CPD Requirements
Pharmacists CPD Requirements
By the end of September 2012 pharmacists are required to accumulate 30 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points/credits. This will increase to 40 points/credits by 30-09-13.
Here at Pharmlink we are dedicated to providing FREE Pharmacist CPD (continuing education) modules. This aids in securing a more healthy bank balance by avoiding the need to gain points through accredited pharmacy bodies asking for lucrative yearly subscription payments. E.g the PSA is asking for $660 in 2011 for a one year subscription.
Attainment of CPD points by pharmacists in order to maintain their registration was established by the Pharmacy Board of Australia (PBA). The PBA may require you to provide evidence of your CPD record at any time. An accredited CPD activity has undergone a quality assurance review (by the Pharmacy Council of Australia) for its educational quality and its relevance to pharmacists’ practice. Not all CPD activities must be accredited as the PBA acknowledges that pharmacists may not have access to accredited CPD activities that cover the entire scope of pharmacy practice. However, when non-accredited CPD activities are undertaken, it is the responsibility of the individual pharmacist to review the educational quality of the activity undertaken. The PBA encourages pharmacists who undertake non-accredited activities as part of a learning plan to maintain records of CPD activites undertaken. It is the responsibility of the individual pharmacist to ensure that their CPD record is accurate and complete for both accredited and non-accredited CPD activities.
Additionally the PBA accepts self-directed CPD as part of a structured learning plan.
CPD points are divided into 3 Groups listed below:
Group 1 CPD credits:
No assessment is required for these credits. They can be gained by reading or listening and absorbing. E.g. can include attending lectures or seminars, journal reading and in-store presentations. It is the responsibility of an individual pharmacist to record their involvement in a particular activity. The PBA credits you with ONE Group 1 CPD credit for each hour of involvement in a Group 1 activity. However, it must be noted that Group 1 credits can only constitute 50% of your total CPD credits for the year.
Group 2 CPD credits:
To gain group 2 CPD credits a pharmacist must complete an assessment which has been accredited as a Group 2 CPD activity. Either the pharmacist or an independent body can perform the assessment. Accredited assessments can be found in the form of multiple choice questions provided through various pharmacy publications e.g. Australian Pharmacist or pharmaceutical companies accredited to publish training modules as can be accessed via Pharmlink.co.au. You can answer these on the relevant website and they may be recorded for you on your CPD record. As discussed above, it is recommended that the pharmacist also records their involvement in the activity. In addition with the assessment items, the PBA will credit you TWO group 2 CPD credits for each hour of involvement in a task that is accredited as a Group 2 activity. These may include but are not limited to: undertaking case studies, QCPP accreditation, undertaking formal study or post-graduate work.
Group 3 CPD credits:
These can be gained by undertaking an activity or assessment which leads to practice change. These include but are not limited to:
* Giving a presentation to staff for the purposes of in-house training
* Writing and publishing a journal article
* Engaging in small group discussions with others regarding the improvement of services to patients or plan for the introduction of such services
For this the PBA credits you THREE Group 3 CPD credits for each hour of involvement.
In all groups, all assessments/activities must be directly relevant to pharmacy practice and the improvement of education and service provided by the pharmacist involved.
Confused how to calculate the points? We aren’t surprised. Follow the strategy discussed below to empower your CPD knowledge further:
Pharmacists are not able to fulfill more than 50% of the total required CPD credits each year from group I activities. E.g. THIRTY (30) CPD credits are required by 30-September-2012. As such in 2012 you are NOT able to claim MORE than 15 CPD credits (i.e. 50% of 30 CPD credits) using Group I CPD credits. The remaining 15 credits must come from either Group II or Group III activities or a mixture of both.