Approved pharmacist
Medicare Australia can grant pharmacists approval to supply PBS subsidised medicine in accordance with section 90 of the National Health Act 1953
.
The approved pharmacist/s must be permitted to carry on a pharmacy business from the specific premises by their relevant state/territory pharmacy board. They must also be able to supply pharmaceutical benefits on request from that particular premises.
Establishing a new pharmacy
You will need to obtain approval from Medicare Australia before you can supply PBS subsidised medicine from a new pharmacy.
To lodge an application with Medicare Australia, you need to complete an Application for Approval - establish a new pharmacy form (4180) [PDF, 219Kb]
and include details of the proposed address of the new pharmacy.
These applications are referred to the Australian Community Pharmacy Authority (ACPA). ACPA meet once a month to assess each application against ministerial rules and make recommendations to Medicare Australia to approve or reject each application.
For details of the ministerial rules, ACPA meeting dates and application cut-off dates, go to the ACPA webpage.
You must receive approval to carry on the pharmacy business by your relevant state or territory pharmacy board before Medicare Australia can approve your application.
Relocating an existing pharmacy
You will need approval from Medicare Australia before relocating your pharmacy, to ensure you continue to receive your entitlement to PBS benefits.
To lodge an application with Medicare Australia, please complete an Application for approval - relocation of a pharmacy form (4182) [PDF, 236Kb] and include details of the address of the proposed pharmacy and existing pharmacy.
These applications are referred to APCA. APCA meet once a month to assess each application against ministerial rules and make recommendations to Medicare Australia to approve or reject each application.
For details of the ministerial rules, APCA meeting dates and application cut-off dates go to the APCA webpage.
Permission to carry on your pharmacy business must be given by your relevant state or territory pharmacy board before Medicare Australia can approve your application.
Important note: If you relocate your pharmacy to new premises and are subsequently approved, you are only entitled to 90 percent of PBS benefits for medicine supplied during which the period the pharmacy was unapproved.
Changing ownership of a pharmacy (not involving a relocation)
If you want to sell/transfer your pharmacy, please complete an Application for approval - change of ownership of a pharmacy (not involving a relocation) form (4183) [PDF, 222Kb].
Permission to carry on your pharmacy business must be given by your relevant state or territory pharmacy board before Medicare Australia can approve your application.
When Medicare Australia approves the change of ownership, a new approval number will be issued, and at the same time the previous owners' approval number will be cancelled.
Expansion/contraction in the size of a pharmacy
If you want to expand/contract the size of your pharmacy, please lodge an Application for approval - expansion/contraction in the size of an existing pharmacy form (4181) [PDF, 124Kb] to Medicare Australia. You will need to include copies of the current and proposed plans of the premises with your application.
Permission to carry on your pharmacy business must be given by your relevant state or territory pharmacy board before Medicare Australia can approve your application.
Temporary closure of a pharmacy (deactivation)
If you need to close your pharmacy for a short period of time (e.g. due to fire, flood, renovations, illness etc.) you must apply to Medicare Australia for endorsement to deactivate your pharmacy approval.
The attached guidelines outline the circumstances in which Medicare Australia may be prepared to endorse an application to deactivate a pharmacist's approval. Medicare Australia will consider each application for deactivation in accordance with the deactivation guidelines [PDF, 98Kb].
Any pharmacist that closes their pharmacy without obtaining endorsement to deactivate their approval from Medicare Australia is at risk of having their approval cancelled.
Additional information
For additional information and enquiries, please see Become an approved supplier.
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Last updated: 26 June, 2008