The Quality Care Pharmacy Program (QCPP) is a quality assurance program for community pharmacy, and provides support and guidance on professional health services and pharmacy business operations.

Operating for more than 20 years, QCPP was developed by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia in 1997, in consultation with the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia and other industry stakeholders. In 1998, the first accreditation was awarded to a pharmacy in Maryland, a suburb of Newcastle, in NSW. Today, over 94% of community pharmacies in Australia are QCPP accredited.

The aim of the program is to ensure that community pharmacies provide quality, safe and consistent professional services and customer care.

QCPP accredits pharmacies against Australian Standard AS 85000:2017 - quality management system for pharmacies in Australia, with the application of the standard outlined in the QCPP Requirements. QCPP accredited pharmacies can access the Australian Standard from the Quality Care Knowledge Hub.

To ensure that pharmacies meet the Australian Standard they must undergo an initial assessment followed by a reaccreditation assessment every two years.

QCPP is accredited by JAS-ANZ (Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand) as a conformity assessment body.

QCPP assessment partner – EY

In July 2016, QCPP partnered with Ernst & Young (EY), to manage and deliver QCPP’s accreditation assessments. EY’s QCPP endorsed assessors are trained professionals with a broad range of experience and backgrounds, including pharmacy, health and safety, engineering and accountancy. All EY QCPP assessors are bound by the QCPP Assessor Code of Conduct

QCPP committees and panels

Interpretations and Rulings Panel

The Interpretations and Rulings Panel meets fortnightly, or as required, to consider all queries or requests for interpretations and rulings of QCPP requirements. Any rulings or interpretations made by the panel are added to the Knowledge Hub.

Impartiality Committee        

The Impartiality Committee meets quarterly to ensure open and transparent decision making within QCPP program matters.

Clinical Governance Committee 

The Clinical Governance Committee provides oversight and governance of QCPP.