Micro-certificate in Palliative Care Pharmacy

Micro-certificate in Palliative Care Pharmacy is organized by University Of Victoria (UVic) and will be held from Oct 16 - Nov 27, 2026.

Description:
Pharmacists are integral members of the multi-disciplinary team delivering palliative care to those facing life-threatening illness, including at the end of life. As more patients wish to remain at home for the end of life, pharmacists are increasingly called upon to contribute expertise in palliative care pharmacy outside of institutional settings.

Developed in partnership between Victoria Hospice and Continuing Studies at the University of Victoria, the online Palliative Care Pharmacy micro-credential program enables pharmacists to acquire the specialized knowledge to support palliative care patients, family, health and community care nurses, and general practitioners. Topics covered include: the pharmacist’s role in a palliative care team; principles of pain management; use of opioids in palliative care; symptom management; deprescribing; drug-related adverse effects; and cancer-associated thrombosis. Learners who successfully complete this program will receive a micro-certificate.

What you will learn in the Micro-certificate in Palliative Care Pharmacy
Upon completion of this program, participants will be able to:

• explain what palliative care is and the pharmacist's role in the team approach
• demonstrate an understanding of the various components of a thorough pain history and the general principles of pain management.
• demonstrate knowledge of opioid use/conversions including fentanyl transdermal patches and methadone for pain in the palliative context.
• apply evidence-based management of commonly encountered symptoms 
• identify and be able to advise on drug related adverse effects
• discuss an individualized approach to cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT)
• distinguish between medications that are non-essential and those continuing to provide symptomatic benefit at the end of life