Objectives
To evaluate virtual patient (VP) programs for Injecting Equipment Provision (IEP) and Opiate Substitution Therapy (OST) services, with respect to confidence and knowledge, for pre-registration pharmacist trainees.

Methods
Pre-registration trainee pharmacists piloted the VP programs and were invited to complete pre, post and 6 month assessments of knowledge and perceived confidence.

Results
106 trainees participated and completed the pre and post assessments. 46 (43.4%) repeated the assessments at six months. Perceived confidence scores increased in all domains at both time points post piloting. Knowledge scores were greater post education than pre education (p < 0.001). Knowledge scores were also greater 6 months after education than pre education (IEP, p < 0.0167 and OST, p < 0.001). Knowledge scores at 6 months were lower than post education (p < 0.001) for both programs.

Conclusions
VP programs increase pre-registration pharmacists’ knowledge and confidence with regard to IEP and OST immediately after use and at 6 months. There was a loss of clinical knowledge over time while confidence change was sustained.