Natural disaster provisions

THE Federal Parliament has passed new legislation which aims to improve arrangements for PBS pharmacies affected by disaster.

The “section 91A” changes, foreshadowed last year ( 25 Nov 2016), will allow pharmacies impacted by disaster to apply for permission to supply PBS medicines at alternative premises in the same locality for a temporary period until either supply resumes at the original pharmacy, or a new PBS approval number is obtained for a different site.

During this time PBS claims will be paid at the full rate, not 90%, while an approved pharmacy is operating at alternative premises following a disaster.

The Health Department said the amendments would make it explicit that the new provision applied only for disaster situations, and only when the PBS-approved pharmacy could not operate due to a disaster.

The changes also make it clear that one approval can only be used to supply PBS medicines at one pharmacy premises at a time - the approved pharmacy premises, or the alternative premises if permission has been granted.

The bill was passed by the Senate on Mon and gained Royal Assent by the overnor eneral yesterday - meaning all measures in the bill commence effective immediately.

That’s good news for pharmacies in far north ueensland where cyclone Debbie has been wreaking havoc for the last couple of days.

Any pharmacies needing to apply for permission to supply PBS medicines at alternative premises can contact the department on 02 6289 2425 or via email on acpamail health.gov.au.