
