QCPP Set for Makeover from 1 July 2017

The Quality Care Pharmacy Program will undergo significant changes later this year, with an “improved” scheme to debut effective from 01 July 2017.

The enhanced QCPP Requirements will assess the ‘AS85000 Quality Care Pharmacy Standard’ “in a way which provides greater flexibility for your pharmacy business to innovate and grow,” according to an update from the Pharmacy Guild this week.  QCPP requirements will change, but the Guild promised that preparing for assessment would be “business as usual,” meaning accredited pharmacies would not need to make significant changes to the policies and procedures documented in their Operations Manual.

The new arrangements will see the QCPP’s current 18 elements become five “domains” while the existing ‘Red’ checklists/templates and ‘green’ procedures and policies will be removed from QCPP requirements - although they can still form part of the manual.

“Assessment will focus on quality outcomes and alignment with professional standards, guidelines and regulations,” the Guild said.  Each QCPP Requirement will have its intent added to help ensure a clear definition, while the current ‘Remedial actions’ will be replaced with ‘major non-conformances, minor non-conformances and observations”.

‘Evidence required at assessment’ will be replaced with ‘evidence examples’ under the new QCPP.

The Guild said the enhanced QCPP Requirements “will be less complex, more robust and provide greater continuity,” with the changes aiming to promote flexibility, innovation and growth within pharmacy businesses.  

The full details will be launched early next month, with the QCPP team to be introducing the enhancements to delegates at the APP2017 conference.

Source: pharmacydaily.com.au, Friday 3 February 2017