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Pharmacy Act, 1974 (Act No. 53 of 1974)

Board Notices

Pharmacists providing Family Planning Services (Reproductive Health Services)

Part 2: Competency Standards for Pharmacists who provides Family Planning Services (Reproductive Health Services)

4. Summary of Competency Standards for a Pharmacist providing Family Planning Services

Domain 2: Safe and rational use of medicines and medical devices

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Domain 2 covers competencies that are required to ensure the safe and rational use of medicines and medical devices. In this domain, effective verbal and non-verbal methods of communication with patients are essential competencies to ensure that patients make informed choices on family planning methods suitable for them.

 

The competencies required in the domain for the safe and rational use of medicines and medical devices for family planning are:

 

2.1 Patient consultation
2.2 Medicine and medical device safety
2.3 Pharmacist Initiated Therapy
2.4 Pharmacovigilance

 

DOMAIN 2: SAFE AND RATIONAL USE OF MEDICINES AND MEDICAL DEVICES

COMPETENCIES

BEHAVIOURAL STATEMENTS
2.1 Patient consultation
2.1.1 Explain and obtain informed consent from the patient.
2.1.2 Take an appropriate medical, social and medication use history including allergies and intolerances.
2.1.3 Encourage the patients to notify their partners if they had engaged in risky sexual behaviour, or they have been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease or are pregnant (or any other applicable reason for notification).
2.1.4 Conduct an appropriate reproductive health consultation.
2.1.5 Interpret all available and relevant patient records to date, for effective patient reproductive health management.
2.1.6 Provide advice in case of actual/potential medicine, therapy and/or intervention failure.
2.1.7 Discuss the need for proper storage of contraceptives, condoms, and lubricants with the patient.
2.1.8 Provide information on contraceptives and condom storage, and utilisation.
2.1.9 Provide information on how to determine condom safety and how to appropriately dispose-off used condom(s).
2.1.10 Discuss the need for dual protection against STIs and HIV, and the prevention of unplanned pregnancies.
2.1.11 Provide information on the different contraceptive medicines, therapies and/or other interventions.
2.1.12 Conduct health outcomes measurement and reporting.
2.2 Medicine and medical device safety
2.2.1 Store medicines and medical devices appropriately.
2.3 Pharmacist-initiated therapy
2.3.1 Provide fertility screening.
2.3.2 Screen the patient for pregnancy and STIs and refer to the relevant health care professional if necessary.
2.3.3 Screen the patient for any possible contraindications and/or other intolerances.
2.3.4 Address any misconceptions pertaining to any aspect of reproductive health e.g., infertility, contraceptive failure.
2.4 Pharmacovigilance
2.4.1 Understand the potential adverse effects and/or other intolerances and take steps to avoid/minimise, recognise and, manage them and refer where needed.
2.4.2 Report adverse effects where applicable.
2.4.3 Advise patients on the actions to take in case of contraindications, adverse effects, and other intolerances.
2.4.4 Offer adequate counselling regarding any contraindications, adverse effects, and other intolerances