How to Choose a Pharmacy Accreditor
Make a more informed decision.
Why the accreditor you choose matters to your pharmacy
The right accreditor has deep knowledge of pharmacy practice and broad experience across a range of business models to support your success today and for the future.
Some commonly held beliefs about pharmacy accreditation can keep organizations from asking whether they’re getting the value they should expect:
Stronger quality and consistency across daily operations.
Stronger ability to identify growth opportunities.
Stronger support for staff competencies and skills.
Stronger commitment to a culture of continuous improvement.
Myth vs. Truth
Review the six assumptions below and consider your own experience based on the evaluation cues.
Myth
“All accrediting organizations (AOs) are essentially the same, they just check boxes.”
Truth
While standards may be similar, each AO has a unique approach to assessing compliance.
ACHC prioritizes an education-driven approach, focusing on transparency in the requirements and consistency in the evaluation. We provide access to expertise and education throughout the term of accreditation and long-term success rather than just checking boxes or looking for reasons to issue penalties.
Myth
“There’s no consistency between surveys.”
Truth
ACHC Surveyors undergo extensive, comprehensive education on the standards and then they train with a preceptor on actual surveys to ensure that they understand and apply requirements consistently as they collect data.
Post survey, an ACHC review committee evaluates and discusses the report findings and corrective actions before making an accreditation decision.
Myth
“All AO surveyors are the same.”
Truth
ACHC Surveyors bring years of specialized experience, having worked within the real-world challenges pharmacies face. They are eager to share insights gained from visiting pharmacies in multiple settings and with varying business plans. Their expertise allows them to offer practical guidance on what works and what doesn't, ensuring evaluations are not only thorough but also helpful in improving your pharmacy’s operations.
Myth
“Preparing for accreditation disrupts the flow of business.”
Truth
Preparing for and maintaining accreditation requires commitment and discipline, but it doesn’t need to disrupt daily operations. ACHC offers a range of resources including policies and procedures and compliance checklists that eliminate the burden of ramping up for a survey. This approach enables suppliers to maintain their focus on patient care while continuously improving their operations.
Myth
“A growing pharmacy will eventually outgrow its accreditor.”
Truth
Choosing an accreditor with deep pharmacy expertise creates a more consistent experience as you add service lines or locations. And a broad portfolio of accreditation programs ensures that your needs can be met by a consistent approach across care settings.
ACHC can support organizations ranging from independent pharmacies to multilocation providers and health systems, helping you build an accreditation approach that fits the scope of your business.
Myth
“Accreditation is only valuable if a payor or contract requires it.”
Truth
Accreditation can support more than eligibility for a payor contract or network. It can help your pharmacy establish consistent processes, manage risk, strengthen accountability, and demonstrate its commitment to quality.
ACHC helps pharmacies use accreditation as a practical framework for continuous improvement and operational excellence.
Myth
“All accrediting organizations (AOs) are essentially the same, they just check boxes.”
Truth
While standards may be similar, each AO has a unique approach to assessing compliance.
ACHC prioritizes an education-driven approach, focusing on transparency in the requirements and consistency in the evaluation. We provide access to expertise and education throughout the term of accreditation. and long-term success rather than just checking boxes or looking for reasons to issue penalties.
Myth
“There’s no consistency between surveys.”
Truth
ACHC Surveyors undergo extensive, comprehensive education on the standards and then they train with a preceptor on actual surveys to ensure that they understand and apply requirements consistently as they collect data.
Post survey, an ACHC review committee evaluates and discusses the report findings
Myth
“All AO surveyors are the same.”
Truth
ACHC Surveyors bring years of specialized experience, having worked within the real-world challenges pharmacies face. They are eager to share insights gained from visiting pharmacies in multiple settings and with varying business plans. Their expertise allows them to offer practical guidance on what works and what doesn't, ensuring evaluations are not only thorough but also helpful in improving your pharmacy’s operations.
Myth
“Preparing for accreditation disrupts the flow of business.”
Truth
Preparing for and maintaining accreditation requires commitment and discipline, but it doesn’t need to disrupt daily operations. ACHC offers a range of resources including policies and procedures and compliance checklists that eliminate the burden of ramping up for a survey. This approach enables suppliers to maintain their focus on patient care while continuously improving their operations.
Myth
“A growing pharmacy will eventually outgrow its accreditor.”
Truth
Choosing an accreditor with deep pharmacy expertise creates a more consistent experience as you add service lines or locations. And a broad portfolio of accreditation programs ensures that your needs can be met by a consistent approach across care settings.
ACHC can support organizations ranging from independent pharmacies to multilocation providers and health systems, helping you build an accreditation approach that fits the scope of your business.
Myth
“Accreditation is only valuable if a payor or contract requires it.”
Truth
Accreditation can support more than eligibility for a payor contract or network. It can help your pharmacy establish consistent processes, manage risk, strengthen accountability, and demonstrate its commitment to quality.
ACHC helps pharmacies use accreditation as a practical framework for continuous improvement and operational excellence.
Read what pharmacies said about the experience and impact of ACHC.
“What I love about ACHC is that they are truly trying to be a partner to further our quality as an organization. I've seen it in every cycle of accreditation that I've been a part of. The auditors that come on-site know the standards well and how they should be applied, assist with deeper questions on standards if we have them, and come with a collaborative spirit to the process.”
–– Birdi, Inc.
“ACHC is super easy to work with. Our advisor helped us sail through the entire accreditation process very smoothly. Our surveyor was incredibly knowledgeable and shared inputs and insights that were relevant to our business and current industry standards.”
–– Vakratunda Inc.
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