The Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and Handbook has always been a valuable tool to pharmacists.
The pharmacies that I have worked in have always carefully kept and treasured their old copies as these contained formulas for extemporaneous products of a bygone era.
I have my favourite formulas noted in the back pages, for example, Shaw's cocktail.
I have also added in any other notes of worth when preparing extemporaneous products.

As I started to work in community and hospital pharmacy and then developed my skills to become an accredited pharmacist I was always on the search for new texts or sources of information that would assist me in my diverse area of the practice of pharmacy.
My APF started to become a neglected text as all of the new and great 'clinical handbook's" and websites became available and finally I was able to afford to purchase some of these.

Over the past few years I have 'rediscovered' my APF and the valuable information that it contains.
This 'discovery' was caused by a complete rewrite of the training package for the pre-registration students and pharmacy assistants that we employ and also when I was writing a lot of the background material for our QCPP policies.
The APF has evolved into a very concise and easy to use handbook and reference for all pharmacists. The current version is also available in a CD format and has a multi user licence available.

When speaking with my colleagues I have found many of us were in the same situation-we all had it on our shelves, it arrives, you give it a quick peruse and then it sits on the shelf waiting to be used.
When you take the time to really read the chapters you are stunned to find information that you had searched for many a time.
I am often asked as to the value of a particular text and this is one that is a 'must have' for all pharmacists.

The new look APF 19 is an even more comprehensive guide than previous editions and all pharmacists should make an effort to actually read through their edition when it arrives. A brief outline of the contents are:

Section A: Dispensing advice which include extemporaneous dispensing, formulary including children and paediatric formulary, methadone and buprenorphine dispensing, cautionary and advisory labels.

Section B: Clinical notes which include counseling and medication review points, special considerations for special conditions e.g. pregnancy, dosage and optimal concentration ranges

Section C: Clinical and therapeutic information which includes areas like dosing in renal impairment, modifications of oral formulations, drugs and breastfeeding, wound management and much more

Section D: Complementary medicines including evidence-based medicine, information on uses, contraindications and interactions

Section E: Health resources including internet resources, exclusion periods for infectious diseases, travel health, poisons, drugs in sport, food additives, TGA regulation and much more

Section F: Standards and guidelines which contains the professional practice and S2 and S3 standards, privacy legislation, DMMR framework and much more.

This is only a brief precise of the depth of material in this valuable reference book.
The price of this book is not indicative of the depth of material that it contains and in my opinion it is very affordable for both students and practicing pharmacists.
Like all good reference books if we do not use it and stimulate our young pharmacists to use this tool then the financial viability of this text will be in jeopardy.
We need to 'use it or we will lose it."