ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Safe appropriate use of medication is an essential part of high-quality care that improves patient outcomes and healthcare affordability. To help healthcare professionals implement effective quality improvement programs, the Pharmacy Quality Alliance (PQA) has developed Medication Use Quality, an online continuing education and certificate program.

The program provides advanced training on quality measurement and strategies to improve medication safety, adherence and appropriate use. Pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, nurses and physicians can earn 15 accredited continuing education hours through the program.

“Medication safety and appropriate use is an important part of high-quality, value-based care,” PQA CEO Laura Cranston said. “We created this education program to empower healthcare professionals to lead quality improvement programs throughout our care system. Whether you’re focused on internal quality improvement or value-based payment models, you’ll gain valuable insights and strategies for delivering better results.”

The program features a core curriculum, elective tracks and practice-based learning. It addresses top issues that will shape quality for years to come, including value-based care, social determinants of health, health information technology, Medicare, Medicaid and innovations in pharmacist-provided care.

“This is the first continuing education certificate program focused on medication use quality,” said Jake Galdo, PQA’s education director. “It fills a major gap in continuing and interprofessional education. The knowledge and experience that is shared by our faculty through the program will support more consistent and higher quality medication use in diverse care setting across America.”

The program is presented through PQA’s new Education Center (pqa.ceimpact.com). A dedicated page on the PQA website provides details and instructions on how to access the program. The program costs $225 for PQA members and $450 for non-members. Information on member pricing, discounts and group purchasing opportunities is available by contact PQA’s education team at [email protected].