Pharmacist dispensing laws
February 17, 2012
THIS week the House of
Representatives passed the
National Health Amendment (5CPA
Initiatives) Bill 2011, which will
allow continued dispensing of
some medicines by pharmacists in
defined circumstances.
Continued dispensing will allow
pharmacists to dispense oral
hormonal contraceptives and
statins to patients where a
prescription is unavailable, for
example if the prescription is lost
or where the GP is unavailable.
As the name suggests, stipulations
on continued dispensing mean
that it can only be applied to oral
hormonal contraceptives and
statins that have been previously
prescribed to the patient.
Other rules governing this
practice mean that pharmacists
can only apply continuing
dispensing practices where the
therapy is stable and there has
been prior clinical review by the
prescriber that supports
continuation of the medicine; and
where the medicine is safe and
appropriate for the consumer.
In addition, the legislation
provides for mandatory notification
to the prescriber that dispensing
has occurred.
Discussing the legislation, the
Member for Capricornia, Kirsten
Livermore, said continued
dispensing was “a thoroughly
common sense improvement on
the current situation.”
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia
has welcomed the legislation,
saying it is confident that the
limited measure will ensure
optimal outcomes for patients
without jeopardising relationships
between pharmacists and doctors.
Meanwhile, a second important
initiative of the 5CPA which passed
through the House of
Representatives via the National
Health Amendment Bill this week,
enables the dispensing of PBS
medicines from a medication chart,
rather than a prescription form, in
a residential aged care facility.
This medication chart amendment
is designed to improve patient
safety and streamline
administrative procedures.
“I thank the Government and the
Opposition for supporting the
passage of this important
legislation through the House, and
look forward to its passage
through the Senate,” said Guild
President Kos Sclavos.
“These measures are just two of the
significant benefits for consumers
contained in the Fifth Community
Pharmacy Agreement,” he added.
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