Amaya Rojo, a graduate in Pharmacy from the University of Navarra, is the only Spanish specialist who has obtained the certification in Psychiatric Pharmacy granted by the Board Pharmacy Specialities of the USA to accredit specific knowledge, skills and competencies in this field area.

Among the requirements to obtain this certification, in addition to the Degree in Pharmacy, it is mandatory to have the specialization program in Hospital Pharmacy, which in Spain is achieved at the end of the spanish pharmacy residency program (Internal Resident Pharmacist). "In addition," explains Amaya, "you have to demonstrate that you have worked at least 4 years dedicating more than 50% of the workshop in the area for which you want to obtain the certification. In my case, in mental health. And have a medium-high level of English".

With the requirements completed, the pharmacist had to take an exam in Madrid - which can also be taken in Barcelona or Seville - and which has two dates, spring and autumn. "For me it was a great challenge, since I had to prepare while continuing to work. In addition, the exam, which consists of 200 questions subject test grouped into three blocks -clinical questions, statistics, and management and legislation- is about medications, management and the legislation in force in the USA, where the certification comes from", says Amaya.

As a result, he had to look for material to prepare for the exam at an institution in the Anglo-Saxon country: "I located the high school of Neuropsychiatric Pharmacists and there they provided me with material that was oriented to the test, which helped me a lot".

Optimize drug therapy

In the expert's opinion, this specialization is core topic when working, as in her case, in a center dedicated to the attendance and comprehensive care of people with mental illness, the Benito Menni Hospital Center, an institution of the Hospital Sisters: "In patients with mental illness, the optimization of pharmacotherapy is core topic to achieve the maximum clinical benefit with the least issue adverse effects. And the pharmacist, as a drug expert, has a very relevant role in partnership in the rest of professionals. Therefore, having an exhaustive and updated training favors the contribution of a added value to the team multidisciplinary for the benefit of the patient, who is always the focus of our work."

As the graduate in Pharmacy from the University of Navarra explains, since Spain does not have this specialization, "the usual practice is to train with work. In the USA, on the other hand, there is a standardized system for obtaining the accreditation, which must be renewed every seven years". The fact that she is the only Spaniard to have obtained this specialization program -while there are 100 pharmacists specialized in oncology pharmacy by the North American institution- can be explained, she adds, "because mental health still does not occupy the central place it deserves".