March 2020

Vaccination audits -  community pharmacies/pharmacists

NSW Health will soon commence random audits of pharmacists and pharmacies that provide vaccination services.

A vaccination auditor has been appointed under the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 1966 to carry out the audit.

A random selection of NSW pharmacies will be audited for compliance with the NSW Pharmacist Vaccination Standards. The vaccination auditor is authorised to conduct the audits under powers derived from the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 1966.

The auditor will advise pharmacy owners and vaccinating pharmacists about the outcome of the audit and will provide a report outlining recommended actions, including the process for addressing any major or critical issues identified.

Community pharmacies providing Pharmacist Vaccination services must comply with the following NSW Pharmacist Vaccination Standards: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/Documents/pharmacist-new-standard.pdf

The audits are assessing:

• appropriate vaccination training,
• correct vaccination procedures,
• appropriate vaccination environment and equipment, and
• appropriate record keeping of vaccinations.

Issues of non-compliance with the Standards may result in serious consequences for pharmacists and pharmacy owners, including referral to NSW Health or the Pharmacy Council of NSW for consideration of further action.

Information on Pharmacist Vaccination Guidelines are available from:

• Practice Guidelines for the Provision of Immunisation Services within Pharmacy – Pharmaceutical Society of Australia
• Guidelines for Conducting Immunisation Services within a Community Pharmacy Environment – Pharmacy Guild of Australia

Other resources available:

• Australian Immunisation Handbook – Australian Government Department of Health
• National Vaccine Storage Guidelines – Strive for 5 – Australian Government Department of Health

NSW Health