The Commission for Certification in Geriatric Pharmacy (CCGP) was founded in 1997 by the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) to oversee the certification program in geriatric pharmacy practice.  CCGP is a nonprofit corporation, autonomous from ASCP and with its own governing Board of Commissioners.

CCGP is the only credentialing body in pharmacy that focuses on a patient population rather than a disease state or specialty practice.  The CCGP program establishes a national standard for pharmacists in all practice environments.  Candidates who successfully meet all program requirements receive the designation “Certified Geriatric Pharmacist” (CGP).

Professional certification has a number of measurable associated benefits for employers and facilities, managed care payers, patients, and the pharmacist:

• From the patient’s point of view, certification provides the assurance that the pharmacist is providing pharmacological information and services that are both accurate and appropriate.

• Employers and facilities with Certified Geriatric Pharmacists on staff are authorized to use the CGP mark in advertising, thereby demonstrating the overall quality of care provided by the facility and providing backup for accreditation procedures overseen by regulatory agencies.

• In addition, the credibility of services performed by a certified geriatric pharmacist should lead to more comprehensive reimbursement under Medicare and Medicaid, especially as the Medicare Part D program matures and Pharmacy Benefit Managers Prescription Drug Plans increasingly use geriatric pharmacists to provide pharmacy and medication therapy management services to their beneficiaries.

For more information on the Certified Geriatric Pharmacist program or to apply for certification, please visit www.ccgp.org.