PACT Changes 2022
PSNZ has been working and collaborating with Medsafe and the Pharmacy Council of NZ to review and update the PACT governance, operational and training frameworks, with the outcome that from 16 May 2022, PSNZ will administer and manage the governance, operations and training for PACTs in New Zealand.
How are these changes going to affect you - as a technician, an employer or pharmacy owner?
Want to become a PACT?
BEFORE 16 May 2022 | AFTER 16 May 2022 |
You had to be a New Zealand resident | Any pharmacy technician, who is eligible to work in NZ AND who meets all other criteria, may apply to enter the PACT programme. |
No evidence of Medsafe audit results for the pharmacy had to be provided | Evidence of a successfully completed Medsafe Audit must be provided for the pharmacy where training will occur |
You are a PACT in training
BEFORE 16 May 2022 | AFTER 16 May 2022 |
The probationary period could not commence until the amended pharmacy licence, listing the PACT as a responsible person, had been issued by Medsafe. | The Probationary Period may be commenced immediately, once PACT training has been completed and the certificate issued |
Start of the Probationary Period was dependent on receiving the amended pharmacy licence. | The Probationary Period must be commenced within one month of completion of the PACT training programme. |
You are a Certified PACT
BEFORE 16 May 2022 | AFTER 16 May 2022 |
A PACT could only work at one pharmacy site, where they were named as a Responsible Person on the individual Pharmacy Licence. | A PACT may now work across multiple sites providing each pharmacy meets the criteria as described in the PACT Framework. |
Amended Licence and PACT listed as a Responsible Person for new place of employment. | PACT must notify PSNZ if they change employment to allow PSNZ to confirm pharmacy requirements have been met. |
Mandatory that when there are transfers between pharmacies the PACT undergoes a period of probation of 3 months. | PACT must complete the PSNZ PACT transfer course |
Recertification reporting requirements were quarterly | Recertification reporting requirements are now annual on 01 April each year. |
No Recertification verification required | A pharmacist listed on the licence as a Responsible Person is now required to verify the PACT’s annual recertification declaration. This pharmacist will confirm and declare they are listed as a responsible person when verifying. |
You are a PACT Preceptor
BEFORE 16 May 2022 | AFTER 16 May 2022 |
You could only supervise your PACT trainee. | You may also concurrently supervise a trainee technician. |
You could not concurrently supervise the training of any other staff. | (Only a trainee technician, not another PACT trainee or an intern) |
You are an employer or pharmacy manager
BEFORE 16 May 2022 | AFTER 16 May 2022 |
Medsafe to be notified if the pharmacy employed a PACT | No notification to Medsafe required. PSNZ to be notified to confirm compliance with pharmacy requirements. |
PACT role was enabled through an additional operating condition on the Licence to Operate Pharmacy. | Any pharmacy that holds a valid licence to operate may employ a PACT providing:
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PACT had to be listed as a Responsible Person on the Pharmacy Licence | PACT no longer needs to be listed as a Responsible Person on the Pharmacy Licence |
PACT could only work at one pharmacy site, where they were named as a Responsible Person on the individual Pharmacy Licence. | PACT may now work across multiple sites providing each pharmacy meets the criteria as described in the PACT Framework. |
No verification of PACT recertification by a Responsible Person was required. | A pharmacist listed on the licence as a Responsible Person is now required to verify the PACT’s annual recertification declaration. This pharmacist will confirm and declare they are listed as a responsible person when verifying. |