Overview

Last year, the pharmacy sector organisations committed to undertake a review of all elements of pharmacist prescribing including the competencies and the qualification pathway. Consequently, at that time the universities advised that the Postgraduate Certificate in Pharmacist Prescribing would not be offered again by either University until such time as this review was complete and a sustainable programme was agreed.

Whilst many of the elements of the review are underway, this work was not completed by either University in 2020. The Universities have started work on re-designing the programme and will be consulting with various professional pharmacy bodies throughout the development of the new prescribing programme.  Otago hopes to start enrolments in 2022.

Not offered in 2021.

The role of pharmacist prescribers

Pharmacist prescribers are experienced pharmacists who work in patient focused roles in collaborative healthcare teams to optimise medicines use.

For example:

• In Primary care, general practitioners are now referring patients to pharmacists, who assess the patient and work in partnership with them to optimise their ongoing medicine use and prescribe for them. Example areas of prescribing practice include renal, diabetes, hypertension, gout, and management of cardiovascular risk.
• In hospitals, pharmacists are working as members of the clinical team who can now prescribe. Example areas of prescribing practice include renal, emergency admission, surgical preadmission, parenteral nutrition, paediatrics, and mental health.

Regulations for the Postgraduate Certificate in Pharmacist Prescribing (PGCertPharmPres)

1. Admission to the Programme

   1. Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences).
   2. Every applicant for the certificate shall
      1. hold current registration as a pharmacist in New Zealand;
      2. have been awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or have an equivalent postgraduate qualification or experience acceptable to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences);
      3. hold an appropriate position involving patient care acceptable to the Dean of Pharmacy; and
      4. have access to a designated medical prescriber that is acceptable to the Pharmacy Board of Studies.

2. Structure of the Programme

   The programme shall consist of two papers, PHCY 601 and PHCY 602.

3. Duration of the Programme

   A candidate shall normally complete the requirements for the certificate within two years of admission to the programme.

4. Special Examinations

   Any candidate who has obtained a fail grade in a paper will not normally be admitted to a special examination in that paper but may be offered an opportunity to repeat the paper.

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Requirements

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Variations

1. The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) may in exceptional circumstances approve a course of study which does not comply with these regulations.