Australian Community Pharmacy Authority Applicant's Handbook
Introduction
Purpose
The purpose of this Handbook is to provide information and guidance to pharmacists making an application for approval to supply pharmaceutical benefits at or from particular premises. Specifically, it relates to applications for the establishment of a new pharmacy approval, or for the relocation of an existing pharmacy approval. It includes information about:- the application process;
- the types of information that must be included in an application;
- the requirements that must be satisfied;
- seeking further information or assistance; and
- other administrative matters relating to an approval, including a pharmacist’s rights and obligations.
The Handbook is divided into four sections:
Introduction provides general information about the pharmacy location rules and the Australian Community Pharmacy Authority (ACPA) and includes contact information for Medicare Australia and the ACPA Secretariat.
Section 1 provides information about the application process from beginning to end, including when it is necessary to seek approval, how to make an application and how an approval is finally granted.
Section 2 sets out each of the pharmacy location rules and provides a checklist of the requirements associated with each rule.
Section 3 provides information about the specific requirements of the pharmacy location rules, including guidance about how certain requirements operate and the types of evidence which might address the requirements.
Please note that this Handbook will be updated and revised as necessary.
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Approval to supply pharmaceutical benefits
Section 90 of the National Health Act 1953 (the Act) provides for the Secretary (of the Department of Health and Ageing) to approve a pharmacist to supply pharmaceutical benefits at particular premises. Pharmaceutical benefits are drugs or medicinal preparations for which benefits will be paid by the Commonwealth.The Secretary can generally only approve a pharmacist if the ACPA has recommended that approval, and the pharmacist is permitted under the relevant State or Territory law to carry on business as a pharmacist. For a change of pharmacy ownership or an expansion or contraction in the size of pharmacy premises, the Secretary does not require an ACPA recommendation in order to make a decision.
Division 4B of Part VII of the Act establishes the ACPA. The function of the ACPA is to consider applications for approval to supply pharmaceutical benefits at particular premises, and to make recommendations to the Secretary as to whether or not a pharmacist should be approved. In making its recommendations, the ACPA must comply with the rules determined by the Minister under section 99L of the Act (the pharmacy location rules).
The pharmacy location rules set out location-based criteria which must be met in order for the ACPA to recommend approval of a pharmacist. The ACPA cannot override the requirements of the pharmacy location rules and cannot recommend approval of a pharmacist if these requirements are not met.
The Minister has determined the pharmacy location rules which are the result of arrangements agreed as part of the Fourth Community Pharmacy Agreement between the Commonwealth Government and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia.
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Contact information
Medicare Australia
The Secretary’s responsibilities concerning the approval of pharmacists have been conferred on the Chief Executive Officer of Medicare Australia, who has delegated those powers to certain officers at Medicare Australia. Therefore, any references in this Handbook to the Secretary mean the delegate at Medicare Australia.
Medicare Australia is also responsible for other matters associated with a pharmacy approval (for example, payment for the supply of pharmaceutical benefits, changes in pharmacy ownership, monitoring compliance, etc).
Any queries for Medicare Australia should be directed to:
Phone: 132 290 - ask for the Approvals Clerk in your state
[please note that usual office hours apply: 9am-5pm, Mon-Fri]
Email: pbs.enq@medicareaustralia.gov.au
Internet: www.medicareaustralia.gov.au
http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/provider/pbs/supplier/pharmacist.jsp
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Australian Community Pharmacy Authority
The Department of Health and Ageing is responsible for providing secretariat services to the ACPA. The ACPA Secretariat serves as the liaison between pharmacists and the ACPA, and its duties include:- referring applications for the ACPA's consideration;
- seeking comments from pharmacists in the vicinity of a proposed pharmacy;
- liaising with applicants on required documentation and application status;
- providing guidance and assistance on the pharmacy location rules and the application process to any interested persons;
- communicating ACPA recommendations to the Secretary.
Any queries for the ACPA Secretariat should be directed to:
Address: The Secretary, ACPA Secretariat
Department of Health and Ageing
MDP 96, GPO Box 9848
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Phone: (02) 6289 2419
[please note that usual office hours apply: 9am-5pm, Mon-Fri]
Facsimile: (02) 6289 2365
Email: ACPAMail@health.gov.au
Internet: www.health.gov.au
You can access information about the pharmacy location rules and the ACPA, and download electronic versions of the pharmacy location rules and this Handbook, by going to the above website and using the <A-Z index> to select <Australian Community Pharmacy Authority>
