Responsibilities of students and interns
All students and interns are registered with AHPRA, and therefore have the responsibility to comply with the guidelines and protocols associated with registration. As pharmacists are held to higher standards of behaviour and actions than the general public, poor personal choices made by students and interns could have an impact on their careers. There is […]
QScript and other regulatory insights
PDL has previously informed members likely to be working in Queensland of the mandatory requirements of the QScript real-time prescription monitoring system. The practice alerts sent to PDL members in July and November 2021 explained the system, the intention regarding harm reduction and mandatory requirements for any prescriber or dispenser of a monitored medicine. Since […]
Clonidine compounding errors
PDL is aware of multiple instances where a pharmacist has not realised a prescription needs to be compounded. This may be due to misinterpretation of the prescriber’s intentions or assumption that the strength prescribed is an error and a proprietary product is supplied instead of the item ordered. Vigilance is always required when dispensing all […]
The what, how and why of PI insurance
Professional Indemnity insurance (PI insurance or PII) may seem like an uninteresting topic, however, the relevance becomes very clear if there is action taken against you by a regulatory agency or if there is a claim for compensation following an incident. PII is designed to cover you for what you do in your professional life. […]
Moderna Spikevax vaccine approved for children 6-11 years
The ATAGI approval of Moderna Spikevax for the primary vaccination of children 6-11 years provides more options for families and pharmacists. Read the ATAGI statement. Key points include: There is NO paediatric formulation. It is the same Moderna Spikevax formulation used for patients 12 years and older. The dose is 50µg (0.25ml) for children 6-11 […]
National vacancy for Professional Officer
Pharmaceutical Defence Limited (PDL) is a member owned organisation supporting around 30,000 pharmacist members and the pharmacy profession. The leading risk advisors to the profession, PDL’s incident support service is dedicated to members around the clock, for confidential, expert advice. The professional indemnity policy for pharmacists provided by PDL covers everything in the scope of […]
Private fentanyl and other opioid prescriptions
PDL would like to remind pharmacists that ALL private prescriptions presented for potent opioids should be treated with high suspicion. Prescriptions for high-dose fentanyl patches and oxycodone tablets make up more than 50% of forgeries reported. Despite ongoing warnings from the regulators and PDL, reports of pharmacists dispensing multiple supplies for these medicines continue to be received, which is of great […]
Prepare for another vaccine in the pharmacy
The approval of the Pfizer Comirnaty Orange Cap (5-11 years) COVID-19 vaccine to be administered by pharmacists from 10 January 2022 offers opportunities and challenges for pharmacists. PDL encourages pharmacists to prepare for this service now and consider the following to minimise risk. Preparation and administration key points Comirnaty (Orange Cap) is a specifically formulated paediatric vaccine provisionally approved by TGA in the 5–11-year-old age range. Comirnaty (Orange Cap) is the […]
Qld pharmacists – UTIPP-Q pilot extended to 30 June 2022
Pharmacists practising in Queensland are advised the UTIPP-Q pilot program has been extended. The following message to participating pharmacists from the Consortium managing the pilot outlines the extension of the pilot. Dear UTIPP-Q pharmacist, Thank-you for your participation in the pilot so far. The implementation in Queensland has been a great success in 2020/21 with […]
COVID-19 vaccine booster dose alert
Vaccinating pharmacists take note… The Moderna Spikevax vaccine has been approved as a booster dose over the weekend with a different dose volume to the primary vaccination course. The ATAGI statement on Moderna as a booster outlines the arrangements for Moderna booster doses and indicates the below: The Moderna Spikevax booster vaccination is authorised for all patients aged 18 years and […]
