Queensland pharmacy probe

THE Queensland Government has launched an inquiry into all sales of pharmacies in the state over the last two years - including the purchase of the Malouf group by Ramsay Health exclusively revealed by Pharmacy Daily (PD 23 Aug 17).

The probe will also look at the current ownership laws in Qld, and whether more regulation is needed to enforce the law in the state, which is the only jurisdiction without annual pharmacy registration requirements.

State Health Minister Steven Miles confirmed he had been consulting with the Pharmacy Guild about an election commitment to establish a Pharmacy Council.

“The inquiry will consider how a Pharmacy Council would operate in Queensland, and look at how pharmacists and pharmacy assistants operate in other states,” Miles said.

Also under consideration by the inquiry committee are proposals that could see a major overhaul of pharmacy’s health system role by expanding the scope of practice of pharmacists, with continuing medication, more vaccinations and expanded OTC items on the table.

The Courier Mail reports the review will see the Queensland Pharmacy Guild “push for tougher regulation of large chemist chains and look at setting up an industryfunded pharmacy council with the power to enforce rules and impose penalties”.

In terms of changing pharmacy scope, Qld Guild president Trent Twomey was quoted saying “once treatment has been initiated by a health practitioner, why shouldn’t a patient be able to fill repeat prescriptions at a community pharmacy?” with the contraceptive pill, asthma products and diabetes medications under consideration.

The report said Ramsay Pharmacy ceo Peter Giannopoulos was not concerned about the inquiry, confirming Ramsay had complied with state laws in the Malouf deal.