A SPOKESPERSON for the Pharmacy Guild of Australia said that for "some time there had been a small number of unapproved pharmacy owners who had been working around the law regarding the supply of pharmaceutical benefits, despite steps taken by the Government to control this.
"The Government has now made legislative changes to prohibit an approved pharmacist from being involved in the supply of PBS medicines at premises which are not approved, and to prevent any form of remote dispensing or a depot-style arrangement with a non-approved pharmacy," the spokesperson said.
"These arrangements have been operational for some time but the legislative changes provide the Government with the capacity to better manage any non-compliance."
Today, Federal Health Minister Mark Butler announced that changes have been made to the conditions of approved pharmacists effective 01 Jun (PD breaking news).
The National Health Act 1953 provides payments to pharmacists for the supply of PBS medicines made at or from premises for which a pharmacist is approved.
"All approved pharmacists are subject to conditions which are required to be adhered to when supplying PBS medicines.
"The amendment seeks to assist approved pharmacists in understanding their requirements when supplying pharmaceutical benefits," Butler said.
The changes as the Guild mentioned before, now prohibit an approved pharmacist from being involved in the supply of PBS medicines, at premises which are not approved, and to prevent any form of remote dispensing or a depot-style arrangement with a non-approved pharmacy, confirmed the Health Minister.
The new Determination on the National Health Legislation Amendment (Conditions of Approval for Approved Pharmacists) Instrument 2023 is available HERE.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 17 May 23
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 17 May 23
