The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), in partnership with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, is undertaking a review, update and further development of the Code of Ethics for Pharmacists (the ‘Code’).
The Code is a fundamental resource that articulates the values of the pharmacy profession and expected standards of ethical behaviour of pharmacists towards individuals, the community and society. The Code underpins the professional practice of all pharmacists in Australia.
Also, the PSA has been commissioned by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra), through the Pharmacy Board of Australia to lead a review of the National Competency Standards Framework for Pharmacists in Australia 2016 (the ‘Framework’). The Framework sets the foundation for safe, ethical, and effective pharmacist practice. It defines a consolidation of the core competencies (i.e. the integrated knowledge, skills and attributes) required throughout a pharmacist’s career.
These important documents inform the expectations and practice of the profession. The Framework and Code also provide guidance for organisations and regulatory agencies when guidelines or legislation are developed, or when agencies assess complaints and claims against pharmacists. For these reasons, PDL supports the PSA reviews and encourages pharmacists to contribute to these important reviews.
Contributions to these reviews can made until Friday 17 April 2026.
- Information for the National Competency Standards Framework for Pharmacists survey is available here.
- Information for the review of the Code of Ethics for Pharmacists is available here.
