The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland, has welcomed the passing of legislation which closes loopholes which could have allowed supermarket giants to offer pharmacy services online.
Pharmacy Guild of Australia Queensland Branch President, Chris Owen, said 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."
"We applaud the Queensland Government for closing these loopholes that could have seen big chain supermarkets trading as online pharmacies," said Mr Owen.
"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."
Mr Owen also said 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 overnight ensures 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," said Mr Owen.
"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 profits of the supermarket giants."
