Queensland’s community pharmacists have a new layer of protection after the state parliament passed amendments closing legal loopholes that could have let major supermarket chains offer online pharmacy services.
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland Branch, has welcomed the change, calling it a win for patients and small, family-run businesses alike.
Extending protections into the digital space
Pharmacy Guild of Australia Queensland Branch President, Chris Owen, says the amendments to the Pharmacy Business Ownership Act 2024 will ensure the protections applying to community pharmacy in the physical world also apply in the virtual world.
“The amendments passed by the Queensland Parliament will safeguard the health of communities by ensuring the model of community pharmacy is not put at risk for the profit of supermarket giants,” he says.
“We applaud the Queensland Government for closing these loopholes that could have seen big chain supermarkets trading as online pharmacies.
“The amendments that have passed are a direct response to concerns raised with the Queensland Government from communities right across the state.
“Many are aware of the failed overseas model of pharmacy where the community aspect of pharmacy is thrown out the door, and the only beneficiaries are the supermarket giants.”
Personal care vs corporate scaleÂ
Mr Owen says the community pharmacy model means many pharmacists know their patients personally, which leads to a superior level of care.
“The changes passed by the Queensland Parliament […] ensure that the continuity of care for our patients is put first.
“The amendments also protect community pharmacies, many of them small and family-owned businesses, from arrangements that could give major supermarket chains an unfair competitive advantage.
“We thank the Queensland Government for making these changes and for continuing to ensure the health of patients and community pharmacy is put ahead of the profits of the supermarket giants.”
