Professional Practice Standards

Pharmacists continue to play a crucial role in ensuring safe  and reliable access to medicines and healthcare services, particularly during public health emergencies such as floods, fires, and the pandemics. As the scope of pharmacist practice continues to expand, it is critical that pharmacists have an up-to-date and evidence-based foundation to guide their professional practice. A key component of the support needed is clear and actionable Professional Practice Standards.

Triggered by policy changes (e.g. expansion of pharmacistadministered vaccination services), changes in practice, emerging research on the utility of guidance documents and the scheduled review cycle, an update of Version 5 of the Professional Practice Standards was considered timely and essential.

The review process involved input from many individuals and organisations, including pharmacists practising in different settings and career stages, consumer representatives, regulators, educators, researchers and government agencies. The result is a contemporary and evidence-based resource that provides improved clarity and usability for pharmacists across different roles, practice settings and career stages.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all those involved in the significant body of work to review, revise and update the Professional Practice Standards. The level of work and cooperation observed is a testament to a profession that is clearly committed to striving for quality practice that improves the health of Australians.

We encourage all pharmacists to use the newly revised and updated Professional Practice Standards as a contemporary, evidence-based resource to guide their quality professional practice. By incorporating these standards into daily practice, pharmacists will ensure safe, effective and person-centred care for all Australians.

Dr Deanna Mill

Chair

Project Advisory Group

July 2023

The PPS have been designed to reflect the dynamic healthcare environment pharmacists work within. The safe and effective use of medicines is at the core of pharmacy practice. Pharmacists’ roles have evolved significantly and pharmacists practise at all phases of the medicines management cycle (MMC).

To demonstrate this evolution, the PPS have been redesigned to reflect the alignment with the MMC. 

Pharmacists practise in all steps of the medicines management cycle.

Recognising the variety of roles pharmacists have in health care, including roles not directly involved in patient care, the Fundamental domain contains standards that are always relevant to all registered pharmacists, regardless of practice setting. These standards should always be used in conjunction with other relevant standards that apply to the delivery of a particular service or activity. The Fundamental standards are Person-centred care, Responsibility and accountability and Collaborative practice.

There are nine domains of the PPS. These are:

• Fundamental
• Service delivery
• Patient assessment
• Prescribing
• Dispensing and preparation
• Administration
• Review and monitoring
• Providing health information
• Public health.

Figure 2, the PPS MMC, displays those domains relevant to the MMC.

Pharmacists need to be aware of all of the standards in the PPS to be able to determine the specific standards that apply to their practice. Figure 3, Domains and standards in the PPS, displays all of the standards aligned with the relevant domain. 

The pharmacist’s individual scope of practice will inform which standards apply. Pharmacists should consider the phases of the MMC that relate to each service or activity to be provided and apply the corresponding standards when providing the service or activity. 

This standard is a fundamental standard to professional pharmacy practice. 

It always applies to all registered pharmacists, regardless of the practice setting.

The pharmacist provides care to the person that is responsive and respectful of the person’s needs and decisions in collaboration with other members of the healthcare team involved in the person’s care. 

Actions required

Work in partnership

1. The pharmacist provides equitable, culturally safe, respectful and responsive health care to all people.

2. The pharmacist supports the person to actively participate in and make informed decisions about their health care through shared decision-making (e.g. uses management plans, considers health literacy, discusses potential benefits and harms of treatment).

3. The pharmacist maintains the person’s privacy and confidentiality (e.g. information security). If this is breached, the pharmacist informs the patient and relevant regulatory bodies of the breach and circumstances as soon as is practical.

Provide advice

4. The pharmacist communicates effectively with the person (i.e. tailors the communication method to the needs of the person (e.g. cultural considerations, hearing, sight, literacy, cognition, language) and confirms the person’s understanding (e.g. teach-back technique)).

5. The pharmacist provides current, relevant and evidence-based advice to the person (i.e. critically appraises the evidence).

Work in collaboration

6. The pharmacist works effectively and respectfully (e.g. communicates, collaborates) with the person and other members of the healthcare team to optimise the delivery of care to the person (e.g. referral, interdisciplinary team-based care, information sharing, developing and contributing to management plans).

This standard is a fundamental standard to professional pharmacy practice. 

It always applies to all registered pharmacists, regardless of the practice setting.

The pharmacist takes responsibility and is accountable for their own actions and decisions, and for the team they manage

Pharmacists are valuable contributors and can be leaders within the interdisciplinary team. The level of leadership will vary depending on the pharmacist’s role. Leadership obligations and, therefore, accountability for the service are increased when in senior clinical, managerial or organisational oversight roles (e.g. community pharmacy owner, chief pharmacist, director of clinical services, pharmacist manager, chief research investigator, sole operator, quality improvement manager, clinic manager, outreach manager).

Defining responsibility and accountability in the provision of health care is necessary for effective clinical governance.

Actions required

Collaborative leadership

1. The pharmacist actively supports and encourages team members to use and improve their knowledge and skills (e.g. provide appropriate training).

2. The pharmacist adopts principles of co-design and co-development when developing, designing or providing a service.

3. The pharmacist works with patients, communities, and other members of the healthcare team to identify areas of importance for health (e.g. low vaccine uptake, poor adherence to medicines, local outbreak of infectious disease).

4. The pharmacist designs and implements strategies to improve patient and community health (e.g. expansion of an immunisation service, implementation of a dose administration aid service, provision of education to colleagues and the public on infectious diseases).

Responsibility and accountability

5. The pharmacist reviews feedback received from patients or other members of the healthcare team to inform additional learning and training (e.g. continuing professional development).

6. The pharmacist self-assesses their knowledge, skills and attitudes to maintain professional competence and inform additional learning and training (e.g. continuing professional development).

7. The pharmacist demonstrates accountability (e.g. works transparently to clear objectives, accepts assessment of their performance), and accepts responsibility for their own actions and decisions and those of the team members they manage or oversee.

This standard is a fundamental standard to professional pharmacy practice. 

It always applies to all registered pharmacists, regardless of the practice setting.

The pharmacist collaborates with other members of the healthcare team to deliver coordinated, person-centred care to improve health outcomes and optimise the quality use of medicines.

Actions required

Communication and collaboration

1. The pharmacist contributes to an open discussion about scope of practice, role and skills with other members of the healthcare team.

2. The pharmacist develops and maintains effective relationships with other members of the healthcare team.

3. The pharmacist works with other members of the healthcare team to coordinate the delivery of care to meet the patient’s goals, needs and preferences (e.g. referral, transitions of care, information sharing, contributing to management plans and healthcare records, negotiating overlaps in roles and tasks).

4. The pharmacist works collaboratively with other members of the healthcare team to develop, implement and monitor activities and services aimed at optimising the quality use of medicines and patient outcomes (e.g. medication use evaluations, medication reviews, research, health promotion activities).

5. The pharmacist communicates effectively with other members of the healthcare team to facilitate change (e.g. tailored communication, maintaining communication skills, frequent communication). 

6. The pharmacist contributes to a culture of open communication and a receptive willingness to cooperate and communicate with other members of the healthcare team.

Education

7. The pharmacist works collaboratively with other members of the healthcare team to identify areas to provide education to other healthcare team members (e.g. medicine information, therapeutic drug monitoring requirements, deprescribing).

8. The pharmacist adopts principles of co-design and co-development when providing education to other members of the healthcare team.

9. The pharmacist works collaboratively with other members of the healthcare team to contribute to the development of resources.

This standard always applies to all registered pharmacists providing services to patients. 

It contains actions that apply to the delivery of any professional service.

The pharmacist delivers services to improve health outcomes.

Pharmacists in senior clinical, managerial or organisational oversight roles have an increased obligation to plan, resource, monitor and review services provided by the organisation (e.g. community pharmacy owner, chief pharmacist, director of clinical services, pharmacist manager, sole operator, quality improvement manager, clinic manager, outreach manager).

This standard describes universal quality systems needed to support and monitor clinical effectiveness and patient safety in any health service. These systems also define the scope of the service. The integration of these systems with requirements of other standards, both in this document and elsewhere support clinical governance by aligning to evidence for the service and accepted scope.

Actions required

Policies and procedures

1. The pharmacist collaboratively develops a standard operating procedure for the service, prior to the implementation of the service, which:

• outlines the service (e.g. purpose, principles, risks, limitations)
• describes the roles and responsibilities of those involved in delivering the service
• describes the education, training and/or qualifications required of the team delivering the service
• describes how to manage patient, organisational and workplace health and safety risks
• includes a written agreement for third-party involvement
• describes the quality assurance measures.

2. The pharmacist follows and maintains the standard operating procedure for service delivery.

3. The pharmacist accepts responsibility for the safety, quality, efficiency and review of service delivery, including
third-party delivery.

4. The pharmacist confirms that delivery of the service will be in accordance with legislative, organisational and
professional requirements (e.g. professional indemnity insurance, workplace insurance, ethics approval).

Education and qualifications

5. The pharmacist confirms all contributors to the service (including third-party) are capable of delivering the service before providing the service (e.g. up-to-date knowledge and training, necessary skills, cultural safety training). 

6. The pharmacist confirms all contributors to the service (including third-party) are appropriately qualified before providing the service (e.g. successful completion of required training, certifications, contractual guarantee).

Resources and environment

7. The pharmacist provides appropriate facilities for the safe delivery of the service. If facilities are not appropriate, changes are made to correct this or the service is not provided. These facilities should include:

• sufficient space to safely provide the service
• suitable surfaces and furnishings
• equipment adequate to provide the service (e.g. meets Australian standards and/or is registered or listed in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods, is regularly calibrated and maintained)
• environmental controls (e.g. temperature, air handling)
• suitable quality products and consumables
• personal protective equipment (e.g. medical masks, disposable gloves)
• suitable containers for storage and processes for disposal of waste (including clinical, hazardous and confidential waste)
• protection of patient and pharmacist privacy (e.g. visual, digital, auditory)
• access to current, relevant evidence-based tools and resources (e.g. guidelines, protocols, reference material).

8. The pharmacist cleans the service delivery area using an evidence-based process according to the requirements of the service that minimises the risk of contamination (e.g. before and after each compounding activity or the administration of a medicine).

9. The pharmacist confirms there are sufficient contributors to the service to enable safe service delivery, including an emergency response, before providing the service (e.g. a suitable number of team members to complete all requirements of the service and respond to any potential emergency, contributors have capacity). If contributors are not sufficient, changes are made to correct this or the service is not provided.

10. The pharmacist creates and maintains a safe, non-judgemental service environment that allows those involved in delivering and receiving the service to communicate freely and openly.

11. The pharmacist assesses the possible impact to the environment and the wider community for delivery of the service. Where the impact is negative and can be reduced, the pharmacist implements the appropriate measures.

Service requirements

12. The pharmacist obtains informed consent from the patient before providing the service. This can include financial consent (e.g. costs to the patient), consent to access medical records or receive medicines, and consent to communicate with relevant persons involved in their care.

13. The pharmacist makes appropriate clinical decisions and recommendations (e.g. evidence-based, culturally appropriate) consistent with the patient’s management plan and relevant professional practice and treatment guidelines.

Document

14. The pharmacist uses a suitable system (e.g. computer software, eHealth record, paper-based filing) to securely record, store, maintain, transmit and retrieve relevant patient details in the medication profile and healthcare record (e.g. electronic healthcare record) in accordance with legislative, organisational and professional requirements.

15. The pharmacist uses a suitable system to document a near miss or an incident after each occurrence (e.g. dispensing software, incident register).

16. The pharmacist uses a suitable system to report an incident after each occurrence in accordance with legislative, organisational and professional requirements (e.g. adverse reaction to a medicine to the Therapeutic Goods Administration, dispensing error to management and professional indemnity insurer).

Review

17. The pharmacist seeks feedback on the service from patients, those involved in delivering the service and other stakeholders (e.g. evaluation and satisfaction surveys). 

18. The pharmacist monitors and reviews feedback when received and implements changes to the service, when appropriate, as part of a quality improvement activity. 

19. The pharmacist appropriately reviews all aspects of the service as part of a quality improvement and team training activity (e.g. conducts a review after feedback or when an incident occurs, reviews the accuracy of dose administration aid packing every month).

This standard always applies to registered pharmacists when assessing the person’s needs and determining appropriate management with them.

The pharmacist assesses the person’s needs and determines appropriate management with them.

Examples of situations requiring patient assessment include:

• A person presenting a prescription to be dispensed.
• A person requesting administration of an influenza vaccine.
• A person presenting with symptoms they are concerned about. 
• An older person presenting with a skin tear.
• A person requesting clotrimazole cream.
• A person requesting a cream to be compounded.
• A person requesting a medicine review.

Actions required

Gather information

1. The pharmacist confirms the person’s identity in accordance with legislative, organisational and professional requirements (e.g. using at least three approved identifiers). 

2. The pharmacist establishes the person’s needs. This may include:

• reviewing or requesting relevant information (e.g. prescription for a medicine, pathology results, dispensing history, My Health Record, vaccination record, reason for request of medicine or healthcare information, real-time prescription monitoring system)
• discussing the prescription, presenting complaint, signs and symptoms, information query or medical and medicines history with the person
• discussing individual factors that may be relevant to management with the person (e.g. health literacy, preferences, fears, concerns, lifestyle factors, ability to self-manage, social and cultural factors, beliefs about medicines)
• examining the person (e.g. inspection of a wound or rash).

Assess information

3. The pharmacist assesses the information gathered to:

• identify concerns that require referral to another healthcare professional
• make a diagnosis (working or final) or confirm and understand the existing diagnosis
• identify key clinical issues that may affect management (e.g. suitability of current medicines, medical history, allergies, medicine needs to be compounded).

Communicate the findings

4. The pharmacist discusses the findings with the person.

5. The pharmacist agrees on the most appropriate management with the person. This may include:

• no management, accompanied by medicines or health information
• treatment, accompanied by medicines or health information
• treatment and referral to another healthcare professional
• referral to another healthcare professional.

6. The pharmacist refers the person to the relevant healthcare professional if:

• the existing diagnosis or diagnosis (working or final) is outside the pharmacist’s personal competence or scope of practice
• the identified clinical issues are outside the pharmacist’s personal competence or scope of practice
• the current disease state is outside the pharmacist’s personal competence or scope of practice.

This standard always applies to registered pharmacists who are authorised to prescribe medicines and medical devices and are permitted to do so by legislation, requirements of the Pharmacy Board of Australia and policies of the state or territory, health service or employer for where they are located or employed.

The pharmacist judiciously and collaboratively prescribes therapeutic goods to treat the patient’s health needs safely and effectively.

Examples of prescribing include:

• A pharmacist continuing a medicine without a prescription in accordance with the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Continued Dispensing arrangements. 
• A pharmacist deprescribing a patient’s medicine based on pathology results according to an agreement with, and under the supervision of, an autonomous prescriber. 
• A pharmacist initiating a Pharmacist Only medicine for acne vulgaris in a community pharmacy.
• A pharmacist initiating a Prescription Only medicine to treat an uncomplicated urinary tract infection.
• A pharmacist charting medicines for an inpatient according to a partnered pharmacist medication charting agreement.

Actions required

Agree on a management plan

1. The pharmacist agrees on a management plan, including a medicine management plan, with the patient and relevant healthcare professional in accordance with legislative, organisational and professional requirements.

2. The pharmacist addresses any concerns and expectations raised by the patient after the management plan has been agreed (e.g. regarding their health, the management plan, the medicine management plan).

3. The pharmacist refers the patient to the relevant healthcare professional when the patient’s concerns, expectations or management are outside the pharmacist’s personal competence or scope of practice.

Facilitate access

4. The pharmacist facilitates patient access to the therapeutic good in accordance with legislative, organisational and professional requirements (e.g. charting a medicine order, providing a Pharmacist Only or Prescription Only medicine to the patient).

Communicate the management plan

5. The pharmacist shares the management plan with relevant healthcare professionals involved in the care of the patient (e.g. shares a record via secure messaging with other members of the healthcare team).

Document

6. The pharmacist documents the interaction with the patient, the agreed management plan, including the medicine management plan and any communication with other healthcare professionals in accordance with legislative, organisational and professional requirements.

This standard always applies to registered pharmacists when dispensing a therapeutic good either directly or indirectly (i.e. no face-to-face contact) to a patient. 

The pharmacist facilitates the safe provision of a prescribed therapeutic good, according to a valid prescription or order, to treat a patient.

Examples of prescribing include:

• A pharmacist continuing a medicine without a prescription in accordance with the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Continued Dispensing arrangements. 
• A pharmacist deprescribing a patient’s medicine based on pathology results according to an agreement with, and under the supervision of, an autonomous prescriber. 
• A pharmacist initiating a Pharmacist Only medicine for acne vulgaris in a community pharmacy.
• A pharmacist initiating a Prescription medicine to treat an uncomplicated urinary tract infection according to the Urinary tract infection community pharmacy service.
• A pharmacist charting medicines for an inpatient according to a partnered pharmacist medication charting agreement.

Actions required

Dispense the therapeutic good

1. The pharmacist confirms that the prescription or order is legally valid. If the prescription or order is not valid, the pharmacist contacts the prescriber to discuss and resolve the validity of the prescription or order.

2. The pharmacist assesses the information gathered and reviews the prescription or order to determine if dispensing the therapeutic good for the patient is:

• safe (e.g. correct dose, correct route, no contraindications)

      AND

• therapeutically appropriate (i.e. aligns with patient’s health needs and prescriber’s intentions).

3. If the pharmacist has any concerns or determines dispensing the therapeutic good for the patient is not safe or therapeutically appropriate, the pharmacist takes appropriate actions (e.g. implements interim measures, such as defers or limits supply, to facilitate access to the therapeutic good, discusses and resolves issues with the prescriber).

4. The pharmacist creates, or confirms existing is, an accurate and relevant patient healthcare record using an appropriate system (e.g. dispensing software) before dispensing the therapeutic good.

5. The pharmacist accurately dispenses the therapeutic good for the patient according to the prescription or order using an appropriate system (e.g. dispensing software) and quality assurance measures (e.g. barcode scanning, double-checking).

6. The pharmacist labels the medicine container to meet the needs of the patient, and in accordance with legislative, organisational and professional requirements (e.g. Poisons standard, National standard for labelling dispensed medicines, recommended and mandatory cautionary and advisory labels).

Document

7. The pharmacist documents the interaction with the patient (e.g. medicines dispensed, referral, recommendations, off-label use, education) and any communication with the prescriber (e.g. changes to treatment regimen) in accordance with legislative, organisational and professional requirements.

This standard always applies to registered pharmacists when compounding (simple or complex compounding) a medicine for a patient.

The pharmacist prepares compounded medicines that are safe and appropriate for the patient.

Examples of compounding include:

• Simple compounding in a community pharmacy or hospital pharmacy department.
• Sterile compounding in a hospital pharmacy department.
• Sterile or complex non-sterile compounding in a purpose-built compounding pharmacy.

Actions required

Assess risk

1. The pharmacist completes a risk assessment to determine the appropriateness of the medicine to compound for the patient. This must include:

• patient-related risk (e.g. age, comorbidities, other medicines)
• formulation-related risk (e.g. formulation stability and safety, sterile or hazardous compounded medicine)
• personnel-related risk (e.g. precautions to protect health of the compounding team, ability to comply with special competencies for complex compounding)
• premises-related risk (e.g. different equipment for hazardous medicines , appropriate facilities for the type of compounding)
• regulation-related risk (e.g. availability of a suitable alternative commercial medicine).

2. Where a risk is identified, the pharmacist takes appropriate action to mitigate or exclude the risk (e.g. clearly labelling and separating equipment to avoid cross contamination, implementing measures to protect personnel, facilitating access to a suitable alternative commercial medicine that meets the needs of the patient). 

3. If the medicine is not appropriate to compound, or the pharmacist does not have the required competencies, equipment or facilities, the pharmacist advises the patient and prescriber, and facilitates access to an alternative product (e.g. contacts prescriber to determine an alternative medicine).

Compound the medicine

4. The pharmacist implements any necessary safeguards for patient and pharmacist safety (e.g. compounds one medicine at a time, uses personal protective equipment when compounding a hazardous medicine, notifies team members not to interrupt during the compounding process, compounds the medicine when another pharmacist is available to handle other duties). 

5. The pharmacist uses appropriate starting materials, compounding practices and techniques to compound the medicine for the patient according to an evidence-based formula (e.g. starting materials produced by a manufacturer with relevant approved licensing and/or certification).

6. The pharmacist uses an appropriate final container and closure and assigns an appropriate expiry date for the compounded medicine (i.e. maintains the physical, chemical and microbiological stability of the medicine and maintains the safety of the stored medicine).

7. The pharmacist labels the compounded medicine container to meet the needs of the patient, and in accordance with legislative, organisational and professional requirements (e.g. Poisons standard, National standard for labelling dispensed medicines, recommended and mandatory cautionary and advisory labels).

Document

8. The pharmacist documents the risk assessment, formula and compounding process each time a medicine is compounded for a patient (e.g. completes a compounding record form, documents the evidence to support the decision to compound the medicine). The formula should be supplied to the patient when requested.

This standard always applies to registered pharmacists who pack medicines.

The pharmacist packs medicines consistent with the order or intended use to maintain the stability of the medicine and support safe and effective use.

Examples of packing medicines include:

• A pharmacist packing medicines into a dose administration aid (DAA; unit-dose or multi-dose) for a patient.
• A pharmacist packing a 3-day emergency supply of a medicine for a patient.
• A pharmacist packing a medicine when a quantity less than the original commercial pack size quantity has been prescribed.
• A pharmacist packing medicine for imprest stock for use on a hospital ward or at an aged care facility.
• A pharmacist packing a medicine as a takeaway dose for a patient as part of opioid substitution therapy.
• A pharmacist packing a medicine into a more suitable container to meet the needs of a person with dexterity issues.

Actions required

Assess risk

1. The pharmacist completes a risk assessment to determine the appropriateness of the medicine for packing. This can include:

• patient-related risk (e.g. appropriate final container)
• formulation-related risk (e.g. stability during process and final container, appropriate expiry date)
• personnel-related risk (e.g. precautions to protect health of packing team members)
• premises-related risk (e.g. appropriateness of the facility, clean and hygienic)
• regulation-related risk (e.g. availability of a suitable alternative commercial medicine).

2. Where a risk is identified, the pharmacist takes appropriate action to mitigate or exclude the risk (e.g. alternative final container, appropriate closure, change formulation). 

3. If the medicine is not appropriate to pack, the pharmacist advises the intended recipient of alternative options.

Pack the medicine

4. The pharmacist packs medicines in accordance with the order or intended use (e.g. imprest order, medication profile for a dose administration aid).

5. The pharmacist packs the medicines to maintain adequate stability and safety (e.g. packing as close as possible to the expected date of use, promptly sealing the container after packing, clean procedures, consider/use child-resistant container).

6. The pharmacist labels the medicine container to meet the needs of the patient, and in accordance with legislative, organisational and professional requirements (e.g. Poisons standard, National standard for labelling dispensed medicines, recommended and mandatory cautionary advisory labels).

Check the medicine

7. The pharmacist involved in providing the medicine follows a quality assurance process. This can include checking that:

• the packed medicine (including those packed by a third party) is accurate and consistent with the original order/medicine profile 
• patient details are correct 
• the medicine has been appropriately packed and stored to maintain stability and safety
• imprest stock is appropriate for the patient population.

Provide the medicine

8. The pharmacist confirms the identity of the person receiving the packed medicine (e.g. using at least three approved identifiers) in accordance with legislative, organisational and professional requirements.

9. The pharmacist checks the packed medicine for appropriateness before providing the medicine (e.g. no signs of deterioration of the packed medicine, no signs of damage to the container that may impact the stability or safety of packed medicines).

Monitor

10. The pharmacist reviews the appropriateness of the packed medicine at regular intervals (e.g. patient ability to self-administer medicines from the DAA or the medicine bottle with a child-resistant closure, adherence, storage, appropriate quantity). If there is a concern, the pharmacist takes appropriate action to enable safe and effective use of the medicine (e.g. changing administration times of medicines, providing an alternative container, providing aids to help with the removal of the medicine from the container).

Document

11. The pharmacist maintains an accurate and comprehensive record of medicines that are packed. This can include:

• details of the person who packed the medicines
• details and quantity of medicines packed
• date of packing and distribution
• pharmacist who checked the packed medicines
• decisions for medicines not packed
• records of any changes
• patient or ward details
• details of the person who received the medicines.

This standard always applies to registered pharmacists who directly handle therapeutic goods (e.g. receive, store, distribute, dispose).

The pharmacist provides safe and secure handling of therapeutic goods to enable access and safeguard the patient.

Examples of handling of therapeutic goods include:

• Receipt of medical devices from a supplier.
• Storage of medicines in a dispensary or imprest.
• Storage of medicines or ingredients according to cold-chain requirements.
• Distribution of medicines by delivery, including delivery by a third party, to a patient’s home.
• Distribution of medicines to a hospital ward for use as imprest stock on the ward.
• Distribution of medicines to a prescriber through a PBS Prescriber Bag.
• Distribution of medicines to a residential care facility for urgent use according to an agreed protocol.
• Disposal of a destroyed, expired or unwanted medicine.
• Disposal of the excess from a compounded medicine.

Actions required

Receipt

1. The pharmacist verifies the integrity of therapeutic goods upon receipt from the supplier (e.g. seals intact, no physical damage, maintenance of correct temperature during delivery). If integrity is compromised, the therapeutic good is not used and is returned to the supplier or destroyed.

2. The pharmacist documents the receipt of therapeutic goods from the supplier in accordance with legislative, organisational and professional requirements (e.g. inputs into stock management system, documents date and method of delivery).

Storage

3. The pharmacist stores therapeutic goods, including dispensed and unwanted therapeutic goods, in accordance with manufacturers’ directions, and legislative, organisational and professional requirements. 

4. The pharmacist appropriately labels therapeutic goods to enable safe storage (e.g. cytotoxic medicines in the dispensary, compounding ingredients in accordance with safety and stability requirements).

5. The pharmacist uses an appropriate system to maintain and monitor the storage conditions of therapeutic goods, in particular temperature-sensitive items (e.g. auditing temperature control equipment, testing of temperature alarms, air handling). If a deviation occurs, the pharmacist completes a risk assessment to determine the integrity of the therapeutic good and takes the appropriate action (e.g. time outside the temperature range and temperature change).

6. The pharmacist completes a risk assessment to determine if therapeutic goods with a greater risk of harm (e.g. diversion risk, hazardous medicine) should be stored in a location that only allows authorised persons to access (e.g. dihydrocodeine formulations in dispensary, hazardous compounding starting materials in a designated area).

Distribution (including third-party distribution)

7. The pharmacist completes a risk assessment to determine the appropriateness of the therapeutic good for distribution. This can include:

• patient-related risk (e.g. ability to receive the medicine when distributed)
• formulation-related risk (e.g. stability of the formulation during distribution)
• personnel-related risk (e.g. safety during distribution)
• premises-related risk (e.g. appropriateness of the distribution facility)
• regulation-related risk (e.g. necessary security requirements are met).

8. Where a risk is identified, the pharmacist takes appropriate action to mitigate or exclude the risk (e.g. suitable transportation container/packaging to maintain cold-chain requirements, postal or delivery record, tamper-resistant packaging). 

9. If a therapeutic good is not appropriate to distribute, the pharmacist advises the intended recipient of alternative options.

Disposal

10. The pharmacist uses an appropriate system to safely dispose of expired and unwanted therapeutic goods, including destroyed medicines (e.g. personal protective equipment for staff involved, crushing of medicines to minimise the risk of diversion, verified medicine disposal service to minimise harm to the environment).

This standard always applies to registered pharmacists who administer or directly supervise the administration of a medicine to a patient.

The pharmacist safely administers or supervises the administration of a medicine to a patient according to their healthcare needs.

Examples of administration of a medicine include:

• Injectable medicines—vaccines, medicines to treat a deficiency, medicines for chronic conditions.
• Non-injectable medicines—transdermal patches, eye drops, inhaler devices.
• Examples of directly supervised administration of a medicine include:
• Delivery of opioid substitution therapy (OST).
• According to the patient’s management plan.
• Restricted dosing regimens.

Actions required

Assess risk

1. The pharmacist completes a risk assessment to determine if the medicine is appropriate for administration to the patient. This can include:

• patient-related risk (e.g. accepted evidence of efficacy, safety and quality, appropriate duration since last administration, age)
• formulation-related risk (e.g. formulation suitability)
• medicine-related risk (e.g. safety of the medicine for the patient)
• personnel-related risk (e.g. infection control)
• premises-related risk (e.g. suitable area for administration)
• regulation-related risk (e.g. scope of practice, appropriate qualifications).

2. Where a risk is identified, the pharmacist takes appropriate action to mitigate or exclude the risk (e.g. implementation of personal protective equipment, alternative formulation or medicine). 

3. If the medicine is not appropriate to administer, the pharmacist advises the patient and prescriber, and facilitates access to an alternative medicine (e.g. contacts prescriber to determine an alternative medicine).

4. If administration of the medicine to the patient is outside the pharmacist’s personal competence or scope of practice, the pharmacist refers the patient to an appropriate healthcare professional.

Communicate the management plan

5. The pharmacist explains the medicines and administration process to the patient. This includes the risks, benefits and potential adverse events following administration, the process to report adverse reactions, monitoring, next dose, review and when to consult another healthcare professional or return to the pharmacist. 

6. The pharmacist addresses any concerns and expectations raised by the patient (e.g. their health, the medicine management plan, administration process).

Facilitate access to the medicine

7. The pharmacist facilitates patient access to the therapeutic good in accordance with legislative, organisational and professional requirements (e.g. valid prescription for supervised administration of opioid substitution therapy).

Administer the medicine

8. The pharmacist confirms the correct medicine and dose is selected to administer to the patient.

9. The pharmacist implements safeguards to protect the patient and pharmacist (e.g. administering one medicine to one patient at a time, appropriate personal protective equipment, presence of another adult when administering to a child, notifying team members not to interrupt during the administration process, choosing a time when another team member is available to handle other duties).

10. The pharmacist uses the correct technique to prepare the medicine for administration to the patient (e.g. verified equipment to measure the opioid substitution therapy dose, remove any packaging from a transdermal patch, follow the manufacturer’s directions for reconstitution of a vaccine).

11. The pharmacist prepares the patient to receive the medicine (e.g. identifies the correct site, uses distraction techniques if administering by injection).

12. The pharmacist uses the correct administration technique to administer or supervise the administration of the medicine safely to the patient (e.g. intramuscular administration of influenza vaccine, clean cup and drinking water supplied for administration of methadone syrup).

13. The pharmacist immediately disposes of any clinical waste (e.g. used cups, adhesive strips, sharps, vials) in the appropriate container after administration to the patient.

Monitor the patient

14. The pharmacist monitors the patient for the required duration after medicine administration to detect any adverse reaction (e.g. 15 minutes after vaccine administration, until consumption of a supervised dose). If an adverse reaction occurs, the pharmacist takes the required steps to minimise harm to the patient.

Review the patient

15. The pharmacist discusses any ongoing care arrangements with the patient and relevant healthcare professionals to maintain continuity of treatment (e.g. ongoing monitoring, follow-up, referral). 

16. The pharmacist shares the agreed management plan with the relevant healthcare professionals involved in the care of the patient.

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17. The pharmacist updates the patient management plan and any relevant external register with the details of the medicine administered (e.g. dose administration register, Australian Immunisation Register, My Health Record).

18. The pharmacist documents the interaction with the patient (e.g. supply, referral, recommendations, education) and the agreed management plan, including the medication management plan, in accordance with legislative, organisational and professional requirements.

This standard always applies to registered pharmacists when conducting a medication review.

A medication history review that occurs at the time of dispensing a medicine is covered by the actions in Standard 5: Patient assessment and Standard 7: Dispensing. 

The pharmacist collaboratively completes medication reviews to optimise the safe and quality use of medicines and identify and resolve medicine-related problems.

Examples of a medication review include:

• A pharmacist conducting an opportunistic medication review with a patient who presented with a medicine-related problem in a community pharmacy.
• A pharmacist in a hospital reviewing an inpatient’s charted medicines. 
• A pharmacist reviewing a patient’s medicines prior to initiating a dose administration aid.
• A pharmacist reviewing a patient’s medicines when making a change to an existing dose administration aid. 
• A pharmacist conducting a medication review with a patient in an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation.
• A pharmacist conducting a comprehensive medication review with a patient (e.g. Home Medicines Review (HMR) in the patient’s home in the community).
• An embedded pharmacist reviewing a patient’s medicines in the general practice as part of their cycle of care.

Actions required

Assess needs

1. The pharmacist compiles a best possible medication history (BPMH) for the patient.

2. The pharmacist reconciles the patient’s medicines using the BPMH. Any discrepancies are discussed and resolved with the prescriber.

3. The pharmacist reviews each medicine in the BPMH for suitability with the patient’s current management plan (e.g. aligns with management plan, safe and appropriate, effectiveness, potential or actual medication-related problems).

4. The pharmacist agrees on the management plan, including the medication management plan, with the patient.

5. The pharmacist addresses any concerns and expectations raised by the patient after the management plan has been discussed (e.g. regarding their health, the medicine management plan).

6. The pharmacist creates a current and accurate patient medication profile.

Determine evidence-based recommendations

7. The pharmacist reviews the patient’s medication profile with the aim of medicines optimisation.

8. The pharmacist determines clear, evidence-based recommendations to optimise the safe and quality use of medicines.

9. The pharmacist immediately contacts the relevant healthcare professional if any recommendations require urgent action (e.g. patient is on a contraindicated medicine, pathology results or monitoring required, therapeutic drug monitoring required).

10. The pharmacist works with relevant healthcare professionals to create a clear and current management plan, including a medicine management plan, for the patient. 

Communicate the management plan

11. The pharmacist shares the management plan, including the medicine management plan, with other relevant healthcare professionals involved in the care of the patient (e.g. shares a record via secure messaging with other members of the healthcare team). 

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12. The pharmacist documents the interaction with the patient and the management plan, including the medicine management plan, in accordance with legislative, organisational and professional requirements.

This standard always applies to registered pharmacists when conducting a medicine use evaluation (MUE).

The pharmacist systematically conducts a medicine use evaluation to optimise the quality, safety and cost-effectiveness of medicine use as part of a quality improvement activity.

Examples of MUEs include:

• An antibiotic stewardship pharmacist reviewing the prescribed duration of antibiotic therapy against the recommended duration and providing education to prescribers based on the findings.
• A pharmacist reviewing hospital inpatient’s prescribed venous thromboembolism prophylaxis and presenting findings to hospital staff that results in a change to hospital protocols.

Actions required

Assess needs 

1. The pharmacist works collaboratively to identify areas suitable for a medicine use evaluation (i.e. uses the principles of co-design and invites stakeholders to provide information and suggest areas for quality improvement, reviews data to identify areas that may require quality improvement).

2. The pharmacist assesses the identified areas to select a suitable area for the MUE (e.g. relevant to the practice setting, data able to be collected and analysed).

3. The pharmacist collects information to develop or update their knowledge base on the topic (e.g. review and critically appraise relevant literature, review relevant guidelines, engage an expert in the area). 

4. The pharmacist defines the evaluation criteria and measures.

5. The pharmacist determines the most appropriate study design (e.g. quantitative, qualitative).

6. The pharmacist identifies and confirms relevant data sources (i.e. confirms suitability with stakeholders).

Collect and evaluate data

7. The pharmacist collects data from internal and external sources using a standardised and documented method (e.g. medicine use data, clinical data, national medicine regulatory or safety data, economic data).

8. The pharmacist evaluates the collected data against the pre-determined evaluation criteria and measures.

9. The pharmacist develops clear, non-biased and evidence-based recommendations, supported by the findings, for changes to improve medicines use.

Communicate the findings

10. The pharmacist discusses the findings and recommendations with stakeholders. 

11. The pharmacist appropriately disseminates the findings and recommendations according to the approval level/requirements of the MUE (e.g. publishes the research, provides antimicrobial stewardship data to government). 

12. The pharmacist seeks endorsement on the implementation of the recommendations from stakeholders. 

13. The pharmacist develops an action plan for the agreed recommendations to be implemented.

14. The pharmacist works with stakeholders to implement the recommendations in the action plan (e.g. delivery of education, update policies and procedures, targeted medication reviews).

Monitor

15. The pharmacist works with the stakeholders to determine when to evaluate the outcomes of the intervention.

16. The pharmacist discusses the findings of the review with the stakeholders to determine if changes to recommendations are required.

17. The pharmacist works with the stakeholders to determine when to repeat the MUE (e.g. align with new guideline recommendations, dynamic topic may require more frequent evaluations).

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18. The pharmacist progressively documents the MUE process during each stage (e.g. stakeholders, data sources, design, evaluation process, findings, recommendations, outcomes).

This standard always applies to registered pharmacists when monitoring patient outcomes and supporting patients to self monitor.

The pharmacist collaboratively monitors patient outcomes and supports patients to self monitor their condition and prevent complications.

Examples of patient monitoring include:

• A pharmacist monitoring blood glucose levels for a patient who is taking an antipsychotic medicine.
• A pharmacist monitoring a patient’s weight as part of a weight management program.
• An embedded pharmacist contributing to a patient’s diabetes annual cycle of care.
• A pharmacist monitoring an inpatient’s vancomycin levels.

Actions required

Review or follow management plan

1. The pharmacist reviews or follows the monitoring requirements outlined in the management plan (e.g. frequency of monitoring required, appropriate digital devices or apps for self monitoring). 

Assess needs

2. The pharmacist uses a validated method to obtain objective information from the patient (e.g. glucometer to test blood glucose level, blood pressure monitor to test blood pressure, digital health monitoring aid).

Communicate the findings 

3. The pharmacist discusses the results with the patient (e.g. limitations and significance of the tests in the context of the patient, comparison with reference ranges).

4. The pharmacist addresses any concerns and expectations raised by the patient regarding the results.

5. The pharmacist refers the patient to the relevant healthcare professional when the results are outside the pharmacist’s personal competence or scope of practice.

6. The pharmacist shares the findings with relevant healthcare professionals involved in the care of the patient.

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7. The pharmacist documents the interaction with the patient in accordance with legislative, organisational and professional requirements.

This standard always applies to registered pharmacists when providing any medicines and health information either one-on-one with a patient or to a group of people.

The pharmacist critically appraises information to provide accurate, evidence-based, trusted and reliable medicines and health information to meet the needs of the patient, group of people and members of the healthcare team.

Examples of providing medicine and health information one-on-one include:

• A pharmacist providing medicine information to the patient after dispensing the medicine for the patient.
• A pharmacist providing information to the patient about an over-the-counter medicine when providing the medicine.
• A pharmacist providing health information about a vaccine before administering the vaccine to the patient.
• A pharmacist providing medicines information to the patient as part of a medication review.
• A pharmacist providing medicine information to the patient about a medicine they are reducing the dose of as part of a supervised prescribing arrangement.
• A pharmacist providing information to a prescriber about the safety of a medicine in pregnancy as part of a medicine information service.
• A pharmacist providing dietary and lifestyle modification information to a patient for the management of acute, uncomplicated constipation.

Examples of providing medicine and health information to a group of people include:

• A pharmacist providing information to a peer support group about local health services.
• A pharmacist providing information on social media about appropriate skin care.
• A pharmacist providing information to Aboriginal Health Workers about cold-chain management at an Aboriginal Health Service.
• A pharmacist participating in a hospital ward round or case conference providing medicines information to other healthcare professionals.

Actions required

Assess information

1. The pharmacist collects appropriate and relevant information to develop or update their knowledge base (e.g. journal articles, clinical guidelines).

2. The pharmacist reviews and critically appraises the relevant information.

3. The pharmacist determines the appropriate information to be provided to the patient or member of the healthcare team (e.g. unbiased, evidence-based, accurate, relevant, aligns with public health messaging).

Provide information

4. The pharmacist provides the appropriate information to the patient or member of the healthcare team in a timeframe that meets their needs. This can include:

• information as part of a patient’s management plan, including any changes that have occurred to the plan
• information as part of a collaborative case conference
• information related to medicine inquiry from another healthcare professional
• written information to support verbal information
• information about required storage conditions of packed medicines
• information for a patient about monitoring their condition.

5. The pharmacist addresses any concerns and expectations raised by the patient or member of the healthcare team after the information has been provided. The pharmacist refers the patient to the relevant healthcare professional when the concerns and expectations are outside the pharmacist’s personal competence or scope of practice.

6. The pharmacist supports the patient or member of the healthcare team to strengthen their literacy. This may include:

• health literacy (e.g. using appropriate language for the patient or member of the healthcare team)
• digital literacy (e.g. advising how to access and determine what credible, evidence-based online resources are available, sharing where information was accessed)
• medicine literacy (e.g. supporting the patient to maintain an accurate and comprehensive medicines list such as My Health Record, Active Script List, providing medicine information to the healthcare team member).

Monitor

7. The pharmacist confirms with the patient or member of the healthcare team if the information provided meets their needs. If the information does not meet their needs, the pharmacist takes appropriate action to address this.

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8. The pharmacist documents the interaction with the patient or member of the healthcare team in accordance with legislative, organisational and professional requirements.

This standard always applies to registered pharmacists when providing a screening, case-finding and risk assessment service to a person. 

The pharmacist uses evidence-based screening, case-finding and risk assessment methods to identify people at increased risk of, or who may have, an undiagnosed health condition.

Examples of screening and risk assessment include:

• A pharmacist taking a person’s blood pressure as part of a community screening program and interpreting the result as part of an absolute cardiovascular risk assessment.
• A pharmacist using a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) screening device as part of a targeted
  case-finding strategy to identify people at risk of COPD to refer for standard diagnostic spirometry.
• A pharmacist completing a screening questionnaire with a patient to determine if they are at risk of depression.

Actions required

Assess needs 

1. The pharmacist uses a validated tool (e.g. evidence-based, accurate) to obtain objective information from the patient.

2. The pharmacist assesses the information gathered to select the most appropriate method (e.g. point-of-care test, risk assessment tool, screening questionnaire) for the patient (e.g. aligns with identified risk factors, intent of the service, patient preference).

3. The pharmacist discusses with the patient the purpose (e.g. can identify increased risk, help to prevent complications, guide referral for further investigation) and limitations (e.g. not used for diagnosis or changes to existing therapy) of the service.

4. The pharmacist addresses any concerns and expectations raised by the patient (e.g. regarding their health, the method used to assess risk).

Complete the assessment

5. The pharmacist works with the patient to meet the requirements of the selected method.

6. The pharmacist interprets and evaluates the results in the context of the patient and the potential condition.

Communicate the findings

7. The pharmacist discusses with the patient: 

• the results, including their significance and limitations
• appropriate strategies that may improve their results (e.g. lifestyle measures and changes).

8. The pharmacist refers the patient, according to the recommendations for the selected method, to the relevant healthcare professional.

9. The pharmacist shares the results with other relevant healthcare professionals involved in the care of the patient.

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10. The pharmacist documents the interaction with the patient (e.g. education, results of any tests performed) in accordance with legislative, organisational and professional requirements.

This standard always applies to registered pharmacists when promoting health or delivering a health promotion activity.

The pharmacist promotes health and preventive strategies to help people to increase control over and improve their health.

Examples of health promotion activities include: 

• An embedded pharmacist creating a newsletter about the impact of medicines on oral health to align with an oral health day.
• A pharmacist speaking at a community event about the importance of vaccination to align with a public health initiative.
• A pharmacist implementing a smoking cessation program in a community pharmacy.
• A pharmacist posting information about stopping smoking on social media to align with World no smoking day.

Actions required

Assess needs

1. The pharmacist identifies topics suitable for a health promotion activity within their scope of practice (i.e. uses co-design principles and invites the community and stakeholders to provide information and suggest topics, aligns with local or national health initiatives and emerging health needs of the public).

2. The pharmacist assesses the identified topics to select a suitable topic (e.g. relevant to the practice setting and community, meets the needs of the community and stakeholders, suitable for delivery by a pharmacist).

3. The pharmacist plans the health promotion activity (e.g. defines the goal, timeline, target audience, cultural considerations, required resources, promotion, follow-up, evaluation).

4. The pharmacist determines what information is appropriate to include in the health promotion activity (e.g. unbiased, evidence-based, accurate, relevant to the intended goal of the activity, public health message resources).

5. The pharmacist determines the most effective way to deliver the health promotion activity (e.g. appropriate mode of delivery, environment, time).

Communicate the findings

6. The pharmacist translates the appropriate health information into a message or resource suitable for the patient to enable them to actively participate in their own health and wellbeing (e.g. information is in language appropriate for the person, relevant, unbiased, evidence-based).

7. The pharmacist provides information to the patient that can be accessed later (e.g. written information or advice about suitable digital information, such as a leaflet, Self-care fact card or government website).

8. The pharmacist provides information on other upcoming health promotion and health service opportunities to the patient.

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9. The pharmacist documents the health promotion activity in accordance with legislative, organisational and professional requirements (e.g. stakeholders, the information provided, process, outcomes)

The terms used in this document and listed below have been sourced and/or adapted from publications listed in the References section.

1. Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. National competency standards framework for pharmacists in Australia. Canberra: PSA; 2016. At: https://www.psa.org.au/practice-support-industry/national-competency-standards/
2. Stowasser D, Allinson YM, O’Leary K. Understanding the medicines management pathway.
   J Pharm Pract Res 2004;34(4):293–6.
3. World Health Organization. Adherence to long-term therapies: evidence for action. Geneva: WHO; 2003. At: https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/42682
4. Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Glossary for the guiding principles and user guide. 2002. At: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/glossary-for-the-guiding-principles-and-user-guide?language=en
5. Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. Communicating for safety standard. Correct identification and procedure matching. Sydney: ACSQHC; 2023. At: https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/standards/nsqhs-standards/communicating-safety-standard
6. Health Workforce Australia. The Health Professionals Prescribing Pathway. At: www.aims.org.au/documents/item/400
7. Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. Implementing the comprehensive care standard: deliver comprehensive care. Sydney: ACSQHC; 2020. At: https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-12/implementing_the_comprehensive_care_standard_-_deliver_comprehensive_care.pdf
8. Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. Guideline for pharmacists supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples with medicines management. Canberra: PSA; 2022. At: https://my.psa.org.au/s/article/Providing-Pharmacy-Services-to-Aboriginal-and-Torres-Strait-Islander-People
9. Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. Clinical governance principles for pharmacy services. Canberra: PSA; 2018. At: https://my.psa.org.au/s/article/Clinical-Governance-Principles-for-Pharmacy-Services
10. Sansom LN, ed. Australian pharmaceutical formulary and handbook . Canberra: Pharmaceutical Society of Australia; 2023.
11. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. eHealth literacy. 2022. At:
    www.cdc.gov/healthliteracy/researchevaluate/eHealth.html
12. Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. Guidelines for pharmacists providing dose administration aids services. Canberra: PSA; 2017. At: https://my.psa.org.au/s/article/Guidelines-for-pharmacists-providing-dose-administration-aid-services
13. Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Electronic health records. At: www.health.gov.au/topics/health-technologies-and-digital-health/about/electronic-health-records
14. Healthcare Excellence Canada. Culturally safe and equitable care. At: www.healthcareexcellence.ca/en/what-we-do/culturally-safe-and-equitable-care/
15. Safe Work Australia. Hazardous Chemical Information System (HCIS). At: http://hcis.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/About
16. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Health promotion and health protection. At: www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health/health-promotion
17. Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. Informed consent in health care: Fact sheet for clinicians. Sydney: ACSQHC; 2020. At: https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/publications-and-resources/resource-library/informed-consent-fact-sheet-clinicians
18. Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Medical devices. At: www.health.gov.au/topics/medical-devices
19. NPS MedicineWise. Prescribing competencies framework. 2021. At: https://www.nps.org.au/prescribing-competencies-framework
20. Graudins LV, Fitzsimons K, Manias E, et al. J Pharm Pract Res 2020;50:166–79.
21. Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada. Definitions of terms. At:
    www.ismp-canada.org/definitions.htm
22. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Standards for general practices. 5th edn. 2020. At: https://www.racgp.org.au/running-a-practice/practice-standards/standards-5th-edition/standards-for-general-practices-5th-ed-1
23. Australian health practitioners regulation agency & National Boards. Code of conduct. 2022. At: www.ahpra.gov.au/Resources/Code-of-conduct/Shared-Code-of-conduct.aspx
24. National Health and Medical Research Council. Public health. At:
    www.nhmrc.gov.au/health-advice/public-health
25. Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (Clth). Section 3.

The development of the Professional Practice Standards, Version 6, is supported by funding from the Australian Government under the Seventh Community Pharmacy Agreement.

The work to develop the standards included review by experts, open and targeted stakeholder consultation and the consensus of organisations and individuals involved.

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) thanks all those involved in the process and gratefully acknowledges the contribution of the following individuals and organisations.

Project advisory group members

Dr Deanna Mill, Chair

Ilnaz Roomiani, Department of Health

Dr Phi Le, Department of Health

Jerome Boland, Department of Health

Mark Kirschbaum, Pharmacy Board of Australia

Dr Josephine Maundu, Australian Pharmacy Council

Jessica Seeto, The Pharmacy Guild of Australia

Mike Stephens, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation

Dr Jacinta Johnson, The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia

Flynn Swift, National Australian Pharmacy Students’ Association

Gary West, Pharmaceutical Defence Limited

Timothy Plunkett, Australian Digital Health Agency

Professor Debra Rowett, Council of Pharmacy Schools

Janelle Dockray, Professional Pharmacists Australia

Debra Letica, Consumers Health Forum of Australia Professor

Lisa Nissen, academic.

Standard review group members

Hannah Knowles, Chair Anne Todd, Chair Andrew Sluggett, Chair

Hannah Mann, Craig Stevens, Nerida Croker, Michelle Hansen, Dee-Anne Hull, Michael Cousins, Ayomide Ogundipe, Lisa Wark, Dr Lynda Cardiff, Elise Wheadon, Rachel Rees, Brenda Shum, Dr Manya Angley, Deborah Hurwitz, Dr Kirsty Galbraith, Dr Richard Brightwell Janelle Dockray, Dr Selena Boyd, Suzanna Valastro, Michael Bakker, Branko Radojkovic, Dr Beverley Glass, Kerry-Anne Casanova, Karla Wright, Margaret Fagan, Mina Naguib.

PSA project team

Jacob Warner, Peter Guthrey, Claire Antrobus, Kay Sorimachi, Chris Campbell, Emma Abate, Nena Nikolic, Ness Clancy, Madeline Thompson, Carolyn Allen, Leah Robinson, Natalie Bedini, Marwa El Jamaly, Marwa El Jamaly and Haider Ordonez.

The Professional Practice Standards version 6 have been endorsed by:

This publication contains material that has been provided by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), and may contain material provided by the Commonwealth and third parties. Copyright in material provided by the Commonwealth or third parties belong to them. PSA owns the copyright in the publication as a whole and all material in the publication that has been developed by PSA. In relation to PSA owned material, no part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth), or the written permission of PSA. Requests and inquiries regarding permission to use PSA material should be addressed to: Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, PO Box 42, Deakin West ACT 2600.Where you would like to use material that has been provided by the Commonwealth or third parties, contact them directly.

Disclaimer

Neither the PSA, nor any person associated with the preparation of this document, accepts liability for any loss which a user of this document may suffer as a result of reliance on the document and, in particular, for:

• use of the Standards for a purpose for which they were not intended
• any errors or omissions in the Standards
• any inaccuracy in the information or data on which the Standards are based or which is contained in them
• any interpretations or opinions stated in, or which may be inferred from, the Standards.

Notification of any inaccuracy or ambiguity found in this document should be made without delay in order that the issue may be investigated and appropriate action taken.

Please forward your notification to: Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, PO Box 42, Deakin West, ACT 2600.

Images in the standards were produced in line with COVID-19 restrictions at the time they were taken.

Date of Publication: July 2023

© Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Ltd, 2023