Electronic prescriptions
The introduction of electronic prescriptions has improved patient accessibility to medication and reduced the administrative burden on pharmacies related to faxed or emailed prescriptions. Most pharmacies now successfully operate a hybrid dispensing workflow that incorporates both electronic and paper-based prescriptions. Despite the benefits of electronic prescriptions, mistakes can still be made if the correct dispensing […]
National Vacancy for Professional Officer
Pharmaceutical Defence Limited (PDL) is a member-owned organisation supporting around 31,000 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 pharmacy […]
NSW regulatory updates
Psychostimulant changes The PDL Professional Officers would like to bring to the attention of NSW pharmacists some recent regulatory changes regarding the requirements to prescribe the Schedule 8 psychostimulant medicines dexamfetamine, lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate. As NSW pharmacists are aware, an authority/approval from the NSW Ministry of Health is required to prescribe or supply dexamfetamine, lisdexamfetamine […]
Another variant vaccine, another potential risk
With the availability of the latest Pfizer (COMIRNATY®) Omicron XBB.1.5 vaccine, indicated for 12 years and over, there may be potential for selection or administration error. This is due to the packaging of the vial appearing very similar to the previous Pfizer (COMIRNATY) Bivalent BA.4-5 and BA.1 vials for similar age groups (12 years and […]
Maintaining professional boundaries: A reminder for pharmacists
Meridian Lawyers has collaborated with PDL to prepare an article about professional boundaries and the types of conduct that are likely to be the subject of complaint to regulators. The article references Ahpra’s 2022/23 annual report, which revealed 841 notifications involving possible failures to maintain appropriate professional boundaries. At the lower end of the spectrum, […]
Pharmacy Board of Australia 2023-24 registration renewal
Every year, PDL receives calls from pharmacists who have overlooked their Pharmacy Board of Australia (PBA) registration renewal. This may happen due to renewal reminders being quarantined in junk or spam folders, or changes to email and postal addresses and mobile numbers. Ahpra attempts to contact lapsed registrants through all such means, but this can […]
Medicinal cannabis
The prescribing and supply of medicinal cannabis is a rapidly expanding area of practice in Australia. With this emerging field comes the need for comprehensive risk management considerations and strategies to ensure patient safety and regulatory compliance. The following explores some essential risk management considerations for pharmacists who are involved in this area of practice. […]
Off-label prescribing
Off-label prescribing occurs when a medication is used for a purpose that is not approved by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). It may involve using a medication in a different dosage, route of administration or for a different patient population. While off-label prescribing is legal and sometimes necessary, it may pose ethical and safety […]
Mounjaro® (tirzepatide)
In recent weeks, the PDL Professional Officers have received a number of queries regarding pharmacists’ obligations and liability when dispensing Mounjaro® (tirzepatide). Tirzepatide is a long-acting dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It is registered with the TGA and indicated for the treatment of adults with insufficiently controlled type 2 […]
NSW Pharmacy Trial expression of interest closes 15 November
Pharmacists have limited time left to register their interest in their pharmacy taking part in the NSW Pharmacy Trial, with the expression of interest process scheduled to close at 5pm on 15 November 2023. The trial aims to allow appropriately trained pharmacists to provide community access to important medications and treatments that are usually only […]
