Stay on top of your clinical game with the Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary Handbook (APF).

About the Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary

Practice with confidence knowing that you have the best clinical knowledge at your fingertips. The APF is an invaluable resource for all pharmacists and pharmacy students, with clear and concise information to support quick decisions.

The APF is an essential reference, mandated by the Pharmacy Board of Australia. Pharmacists must be able to access the current APF when reviewing, dispensing, providing advice, and during clinical assessments. APF is also a vital resource for information about compounding.

What’s included in APF?

APF continues to provide essential reference information about topics including medicines safety, good dispensing practice, Latin abbreviations, complementary medicines, drug interactions, managing missed doses of contraceptives, wound management, laboratory tests used in clinical practice and much more.

Recent changes to APF (from February 2024) include:

• Fully revised Compounding section
  • Separate chapters dedicated to Compounding Sterile Medicines and Handling or Compounding Hazardous Medicines.
  • Expiry dates guidance aligned with the United States Pharmacopeia.
  • Enhanced clarity on reference documents and standards for compounding.
  • Detailed insights on risk assessment and requirements for quality assurance, facilities and equipment.
  • New details on water for use in compounded medicines and commercial products.
  • Essential updates on work health and safety measures, including personal protective equipment.
  • Newly introduced details on diluting, reconstituting, and repackaging commercial products.
• Updated Treatment Guidelines for Pharmacists section
  • Essential guidance on managing a wide range of minor ailments (30 different topics).
  • Revised content and a new structure for easy use at the point of care.
  • New chapters on weight management, cold sores, conjunctivitis, and anorectal disorders.
• Updated CAL recommendations for medicines.

APF DIGITAL SINGLE USER LICENCE

APF Digital provides seamless access to essential reference information you need for reviewing, dispensing, providing advice or clinical assessments.

APF Digital content is contemporary and updated every month, so you’ll always have the most current APF content. Access to APF Digital also includes exclusive APF Digital-only chapters:

• Evidence-based medicine
• Biosimilar medicines
• Opioid-induced constipation
• Opioid substitution therapy
• Individualised medicine
• Medicines and diet
• Medicines in older people
• Exclusion periods for infectious conditions
• Medical and surgical emergencies
• Poisoning

You can access APF Digital from any device, anywhere, any time. With search and bookmarking features you can find the answers you need in just a few clicks.

The APF Digital Single User Licence provides individual Pharmacists with 12 months access to APF Digital (online). Please note that this licence allows one purchase per customer and that APF Digital requires an internet connection for access. It cannot be downloaded.

By purchasing APF Digital, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions of the APF Digital licence.

APF DIGITAL SITE (SINGLE-OR-MULTI) LICENCE

Ensure your staff’s advice and knowledge is current with this mandatory and essential resource. APF Digital provides seamless access to essential reference information your staff need for reviewing, dispensing, providing advice or clinical assessments.

APF Digital content is contemporary and updated every month, so you’ll always have the most current APF content. Access to APF Digital also includes exclusive APF Digital-only chapters:

• Evidence-based medicine
• Biosimilar medicines
• Opioid-induced constipation
• Opioid substitution therapy
• Individualised medicine
• Medicines and diet
• Medicines in older people
• Exclusion periods for infectious conditions
• Medical and surgical emergencies
• Poisoning

You can access APF Digital from any device, anywhere, any time. With search and bookmarking features you can find the answers you need in just a few clicks.

The APF Digital Site (Single-or-Multi) Licence provides pharmacies (sites) with 12 months of APF Digital access for their pharmacist staff. One APF Digital licence is recommended per pharmacy (site). Please note that this licence only allows pharmacists on a licenced site access APF Digital, and an internet connection is required. APF Digital cannot be downloaded.

By purchasing APF Digital for your pharmacies, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions of the APF Digital licence.

Discounts are available where a higher number of licences are purchased. For more information, enquire at APF@psa.org.au

APF26 References – Complementary medicines

Below is the link to APF25 Section 5 – Complementary medicines references.