Pharmacists responsibility
July 11, 2012
A REVIEW of the Automated Dose
Packaging Systems Guideline
published in the Guidelines on
Specialised Supply Arrangements, has
determined that it is the supplying
pharmacist who carries the ultimate
professional responsibility for all
aspects of the supply, including
accuracy and provision of medicines’
information relating to dose
administration aids (DAAs) prepared
by a third-party packing facility.
The review, undertaken by the
Pharmacy Board of Australia’s
Polices, Codes and Guidelines
Committee was initiated to clear up
confusion and clarify issues
regarding the responsibilities of
pharmacists at different stages of
the automated dose packaging
process, with the Committee
reviewing the guideline in relation
to dose administration aids (DAAs)
when prepared using automated
dose packaging systems.
“The responsibilities of pharmacists
supplying DAAs that have been
packed by a third-party packing
facility, is an issue which may cause
confusion for some members of the
profession,” the Board said.
The Automated Dose
Packaging Systems Guideline
currently states that the “supply
pharmacist is responsible for
ensuring that the packing pharmacist
has an accurate and current
medicine chart for the medicines to
be packed, as well as being
responsible for the Quality Use of
Medicines support for the patient”.
The Guideline also states that
“the packing pharmacist is
responsible for ensuring packs are
prepared in a timely and accurate
manner according to the most
recent medicine chart” and that
the supplying pharmacist carries
the ultimate responsibility for all
aspects of the supply.
As a result of the review, the
Committee reaffirmed this position
adding the wording that the
supplying pharmacist carries “the
ultimate professional responsibility
for all aspects of the supply”.
“If a third-party packing facility is
involved in preparing DAAs, this does
not abrogate the supply pharmacist
of his or her responsibilities in
relation to aspects of the supply,
including accuracy and provision of
medicines information,” the Board
said.
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