Implementation of the California advanced practice pharmacist and the continued disappointment of tiered licensure

Abstract

The Advanced Practice Pharmacist (APh) designation in California was created via legislation 10 years ago. California pharmacists who meet certain criteria can be designated as an APh and unlock additional practice authority. Just 1065 pharmacists, or 2% of licensed California pharmacists, have obtained the APh designation through 2022. APhs did not report benefiting from the designation as it relates to expanded scope of practice. This experience of low uptake and minimal benefit mirrors the tiered licenses created by three other states. More recent legislation broadened the independent prescriptive authority of APhs, but this increased value proposition aligns with the practice authority adopted by other states who have imposed fewer barriers to entry. Given the track record observed to date, we doubt that tiered licensure will ever prove successful in the pharmacy profession. Instead, state policymakers and pharmacy advocates should consider adopting a “standard of care” regulatory approach to improve patient access to safe and beneficial pharmacist services.