The Australian Government is moving to support pharmacists who are being undermined by a small number of pharmacists who claim payment for dispensing PBS medicines from unapproved premises.

Under federal legislation, pharmacists can only claim financial reimbursement for medicines dispensed from premises which have been approved by the Australian Government to supply PBS medicines.

Health Minister Peter Dutton said the Department of Health has become aware of a small number of instances where approved pharmacists appear to be claiming for the supply of pharmaceutical benefits where the supply was not made at or from approved premises.

“It is important that pharmacists only claim for PBS medicines dispensed from premises which have been approved by government,” Mr Dutton said.

“That’s the law under the National Health Act and we need to enforce it.”

Pharmacists who fail to comply with the new requirement could have their approval status suspended or revoked, meaning they would no longer be able to supply and claim for pharmaceutical benefits.

For more details, go to: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/health-mediarel-yr2014-dutton076.htm