To ensure that medicines and poisons are prescribed, stored and supplied in accordance with the relevant legislation, the Health Protection Service (HPS) performs routine pharmacy inspections. Inspections can occur at any reasonable time and without prior notice.
Medicines and poisons inspectors assess a community pharmacy using a Community Pharmacy Premises Inspection Form and Opioid Dependency Treatment (ODT) Centre Inspection Form (for ODT licensed pharmacies). Compliance is assessed against the Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 2008, the Public Health Act 1997 as it relates to community pharmacies and any other conditions of the pharmacy’s Community Pharmacy Licence.
Medicines and poisons inspectors take a risk-based approach to conducting community pharmacy inspections in accordance with the Community Pharmacy Inspection Guide.
The Community Pharmacy Premises Inspection – Quick Reference Guide contains a list of references to relevant sections in the legislation for each of the criteria on the inspection forms.
The detailed Inspection Guide and Quick Reference Guide have been published to assist community pharmacy owners and staff meet their requirements and prepare for future inspections.
For more information about community pharmacy inspections, please contact the Pharmaceutical Services section of the HPS on 02 5124 9208 or hps@act.gov.au.