Pharmacy Business Ownership Bill 2023
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
Introduced the bill as Minister for Health, emphasising the government's commitment to the community pharmacy model and the need for a modern regulatory framework through a new Queensland Pharmacy Business Ownership Council.
“The Palaszczuk government is committed to the community pharmacy model. This bill allows our community pharmacies to do just that—to continue to provide high-quality health services to all Queenslanders.”— 2023-11-30View Hansard
Referred to Health and Environment Committee
▸19 members spoke19 support
Moved the second reading and replied as Health Minister, presenting the bill as modernising the regulatory framework for pharmacy business ownership to protect community pharmacies.
“It is clear that community pharmacies are an essential component of Queensland's healthcare environment.”— 2024-03-19View Hansard
Stated the LNP will not be opposing the bill and highlighted stakeholder concerns while acknowledging the bill reinstates protections for community pharmacies. Noted some regulatory burden concerns.
“At the outset I can advise that the LNP will not be opposing the bill.”— 2024-03-19View Hansard
Supported the legislation noting the significant support from the pharmacy sector and the importance of local community pharmacies.
“There was significant support for this legislation.”— 2024-03-19View Hansard
Endorsed the bill as committee chair, emphasising the importance of pharmacist-owned community pharmacies for health care delivery.
“We want to see professionals who have a vocation in health care working and building these things so they become a community institution of value.”— 2024-03-19View Hansard
Noted the bill has broadly received support from pharmacy business owners and the Pharmacy Guild, acknowledging the importance of the regulatory framework.
“This legislation has broadly received support from pharmacy business owners and associated groups.”— 2024-03-19View Hansard
Supported the bill as a committee member, noting questions about the long-term effectiveness of ownership restrictions but backing the policy intent.
“I rise to offer my support for the Pharmacy Business Ownership Bill 2023.”— 2024-03-19View Hansard
Proudly supported the bill as implementing appropriate and sensible ownership protections for community pharmacies.
“I rise to speak in support of the Pharmacy Business Ownership Bill 2023.”— 2024-03-19View Hansard
Supported the bill noting the committee recommended it be passed, while acknowledging some stakeholders opposed pharmacy ownership restrictions.
“The Cost of Living and Economics Committee recommended to the Assembly that the bill be passed.”— 2024-03-19View Hansard
Supported the bill emphasising how local pharmacies make a difference to health care in communities across Queensland.
“I rise to speak in support of the Pharmacy Business Ownership Bill 2023.”— 2024-03-19View Hansard
Stated the opposition does not oppose the bill while noting stakeholder concerns from AMA Queensland about the regulatory approach.
“Whilst the opposition does not oppose the bill, it should be noted that stakeholders, including AMA Queensland, have raised serious concerns.”— 2024-03-19View Hansard
Supported the bill as a cost-of-living measure, emphasising the importance of pharmacists providing quality advice without business pressures.
“This is in many ways a bill that will assist as a cost-of-living measure.”— 2024-03-19View Hansard
Supported the bill emphasising the importance of community pharmacies in rural and regional Queensland and thanking pharmacists for their service.
“There is only one side of the House that truly really supports our small business owners.”— 2024-03-19View Hansard
Stated the KAP supports the bill, commending both sides of the House for supporting protections for small and family-owned pharmacy businesses in regional Queensland.
“This bill has the support of the KAP.”— 2024-03-19View Hansard
Briefly supported the bill highlighting the service community pharmacies provide in the Redlands.
“I rise to make a brief contribution in support of the Pharmacy Business Ownership Bill 2023.”— 2024-03-19View Hansard
Stated the LNP will not be opposing the bill while calling on the government to prioritise small and family businesses.
“The LNP will not be opposing this bill, but we continue to call on the state government to place small and family businesses at the forefront.”— 2024-03-19View Hansard
Supported the bill as replacing the 2001 act with a modern framework for pharmacy ownership regulation.
“I rise to support the Pharmacy Business Ownership Bill 2023.”— 2024-03-19View Hansard
Supported the bill commending it for ensuring pharmacists operate without extraneous commercial considerations.
“I definitely support that. I commend the bill to the House.”— 2024-03-19View Hansard
Supported the bill highlighting the vital role pharmacies play in all Queensland communities.
“I rise in support of the Pharmacy Business Ownership Bill.”— 2024-03-19View Hansard
Supported the bill noting the LNP will be supporting it, while highlighting the long delay in bringing the bill forward since the original 2018 committee recommendations.
“The LNP will be supporting the Pharmacy Business Ownership Bill 2023.”— 2024-03-19View Hansard
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill creates a new licensing system for pharmacy ownership in Queensland, replacing the outdated 2001 Act. It establishes an independent Queensland Pharmacy Business Ownership Council to regulate who can own pharmacies and enforce compliance. The bill retains existing restrictions limiting pharmacy ownership to pharmacists while adding new transparency measures and prohibiting pharmacies in supermarkets.
Who it affects
Pharmacy business owners must now obtain annual licences and meet 'fit and proper person' requirements. Customers benefit from a public register of pharmacies and services, and protections ensuring pharmacies prioritise health over commercial pressures.
Key changes
- Establishes the Queensland Pharmacy Business Ownership Council as an independent statutory body to regulate pharmacy ownership
- Introduces mandatory annual licensing for all pharmacy business owners, replacing the previous notification system
- Prohibits new pharmacies from being located in or directly accessible from supermarkets
- Makes it an offence for third parties to control how pharmacies provide medicine and health services
- Requires the Council to maintain a public register of pharmacies and publish annual compliance audit reports
- Strengthens 'fit and proper person' requirements with criminal history checks and ongoing notification obligations