THE Pharmacy Board of Australia has released new guidelines supporting safe practice by pharmacists delivering pharmacy services, which will come into effect on 01 Oct 2026.
Following extensive consultation with pharmacists, professional bodies and the public to inform their development (PD 26 Aug 2025), the guidelines set out the Board's expectations of pharmacists in relation to the provision of pharmacy services, including medicines and advice.
Key changes to previous guidelines include consolidating the existing four separate guidelines into a single document with four focus areas: leadership/management in practice; supporting informed patient choice; confidentiality and privacy; and communication in practice.
There is also a clearer focus on the importance of cultural safety in the safe provision of services, and updates to reflect contemporary practice.
The guidelines are designed to work in accordance with other relevant professional practice standards, legislation and other guidelines published by the Board, as well as the National Boards' Shared Code of Conduct.
The Pharmacy Board has published supporting resources to complement the guidelines, including notes on references for pharmacists, following the removal of the mandated list of reference texts.
There is also a suite of practice scenarios that illustrate how the guidelines can be applied in day-to-day practice across different settings.
Access the Guidelines for pharmacists on the safe provision of pharmacy services including medicines and advice HERE.
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