Veterinary pharmacy moves closer to specialty recognition
Veterinary pharmacy is moving closer to formal specialty recognition, but not through the AVMA system veterinarians know. The Board of Pharmacy Specialties, which certifies pharmacist specialties, opened a public comment period February 26 after receiving a January 2026 petition from the American College of Veterinary Pharmacists, the International College of Veterinary Pharmacy, and the Society of Veterinary Hospital Pharmacists. That petition argues veterinary pharmacy requires advanced, species-specific expertise beyond general pharmacy training, and BPS says an earlier role delineation study supported further consideration. The comment window runs through April 1, 2026, and BPS says it expects a decision within six months. (pharmacytimes.com)
Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the debate is really about whether pharmacists with formal veterinary-specific training should have a clearer, standardized credential in animal therapeutics, compounding, regulatory compliance, toxicology, food-animal residue concerns, and One Health practice. That One Health piece is especially relevant in a profession that increasingly talks about veterinarians’ role in public health, zoonotic disease prevention, food security, and access to care. Supporters say a recognized specialty could improve collaboration with veterinarians, strengthen medication safety, and help distinguish advanced expertise from general continuing education. It’s also notable that veterinary clinical pharmacology is already an AVMA-recognized veterinary specialty for veterinarians, while veterinary pharmacy certification would sit on the pharmacist side, creating a parallel rather than overlapping specialty pathway. (vetmeds.org)
What to watch: Watch for BPS’s decision by roughly late summer or early fall 2026, and, if the petition is approved, the creation of a specialty council to set eligibility standards and build the certification exam. As that process unfolds, practical questions will matter: what training or experience will count, how the credential will be used in hospitals and referral settings, and whether it helps practices identify pharmacists with deeper expertise as animal therapeutics become more specialized. (pharmacytimes.com)