CONCERNS over the ability of pharmacy interns to meet their registration criteria as a result of the COVID-19 are set to be the focus of the Pharmacy Board of Australia's monthly meeting this week.
In a statement published on the Board's website, Chair, Brett Simmonds, said this week's meeting would look at options to vary the supervised practice requirements to minimise the impact of COVID-19 on interns, while continuing to support them in achieving the relevant learning outcomes.
"This includes how many supervised practice hours you will need to complete to be eligible for general registration during 2020, and any alternatives to the other requirements outlined in the Board's Registration standard: Supervised practice arrangements," he said.
"We will advise you by 30 Apr of the Board's decisions, to give you the assurances you need."
Simmonds added that the Board would also address arrangements for oral and written registration examinations scheduled to take place during the year.
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) National President, Dr Chris Freeman, flagged concerns during the Society's COVID-19 webinar last week (PD 17 Apr), noting interns affected by the virus were anxious about their ability to sit exams and complete sufficient hours to gain registration.
"We hope to see some positive signals from the Board in and around ensuring interns who have been directly affect by COVID-19 being able to register in the future in a timely manner, so that we don't have workforce issues once the COVID-19 crisis has subsided," he said.
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