Korea has entered into an aging society at an unprecedented rate, and interest in pharmaceutical care for the elderly has increased. The old have usually many chronic diseases and different pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamics characteristics compared to adults. Also, polypharmacy in the elderly increases the risk for drug-drug interactions so that careful and professional pharmaceutical care approach is needed. The purpose of this study was to examine the implications for the introduction of certified geriatric pharmacist program through the review of systems in Japan and Singapore. In Japan, the pharmacy association operates its own program and a pharmacist who has completed web-based classes, practice-focused workshops, and actual case reports for at least two years is eligible to take the exam for the certified geriatric pharmacist. In Singapore, the government established the Pharmacists Registration Act in 2007 and made the Pharmacy Specialists Accreditation Board (PSAB) operate the program. A pharmacist who has finished the practice related to the elderly pharmaceutical care for one or more years and has a geriatric pharmacist certification from the US is eligible to apply for registration in Singapore. In Korea, we need to develop a professional system combined with theory and practice for the elderly by fully considering the Korean system. The certified geriatric pharmacist will play the main role to establish a safe and appropriate base for drug use in the elderly.

Keywords: Geriatric pharmacist, Pharmacist specialty, Certified geriatric pharmacist, Japan, Singapore