Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary
Your guide to best practice
About the Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary
Practice with confidence knowing that you have the best clinical knowledge and guidance 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 compounding, 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.
APF Digital
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.
Updates include:
- Updated CAL recommendations for medicines (monthly)
- Updated explanatory notes for label 4a (July 2024)
- Fully revised Compounding section (Feb 2024)
- Alignment with regulatory changes (October 2024)
- Separate chapters dedicated to Compounding Sterile Medicines and Handling or Compounding Hazardous Medicines (Feb 2024)
- Expiry dates guidance aligned with the United States Pharmacopeia (Feb 2024)
- Detailed insights on risk assessment and requirements for quality assurance, facilities and equipment (Feb 2024)
- New details on water for use in compounded medicines and commercial products (Feb 2024)
- Essential updates on work health and safety measures, including personal protective equipment (Feb 2024)
- Newly introduced details on diluting, reconstituting, and repackaging commercial products (Feb 2024)
- Updated Treatment Guidelines for Pharmacists section
- New Musculoskeletal pain guideline (Feb 2025)
- Updated Common colds guideline – update to phenylephrine (Feb 2025)
- New Impetigo guideline (Nov 2024)
- New Mild plaque psoriasis guideline (Nov 2024)
- New Shingles (herpes zoster) guideline (Nov 2024)
- Updated Headache and migraine guideline – addition of naratriptan (June 2024)
- Updated Allergic rhinitis guideline – scheduling information (Jun 2024)
- Updated Urticaria guideline – scheduling information (Jun 2024)
- Updated Acne guideline – scheduling information (May 2024)
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.
APF Digital Single User Licence
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 Licence
The APF Digital Site 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 to 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
For people who love a physical copy to hold, the 26th printed edition of APF is available for purchase from the PSA bookshop now.
Changes introduced in APF26 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.
APF26 References – Complementary medicines
Below is the link to APF26 Section 5 – Complementary medicines references.
