The Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary (APF) is the national formulary used by pharmacists in Australia, compiled by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. New editions of the APF are released every few years, with the latest edition being the 25th.
History The APF was originally a pocket-sized booklet first published in 1902, used by physicians as a drugs reference in Australia. In later editions, rather than simply being a listing of pharmaceuticals, medical and clinical information became incorporated within the publication as well, and eventually the title of the APF was extended to the Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and Handbook.Preface, Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and Handbook (21st edition), page ix. Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.
Content The APF is divided in a number of sections, with each pertaining to a specific topic. Information includes
Dispensing practice Cautionary Advisory Labels (CALs) information and recommendations Good compounding practice Compounding sterile and hazardous medicines Extemporaneous formulary Cold chain management Clinical drug monographs Information on complementary medicines Counseling guides for common ailments National pharmacy standards and guidelines, and Physicochemical data of drug constituents.
See also Australian Medicines Handbook British Pharmacopoeia United States Pharmacopeia Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference
References
External links Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and Handbook, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia