New Zealand to ease pharmacy ownership rules under forthcoming Bill

Community pharmacies will no longer need to be mostly owned by registered pharmacists.

Cabinet papers released by the New Zealand Government outline key decisions on pharmacy ownership and the advertising of medicines, which will form part of the upcoming Medical Products Bill.

The Bill removes restrictions requiring community pharmacies to be majority-owned by registered pharmacists, according to Associate Health Minister Casey Costello.

It will also introduce a new role of supervisory pharmacist, which will be required in all companies that operate more than one pharmacy.

The supervisory pharmacist will be responsible for compliance with pharmacy standards and regulations across the company.

In addition, the Government will amend rules on advertising medicines and medical devices, allowing unapproved medicines to be advertised and promoted in some circumstances.

“Under the current legislation, it is illegal to advertise the availability of a medicine which does not have Medsafe approval,” Costello said.

It will not regulate activities such as fundraising, news reporting and education as ‘advertising’.

Moreover, it will carry over reforms to allow unapproved medicines to be promoted at medical conferences and trade shows. Direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription medicines will remain allowed, with powers for future regulation if needed.

The Medical Products Bill is expected to be introduced to Parliament next year. Natural health products will not be included in the legislation.