Pharmacists will not only supply and dispense medicines, but they will also have the authority to prescribe within defined parameters, administer, review and provide follow-up care for patients who present with certain acute and chronic conditions. Full scope of practice expands pharmacists’ clinical impact, provides better patient access to health services, strengthens primary care capacity, and elevates our professional identity as frontline clinicians. And you, as students, will graduate into this new landscape.
So how do you prepare now?
Embrace your learning
Build strong foundations in therapeutics, pathophysiology, communication, clinical reasoning, differential diagnosis and preventative care. Scope isn’t just about doing ‘more tasks’, it’s about deeper critical thinking and a wholistic approach to helping the patient; more listening, understanding and hearing their needs.
Get curious
About workflow, workplace design, leadership, management and business models, not only the clinical skills needed. Full scope only works when the whole team is involved, and where pharmacies can operationalise clinical care, not just perform it.
Look for placements
And part-time work in pharmacy while you study that exposes you to pharmacists who already deliver these services. Observe, ask questions, learn. Notice what works, what still needs work, and consider how you can add value in the future.
And finally, stay connected with NAPSA, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, the Australasian College of Pharmacy and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia as the profession transitions to embrace full scope. Implementation is happening state-by-state, so it is important to understand the community pharmacy environment in the jurisdiction you plan to practise in. Full scope is where pharmacy is heading and you will be the generation that practises it as normal, not as new. Attend local Pharmacy Guild, ACP and PSA events focused on scope of practice. These are invaluable opportunities to network, connect, learn and shape your future as a pharmacist, today.
