All pharmacy assistants who supply pharmacy only (S2) and pharmacist only (S3) medicines must undertake approved training.

Training requirements for pharmacy assistants

All pharmacy staff employed who supply S2 & S3 medicines in QCPP accredited pharmacies must complete:

  • Initial training in supplying these medicines through a recognised course (within three months of starting employment with the pharmacy)
  • Ongoing refresher training of at least three hours per year through a recognised course

More information is available in the downloadable documents below:

Training organisations seeking Refresher Training approval

As QSPP is now underway, the Refresher Training application and approval process is currently under review to ensure it is robust enough to appropriately train and strengthen the role of the Pharmacy Assistant now and into the future.

From October 01, there will be a pause on accepting training modules for approval while the team navigate how this process looks going forward. This pause applies to both new modules and renewing the current modules when they expire.

All courses included in the most recent approved list update will have their current expiry dates honoured.

When these expire, there will be not be an option for renewal; all courses are to be approved under the new QSPP criteria

The courses currently included on the approved list are to remain using the QCPP approval logo for the certificates being issued as it was the QCPP criteria they were approved against.

QSPP thank you for your ongoing commitment to training Pharmacy Assistants across the country.