OBJECTIVE  To provide insights for the introduction of a lifelong learning model into the continuing education system for licensed pharmacists in China.

METHODS  By conducting a comprehensive search of Chinese and English literature, relevant reports, guidelines, and official websites of institutions, etc., this paper summarized and introduced the background, content, characteristics, and operation mechanism of the Continuing Professional Development(CPD) model for licensed pharmacists in the United States. Based on this, it proposed suggestions for optimizing the continuing education for licensed pharmacists in China in accordance with the CPD concept.

RESULTS  Based on its own pharmaceutical practice environment, the United States had introduced the continuous professional development model into the original continuing education system for licensed pharmacists. The continuous professional development model for licensed pharmacists in the United States had a relatively complete operational mechanism in terms of educational standards, program certification, assessment feedback, pilot promotion and technical support. The continuous professional development model for licensed pharmacists in the United States presented several notable characteristics: a distinct value orientation towards practical needs; an effective integration of traditional models and lifelong learning; an organic unity of principle standardization and content flexibility; and a collaborative advancement of lifelong learning in the field of pharmacy.

CONCLUSION  China could absorb and draw on the American experience in light of its own characteristics, and optimize the current continuing education system for licensed pharmacists by integrating the concept of CPD.