This report provides an economic evaluation of the establishment of a pharmacy council in Queensland.

On 3 May 2018, the Legislative Assembly referred an inquiry to the Health, Communities, Disability Services and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Committee (the Committee). The Committee is to inquire into the establishment of a pharmacy council and all transfers of pharmacy ownership in Queensland over the past two years to ensure compliance with the existing legislation.

The Committee has been asked to report on:

• the effectiveness of the current systems and processes in Queensland to regulate pharmacy business ownership in Queensland and protect Queensland customers
• the possible role and scope of responsibility of a pharmacy council, including any powers of enforcement and/or ability to impose penalties; pharmacists' and pharmacy assistants' roles and scope of practice; and interactions with other agencies or individuals involved in regulating pharmacy business and practice
• models of regulation of pharmacy business ownership in other jurisdictions
• a cost–benefit analysis of establishing a pharmacy council
• any changes to legislation that would be required to establish a pharmacy council, including, but not limited to, changes to the Pharmacy Business Ownership Act 2001, the Health Act 1937, and subordinate legislation, namely the Health (Drugs and Poisons) Regulation 1996 and the Health Regulation 1996
• all transfers of pharmacy ownership in Queensland over the past two years.

The Inquiry was initiated in response to industry concerns that the ownership restrictions embodied in the Pharmacy Business Ownership Act 2001 (Act)—that only a pharmacist can own a pharmacy—are not preventing market entry of certain pharmacy groups.