Category Archives: Pharmacy

Understanding pharmacy business ownership rules across Australia

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Pharmacy ownership rules vary from state to state.

In 2008 the Council of Australian Governments signed an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) requiring the states, territories and the Commonwealth to establish a single national registration and accreditation scheme (the national scheme) for health professionals, including pharmacists.

However, the national scheme, which commenced on 1 July 2010, does not address pharmacy ownership rules. These rules continue to be the responsibility of individual states and territories.

Answers to questions such as:

  • What constitutes an interest in or ownership of a pharmacy business?
  • Can non pharmacists have an interest in a pharmacy business?
  • How many pharmacy businesses can an entity have an interest in or own?

are found in each state and territory’s pharmacy ownership legislation[1] and there are variances from state to state. This is where the potential for misinterpretation and costly mistakes becomes a very real issue for pharmacy owners or would-be owners.

Excerpt from an article written by Maurice Hannan and Anthony Purcell for the April issue of the Australian Journal of Pharmacy. To read the full article, click here.

[1] Pharmacy Business Ownership Act 2001 (QLD); Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (NSW) No 86a; Health Professions Registration Act 2005 (VIC); Health Act 1993 (ACT); Health Practitioner Regulation National Law(South Australia) Act 2010 (SA); Pharmacy Act 2010 (WA); Pharmacists Registration Act 2001 (TAS) Health Practitioners Act 2007 (NT)

Before signing on the dotted line … buying and selling a pharmacy

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In this month’s edition of the Australian Journal of Pharmacy, Walsh Halligan Douglas’s Maurice Hannan and Anthony Purcell outline five crucial steps that should be followed before signing on the dotted line to buy or sell a pharmacy.

Key points in the article include:

  • Thorough planning before signing the contract will protect the interests of both parties.
  • Be aware of the intricacies of a pharmacy transaction. If you’re not, get good advice.
  • Effective due diligence will help to satisfy the incoming pharmacist that their purchase represents value and gives them an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the day-to-day intricacies of a pharmacy.

The full article can be downloaded from our website.

For enquiries relating to the purchase or sale of a  pharmacy or a business in general, please contact our Property Team on 07 3232 5700 or email property@whd.com.au.