Review of Schedule 8 of the Health Practitioners Act and the Pharmacy Premises Committee
In 2006, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to establish a single National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) for health professionals. However, under a Inter-Governmental Agreement of 2008, regulation of pharmacy premises and pharmacy ownership were to continue to be the responsibility of the States and Territories.
The implementation of the NRAS in the Northern Territory on 1 July 2010 required amendment to the Health Practitioners Act 2004 (HPA). This included transferring the regulation of pharmacy premises and pharmacy ownership under Schedule 8 of the HPA to the newly established Pharmacy Premises Committee.
In making these changes, the Northern Territory Government made a commitment to review the provisions of Schedule 8 of the HPA and the functions of the Pharmacy Premises Committee by February 2012.
The Northern Territory Department of Health has now appointed a consultant to carry out this independent review.
All interested parties are invited to provide input into this review. Further information, including options to provide input, is provided in the background document: Review of Schedule 8 - Background Paper
About the Committee
The Committee is established under Part 2A of the Health Practitioners Act (the Act)
Functions of the Committee
- To administer Schedule 8 of the Act
- To monitor and investigate compliance with Schedule 8 and
- To prosecute offences against Schedule 8
- To advise the Minister on matters relating to the administration and enforcement of Schedule 8
- Other functions imposed by this or another Act
Membership of the Committee
Members are appointed by the Minister for Health. The Pharmacy Committee consists of 4 members. 3 must be persons who are pharmacists able to assist the Committee in performing its functions; and one must be a person who:
- (i) is not a pharmacist; and
- (ii) is able to represent the interests of patients and consumers of pharmacy services.
Pharmacy Premises Standards
The following standards have been reviewed and endorsed by the Pharmacy Premises Committee.
| Pharmacy Standards | Date |
|---|---|
| April 2008 | |
| February 2012 | |
| February 2012 | |
| November 2008 |
The Pharmacy Premises Committee endorses the following Pharmacy Board of Australia premises related guidelines for NT pharmacy businesses and services.
| Guidelines | Date |
|---|---|
| Automated Dose Packaging Systems | March 2012 |
Pharmacy Premises Self Assessment Form
The following assessment form has been developed to assess the compliance of Northern Territory pharmacy business and pharmacy service premises with the requirements of Schedule 8 of the Health Practitioners Act.
| Document | Date |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Premises Self Assessment Form | February 2012 |
Links
For further details please contact:
Committee Registrar
Phone: (08) 8922 7341
Fax: (08) 8922 7200
