National Board recognises the expertise of pharmacists on special day

24 Sep 2018

The Pharmacy Board of Australia (the Board) is recognising nationally the professional expertise of pharmacists during this year’s World Pharmacists’ Day.

Marked worldwide on Tuesday 25 September 2018, this year’s theme is ‘Pharmacists: Your medicines experts’, in recognition of the crucial and unique roles pharmacists play in the ongoing and future health of our nation.

As the body responsible for regulating Australia’s 31,108* pharmacists, the Board is highlighting the medicines expertise of pharmacists and the important role they play in the health of the Australian community.

‘As medicines experts, pharmacists perform an important function in a variety of healthcare environments and this year’s theme is a chance to highlight that,’ Board Chair William Kelly said.

Patients and other healthcare professionals rely on pharmacists as a valuable source of knowledge and advice on medicines.

Pharmacists are an integral part of collaborative patient care, using their medicines expertise not only in the more traditional role of a community or hospital pharmacist but also as part of the healthcare team within general practice, in poisons information centres, and in research and education.

Pharmacists rely on their expert knowledge of medicines when performing key tasks on a daily basis. For example, when dispensing a prescription pharmacists ensure that the prescription is valid, that the medicine is clinically appropriate for the patient, and that information is provided to ensure safe and appropriate use of the medicine.

In dispensing a prescription, a pharmacist has to exercise an independent judgement to ensure the medicine is safe and appropriate for the patient, as well as that it conforms to the prescriber’s intentions.

Pharmacists have a duty to make the care of patients or clients their first concern and to practise safely and effectively.

Maintaining a high level of professional competence and conduct is essential for good care.

Pharmacists must continue to develop their knowledge, skills and professional behaviour throughout their working life. Good practice involves keeping knowledge and skills up to date to ensure that pharmacists continue to work within their competence and scope of practice.

As part of its core role to protect the public, the Board regulates pharmacists through exercising its functions under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, as in force in each state and territory (the National Law).

The Board sets out the registration standards that establish the requirements for pharmacists to be registered to practise competently and safely in Australia. It also publishes codes and guidelines for pharmacists and maintains the register of pharmacists which can be accessed from the home page of the Board’s website.

Meeting the Board’s requirements for registration and practice, including completion of the annual continuing professional development requirements, maintaining professional indemnity insurance arrangements and complying with all Board registration standards, codes and guidelines, supports safe delivery of important services by pharmacists to the public.

Events such as World Pharmacists’ Day provide an opportunity for both the profession and the community to reflect on the important healthcare role pharmacists have within the Australian community.

William Kelly
Chair
Pharmacy Board of Australia

For more information

• Lodge an online enquiry
• For registration enquiries: 1300 419 495 (within Australia) +61 3 9275 9009 (overseas callers)
• For media enquiries: (03) 8708 9200

* As at June 2018