THE Ramsay Pharmacy Group has urged "partial deregulation" of the Australian pharmacy sector, with a proposal that any person could own a pharmacy apart from industries and individuals with a clear conflict of interest, such as supermarkets, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and retailers of tobacco and alcohol.
The suggestion is part of the company's response to the current Qld Parliamentary Inquiry (PD 23 May), contending that current pharmacy ownership restrictions are not necessary to protect consumers and deliver accessible & affordable medicines.
"Indeed, in-house hospital pharmacy dispensaries...are owned by corporations - yet the medicines are supplied at a lower cost, under the professional control of a registered pharmacist and provided with the highest level of professional care.
"There is no evidence to suggest that removal of ownership restrictions, whether wholly or partially, would be detrimental to the community at large," Ramsay says, noting there is no basis on which to differentiate pharmacy from other health services such as medical centres, pathology services and diagnostic imaging services which are not confined to doctors.
The Ramsay submission notes that the Pharmacy Guild is not supportive of its pharmacy franchise network, accusing it of having waged a campaign against the acquisition of several pharmacies by Ramsay franchisees despite them having passed legal requirements in Qld, NSW and Vic.
The Ramsay network was established in 2013 and now comprises 54 nationally, with 27 in Qld including two 24/7 pharmacies in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast.
Ramsay also owns the Malouf Pharmacies brand in Qld, which the company confirmed operates under a franchise arrangement.
"Ramsay Health Care, through Ramsay Pharmacy, is able to provide a vertically integrated pharmacy service and an expanding community pharmacy brand...this approach [and] a strong focus on the improved quality use of medicines sets the foundations for reduced medication misadventure, an improved transition of care, and optimised patient outcomes," the company said.
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