Development of Accreditation Standards

Pharmacist prescriber education programs

Purpose and aim

APC was delighted to receive funding from the Pharmacy Board of Australia to undertake the development of the Accreditation Standards for Pharmacist Prescriber Education Programs.

The Standards are the basis on which accreditation decisions are made for providers of pharmacy education as they prepare graduates from an accredited degree program and an intern program with the necessary knowledge, skills, and behaviours to take up their role as pharmacy practitioners and positively contribute to the health outcomes of the community.

Specifically, the aim of the development of the standards is to ensure graduates are:

• Competent and qualified to practise as pharmacist prescribers
• Ethical, safe practitioners for the benefit and well-being of the public
• Flexible, adaptable, and responsive to the evolving needs of individuals and communities

Performance Outcomes will also be developed as a complement to the Accreditation Standards. Performance Outcomes allow education providers to collect and present evidence that their graduates meet the requirements of a prescribing practitioner.

The development process

A Stakeholder Reference Group (SRG) and Governance Group (GG) have been appointed to inform and guide the consultation and feedback process, to ensure that the standards accurately and appropriately reflect the views of stakeholders. Appointments to the SRG and GG were determined after an Expression of Interest process. We are fortunate to have Professor Lisa Nissen as the Chair of the SRG and Associate Professor Sue Kirsa as the Chair of the GG. Both play important roles in chairing both face-to-face meetings and external consultations.

APC’s project consultant commenced the development process by preparing a literature review and environmental scan of pharmacist prescribing internationally.

Education providers, professional associations, consumers, Indigenous health advocates, other accreditation councils and pharmacy students then participated in the first consultation round in March 2023, which included a face-to-face Stakeholder Consultation Forum, written submissions and a survey. This ensured that the first draft of the standards was developed while considering the valuable feedback received.

The development of the standards and Performance Outcomes will continue into the 2023-24 financial year, with one consultation round remaining before the Standards and Performance Outcomes are finalised and published.

Across 2 consultations:

Aged Care and Medication Management Review (MMR) Pharmacist training programs

Purpose and aim

The Department of Health and Aged Care engaged APC to develop accreditation standards and a new accreditation system for education programs that will credential pharmacists to work on-site in aged care facilities and conduct comprehensive medication management reviews.

The Accreditation Standards and system provide oversight and quality assurance of training programs that credential pharmacists to be engaged under the Aged Care On-site Pharmacist initiative and conduct comprehensive Medication Management Reviews (i.e., HMRs/RMMRs).

Recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety include increasing access to medication management reviews and the engagement of on-site pharmacists to work in aged care facilities. The Aged Care Onsite Pharmacist initiative provided funding to improve medication management and safety for aged care residents.

The development process

Under the guidance of an Expert Advisory Group, a set of Accreditation Standards was developed over the course of six months. A Performance Outcomes Framework and an Evidence Guide for training providers will also be published shortly after another round consultation specifically for the Performance Outcomes.

Education providers, professional associations, consumers, Indigenous health advocates, other accreditation councils and pharmacy students participated in the consultation round in April 2023, which included a face-to-face Stakeholder Consultation Forum, written submissions, and a survey. This ensured that the standards were developed while considering the valuable feedback received from the consultation.

Following approval of the standards by the Department of Health and Aged Care in July 2023, we will establish an accreditation system to accredit training providers similar to how we currently accredit education providers delivering pharmacy degree programs or intern training programs. Accreditation applications for education programs for aged care on-site pharmacists are now being accepted.