Published: 27 April 2022
Revised:  16 May 2022

Compliance

Pharmacy Accuracy Checking Technicians (PACT)

A Pharmacy Accuracy Checking Technician (PACT) is a pharmacy technician who has successfully completed the PACT Training Programme, to undertake the final accuracy check on a dispensed item that has been clinically approved by a registered practicing pharmacist holding an annual practising certificate with no conditions, and who continues to meet annual requirements for maintaining certification.

The PACT framework consists of Governance, Operational and Training aspects. The framework is administered by the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand (PSNZ) and is available at https://www.psnz.org.nz/technicians/pact.

To enable a certified PACT to independently conduct accuracy checks at the pharmacy, Medsafe issues a Licence to Operate Pharmacy with a condition which states:

(1)(e.) When a final accuracy check is undertaken at the premises by a Pharmacy Accuracy Checking Technician holding active PACT Certification, the requirements of the Health and D isability Services Pharmacy Services Standard (NZS 8134.7:2010) as defined by the Schedule ‘Pharmacy Accuracy Checking Technician Activities’ apply.

The Schedule lists the standards (with any limitations) that may be completed by a certified PACT, and is available below.

Should you have any questions regarding pharmacy licensing, please contact the Medicines Control Branch (email medicinescontrol@health.govt.nz).

For questions relating to the PACT framework, including information on employing and training a PACT, please contact the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand on (04) 802 0030 ext 751, or pact@psnz.org.nz.

Schedule Pharmacy Accuracy Checking Technicians Activities (PDF, 45KB, 1 page)

Frequently Asked Questions - Pharmacy Accuracy Checking Technicians and Pharmacy Licensing (PDF, 105KB, 2 pages)