New push for national training standard for pharmacist prescribing in Australia

New push for national training standard for pharmacist prescribing in Australia

20 Apr 2026

Right now, rules and education requirements for pharmacist prescribing differ between states and territories. However, pharmacists are already prescribing certain scheduled medicines in both community pharmacies and hospitals.

The proposed change would introduce a single national qualification and education standard. This means pharmacists would need to meet the same requirements before they can prescribe, helping improve consistency and patient safety nationwide.

According to Board Chair Cameron Phillips, the focus is on safety and quality. He said the goal is to make sure pharmacists prescribing medicines are doing so at a high standard expected by the community.

The new endorsement would build on skills pharmacists already use, such as assessing patients, giving advice, and recommending treatments for minor conditions.

The Board has also asked the Australian Pharmacy Council to consult on training standards. These would cover areas like physical examinations, testing, diagnosis, clinical decision-making, communication, record-keeping, and when to refer patients to other health professionals.

Dr Phillips stressed that the proposal is not about deciding whether pharmacists should prescribe. Instead, it is about making sure that those who do prescribe have consistent and safe training across Australia.

Public consultation is open until 15 June. Feedback is welcome from community members, health professionals, and organisations. Submissions can be made through an online survey or by sending a response via email.

The draft proposal was developed after a request from Health Ministers in June 2025. After consultation, it will be reviewed for approval.

Australia has more than 40,000 registered pharmacists, and the Board continues to regulate the profession with a strong focus on public safety.

https://www.ahpra.gov.au/

Source: Pharmacy Board of Australia

 
 

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