Abu Dhabi: More than 565 pharmacists in Abu Dhabi will have to complete a 20-hour Continuing Pharmacy Education (CPE) programme if they want to renew their licence.

The Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) announced that the CPE programme is now a requirement for all licensure and re-licensure of pharmacists working in the public and private sector, effective from February 2009.

The CPE will offer educational programmes for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and other health practitioners through courses that cover advances in pharmacy, insights on the innovative use of technology, developing and delivering learning opportunities for practicing pharmacy.
There are currently a total of 358 pharmacies across Abu Dhabi, of which 237 are located in Abu Dhabi, 108 in the eastern region and 13 in the western region.

According to Dr. Oliver Harrison, Director of HAAD's Public Health and Policy Division, pharmacists before being licensed to work in Abu Dhabi will be required to complete 20 hours of CPE, with a minimum of ten hours to be accredited by HAAD.