Applying for an “Authorised Seller of Poisons” (ASP) licence, commonly known as a community pharmacy licence, differs fundamentally from applying for a Wholesale Dealer Licence in terms of procedures and requirements. The key differences concern staffing and the function of the premises. A pharmacy must have a registered pharmacist present to personally supervise the sale of all controlled medicines, which means you must employ a full-time registered pharmacist. A wholesale dealer, on the other hand, must appoint a Responsible Person (RP). As for the premises, a pharmacy is a retail shop open to the public, and its layout, design and location should facilitate access to medicines by the public, with a dedicated dispensing area and consultation area. A wholesaler's warehouse is a non-public storage and logistics centre. As with a pharmacy application, the approval process involves an on-site inspection by the Department of Health and approval by the PPB committee, but the inspection focuses more on compliance in retail operations, the pharmacist's presence and the management of prescription medicines.
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What are the key differences in the approval procedures for an “Authorised Seller of Poisons” (Pharmacy) licence and a Wholesale Dealer Licence?
A complete explanation of the regulatory basis, Drew Tang’s recommendations and risk alerts. The original material dates from 2025; read it alongside the latest official requirements.
Original guide, 2025 edition: These FAQs are provided for topic-based reference and have not all been individually checked against current rules. Please confirm fees, personnel, renewal, changes and product requirements against the professional in-depth guide for the relevant licence type and the official requirements in force at the time.
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