Boosting the numbers
With the ‘carrot’ of protecting workers’ rights failing to attract new members, some unions want a ‘stick’ to coax employees who benefit from pay deals into joining their organisations Union …
Continued dispensing of limited use on non-PBS items
Only those who can afford to pay will benefit from Tasmania’s new continued dispensing measures, rural pharmacists warn The program, which allows community pharmacists to provide patients with full supplies …
One Nation Bill sets pathway for cannabis PBS listing
Legislation put before the Senate this week could pave the way for medicinal cannabis products to be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Under the proposed Improving Access to …
Government targets PBS fraud loophole
Pharmacy owners convicted of defrauding the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) will no longer be able to retain their Section 90 approval under proposed legislation The National Health Amendment (Effect of …
Complementary medicines manufacturer cops $160k fine
Breaches of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) are proving costly for complementary medicines firm, Contract Manufacturing and Packaging Services Pty Ltd The Sydney-based business has been handed 12 infringement notices totalling …
Double dispensing will cost jobs
Calls for the introduction of 60-day dispensing “would be a disaster for community pharmacy”, readers of the AJP warn With double dispensing back on the government’s agenda in the lead-up …
Allow pharmacists to use professional judgement: Sim
Pharmacists have the skills and knowledge to prescribe antibiotics responsibly, Dr Fei Sim, the president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) believes Speaking during a webinar hosted by the …
APC starts developing of prescriber education programs
Days after the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) announced it would not participate in the development of accreditation standards for pharmacist prescriber training, a public consultation process has …
Butler considering 60-day dispensing
Increasing dispensing limits from 30 to 60 days’ supply of medication through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) is back on the agenda Ahead of the federal Budget in May, Mark …
Employers must bear costs of pharmacist prescribing
Employee pharmacists must not be left carrying the costs of training and indemnity insurance cover associated with the expansion of the profession’s scope of practice, Professionals Australia believes In …
Health providers top data breach notifications
Australian health services continue to report more notifiable data breaches than any other sector, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) reports Data from the six months to 31 December …
GP visits ‘a waste of time’ for repeat prescriptions
Patients who are stable on long-term medications feel “guilty” for taking up GP appointments to get prescriptions renewed, a survey reveals Healthcare consumers support pharmacists being authorised to provide repeat …