Applying for Alterations
If you intend to undertake structural changes to your pharmacy, you must apply to the Authority for approval. This application needs to be approved prior to any work taking place. Please allow sufficient time for approval, bearing in mind all applications must go to the monthly meeting of the Authority.
The following changes constitute a structural alteration:
- the internal layout of the dispensary;
- adding or altering consulting rooms, vaccinations rooms, storage and packing rooms;
- areas where scheduled medicines are stored;
- the perimeter of the store (including doors, windows, alarms, access to/from other businesses)
- adding or changing narcotics safe/s
If you already have a room you wish to use for vaccination purposes and which does not require structural alterations (for example changing a storeroom into a consulting room), please submit Form PV – Application for Vaccination Area and read the section Applying for a Vaccination Area
To have alterations to your pharmacy business premises approved, the procedure is:
- Submit Form PA Application for Approval of Alterations to Pharmacy Premises.
- The Authority will issue you with an invoice for the applicable fee.
- Application will be heard at an Authority Meeting (held on the first Wednesday of the month with submissions closing 7 days prior. Late applications will be held over to the following month);
- Authority gives “in principle” approval to proceed and advises Pharmaceutical Services Board and Medicare;
- Carry out your alterations;
- When work is completed, you should carry out a self-inspection check, using Form SIF “Pharmacy Self Inspection Form”;
- Submit Form ACA “Advice of Completion of Alterations to Premises” to the Authority;
- The Authority will issue a final approval for alterations. You may now use the area. The approval may consist of some conditions which you will need to advise and/or undertake for the approval to be enforced;
- An Authority Inspector will arrange a time with you to visit the pharmacy premises and conduct a formal inspection;
- The Authority will consider the Inspection Report at the next available meeting and will formally advise of any remedial work or action required, with a time frame for your response;
What do I need to submit with my Alterations Application?
If you application does not contain all required information, it will be returned to you, incurring more time required for approval. Please ensure the following are included with your application:
- All sections of the form are completed, including those not applicable to you. In this case, mark the section N/A
- Enclose a floor plan of the premises, (preferably professionally drawn and to scale), which clearly shows:
- Location, dimensions and area of dispensary. Please clearly mark the boundary of the dispensary on the plans.
- Location of areas for storage and display of Schedule 2 and Schedule 3 medication (which must comly with Poisons Regulation). Please clearly mark the plans showing the 4m boundary for Schedule 2 medications ensuring clear line of sight from the dispensary.
- Is constructed in a manner which minimises distractions to dispensary processes;
- Location, dimensions and area of dispensing benches, including height of benches and height of any screens between the dispensary and trading area;
- Location of stainless steel sink and reticulated hot and cold water
- Locations of Narcotics safe, refrigerator and heating facilities for the dispensing and compounding of drugs and medicines;
- Location(s) of computer equipment and showing the area of bench space occupied by this equipment;
- Location of dispensing robot if used. Brand and model number to be noted;
- Location and dimensions of counselling area or room
- Location and dimensions of vaccination/immunisation area or room;
- Location and dimensions of storeroom(s) or secure unpacking area;
- Location and dimensions of trading area; including counters and gondolas
- Location(s) and dimension(s) of any other rooms or areas, eg office, staffroom, beauty treatment room, earpiercing room, pregnancy testing room, toilets;
- Location and dimensions of any agencies, eg Post Office, Bank or ATM , Health Insurance, Tattslotto, Credit Union;
- Location of doors and windows
- A copy of the Council Building Permit if relevant
- Plans to make the area accessible for disabled patients
- Documentation relating other businesses operating from within the pharmacy, eg Franchise Agreements