THE Pharmacy Guild of Australia has announced a new pharmacy accreditation program taking effect from 01 Oct 2026, with community pharmacies to be accredited under the Quality and Safety Pharmacy Program (QSPP).
The QSPP replaces the Quality Care Pharmacy Program (QCPP), which has been the standard since 1997, and places a greater focus on quality and safety, reflecting the evolution of community pharmacy practice and its increased role in primary healthcare.
Pharmacies will be accredited against Australian Community Pharmacy Standard AS85000:2024, which brings community pharmacy accreditation into alignment with contemporary healthcare principles guiding other healthcare professionals, as well as the National Safety and Quality Primary and Community Healthcare Standards.
Natalie Willis, chair of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia's Clinical Governance Committee, said the introduction of QSPP will equip pharmacies to realise their full potential in the coming years.
"The existing QCPP has served our sector incredibly well since its introduction - more than 95% of community pharmacies are accredited," Willis said.
"The evolution to QSPP will support community pharmacies to be at the forefront of healthcare in Australia into the future."
The QSPP places greater focus on clinical governance and patient engagement, providing government, regulators and patients with greater confidence in the high-quality care and clinical outcomes that pharmacies deliver in the heart of Australian communities.
Another major change is that the accreditation cycle will extend from two year to three years, with a mid-cycle review to promote continuous improvement, which aims to reduce admin burden while continuing to set high standards.
Pharmacies will receive notification of the changes, including their new accreditation date, during May 2026, and will continue to be accredited under QCPP until 01 Oct.
The change to QSPP is being supported by a suite of dedicated resources to help community pharmacies prepare for a smooth transition, with a website now live.
Meanwhile, APP2026 attendees can learn more in a session on Fri at 4pm, as well as at stands 313-314.
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