The impact of Government policy and the regulatory environment on pharmacists’ practice in community pharmacy in Australia

This study investigated the impact of regulation on pharmacists’ professional services in community pharmacy and their capacity to support safe and appropriate use of medicines. It determined that Government funding has benefited pharmacy owners and the development of price and volume focused business models at the expense of service focused models. While regulation has facilitated the public’s access to medicines it has provided little support to ensure medicines are used to best effect. Regulatory reform should maximise support for public health over commercial interests. Quality use of medicines should be integrated with access to medicines as the key objective of pharmacy-related policy, while regulatory change should prevent monopolistic developments and other forms of market dominance.