Today the Australasian College of Pharmacy (College) launched the Prescribing Hormonal Contraceptives Course (Course) for Queensland pharmacists.
This CPD-accredited training enables Queensland pharmacists to participate in the Hormonal Contraception Pilot as announced earlier this year by the Hon Shannon Fentiman MP, Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women.
Hormonal contraception is one of 17 acute conditions within the Queensland Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot where trained pharmacists may autonomously prescribe.
Chief Pharmacist, Suzanna Nash, is pleased to launch the College’s first course that enables autonomous prescribing by pharmacists.
“The standalone Prescribing Hormonal Contraceptives Course is an achievable first step for Queensland pharmacists wanting to commence their full scope of practice journey”, Ms Nash said.
The Course includes an online module, an online workshop, and an objective structured clinical examination.
“Our Course structure and online offering, ensures you will be appropriately trained to deliver these services to eligible women in a timely manner.”
“Full scope trained pharmacists in North Queensland have been offering expanded services since 24 April 2024 — including prescribing hormonal contraception — with broad uptake of this service in their local communities.”
“We encourage Queensland pharmacists to enrol in the training and, on successful completion, be ready to provide these much-needed services to women from July 2024 onwards,” Ms Nash said.
The College’s core focus is on the advancement of the pharmacy profession across Australia, including pharmacy assistants.
Earlier this year, the College launched QCPP-approved training for pharmacy assistants to gain an understanding of the Queensland Pilot and their role in the delivery of Pilot services.
“We also encourage Queensland pharmacy assistants to join their pharmacist colleagues on their full scope of practice journey and undertake the Queensland Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot Training for Pharmacy Assistants.![]()
“This will ensure they are equipped to support their pharmacist colleagues in providing hormonal contraception services in their community pharmacy”, Ms Nash said.
Interested Queensland pharmacists are encouraged to visit the College website to check the Course pre-requisites, learning objectives and price.