The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is set to release the 26th print edition of the Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary (APF) later this month, featuring updated guidance and information on a range of clinical topics.

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With the publishing of APF26, pharmacists have access to a fully revised section on Compounding, an updated Treatment Guidelines for Pharmacists section, and updated Cautionary Advisory Label (CAL) recommendations.

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PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS said each edition of the APF reflects updated expected practices, supporting quality pharmacy practice across roles and settings.

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“As our practice evolves to meet the future health needs of Australians, so does the APF,” A/Prof Sim said.

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“APF supports the role of pharmacists in achieving medicine safety backed by evidence-based information at all stages of the medication management cycle, including dispensing, compounding, therapeutic management, and providing health information.

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“Whether practicing in community, hospital, embedded and consultant pharmacy roles, using the APF as clinical decision support at the point of care continues to promote the safe and effective use of medicines,” A/Prof Sim concluded.

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APF26 contains the most important update to the Compounding section seen for many editions. Key changes in the section include:

• detailed guidance on assigning expiry dates to compounded medicines (including sterile medicines)
• clear explanation of the legislative and regulatory framework that applies to compounding
• expanded guidance on compounding sterile medicines and handling or compounding hazardous medicines
• new guidance about manipulating and repackaging commercial products
• new guidance about water used for compounding medicines or for manipulating commercial products into a ready-to-administer form.

Pharmacists who are involved with the following clinical activities will find guidance in APF that is relevant to their practice:

• simple or complex compounding
• handling or compounding hazardous medicines
• repackaging medicines (e.g. into a dose administration aid)
• manipulating commercial products into a ready-to-administer form (e.g. reconstituting antibiotics)

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The Treatment Guidelines for Pharmacists section has been expanded and includes 30 health conditions. The new Treatment Guidelines include:

• anorectal disorders
• cold sores
• conjunctivitis
• weight management.

Each Treatment Guideline has been written to help pharmacists easily find the key information they need at the point of care.

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The Pharmacy Board of Australia requires all pharmacists to have ready access to APF during clinical assessment and reviewing, dispensing, and counselling processes. APF digital subscribers will automatically have access to all new and updated APF26 content.

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Pre-orders for the print edition of APF26 are open now. Visit https://www.psa.org.au/media-publications/australian-pharmaceutical-formulary/

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Media contact:   Georgia Clarke   M: 0480 099 798  E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au

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The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia is the only national peak body that represents all of Australia’s pharmacists across all practice settings. We want every Australian to have access to the best healthcare, and this must include optimising access to pharmacists’ knowledge and medicines expertise at the forefront of our healthcare system.