Queensland pharmacists warn of chemist closures, job losses if sector deregulated

The state's Legislative Assembly is holding an inquiry into the potential establishment of a pharmacy council, the roles of pharmacists and their assistants, models of regulation in other jurisdictions, and the past two years of pharmacy business ownership transfers.

Owners of Queensland pharmacies at present must be registered pharmacists, preventing large corporations from taking over.

The Pharmacy Guild is seeking a broader expansion of pharmacist powers, including the ability to write repeat prescriptions for low-risk medications.

In its background brief submitted to the inquiry in May, the guild stated that the regulation of pharmacy ownerships was not under review, but only the past two years of business transfers to ensure compliance.

"Queensland remains the only state that does not have an independent pharmacy administration authority, and pharmacy premises are currently registered/licensed in all jurisdictions except Queensland," the guild's submission said.

"Therefore, there is a need to consider establishing a separate statutory entity to administer the pharmacy business ownership functions, what these functions would cover, including regulation of pharmacy premises, and required legislative changes to protect the public from public health risks associated with facilities, equipment, medicines and related health products and services."

Nearly 60 submissions were made to the inquiry, the majority from pharmacy owners across the state, from Brisbane to regional Queensland.

Almost all warned that deregulation of the sector could see a reduced level of care in communities, a loss of rural and regional jobs, and the closure of community pharmacies.

Rural pharmacists also urged the retention of ownership laws and an expansion of their roles to better support GPs in remote locations.

The establishment of a pharmacy council to moderate the ownership of pharmacies and associated issues was generally supported throughout the submissions.

However, the Grattan Institute recommended "cautious" removal of pharmacy-ownership laws, arguing the rules appeared "much more effective in protecting the commercial interests of pharmacy owners than in serving the public interest".

The Institute also recommended the expansion of pharmacist roles in line with some international standards.

"There is good evidence that pharmacists can safely administer vaccinations, provide repeat prescriptions to people with simple, stable conditions, and work with GPs to help patients manage chronic conditions," the institute's submission said.

While numerous pharmacists wrote into the inquiry supporting an expansion of their roles, almost all rejected the potential for ownership regulation changes.

"I cannot emphasise enough how catastrophic this would be to the health of all Queenslanders," one pharmacist wrote.

"There is no way that big corporations answering to shareholders will provide the same level of patient-centred care that the current system offers."

Submissions frequently argued that pharmacists provided hours of free care to patients, including home visits to deliver prescriptions and medications, free health checks and community health awareness campaigns, and the provision of key health advice when doctors were not available.

"Rural and remote communities need the health services that a local pharmacist provides. Many of my customers struggle to get to the GP for minor issues, and I’m there to provide health advice when this happens," another pharmacist wrote.

The Australian Medical Association Queensland branch warned that any extension of pharmacist roles toward providing repeat prescriptions, without patients having to visit a GP first, could leave staff legally vulnerable and patients at risk.

“Research shows that people who regularly visit their GP are healthier and live longer," AMA Queensland president Dr Dilip Dhupelia said.

“Taking shortcuts can lead to chronic and fatal health problems being missed until it’s too late.

“Our members can provide numerous instances of where a repeat prescription encounter became a life-saving opportunity."

Likewise, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Queensland president Dr Bruce Willet opposed the push for pharmacists to write prescriptions.

The RACGP also urged parliament to retain the present regulatory system.

“While the RACGP welcomes and recognises the important contribution of other healthcare providers to patient care, international and Australian experience has repeatedly shown GPs are the most appropriate profession to be at the core of a patient’s healthcare experience," Dr Willet said.

“Patients want to spend more time with their GP, and it’s important that the Parliament understands and supports the community to see their GP for both primary and preventive healthcare."

The inquiry is set to report back at the end of September.