Pharmacy Daily | Non-PBS pharmacy target

THE Pharmacy Board of Australia has signalled action about reports of “alleged supply of pharmaceutical benefits from ‘unapproved’ pharmacies” without the knowledge of patients. In its latest communique (PD yesterday) the Board details its approach to such allegations, which will see it work collaboratively with the Pharmaceutical Benefits Division of the Department of Health and Ageing, along with state and territory pharmacy approval authorities. The move is part of previously announced policy development aimed at addressing the supply of medications from pharmacies not approved to dispense pharmaceutical benefits. The Board said consequences of the inappropriate dispensing could include payments made for prescriptions not contributing to PBS Safety Net Records. “Any supply arrangements which infringe on patient rights or put the patient at risk and which may result in a poor health outcome (for instance by not providing an opportunity for adequate communication of essential information between patient and pharmacist), may be grounds for investigation and action by the Board under the National Law,” the communique stated. The Board said it would advise further as its collaboration with the Dept of Health and state/territory authorities progresses on this issue.

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