AGY-7204 | Pharmacy Council of NSW

Full description

The Pharmacy Council of New South Wales was established on 1 July 2010 (1) by the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (NSW) No 86a of 2009. (2)

The National Boards were supported by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) which had an office in each State and Territory including New South Wales. In all States and Territories, with the exception of NSW, health professional National Boards and committees established by these boards were responsible for the regulation of health practitioners including pharmacists. In NSW the co-regulatory model for dealing with complaints against health professionals was retained with the continuation of the Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC). (3)

The Council and the HCCC consulted on and responded to complaints received about pharmacist's performance, conduct and health where the complaint related to a registered pharmacist's practice in NSW. In addition to its role in the management of complaint matters, the Council was responsible for the regulation of NSW pharmacy businesses and the maintenance of a Register of Pharmacies. (4)

The Health Professional Councils Authority (HPCA) provided shared executive and corporate services to support the Council's regulatory activities. On behalf of the Councils, the HPCA liaised with:

• The Ministry of Health to provide advice and responses to the Minister for Health and the Secretary on regulatory matters and member appointments and about other operational functions such as human resources.
• The HCCC on complaints management issues.
• The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) regarding financial, registration and reporting matters.

This coordinated approach provides efficiencies through shared services that would be costly for each Council to implement on its own and allows the Councils to concentrate on their core regulatory functions. The HCCC had a wider role in complaints management covering unregistered health practitioners and health services. (5)

Endnotes
1. Pharmacy Council of New South Wales, Annual Report, 2011, p.3.
2. Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (NSW) No 86a of 2009, NSW Legislation website, 1 July 2010.
3. Pharmacy Council of New South Wales, Annual Report, 2011, p.3.
4. Ibid.
5. Health Professional Councils Authority, Annual Report, 2014-2015, p.12.