Dispensary barcode scanners and private consultation areas are among mandatory requirements under NSW's new Pharmacy Act which starts today.
The Pharmacy Practice Act 2006, which received assent in September 2006, replaces the Pharmacy Act 1964.
President of the Pharmacy Board of New South Wales, Gerry McInerney, said that the new Act gives the board a wider range of options to assure the competence of registered pharmacists and to deal with any misconduct.
"We are particularly pleased with the introduction of a number of requirements that confirm the board's expectations of appropriate professional conduct. The legislation confirms that part of every pharmacy's premises must be suitable for consultations that are not reasonably likely to be overheard by another person.
"Dispensary barcode scanners, which have been demonstrated to minimise the possibility of selection errors in dispensing, will be mandatory in every dispensary. In providing information to the public, pharmacists will be required to comply with the TGA's Price Information Code of Practice," Mr McInerney said.
The board's public protection focus is reinforced by the addition of a second consumer representative to the board. These are non-pharmacist members nominated by the Minister for Health and Ageing and appointed by the Governor to represent the community.
"The consumer representatives bring a vitally important perspective to the board's decision making. We are delighted to welcome Sandra Everett as a new member of the board and look forward to her contribution, together with that of our long-standing consumer member, Mr Ron Greenstein," he said.
Mr McInerney said the legislation confirmed the board's responsibility to protect public health and safety.
"The board's constant challenge is to ensure systems are in place to meet public expectations of pharmacist's conduct. With the functions conferred on the board under the new Act, we will continue working with the profession to ensure we meet that challenge,” he said.
The development of the Act involved input from the board, the Department of Health, professional organisations and other pharmacy stakeholders.