|
No images? Click here  Newsletter In this Newsletter
Chair's message Welcome to the VPA’s first new look newsletter. We have retired our quarterly circulars. We will now be publishing more frequent, short-form newsletters. We hope that shorter newsletters will be easier to read and that by providing more frequent newsletters we can keep licensees better informed of updates and compliance matters. You will also notice that the VPA has a new look and logo in this newsletter. The full transition to the new logo will be occurring in the coming weeks. This year is shaping up to be a big year of change for the VPA. The new logo and branding coincide with the move to new offices in Parkville late last year. We are also continuing our work to streamline processes in readiness for a new digital interface to support improved application, renewal and inspection processes. We remind stakeholders about pharmacy ownership requirements and highlight that the VPA may receive and investigate notifications about alleged contraventions of these requirements. The VPA has collaborated with industry designers to produce guidance for applicants on pharmacy floor plans. We have now published “sample floor plans” which highlight the necessary detail to be included in pharmacy floor plans to assist applicants prior to submission of an application and help avoid incomplete applications and delays. Finally, we recently farewelled Scott Savage, our hospital pharmacy department inspector. We thank him for his contributions and wish him all the best in his future endeavours. He will be missed at the VPA. David McConville Welcome to the new look VPAThe VPA has rebranded with a fresh new logo. The new logo is simple, modern and bold. The VPA acronym has been retained to maintain consistency and brand recognition. The three colours are intended to reflect trustworthiness, authority, and supportiveness as well as the VPA’s values. We look forward to launching the new logo throughout all communications including a new look website in the near future. Reminder about pharmacy ownership requirements and notificationsThe VPA recently published Guidance on pharmacy ownership, proprietary interests and undue influence on its website. The guidance sets out the VPA’s general approach to interpreting the requirements regarding ownership of and proprietary interests in pharmacy businesses under the Act and includes examples of commercial arrangements which may contravene these requirements. Pharmacists and other stakeholders including legal advisors and accountants are encouraged to review the guidance when considering pharmacy ownership structures and before entering into new commercial agreements. Stakeholders are also reminded that a person may notify the VPA about a matter relating to a licensee if the person believes it indicates that a licensee has contravened the requirements regarding ownership of pharmacies. The Authority has a range of compliance and enforcement options available to respond to and resolve breaches of the ownership requirements of the Act, including to revoke a licence and commence a prosecution under the Act. Sample pharmacy floor plansBefore registering the premises of a pharmacy business or pharmacy department, the Act requires the VPA to be satisfied of certain matters, including that premises are suitable for the provision of pharmacy services and comply with the Act and the VPA Standards. To assist the VPA to determine whether premises should be registered, applicants for registration of premises are required to provide a floor plan to demonstrate that the applicable regulatory requirements have been satisfied. The VPA has published on its website examples of sample pharmacy floor plans to By providing different examples, the intention is to show applicants that there is no single preferred format, rather to provide options which will assist applicants to ensure that their floor plans are complete. Complete floor plans reduce assessment times and the need for VPA officers to request further information or amended plans during the application process. Applicants should note that
Farewell to Scott SavageThe VPA farewells Scott Savage. Scott commenced with the VPA in 2022 bringing extensive experience and expertise in hospital and community pharmacy. Many pharmacists and stakeholders will be familiar with Scott as an inspector of pharmacy departments which was his primary role. In addition to conducting inspections, Scott contributed his expertise to the assessment of pharmacy department applications. His contributions and support will be greatly missed by the VPA members, staff and stakeholders alike. The VPA thanks Scott for his contributions during his time at the VPA and wishes him well for his career and future endeavours. The recruitment process for a new inspector with In the interim, the VPA is fortunate to have a team of experienced pharmacists and staff to ensure the continuity of inspections and applications. ResourcesSupporting key learnings from recent inspections and areas of high risk, licensees and pharmacists may wish to refer to the following resources. Resources are not limited to the list below and pharmacists are encouraged to review other relevant resources as required. VPA resources
S8 management
Vaccination
Other resources
Members of the Victorian Pharmacy AuthorityMr David McConville, Chair (Pharmacist member) VPA StaffRegistrar: Mr Aaron Bawden The VPA Newsletter is a document issued by the Victorian Pharmacy Authority (VPA) in Australia. It provides important information and updates to pharmacy licensees and stakeholders. You can review this newsletter and previous newsletters on the VPA website here.   Victorian Pharmacy Authority  The Victorian Pharmacy Authority acknowledges Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Country throughout Victoria and pays respect to their cultures and Elders past, present and emerging. |
