New arrangements effective from 03 October 2018.
Health Minister Greg Hunt has confirmed the implementation of new Pharmacy Location Rules, which will apply to any applications for new pharmacies or relocations on or after 03 October.
The changes aim to provide increased flexibility to allow relocation of pharmacies outside of shopping centres, amendments to requirements for replacing a pharmacy that has relocated out of a shopping centre, and a reduction in the distance that a proposed new large medical centre pharmacy needs to be from existing pharmacies.
The time that a pharmacist must remain in one location prior to relocating will increase from two to five years, and the changes will also see the introduction of a new rule allowing pharmacies to relocate between 1km and 1.5km from their existing location.
The revised rules, along with a Pharmacy Location Rules Applicant’s Handbook 2018, will be available at the Department of Health website at www.health.gov.au/ACPA.
More information in tomorrow’s issue of Pharmacy Daily.
