COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT OF PHARMACISTS

What type of complaint?
All complaints regarding the professional conduct of registered pharmacists are referred to the Pharmacy Board for investigation.

Complaints which are of a commercial nature e.g. concerns regarding pricing, should be referred to the Health Complaints Commissioner in the first instance and may be dealt with directly by the Health Complaints Commission. The Health Complaints Commission is the independent statutory body established by the Tasmanian Government to deal with health complaints.

Who may lodge a complaint?
Any person may make a complaint regarding the professional practice of a registered pharmacist.

How is a complaint made?
Complaints must be made in writing and contain the following information:

· Particulars of the matter complained of.
· The name of the registered pharmacist against whom the complaint is being made.
· The name of the person making the complaint.

The written complaint may be lodged either with the Registrar of the Board or with the Health Complaints Commissioner.

If you wish to make a complaint about the professional practice of a Pharmacist download the complaints form here.

 

How does the Pharmacy Board deal with complaints?
On receipt of a formal written complaint regarding the professional practice of a registered pharmacist, the following actions may be taken:

1. The complaint may be dismissed if it is considered to be frivolous or vexatious.
    

2. An investigation committee may investigate the matter which may involve further information being obtained from the complainant and questioning of the registered pharmacist.
    

3. The pharmacist may be required to appear before a meeting of the Board for consideration of the complaint. The Board may formally caution or reprimand the pharmacist and accept an undertaking from the pharmacist to take or not take particular actions
    

4. The pharmacist may be required to appear before a formal hearing of the Board acting as a Disciplinary Tribunal. The Board may take the following actions:

• Remove the pharmacist’s name from the register

• Suspend the pharmacist for a period not exceeding twelve months

• Impose a fine on the pharmacist

• Impose a condition on the pharmacist’s registration

• Caution or reprimand the pharmacist

• Dismiss the complaint

The procedures to be followed by the Board are set out in Division 4 of the Pharmacists Registration Act 2001. Part 5 of the Act outlines the appeal mechanisms against decisions of the Board.

Download the Complaints Brochure here.

For further information contact the Registrar.