Hospital pharmacy in Australia

Hospital pharmacy practice in Australia is reviewed. Topics covered include pharmaceutical education, drug distribution, purchasing of pharmaceuticals, and hospital pharmacy staffing and services. Australia has a national health insurance system which directly affects both community and hospital pharmacy practice. While traditionally Australian hospital pharmacy practice has followed the British system of drug delivery, practitioners have tried to introduce innovations such as intravenous admixture services, unit dose drug distribution systems and drug information services. The limitations imposed by restricted governmental funds have inhibited the introduction of innovations. The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia offers a continuing education correspondence course which leads to the granting of a Fellowship in Hospital Pharmacy.