Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary


The Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary 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 24th.

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.

Content

The APF is divided in a number of sections, with each pertaining to a specific topic. Information includes dispensing advice for pharmacists when dealing with consumers, clinical monographs, information on complementary medicines, clinical and therapeutic information, national pharmacy standards and guidelines, and physicochemical data of drug constituents.