Validated Competency Framework for Delivery of Pharmacy Services in Pacific‐Island Countries

Background Scarcity of health personnel with relevant competence is an impediment to achieving the UN health‐related Millennium Development Goals in many Pacific‐Island Countries (PICs). A systematic approach to improving essential medicines supply management and workforce competence has begun in the region. The development of a pharmacy competency framework has been identified as a priority. Aim To develop a validated pharmacy competency framework for PICs. Method Academics, Ministry of Health officials and health personnel collaborated to articulate a competency framework using participatory action research. The draft framework was revised via a process of workplace interviews and focus groups in Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea with wider regional validation undertaken using an online survey tool. Results A validated pharmacy competency framework was developed for PICs. 113 competencies required for delivery of pharmacy services, organised into four clusters: organisation and management (n = 24), professional/personal (n = 24), pharmaceutical public health (n = 24) and pharmaceutical care (n = 24) were identified. Conclusion The pharmacy competency framework for PICs is service‐based and not cadre‐specific, allowing wide application to the Pacific region where a myriad of personnel provide pharmacy services. Pharmacy service personnel in PICs are encouraged to use this tool when training staff and monitoring their effectiveness in local environments.