PBA takes first step for pharmacist vaccination

The Pharmacy Board of Australia's plans to have policies and guidelines for pharmacists prescribing and vaccination by pharmacists, by the end July 2014, are the first steps in enabling the profession to provide those services, an expert believes.

In its Health Profession Agreement with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, the Board described the delivery of an assessment and the development of additional policies and guidelines for: pharmacists prescribing; vaccination by pharmacists; and advanced practice by pharmacist, as a "key strategic priority" to be delivered in the 2013/14 year.

One of the Board’s key strategic priorities is to "work toward nationally consistent practice by pharmacists," and as well as the prescribing, vaccination and advanced practice guideline development there's also a planned paper on the "possible regulation of pharmacy assistants/technicians", said Pharmacy Board Chair, Associate Prof Stephen Marty.

Click here for full Health Profession Agreement.

Sources: pharmacydaily.com.au, www.pharmacynews.com.au/news/latest-news/board-takes-first-step-for-pharmacist-vaccination, Thursday, 7 November 2013