Individual privacy has been at the core of recent administrative and legislative changes in industry and the community.

New measures covering security, access, supervision, record-keeping and confidentiality have been introduced to ensure the privacy of patients visiting Victorian pharmacies. Pharmacies must comply with the regulations before the Pharmacy Board approves new or existing premises. These include:

1. different areas of the pharmacy premises are to be clearly distinguishable, secure and suitable for their purpose;
   
   
2. security of the premises and the control of keys and/or other entry devices to the premises must be restricted to authorised, registered pharmacists;
   
   
3. no access is to be granted to the dispensary area of the pharmacy except under the direct supervision of a registered pharmacist;
   
   
4. a registered pharmacist must oversee that part of the pharmacy where pharmacy services are provided at all times;
   
   
5. all written records about medicines supplied and dispensed are to be kept secure and confidential; and
   
   
6. an appropriate area is to be made available where private, confidential discussions can occur between the pharmacist and a patient.

By restricting access to certain areas of the pharmacy, keeping records secure and making available an area for private counselling, it is hoped the privacy of patients will be better protected and they will feel less concerned, embarrassed or anxious when obtaining advice and/or medication from pharmacists.

Recent changes to the planning policy for pharmacies also may help pharmacists to comply with their obligation relative to patient privacy. These include:

1. setting minimum floor areas for the size of the dispensary depending on the size of the pharmacy premises;
   
   
2. setting a minimum number of dispensing stations depending on the average number of prescriptions administered on a usual day or the total floor space of the pharmacy premises;
   
   
3. requiring a dedicated counselling area fitted with privacy screens; and
   
   
4. recommending the provision of a separate dedicated client waiting area.

While the issue of client privacy and confidentiality is just one aspect of the approval process, it is an important issue likely to take some conscious reassessment of the practice of some pharmacy businesses, over and above more basic changes such as to the layout of pharmacy premises. Consumers are better informed about their right to privacy these days and are more likely to seek to enforce them than they were in the past.

 

If you would like any further information or advice on your privacy requirements or any aspect of the approval process for pharmacy premises, please contact Damien Wurzel on +613 9608 2288 or d.wurzel@cornwalls.com.au or Nicole Stevens-Warton on +613 9608 2264 or n.stevens-warton@cornwalls.com.au.