It’s THAT time of year again – gotta get my CPD organised!!

September 30 is the deadline that always seems to arrive too soon – CPD needs to be done and dusted for the year. Well, we have just passed that deadline for 2020 and it’s now time to plan and prepare for the next 12 months. But what is the point of it, and why should you think more about it than just finding and collecting those 40 points?

What is the point of Continuing Professional Development?

CPD is a requirement of continued registration, and it is legally required under the National Law. The requirement is there for a reason, however, and this article briefly explains the why, the what and the how. 

KEY POINTS 

1. CPD is intended to be a process where you maintain and improve your current levels of competency and familiarity with all aspects of your scope of practice; it is NOT merely a process of collecting enough credits to meet the Pharmacy Board’s registration requirements.

2. CPD should be planned based on critical reflection on your scope of practice and areas where you could or should learn more.

3. Your CPD Plan should take into account the types of issues you commonly encounter in your practice, for example, the services you offer and the clinical conditions which are commonly encountered in your practice.

4. CPD comprises much more than formally accredited activities; any activity which contributes to learning relevant to your practice is CPD and should be recorded.

5. Reflection on what you have learned and/or how what you have learned will affect your practice is an essential part of the learning process and must be recorded.

6. If you are not in a patient facing role, your scope of practice must be clearly identified and articulated.

In our August 2020 edition of Council News we presented a case study on the Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) pitfalls and consequences; and asked could this happen in your pharmacy?

To view the case study click here.

To view the answers to the quiz click below.

Key Facts:

• The law is the law – pharmacists must practice strictly in accordance, with no exceptions
• Pharmacy proprietors are responsible for all activities in their pharmacies whether they are physically present or not
• Proprietors may be suspended or have conditions imposed if they do not actively monitor and ensure the compliance of their employees

The Pharmacy Council recently prosecuted the sole financial interest holder (owner) of two pharmacy businesses. The prosecution related to operating a pharmacy business in unapproved premises (ie premises not approved by the Council), and operating a pharmacy business in the absence of a pharmacist. The pharmacy owner pled guilty on both counts and was sentenced at the Downing Centre Local Court. 

Pharmacists are the gatekeepers of pharmacy services and play a very specific and important role in the proper and appropriate supply of restricted substances from pharmacies. 

Do you know what to look for?

In this section of the Council News we will help you apply the poisons legislation in your practice. In each edition will include explanations, guidance, tips and resources relating to one or more of the common areas where the Council sees that practitioners have difficulties or experience confusion.

This year has been full of changes for Pharmacy. With the introduction of electronic prescribing and image-based prescribing in community practice, it is timely to provide a refresher on computer generated Schedule 8 prescriptions.

What's the problem here??