National Prescribing Competencies Framework
The third edition of the National Prescribing Competencies Framework – Embedding quality use of medicines into practice (the framework) describes the competencies and expectations for appropriate, safe and effective prescribing across relevant health professions.
The first edition of the framework ‘Competencies required to prescribe medicines – Putting quality use of medicines into practice’ was published in 2012 by NPS MedicineWise. The framework aimed at achieving the quality use of medicines objective of the National Medicines Policy by describing the competencies required for health professionals to prescribe medicines judiciously, appropriate, safely and effectively in the Australian healthcare system.
A comprehensive review of the framework was carried out by NPS MedicineWise in 2021, with the publication of the ‘Prescribing Competencies Framework – Embedding quality use of medicines into practice’ (second edition) in April 2021. While the objectives remained the same, key changes were made to simplify the structure, focus on person-centred care, describe the competencies in greater detail and to simplify the language.
In April 2024, the Department contracted Ahpra to conduct a review of the framework leading to the third edition of the framework and to host this third edition on the Ahpra website until December 2029. The Department continues to own the framework as part of the Quality Use of Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Pathology Program. The main objectives of the framework review were to support the Quality Use of Medicines and ensure that it remains fit for purpose, contemporary, efficient, accurate and reflects current and emerging trends in education and multi-profession practices and it continues to describe competencies required to contribute to safe and person-centred prescribing.