The new standards for pharmacy professionals - now in effect

New standards for pharmacy professionals are now in effect. The nine standards describe how safe and effective care is delivered through person-centred professionalism, and replace the standards of conduct, ethics and performance.

The standards reflect significant research and engagement with registrants, the pharmacy sector, members of the public and other stakeholders who told us what they expect from pharmacy professionals; what comprises good patient care; and what can uphold public trust in pharmacy.

Recognising that it is the attitudes and behaviours of pharmacy professionals in their day-to-day work which make the most significant contributions to the quality of care, the new standards have a greater focus on person-centred care; more emphasis on leadership and professional responsibility; and a call for greater accountability, openness and candour on the part of pharmacy professionals.

We have also restructured the new standards and reduced their number from 57 to nine, and included examples under each standard to illustrate how they might apply in practice. In essence, the new framework relies less on a detailed list of dos and don’ts, and more on the knowledge, skills and judgement of pharmacy professionals.