Regulation Of The Pharmacy Sector

16 September 2004

Pharmacy Council of New Zealand Takes Over Regulation Of The Pharmacy Sector

The safety and standards of the pharmacy profession in New Zealand are under the control of a new body from Saturday 18 September 2004, when the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand takes over statutory responsibility of the pharmacy profession with a focus on public safety.

It marks the end of a 124–year regime under which the former Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand handled these matters.

The Pharmacy Council was created with the passing of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act last year. Its requirements will apply to all pharmacists and intern pharmacists.

The Council is responsible for ensuring standards of competence within the profession.

Public safety is the sole focus of the Council and it will deliver this by handling setting standards of practice for pharmacists, controlling the pharmacy register, setting standards for training and education and setting standards for clinical, cultural and ethical conduct.

Practising pharmacists make up the majority of the eight-member council which is chaired by Auckland pharmacy proprietor Eleanor Hawthorn.

She says the new body will set the standard for the safe, modern practice of pharmacy, with a tighter regime of overseeing competence and training.

“The public must have confidence in the ability of pharmacists to deliver high-quality practice and professional services. Our aim is to ensure that qualified pharmacy staff are recognised by everyone as the trusted experts when it comes to medicines,“ she said.

ENDS

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