THE Victorian Pharmacy Authority (VPA) has highlighted the outcome of several recent pharmacy inspections in which "gross deficiencies in mandatory references" were identified.
The VPA said the absence of one or more of the current references mandated by the Pharmacy Board of Australia continues to be one of the most common issues noted during pharmacy inspections.
"Licensees and pharmacists in charge are responsible for ensuring the maintenance of required references at registered premises," the VPA said in a communiqu issued late last week.
"The Authority expects pharmacies to have procedures in place to ensure that references are continuously updated so that all pharmacists can practise safely and effectively."
The Board-mandated list of references include current editions of the Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and Handbook; the Australian Medicines Handbook; the Therapeutic Guidelines; a source of current product information such as MIMS or AusDI; a drug interactions reference updated at least quarterly; the AMH Children's Dosing Companion; an evidence-based reference work on complementary and alternative medicines; copies of the legislation controlling the practice of pharmacy; the Australian Immunisation Handbook; the PSA and SHPA professional practice standards; the Pharmacy Board of Australia guidelines; the Merck Manual; and the recently updated Australian Don't Rush to Crush handbook - pharmacyboard.gov.au.
Texts must be readily accessible in in either hard copy or electronically.
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