Professional responsibilities of proprietor pharmacists

22/04/2025

The Pharmacy Board of Australia’s Guidelines for proprietor pharmacistsopen_in_new focuses on the professional responsibilities that impact the safe, effective delivery of services to the public. 

A registered pharmacist who is a proprietor of, or who has a financial interest in, a pharmacy business, must: 

• maintain and be able to demonstrate an awareness of the manner in which a pharmacy business is being conducted 
• where necessary, intervene to ensure that the practice of pharmacy is conducted in accordance with applicable laws, standards and guidelines.

This simply means that any (and all) financial owners of a pharmacy may NOT be simply “Investors.“ They must conduct their business in a hands-on manner and be aware of the day-to-day operations of the pharmacy.

A pharmacy owner must find audit or supervision procedures which gives them full insight into the activities of the employed staff -- both professional and retail. A pharmacy owner is ultimately liable for the proper conduct pertaining to legal obligations of all pharmacy staff.

Under section 41 of the National Law, the Guidelines for proprietor pharmacists can be used in disciplinary proceedings as evidence of what constitutes appropriate professional conduct or practice for pharmacists.

What is the Council’s role?

The Council approves pharmacy premises in NSW as suitable for carrying on a pharmacy business, by a pharmacist, in accordance with the NSW regulation standards for the safe and competent delivery of pharmacy services. The Council also maintains a Register of Pharmacies and financial interest holders of NSW pharmacies.

Any time a fit-out or renovation is completed regarding the dispensary and surrounds, the Council Inspector must be notified to ensure the pharmacy is still compliant.

Any time the name of the pharmacy is changed, the Pharmacy Council must also be notified.

Any time there is a change in ownership (for example, a partner is added or removed) the Council must be notified.

Please note that The Guide provides information about the regulatory framework which the Council operates in respect of pharmacies and pharmacy ownership in NSW. 

The Guide (Financial interest) notes that: 

The Law requires anyone who holds a financial interest in a pharmacy business must make an annual declaration for the 12 months from 1 May to 30 April to the Council about the interests which needs to be declared by 30 June each year.

The Guide (Guide Note 19: Pharmacy registration) notes that: 

A pharmacy can operate only with a current approval of the Council. The Council sends out an Annual Renewal of Pharmacy Premises Registration Notice to the ‘proprietor’ of each pharmacy in NSW in May with the annual renewal fee due by 30 June. Payment by the due date results in the approval of pharmacy premises for a further 12 months to 30 June the following year (see also Guide Note 20: Payment of annual renewal fees). 

As part of the Annual renewal and annual declaration, the Council recommends that all pharmacists are:- 

• familiar with The Guide 
• encouraged to reflect on their professional obligations as well as the services they provide (i.e. their scope of practice)
• review any proposed changes to their practice, against the Guidelines for proprietor pharmacists and The Guide.