Pharmacy Accuracy Checking Technicians (PACT)
A certified Pharmacy Accuracy Checking Technician (PACT) has a different role to that of a pharmacy technician. A PACT has successfully completed the PACT Training Programme to be able to competently undertake the final accuracy check on a dispensed item that has been clinically approved by a registered practising pharmacist who holds an APC with no conditions.
To enable this role, Medsafe issues a Licence to Operate Pharmacy with an additional condition to allow a certified PACT to independently conduct accuracy checks. A Schedule is provided with the Licence that lists the Standards (with any limitations) that may be completed by a PACT operating within that pharmacy. This means a pharmacist will not be required to undertake the final check of the majority of dispensed items.
The PACT Training Programme is available through the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand Inc. and is available for pharmacy technicians who meet the eligibility requirements for application.
Prospective trainees must have;
- a recognised NZ Level 5 Pharmacy Technician qualification,
- a minimum of 2 years post-qualification work experience,
- a minimum of six months of dispensing experience in their current dispensary.
Training and Application
The PACT programme is run as five cohorts yearly, with a maximum of 20 trainees accepted per intake. In order to be considered for the programme you must complete an application form AND a dispensing log.
Please note, if accepted, participation in the face-to-face workshop is mandatory for technicians. If you cannot make the workshop date listed below, please complete an expression of interest form to be contacted when future applications open. If you are a preceptor and have attended the in-person workshop within the last 3 years, you will not need to attend.
PACT Training 2023 - no further training available
PACT Training 2024
We will be running 5 Cohorts of PACT Training in 2024. We are planning that some of these trainings will be in city centres outside of Wellington.
Locations and workshop dates for 2024 -
- 12th and 13th of February - Auckland
- 8th and 9th of April - Wellington
- 1st and 2nd of July - Christchurch
- 16th and 17th of September - Auckland
- 18th and 19th of November - Christchurch
Venues to be confirmed.
Cost of Training
Community Pharmacy
New Funding (October 2023)
Te Whatu Ora is fully funding PACT programme placements for eligible applicants from community pharmacies in order to:
- release pharmacist capacity to provide more patient/whānau-facing care, and/or participation in Comprehensive Primary and Community Care teams
- encourage more Māori, Pacific, and rural participation in the workforce.
Applications from eligible applicants from community pharmacies that are serving high-needs populations and rural populations will be prioritised.
Want to know more – read the press release here.
Hospital Pharmacy
If you are working in a hospital pharmacy you can still apply for the PACT Training.
The cost of the training is $3000 (excluding GST), travel arrangements to the in-person workshop are additional.
Interested in Applying?
If you would like to be notified when applications next open, please complete this expression of interest.
What to know more – learn more about PACT here