Pharmacy Accuracy Checking Technicians (PACT)
A certified PACT has a different role to that of a pharmacy technician. As well as their Level 5 qualification, 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.
See what PACTs and their employers have to say about the benefits of being or having a PACT
Training
The PACT Training Programme is available through PSNZ Education and is available is for pharmacy technicians who have a recognised NZ Level 5 Pharmacy Technician qualification, a minimum of 2 years post-qualification work experience and a minimum of six months dispensing experience in their current dispensary.
Applications for the programme open 2-3 times per year, with a limit of 20 Technicians per cohort.
Applications for Cohort 15 have now CLOSED.
Applications for this cohort are currently being reviewed. Applicants will be contacted directly once this process is complete.
If you would like to be contacted when applications for Cohort 16 open, please complete our Expression of Interest form.
PACT Training 2023
Three cohorts are planned for 2023.
Applications for each cohort open approximately 8 - 10 weeks in advance of the workshop date, for a limited time. Only applications received during these windows will be considered.
Workshops are currently scheduled as follows:
- Cohort 14: Monday 20 February (technicians), and Tuesday 21 February (preceptors) (Applications closed.)
- Cohort 15: Monday 19 June (preceptors), and Tuesday 20 June (technicians) (Applications closed.)
- Cohort 16: Monday 18 September (technicians), and Tuesday 19 September (preceptors)
In-person attendance at workshops is required. Please ensure you are able to attend on the dates specified for the cohort that you are applying for.
Cost: $2000.00 (incl. GST), travel arrangements to the in-person workshop are additional.
Have questions?
Go to our FAQs page where you will find the answers to our most commonly asked questions.
The Frameworks
From May 2022, the PACT programme is administered by PSNZ using the New Zealand Pharmacy Accuracy Checking Technicians (PACT) Governance, Operational and Training Frameworks. This document is in three sections:
- New Zealand PACT Governance Framework (May 2022)
- New Zealand PACT Operational Framework (May 2022)
- New Zealand PACT Training Framework (May 2022)
See more about this document here
Changes from 16 May 2022
If you would like to know how these changes might affect you - as a technician, an employer or pharmacy owner, you can learn more here.