Ramsay not backing off

RAMSAY Health Care says it is committed to progressing the development of its pharmacy franchise network, despite concerted opposition from the Pharmacy Guild of Australia.

The Guild along with three of its pharmacist members launched legal action in the NSW Supreme Court this month (PD 17 Sep), seeking to “test the application of the pharmacy ownership section of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (NSW) in relation to certain recent pharmacy ownership transactions”.

Ramsay ceo Peter Giannopoulos said “The Ramsay Pharmacy Group, in its capacity as a retail pharmacy franchisor and in conjunction with its franchisees, has worked openly and collaboratively with regulators across Queensland, NSW and Victoria, to establish a consumerfocused and successful community health network.

“We will vigorously defend any action brought by the Guild.”

Giannopoulos said Ramsay Health Care had been delivering clinical pharmacy services via its pharmacy departments and hospital dispensaries for more than ten years, and is now seeking to provide further support to patients in an integrated system.

“Just as we have done with hospitals in Australia for over 50 years, we are together with our franchisees creating a community health franchise network that is focused on people - our consumers and all Ramsay Pharmacy staff and ensuring that cost-effective medication and superior consumer outcomes are delivered,” he said.

Giannopoulos noted that Ramsay Pharmacy franchisees also have the benefit of calling on the extensive resources of the Ramsay Health Care network including training and career development, clinical governance, risk management and research.

He said the company and its franchisees would continue to work in a collaborative manner with all regulators, “so that the Ramsay Pharmacy Franchise Network, which currently consists of 54 franchise community pharmacies, may continue to expand for the benefit of communities, patients and pharmacists across Australia”.