Table 1 Summary analysis of characteristics of included articles (n = 24)

Abdullahi, et al.; 2023; [23]

Nigeria.

LMIC

586

Questionnaire

Minimum of 30 credit points per five-year cycle.

M

1

B

Most pharmacists preferred attending seminars, reading journal articles and attending conferences.

The Mandatory CPD (MCPD) Programme has been divided into three modules and points allocated accordingly. The MCPD Curriculum comprises structured courses available at universities and research institutions.

Adhikar, et al.; 2020; [24]

Nepal, India.

LMIC

15

Questionnaire

15 CPD points per five-year cycle.

M

1

B

Pharmacists understand the importance of CPD. Live presentations and handouts are preferred.

There are no structured CPD modules, but the Pharmacy Council of India conducts continuing education programmes nationwide at various approved institutions.

Aldosari et al.; 2020; [20]

Kuwait.

HIC

409

Questionnaire

125 h in five-year cycle.

NM

2

B

Seminars are the most preferred continuing education activity, followed by conferences and then reading journals.

Pharmacists in the governmental sector = no re-licensure or revalidation. Private sector = license renewed every five years. Pharmacists are not required to attend or keep a log of CE or CPD activities, only fee payment.

Alharthi, et al.; 2021; [25]

Saudi Arabia.

HIC

409

Questionnaire

20 h per year.

M

1

C

There should be continuing education opportunities at the workplace.

CPD activities are completed online. Pharmacist’s main reason for attending continuing education events is to obtain a certificate with the hours reflected.

Alkhateeb et al.; 2016; [26]

Texas, USA.

HIC

600

Survey

A total of 30 h per year.

M

1

A

Online continuing education was preferred. Those who liked to attend > 2 h programs were less likely to complete > 50% of the required credit hours through online CE programs.

***** Pharmacists maintain a CPD portfolio online using the worksheets provided to log their learning outcomes and growth.

Aziz et al.; 2013; [21]

Malaysia.

UMIC

3876

Survey

30 CPD points within two years.

NM

1

B

The majority of pharmacists preferred attending workshops and conferences.

CPD activities are recorded online with the title as per listing, category of CPD and points earned. Accreditation and assessment are managed online by assessors.

Buxton et al.; 2012; [27]

Wisconsin, USA.

HIC

50

Survey

A total of 30 h per year.

M

1

A

Most were likely to attend webinars related to their practice field, preferably offered by universities or educational institutions.

***** Pharmacists get approved 1 credit point every 10 h, which does not apply to individuals when the license was first approved.

Chambers et al.; 2013; [28]

Australia.

HIC

68

Survey

40 CPD points annually.

M

1

B

Most pharmacists preferred face-to-face CPD activities, though pharmacists in remote areas felt disadvantaged.

A registering authority in each state and territory in Australia is responsible for registering and regulating pharmacies.

Gelayee, et al.; 2018; [29]

Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia.

LIC

46

Questionnaire

Thirty continuing education units per year.

M

1

B

Interactive workshops were most preferred, whereas internet-based CPD was least preferred.

The Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Association has an online platform, a mobile app with free CPD resources, and free access to journals and articles is hosting free webinars.

Henkel, P.J. and Marvanova, M.; 2018; [30]

USA.

HIC

1239

Survey

A total of 30 h per year.

M

2

C

The most important factor guiding CPE selection is to maintaining licensure, personal interests and self-improvement.

*****

Ibrahim, O., H., M.; 2012; [22]

Egypt.

LMIC

359

Questionnaire

15 CPD Points in a five-year cycle.

M

Some regions have CPE, and others mostly CPD.

B

Pharmacists prefer to attend seminars/workshops and certification programs.

The Egyptian Drug Authority is responsible for continuing pharmacists education and provides relevant activities in partnership with drug companies and the Faculty of Pharmacy.

Iskandar, et al., 2018, [31]

Lebanon.

LMIC

107

Survey

45 credit points in a three-year cycle.

M

1

A

Pharmacists are highly committed to continuing education. Pharmacists preferred online rather than face-to-face and interactive workshops.

One-third of the credits must be allocated to the attendance of seminars.

Johnson, et al.; 2020; [32]

UK.

HIC

159

Survey

Minimum of 9 entries per year to remain on the GPhC register.

M

1

C

Pharmacists preferred blended learning.

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) regulates the pharmaceutical sector. The Professional Leadership Body (PLB) assumes the role of a professional body for the pharmacy sector. The use of online interactive tools for self-reflection and assessment.

Ladymon, L. B.; 2017; [33]

Tennessee, USA.

HIC

12

Interviews, Focus groups and journal assignments.

A total of 30 h per two-years.

M

2

B

Pharmacists have positive experiences and learnings from CPE. Live interactive lectures were most preferred, followed by online.

***** 15 h may be completed as a home study. The Tennessee Board of Pharmacy accepts courses from providers accredited by ACPE only.

Micallef, et al.; 2020; [34]

UK.

HIC

338

Mixed methods: Interviews and Questionnaires

Minimum of 9 entries per year to remain on the GPhC register.

M

1

B

e-learning is most utilised in training delivery, but face-to-face learning is preferred.

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) regulates the pharmaceutical sector. The Professional Leadership Body (PLB) assumes the role of a professional body for the pharmacy sector. The use of online interactive tools for self-reflection and assessment.

Mutati, et al.; 2022; [35]

Zambia.

LIC

111

Survey

Minimum of 45 h per three-year cycle.

M

1

C

Blended learning approaches either face-to-face or online, were preferred, coupled with hands-on interactive skills workshops.

The Pharmaceutical Society of Zambia, in collaboration with the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association, offers pharmacists free CPD programmes specially designed for those working in low-resource settings.

Nesterowicz, et al.; 2016; [36]

Poland, Europe.

HIC

113

Survey

100 CPD points per 4 years.

M

1

A

Younger pharmacists participate more frequently in e-learning. Lack of face-to-face contact limited participation in e-learning.

CPD is not integrated into national standards for quality of care. The compliance is not monitored at the regional level.

O’Loan, L.; 2019; [37]

Northern Ireland, UK.

HIC

419

Questionnaire

M

1

C

Workplace learning activities improved professional practice when compared to unstructured learning only.

The Pharmaceutical Society of North Ireland is both a regulator and professional body for pharmacy.

Sacre et al.; 2019; [38]

Lebanon.

LMIC

628

Mixed Methods: Survey & Focus g

Groups.

45 credit points in a three-year cycle.

M

1

B

Pharmacists preferred live courses to online, and a small number was not interested in any continuing education. However, the majority used online courses at least once.

One-third of the credits must be allocated to the attendance of seminars.

Shamim, et al.; 2021; [17]

Pakistan (P), Ghana (G), Trinidad& Tobago (T&T).

P = LMIC

G = LMIC

T&T = UMIC

12

Interviews

P: 40 CPD points per CPD cycle.

G: 15 CPD points per year.

T&T: 30 points per year.

P = NM

G = M

T&T = NM

1

C

Pharmacy Councils/Boards in these countries are responsible for developing the CPD model and LLL activities. In Ghana, attending CPD events to renew registration is mandatory but P and T&T pay fees for license renewal.

Pakistan: No continuing education activities are available to motivate pharmacists, especially in remote areas.

Ghana: Pharmacists must attend accredited CPD programs for license renewal.

T & T: Pharmacists are encouraged to attend courses specific to their license.

Shearer, et al.; 2018; [39]

Canada.

HIC

162

Survey

A minimum of 25 h must be from accredited learning activities.

M

1

C

Practice-based education would help pharmacists apply skills. Workplace learning is pivotal yet needs to be more emphasised in professional development.

Each provincial regulatory authority manages CPD solely. The National Canadian Council for Continuing Education in Pharmacy (CCCEP) accredits all provincial CPD programmes for pharmacists.

Stojkov, et al.; 2022; [40]

Serbia, Europe.

UMIC

565

Survey

6 CPD entries per year.

M

1

B

Most pharmacists were interested in face-to-face workshops followed by case reports and third lectures.

In 2014, the Pharmaceutical Chamber of Serbia adopted the National Competency Framework for evaluation.

Trewet, C. B. and Fjortoft, N.; 2013; [41]

Chicago, USA.

HIC

105

Survey

30 h for every two years.

M

1

B

Pharmacists used worksheets before face-to-face meetings and reported successful application of learning and achievement of the learning plan.

***** The government, universities and colleges offer approved continuing education courses at a cost.

Young, A. M.; 2012; [42]

Massachusetts, USA.

HIC

609

Survey

20 h per year.

M

1

B

Live, face-to-face programs were the preferred format for continuing education.

***** 15 h may be completed as a home study. Online registration and license renewal.