Pharmacy-accreditation group to develop program for specialty

WASHINGTON — The Center for Pharmacy Practice Accreditation is developing an accreditation program for specialty pharmacy practices, the group said.

The CPPA said its accreditation would meet the public's need for predictable and measurable pharmacy-based patient care services, noting that voluntary accreditation programs recognize pharmacy practices committed to quality, patient safety and improved care. Specialty pharmacy is focused on treatments for such difficult-to-treat, chronic conditions as cancers, autoimmune disorders, genetic diseases and chronic viral infections.

According to IMS Health, estimated costs for specialty drugs will be more than $260 billion by the end of this year, and according to a recent report by the Drug Channels Institute, eight of the top 10 best-selling drugs, by revenue, will be specialty drugs by 2016, with specialty accounting for 31% of pharmacy industry revenues in the United States.