The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has launched a brand-new comprehensive training program for pharmacists practising to an expanded scope.
The pharmacist prescribing scope of practice training program develops pharmacists’ skills and expertise, with specialised prescribing and clinical practice training, focussing on the knowledge and skills needed to manage conditions within pharmacists expanded scope.
On completion, pharmacists can practise as part of a collaborative and person-centred approach for the management of patients’ specific clinical conditions as approved within the scope of state and territory legislation.
For example, pharmacists who complete both components of the program will be able to provide clinical services as part of the Queensland Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot. This training program will form the basis for pharmacist training in other states and territories pending other jurisdictional legislation changes.
The release of the program marks an important milestone in PSA’s growing support for pharmacists stepping up into prescribing roles, furthering PSA’s role as the key training and education provider for Australian pharmacists.
PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS said Queensland’s scope of practice pilot lays the groundwork for what patient care could look like around the country.
“As our population ages and pressure on our health system increases, all health professionals need to be fully utilised,” Associate Professor Sim said.
“As the peak body for pharmacists, PSA is ensuring pharmacists have the necessary training, support, and recognition to succeed in these expanded roles. Enabling pharmacist prescribing in the management of common clinical conditions will enhance patient access to timely, expert care.
“The launch of these training programs is a critical step in building the capability of our pharmacist workforce, equipping pharmacists with the clinical skills and confidence to provide more comprehensive care.
“Queensland’s Scope of Practice Pilot is laying the foundation for what pharmacist prescribing could look like across Australia, building the evidence base to show how pharmacist prescribing improves patient outcomes, strengthens our healthcare system, and creates a model for the rest of the country to follow.
“This is just one of the many ways PSA is supporting pharmacists as we continue to advocate for our profession to practise to our full scope,” Associate Professor Sim concluded.
