To ensure that all existing pharmacy staff are fully aware of the potential illicit use of pseudoephedrine products the NPA has produced a specific awareness training resource for all NPA members. The content of the training programme meets a specification agreed by the NPA, CCA, AIM and RPSGB, with input from the PAGB and pharmaceutical manufacturers.
The multi-platform resource is free of charge and can -be downloaded from the members’ area of www.npa.co.uk
Training can be undertaken by candidates at their own pace using a click through presentation and voice over. Alternatively a more senior member of the pharmacy team (pharmacist, pre-reg or technician) can train a group of staff using the PowerPoint presentation and speaker notes. There is also a downloadable MP3 file for use with personal MP3 players. The hard copy resource mirrors the electronically enabled versions for those without the ability to use web or CD-ROM training.
Full pack contents
Read and learn – an information booklet for pharmacy staff to read independently.
Listen and learn – a digital audio lecture for download to MP3 players.
Watch and learn – a digital audiovisual lecture available to be played on computers in the workplace or at home.
Learn with the Pharmacy Team – a presentation with speaker notes for pharmacists or senior staff to train the pharmacy team in small groups.
Plus:
- Training Record – a training record form for use in the pharmacy. We suggest that pharmacists record the names of support staff being trained as part of an audit trail of an individual pharmacy’s response to this issue. This record should be signed by the pharmacist to confirm that they are confident that the staff not only have undertaken and understood the training but understand what actions they need to take in the future.
- A faxback form so you can let us know when the training has been completed.
- Training Assessment form – a series of questions to test understanding.
Colette McCreedy, NPA Director of Practice, comments: “Awareness training is a crucial part of a solution that mitigates the risk of pseudoephedrine sold from pharmacy being used as a precursor for methamphetamine. The NPA has chosen to take this action to ensure the whole of community pharmacy, whether multiple or independent, is able to undertake awareness training without incurring additional cost. We are sending a strong message to Government and stakeholders that the NPA is prepared to invest in solutions that further reduce the risk of pharmacy supplied pseudoephedrine being used to produce methamphetamine.”
Ends
