APC Regulatory & Ethical Standards 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which body is responsible for registering pharmacists and setting standards of practice in Australia?
- Australian Pharmacy Council (APC)
- Pharmacy Board of Australia (PBA) (Correct answer)
- Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA)
- Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA)
Correct answer: Pharmacy Board of Australia (PBA)
The Pharmacy Board of Australia, under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, is responsible for pharmacist registration and standards.
Question 2: A Schedule 8 (S8) medication prescription in most Australian states must be written on:
- A standard NHS prescription pad
- A state-issued controlled drug prescription form (Correct answer)
- Any written prescription including handwritten notes
- An electronic prescription only
Correct answer: A state-issued controlled drug prescription form
S8 controlled medicines require state-issued controlled drug prescription forms that include security features and are tracked by health departments.
Question 3: Under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, a pharmacist found guilty of 'unprofessional conduct' may receive which of the following outcomes?
- Criminal prosecution only
- A range of sanctions from reprimand to cancellation of registration (Correct answer)
- Automatic deregistration
- Only a financial fine
Correct answer: A range of sanctions from reprimand to cancellation of registration
The National Law allows tribunals to impose a spectrum of sanctions, from reprimand and conditions to suspension or cancellation of registration.
Question 4: What does 'informed consent' require a pharmacist to ensure when counselling a patient about a new medication?
- The patient signs a written form before receiving the medication
- The patient understands the medication's purpose, risks, and alternatives before agreeing to take it (Correct answer)
- The patient has read the Consumer Medicines Information leaflet
- The prescriber has confirmed the patient consented to the prescription
Correct answer: The patient understands the medication's purpose, risks, and alternatives before agreeing to take it
Informed consent requires that the patient understands and voluntarily agrees to treatment, including understanding risks, benefits, and alternatives.
Question 5: A pharmacist suspects a patient is misusing codeine-containing products. According to APC standards, the pharmacist should FIRST:
- Refuse to supply all future requests without notice
- Conduct a brief intervention and assess the patient's needs in a non-judgmental manner (Correct answer)
- Immediately notify the patient's GP without the patient's knowledge
- Contact the police
Correct answer: Conduct a brief intervention and assess the patient's needs in a non-judgmental manner
Brief intervention using a motivational, non-judgmental approach is the recommended first step before escalating to other actions.
Question 6: The pharmacy profession's Code of Ethics requires pharmacists to maintain which of the following in all professional interactions?
- Absolute confidentiality regardless of circumstances
- Integrity, honesty, and respect for the dignity of persons (Correct answer)
- Precedence of commercial interests when they align with patient benefit
- Exclusive loyalty to the employing pharmacy owner
Correct answer: Integrity, honesty, and respect for the dignity of persons
The PSA Code of Ethics centres on integrity, honesty, and respect for human dignity as foundational professional obligations.
Question 7: Which Australian standard mandates that community pharmacies maintain documented standard operating procedures (SOPs)?
- TGA Guidance on Good Manufacturing Practice
- QCPP (Quality Care Pharmacy Program) accreditation standards (Correct answer)
- Pharmacy Board CPD Registration Standard
- National Medicines Policy
Correct answer: QCPP (Quality Care Pharmacy Program) accreditation standards
The QCPP accreditation program requires community pharmacies to maintain and regularly review documented SOPs as a condition of accreditation.
APC Regulatory & Ethical Standards 3
Which body is responsible for registering pharmacists and setting standards of practice in Australia?