Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:
obtain and interpret information about the scheduling of medicines from the following sources:
federal, state or territory departments of health
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons (SUSMP)
industry association websites and professional publications
seek and document information on the following key pharmacy legal requirements for the supply of scheduled medicines:
product placement and advertising of Pharmacy Medicines (S2) and Pharmacist Only Medicines (S3) items in a pharmacy
storage requirements for Pharmacist Only Medicines (S3), Prescription Only Medicine (S4) and Controlled Drug (S8) scheduled items in a pharmacy
role boundaries and responsibilities of pharmacy and dispensary assistants
circumstances which require and trigger referral to a pharmacist
access and interpret this range of organisational procedures for supplying Pharmacy Medicines (S2) and Pharmacist Only Medicines (S3):
questions that must be asked to collect information about customer needs
triggers for referral to a pharmacist
maintaining privacy and confidentiality of customer information.
Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:
sources of information on scheduled medicines, legal and industry requirements:
federal, state and territory departments of health
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons (SUSMP)
industry association websites and professional publications
Pharmacy Board of Australia
basic aspects of the system for scheduling medicines and the role of:
Advisory Committee in Chemicals Scheduling
Advisory Committee on Medicines Scheduling
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in approving registration of new medicines
purpose of the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons (SUSMP) and basic features of these schedule types:
general sales medicines (unscheduled)
Pharmacy Medicine (S2)
Pharmacist Only Medicine (S3)
Prescription Only Medicine (S4)
Caution (S5)
Poison (S6)
Dangerous Poison (S7)
Controlled Drug (S8)
Prohibited Substance (S9)
reasons for determining scheduling especially quantities and concentration of active ingredients in packaged medicine
common medicine categories for Pharmacy Medicines (S2) and Pharmacist Only Medicines (S3)
basic aspects of key federal and relevant state or territory legal requirements for the supply of Pharmacy Medicines (S2) and Pharmacist Only Medicines (S3) and products:
product placement and advertising of Pharmacy Medicines (S2) scheduled items in a pharmacy
storage requirements for Pharmacist Only Medicines (S3) scheduled items in a pharmacy
role boundaries and responsibilities of pharmacy and dispensary assistants
storage requirements for other scheduled items commonly found in a pharmacy:
Prescription Only Medicine (S4)
Controlled Drug (S8)
basic aspects of industry guidelines for supply of Pharmacy Medicines (S2) and Pharmacist Only Medicines (S3) and products
Pharmacy Board of Australia guidelines and directives
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s Professional Practice Standards – provisions relevant to the provision of non-prescription medicines and therapeutic devices
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s Standards for the Provision of Pharmacy Medicines and Pharmacist Only Medicines in Community Pharmacy
typical schedule and content of pharmacy procedures for supplying Pharmacy Medicines and Pharmacist Only Medicines and their importance in managing compliance with the law:
questions that must be asked to collect information about customer needs
collecting and supplying information to an agent acting on behalf of a customer
identifying and acting on triggers for referral to a pharmacist
maintaining privacy and confidentiality of customer information
privacy and confidentiality principles relevant to pharmacy product transactions with customers
typical schedule of questions asked to collect information about customer needs and their rationale:
who the product is for
their condition or symptoms
duration of symptoms
other existing health conditions
other medicines currently using
circumstances which require and trigger referral to a pharmacist and typical schedule of triggers:
customer who is:
a child under 2 years
an aged person
pregnant or breastfeeding
taking other medicines
customer has:
had the complaint for some time
other health conditions
used the product before but is not satisfied with its efficacy
customer appears to be:
sick
angry
confused
dissatisfied
uncertain
under the influence of drugs or alcohol
pharmacy assistant is unsure and needs confirmation of the medicine selected, even if the product has been requested by name
request for Pharmacist Only Medicine (S3)
roles of pharmacy and dispensary assistants in finalising the supply of Pharmacist Only Medicines (S3) and other products after pharmacist provision of therapeutic advice:
providing or reiterating directions for product use and confirming understanding
recommending companion products or aids
providing supporting consumer information
processing the financial transaction.
Skills must be demonstrated in a pharmacy with designated front of pharmacy and dispensary areas. This can be:
an industry workplace
a simulated industry environment.
Assessment must ensure use of:
information technology hardware and software
online information systems
current guidelines, directives and standards, issued by government regulators or industry groups covering scheduling requirements and related legal compliance issues
current Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons (SUSMP) and amendments or plain English guidelines
organisational procedures for supplying Pharmacy Medicines (S2) and Pharmacist Only Medicines (S3) and products.
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisation’s requirements for assessors, and:
have worked in the pharmacy sector for at least two years.