What happens if non-compliances are identified during the renewal inspection of my pharmacy?

If a Department of Health inspector finds during a renewal inspection that your pharmacy does not comply with the Code of Practice for Authorised Sellers of Poisons, the subsequent process will depend on the seriousness of the non-compliance. For minor shortcomings, such as incomplete records or a small number of items being stored incorrectly, the inspector will usually issue an oral or written warning and require you to make corrections within a specified period. However, if a serious breach is found, such as storage conditions that fall significantly short of requirements, poor management of prescription medicines or a safety hazard, the Drug Office may suspend processing of your renewal application until you have completed all necessary corrective actions and passed a follow-up inspection. In the worst case, if the breach is extremely serious, disciplinary proceedings may be initiated.