Pharmacy

Just missed making an error?	23 November 2009
For information regarding a project to identify and capture dispensing near miss incidents by using an anonymous reporting system, click here.

National Registration and Accreditation Scheme	05 November 2009
For further information on the national registration and accreditation scheme which commences 1 July 2010, click here.

Teeth whitening in pharmacies	07 October 2009
The prosecution of a beauty therapist by the Dental Practice Board of Victoria for carrying out teeth whitening resulted in a conviction and a fine of $2,000 for contravention of the Health Professions Registration Act 2005 ("the Act"). Section 98(1)(b) states that a person who is not registered as a dental care provider "must not knowingly perform any invasive or irreversible procedure on natural teeth". The magistrate found that the dental whitening procedure as practised by the defendant was an invasive and irreversible procedure. This is the first case of its kind in Australia. Section 103(6) of the Act provides that a person approved by the Pharmacy Board to carry on a pharmacy business must not authorise, cause or permit any other person to carry on in the approved premises any business or activity unless that business or activity is approved by the Board and specified in the approval. The Pharmacy Board has determined that it may approve a teeth whitening business or activity to be carried on within the pharmacy if, and only if, the person carrying out the business or activity is registered as a dental care provider. If a pharmacist personally carries out teeth whitening or employs someone to do it within or separate from the pharmacy, both the pharmacist and the person actually performing the activity would be liable to prosecution under section 98(1) of the Act unless they are registered as dental health care providers. This advice does not apply to the sale or supply of products that are marketed for teeth whitening.

Workforce survey results	05 October 2009
A report of the 2007 Victorian Pharmacy Labour Force Survey prepared by the Workforce Unit of the Department of Health is now available. The survey explored the profile of the pharmacy workforce within Victoria, and the report provides an understanding of the changing workforce characteristics and practice within the profession. Click here to access a copy of the report.

Computer generated prescriptions for drugs of dependence	31 August 2009
As a result of a recent amendment to the Criteria for Computer Generated Prescriptions approved by the Secretary, Department of Health (formerly Human Services), more than one drug of dependence may now be issued on the same form. Other criteria, including the necessity to handwrite the particulars listed in the criteria remain. The amended criteria may be accessed on the Department‘s website www.health.vic.gov.au/dpu/. The title of the document is on the right hand side of the screen.

Reminder regarding advertising on Medicare repeat stationery	29 July 2009
Misuse of Medicare Stationery A medical practitioner has brought to attention the use of the white tear-off strip on the right hand side of repeat authorisation forms to print health messages associated with an invitation to join a weight loss program. The objection was that the prescription was being used, without the prescriber‘s consent, as an advertising platform for goods and services. Such a practice could conceivably be extended to arrangements between medical clinics and pharmacies to promote advertising by the clinic. The Board agrees with the impropriety of this practice and requests and requires any pharmacist using repeat authorisation forms in this manner to cease forthwith. Similarly, additional labels attached to containers of prescribed drugs that recommend the purchase of other substances is also unprofessional and may be construed as interfering with the medical treatment of a patient. This does not prevent the use of repeat folders for appropriate advertising.

Victorian Pharmacy Authority	27 July 2009
A consultation paper regarding continued controls on who may own and operate pharmacies in Victoria after implementation of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme on 1 July 2010 . Click here for further information.

Schedule of fees	01 July 2009
The Board‘s schedule of fees effective 1 July 2009 can be found under ‘Publications‘

Pharmacy Board News Health Professionals Alert - Change todispensing Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) - 25 June 2009	25 June 2009
Public health emergency orders dated Friday 5 June 2009 have been revoked. Click here.

Chief Health Officer - Pharmacist update (23 June 2009)	23 June 2009
An update on H1N1 influenza for pharmacist is provided. Click here.

Chief Health Officer Pharmacists Alert - 10 June 2009	10 June 2009
The Chief Health Officer has advised health practitioners of a Public Health Emergency Order. All pharmacists should read the attached order. Click here.

Pharmacists‘ Support Service	29 May 2009
Pharmacists‘ Support Service now has a new phone number 1300 244 910. This is a toll free number and so pharmacists can now contact the service for the cost of a local call. Anyone using the mobile phone number will still reach the volunteer on duty however they will incur the full cost of calling a mobile phone number.

H1N1 Influenza 09 (Human Swine Flu)	28 May 2009
For the most up-to-date information : Visit www.health.vic.gov.au Call the Influenza Hotline on 180 2007 or Call Nurse-on-Call on 1300 606 024 - for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days)

Criteria for the approval of pharmacy departments.	04 May 2009
The Board has developed draft criteria for the approval of pharmacy departments. The criteria are to supplement the Board‘s guidelines and provide additional guidance on the requirements for approval of pharmacy departments. The Board has released the criteria for public consultation and invites comment by 12 June 2009. Comments should be forwarded to: The Registrar Pharmacy Board of Victoria Level 6, 369 Royal Parade PARKVILLE VIC 3052 Click here to access a copy of the draft criteria.