PBA paracetamol concern
September 12, 2013
THE Pharmacy Board of Australia
has expressed “serious concern” at
the practice of some pharmacists
to make paracetamol available for
purchase in “dump bins”.
The move follows the TGA
decision which reduces the
maximum pack size of paracetamol
sold in Australian retailers other
than pharmacies from 25 to 20
effective this month (PD 27 Aug).
In a communiqué issued following
the most recent Pharmacy Board
meeting in late August, members
noted that the larger pack sizes are
typically made available in large
bins in some pharmacies, and are
freely available in the same way as
non-medicinal items.
“Pharmacists have a professional
obligation to ensure that the sale
of Schedule 2 poisons (Pharmacy
Medicines) and Schedule 3 poisons
(Pharmacist Only Medicines) to
members of the public includes the
provision of appropriate advice,”
the communiqué said.
The Board said it therefore
believes that it’s inappropriate
to promote the sale of scheduled
medicines by “dump binning”,
“particularly when there is a well
known record of presentations to
hospital accident and emergency
departments from misuse of
paracetamol”.
At the meeting the Board also
discussed the current review of
its registration standards, Code
of Conduct and guidelines for
pharmacists in preparation for
consultation.
The board, together with other
National Boards, will soon be taking
input from the public on the English
Language Skills and Criminal History
registration standards, which are
largely common across the Boards.
Other registration standards,
including those covering Recency
of Practice, Continuing Professional
Development and Professional
Indemnity Insurance, will be
published progressively for
consultation later in the year.
The 30 Aug board meeting took
place during a National Scheme
combined meeting of all 14 Boards.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 12 Sep 13To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 12 Sep 13
