July 2025 to June 2026

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), in partnership with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, is undertaking a review, update and further development of the Code of Ethics for Pharmacists (the ‘Code’).  The Code is a fundamental resource that articulates the values of the pharmacy profession and expected standards of ethical behaviour of pharmacists towards individuals, the community and society. The Code underpins the professional practice of all pharmacists in Australia.

 

The core objectives are to:

• review, revise and further develop the Code to align with contemporary pharmacy practice and the expectations of the profession and the wider community
• deliver a revised Code with increased clarity on emerging ethical issues (e.g. broadening scope of practice, increased compounding, expansion of digital systems that provide clinical information to pharmacists)
• support pharmacists to implement the revised Code to enable pharmacists to continue to provide the highest quality of care in their daily practice.

This project commenced on 1st July 2025 and will conclude 30th June 2026. Key dates:

• July – October 2025 – Stakeholder Engagement & Consultation
• March – April 2026 – Public Consultation of the revised Code draft
• June 2026 – Launch of revised Code
• July 2026 – National Webinar

Click on the social media tiles to download. Use PSA’s suggested caption or write your own – and don’t forget to tag your local candidates!

Suggested caption: 

 

Pharmacists are providing more timely services in more convenient locations through expanded scope of practice. This election, I want to see strong support for pharmacists to continue providing better community healthcare.

 

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With government investment in full scope training for pharmacists, we can do more to keep patients out of emergency departments. This election I’m calling on (TAG LOCAL CANDIDATES) to back pharmacists, supporting us to support our communities.

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Patients are punished for accessing care from their local pharmacist, paying private prescription costs on PBS-listed medicines all because of who prescribed them. It’s time to give patients equitable access to medicines by allowing pharmacists to prescribe on the PBS.

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Every medicine-related incident is a chance to learn and improve safety. Tragically, this rarely happens outside the facility the incident occurs. A national system for doctors, pharmacists and patients to log incidents and share safety lessons is needed to protect patients.

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Older Australians deserve high-quality care. Pharmacists in aged care are reducing medicines harm and improving quality of life, but we need fair remuneration to attract the best pharmacists to this area of practice and continue delivering essential care.

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Patients miss out when pharmacists are capped, underfunded, or cut off from telehealth. Let’s lift HMR caps, bring back telehealth, and ensure funding keeps up with inflation so pharmacists can reach more people in need.

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Culturally safe care must include medicine safety. Pharmacists embedded in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services are making a real difference. It’s time for permanent funding – because the expertise and support of pharmacists should be available in all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services, not just a few.

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Pharmacists in general practice help patients manage medicines, avoid hospital, and get better health outcomes. Expanding WIP funding ensures more patients can benefit from our expertise as part of their healthcare team, right where they need it.

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As a pharmacist I see how my profession is stepping every single day. But I also see the challenges that prevent us from delivering the care our patients need.

 

This election, I’m calling on independents, major and minor parties to commit to supporting pharmacists so we can deliver safer and more accessible care for all Australians.

Do you conduct Medication Management Reviews?

 

The Department of Health and Aged Care (the Department) has confirmed an extension to the Medication Management Review (MMR) transition period until 31 December 2025.

 

From 1 January 2026, pharmacists who have not obtained a new credential and MRN will not be able to claim payments for MMR services.

 

In short: If you don’t renew your credential prior to 1 January 2026, you won’t get paid. 

 

How do I obtain the new credential? 

 

To update your credential and receive a new MRN, you must undertake an Australian Pharmacy Council Accredited Medication Management Review (MMR) recognition of prior learning (RPL) process or training program. 

 

You can undertake the MMR RPL process with the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. 

 

How much does it cost? 

 

PSA Professional Plus members can undertake the MMR RPL at no charge. There is a cost of $599 for pharmacists who are not PSA Professional Plus members.  

 

• To become a PSA member, click here. 

• To upgrade your membership to Professional Plus, please contact the Member Services Team on 1300 369 772 and select ‘Option 1’.  

 

When do I need to do this? 

 

To allow time for assessment and processing, it is strongly suggested that you enrol in the MMR RPL and submit your evidence by 26 October 2025.

 

Submissions made after this date will be assessed as soon as possible, however PSA cannot guarantee that new credentials will be provided before 1 January 2026. 

 

What do I need to do next? 

 

Step 1. Enrol in the MMR RPL 

 

• If you are a PSA Professional Plus member, click here to enrol. 

• If you are not a Professional Plus member, the cost is $599. Click here to enrol. 

 

Once you are enrolled you will have access to the MMR RPL module in the PSA portal, including the RPL and Gap Self-Assessment Tool. 

 

Step 2. Complete the PSA ‘RPL and Gap Self-Assessment Tool’ 

 

In the MMR module you will need to complete the RPL and Gap Self-Assessment Tool.

 

After completing:  

1. If you believe you are competent in meeting the APC Performance Outcomes 1.1 and 4.2, you will need to collect evidence of your prior learning. 
2. If you do not believe you are competent in meeting these outcomes, you will need to complete gap assessment activities (available in the MMR module), then proceed to step 3. 

 

Step 3. Submit your documentation 

 

The following documentation can be uploaded in the portal. This includes: 

1. The completed RPL and Gap Self-Assessment Tool 
2. A current CV/resume OR copies of at least two de-identified MMR reports OR details of PPA claims to demonstrate recency of practice. 
3. A copy of your qualification e.g. AACP accreditation certificate or PSA certificate. 

As well as evidence of prior learning: 

1. A completion certificate of the Deadly Pharmacist course (or approved alternative).
2. A personal QI plan OR documentation of peer discussion of an MMR. 

What happens next? 

Your MMR RPL submission will be assessed and feedback provided. 

 

• If all performance outcomes are met, you will receive access to a new MMR Credential certificate and medication review number (MRN) for claiming purposes. 
• If performance outcomes are not met, you will be asked to provide further information.  

Have other questions? Contact our friendly team at credentialing@psa.org.au and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Notice is hereby given that a Special General Meeting (SGM) of the Members of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Limited (PSA) ABN 49 008 532 07. 

The PSA Board is excited to announce plans to acquire the Australian College of Pharmacy Pty Ltd (ACP), more commonly known as the Australasian College of Pharmacy, further enhancing PSA’s leadership in education and training for pharmacists and pharmacy assistants.  

ACP has been delivering education, training, and research programs to the pharmacy sector since 1976.  

To enable this momentus step forward, PSA members are being asked to support an amendment to the PSA Constitution at a Special General Meeting (SGM) on 19 February 2025.

For the acquisition to proceed, PSA members are asked to endorse a constitutional amendment in an upcoming Special General Meeting, providing for the appointment of four independent directors to complement PSA’s existing governance capabilities. These appointments will be skills-based, appointed by the former shareholders of the College, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia NSW Branch, and Pharmacy Guild of Australia QLD Branch, bringing additional corporate knowledge, skills and expertise into PSA to ensure a successful transition.

The SGM will be held virtually and in person at the PSA Office in Canberra.

• Date: 19 February 2025  

• Time: Join by 5:45 pm for a 6 pm (AEDT) start  

• Venue: Virtual and at PSA, Level 1/17 Denison St, Deakin ACT 2600 

 

Proxy voting has now closed. 

To view the following information, please log into the PSA Member portal.

The Opioid Safety Toolkit also includes the Routine Opioid Outcome Monitoring (ROOM) Tool, a patient-reported outcomes measure designed to help patients and healthcare providers monitor clinical outcomes and identify risk factors associated with opioid use.

 

The ROOM Tool measures six key areas:  Analgesia (pain relief), Activity (functioning), Adverse effects, Addiction-related (or aberrant) behaviours, Affect (mood), and Alcohol (toxicity risk).

 

The ROOM Tool can be completed on paper or online, with a patient version and healthcare provider version available for download below. ROOM can be self-completed independently by the patient or with their pharmacist or prescriber. It takes less than five minutes to complete online (see button below) within the Toolkit, with online completion providing personalised information about outcomes, including identifying unmanaged pain, risks or adverse effects.  Pharmacists can utilise this tool to facilitate patient-centred discussions.

Using this online interactive resource, patients can create a personalised opioid safety plan (see button below) which can be shared with family members, carers or household members.  This plan helps patients identify opioid-related risks specific to their circumstances and provides guidance on recognising symptoms and treating opioid toxicity or overdose, including administering naloxone.

 

Naloxone has been shown to reduce opioid-related harms and is recommended for anyone on long-term prescription opioids to have in the home (referred to as ‘take-home naloxone’ – see button below).   Take-home naloxone is available as a nasal spray or intramuscular injection at no charge from many community pharmacies in Australia.  Any pharmacy can stock take-home naloxone, and any pharmacist can supply it without a prescription. You can claim reimbursement for naloxone you supply at https://www.ppaonline.com.au/

Thank you to our participating partners

 

Published in 2019, Pharmacists in 2023 was the primary report into the future role of pharmacists across Australia’s health systems.

 

The report opened with statements highlighting the Australian health system’s universality, effectiveness, and efficiency. It also highlighted megatrends which would test these vital attributes and identified ways to unlock the potential of pharmacists to help respond to these trends. What was not identified in 2019 was the extent of acceleration for these trends which the COVID-19 pandemic would bring.

 

We have come a long way to achieving the vision set out in Pharmacists in 2023. As we reach the end date on this plan, it is time to reflect on these achievements and use its successes and lessons to forge the next plan for the profession as we head towards 2030. But there is much more to do.

 

 

Consultation has now closed. If you wish to provide feedback beyond the consultation, please email policy@psa.org.au

 

PSA has sought input from a range of stakeholders, including pharmacists, industry, governments, peak bodies, and other health professionals.

 

The next consultation phase seeks important feedback from the patients and customers we serve.

 

Your views are vital to shaping a future that serves the changing needs of our communities and supports the sustainability of the health sector.

 

Read the full consultation paper here and complete the consultation survey below.

Industry consultation open

September 2023

 

 

Consultation closes

December 2023

 

 

Review feedback, insights

January 2024

 

 

PSA member only briefing

February 2024

 

 

Targeted consumer consultation

Throughout 2024

 

 

Consumer insight report launch

June 2024

 

 

Pharmacists in 2030 launch

August 2024