Scope of Practice
Under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 the Pharmacy Council (the Council) must publish a description of the contents of the profession in terms of one or more scopes of practice. The Council has developed the competence and registration requirements for the Pharmacist Prescriber scope of practice. In this scope suitably qualified and trained pharmacists who are already working in a collaborative health team environment will be able to prescribe medicines.
Education and training of pharmacist prescribers
A postgraduate qualification is required to become a Pharmacist Prescriber. The two currently accredited programmes are: Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy in Prescribing offered by the University of Auckland, and Postgraduate Certificate in Pharmacist Prescribing offered by the University of Otago .
Refer to the Council’s guidance statement on requirements for entry into the postgraduate certificate programme for pharmacist prescribing.
On completion of the required qualification, the pharmacist will be eligible to apply for registration in the Pharmacist Prescriber scope of practice. Applications can be made online, which includes submitting a Practice Plan. Additional information relating to the content of the Practice Plan can be found here.
Once registered in the Pharmacist Prescriber scope of practice, pharmacists will be entitled to use RegPharmNZ(Prescriber) as a post-nominal.
Competence Standards for Pharmacist Prescribers
The revised Competence Standards for Aotearoa New Zealand Pharmacist Prescribers (and accompanying comprehensive guidance) published on 15 June 2023 came into force and became mandatory from 1 April 2024. The Competence Standards and Guidance for Pharmacist and Pharmacist Prescribers should be read in conjunction with the Code of Ethics 2018. These specify the minimum core foundational knowledge, skills and attributes required of all pharmacist prescribers.
Ongoing registration requirements
Pharmacist Prescribers will, from time-to-time, amend or expand their defined area of practice or change the collaborative health team in which they work. For pharmacist prescribers to demonstrate competence, safety and accountability for expanded or modified practice, Council requires pharmacist prescribers to complete a practice review prior to such changes. This is a reflective exercise (self-directed with input from professional peers) using the competence standards to identify areas where further learning and professional development is required. A new or modified practice plan is declared at the time of application for a new practising certificate.
Overseas-qualified pharmacist prescribers
Overseas-qualified pharmacist prescribers wishing to register in New Zealand should contact us via [email protected]