Public Health pharmacists request new specialty via FIR system

The Scientific Society of Public Health Pharmacists has submitted a formal request to the Spanish Ministry of Health to create a new Public Health specialty for pharmacists through the Internal Resident Pharmacist (FIR) system.

The proposal aims to establish a regulated training itinerary for professionals working in health protection, sanitary inspection, food safety, and environmental health. Currently, specialized pharmaceutical training is primarily focused on clinical laboratory or care settings.

The initiative seeks to provide homogeneous training and formal recognition for over 1,500 pharmacists currently holding technical positions in regional health services, as well as those working in official laboratories and state agencies such as the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS) and the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN). The request follows the mandate of Law 33/2011, which highlighted the need to expand public health specialization beyond the medical profession.