VPA acts on pharmacy feedback

THE Victorian Pharmacy Authority (VPA) says it expects the outcome of an external review commissioned 12 months ago to “result in improvements to allow the Authority to ensure that the complex commercial arrangements common in the contemporary pharmacy ownership environment comply with the ownership restrictions of the Act”.

According to a communiqué from the VPA issued yesterday, an internal committee was established to consider the recommendations of the PharmConsult review, with further input also sought on processes from recent licence and registrant applicants.

Less than half of applicants were aware that there is a guide to application processes available on the VPA website, and up to 40% of pharmacists were unaware of a Self-Audit form available online.

A minority of respondents were also aware that the Authority endeavours to have at least one pharmacist available in its office to respond to enquiries regarding legislation and guidelines on working days.

Future quarterly circulars will include an area of special focus and a ‘did you know’ section to highlight important topics, as a means of improving messaging.

The Authority is also revising its licence application forms, which will include requirements for additional documents relating to commercial arrangements, along with 100 points of identification.

The new forms will be released shortly at pharmacy.vic.gov.au, and must be used for all new applications lodged after 31 Dec.