THE Queensland Govt has set up the first-ever independent Pharmacy Business Ownership Council responsible for regulating business ownership under the new Pharmacy Business Ownership Act 2024 (PD 01 Dec 2023).
The Council's duties started on 01 Sep, marking a significant shift from regulation by Queensland Health to independent oversight.
Appointed to the Council are 10 members with expertise in pharmacy business ownership, financial management, governance, and law.
Cameron Foote, a pharmacy business owner and registered pharmacist, serves as Chair, while Inmaculada Beaumont, a chartered certified accountant with extensive experience in financial oversight, is the Deputy Chair.
Other members include pharmacists Emma Conway, Amy Ford, Adam Rodger, Brett Simmonds, (Adela) Ting Wei Tsang, Shana Valentine, Fiona Watson, and Vassillis Zeniou.
Together, they bring a wealth of experience in pharmacy operations, financial management, and culturally appropriate healthcare services.
The new Council aims to enhance licensing and enforcement of pharmacy ownership rules, aligning with practices in other states and ensuring pharmacies are owned and operated by qualified individuals who prioritise quality services and professional standards.
The Council will implement a new licensing framework by late 2025, replacing outdated 2001 legislation.
This framework will modernise the regulation of pharmacy business ownership, providing a robust system to assess business licence applications and ensure compliance with the new laws.
Qld Minister for Health, Shannon Fentiman, expressed confidence in the new Council, saying, "the Pharmacy Business Ownership Act 2024 ensures that pharmacy businesses are operated with high standards of professional practice".
"This Council will enforce the legislation, aligning Queensland's regulations with national standards," she commented.
The formation of the Council follows extensive consultation with stakeholders, including the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.
Fentiman added the government's initiative reflects a commitment to modernising pharmacy ownership regulations, "ensuring that qualified professionals with a deep understanding of industry practices manage pharmacy businesses, ultimately enhancing patient care and safety across Queensland". JG
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