Pharmacy Daily | Nursing’s new voice at AMH

IN A move that reflects the expanded scope of practice in nursing, the Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH) has appointed Nurse Practitioner Peter Cirocco (pictured) to its Editorial Advisory Committee, continuing its commitment to the evolving needs of health professionals.

Having provided pharmacists with an independent source of medicines information for nearly 30 years, the AMH has more recently expanded its reach to doctors and nurses, as well as producing companion information on Children's Dosing and Aged Care.

The Editorial Advisory Committee comprises a group of experts who help editors ensure content reflects current evidence and practice as well as the changing needs of its user base.

As the first Nurse Practitioner appointed to the Committee, Cirocco said he is "excited and humbled" by the opportunity to provide another way for nurses to be heard and appreciated in the quality use of medicines conversation.

"The AMH has been in my clinical toolkit since I started my undergraduate studies many years ago, and has been utilised almost daily since then," Cirocco said.

"I have seen many changes in the way we as practitioners at large apply pharmacotherapies - including changes in who can and cannot prescribe medications."

He joins Committee Chairman Prof Nick Buckley and members Dr John Dowden, Dr Lisa Fraser, Prof Andrew Somogyi, Dr Tilenka Thynne, Prof Melissa Baysari and Assoc Prof Ingrid Hopper.

"I am joining the AMH among some distinguished peers, however I am also cognizant that I am representing my fellow nursing colleagues at large," Cirocco said.

"Not only is the Nurse Practitioner role an evolving role that is ever growing into widespread practice at all levels, there is further expansion with the recent Registered Nurse Prescriber changes."

Cirocco brings to the role a wide-ranging clinical background, which he said has helped him see myriad approaches to pharmacotherapies and develop a deep understanding of evidence-based rationales around when - and when not to - utilise medications, he said.

"This especially includes the administration aspect of these medications, which is something that needs to be considered by prescribers and dispensers alike."

Cirocco pointed out the scope of practice for nurses is ever evolving, and is something that can often meet roadblocks from other stakeholders - although he points out this occurs the other way as well, something he hopes to address on the Committee.

"With the AMH facilitating safe, effective medication management education, I feel that a multi-disciplinary approach to this is the most effective pathway forward," Cirocco said.

The 2026 AMH will be released in Jan, and a pre-publication subscription promotion is running until Dec 31, 2025 - click HERE for details.