This morning at our Rotary meeting, Len Mullen, retired Pharmacist, gave us an overview of the workings of the pharmaceuticals industry and its links to government decision making.
Len, a member of the Matilda Bay Rotary Club, spoke briefly about how the pharmaceutical industry and government work together to ensure that people who need life saving drugs can access them at the best price that they can get. It is a complicated process but Len made it easier for us to understand the steps taken to get those medications to the consumer.
Work has been done to make it a national system, which includes New Zealand, to ensure labeling is consistent and meets current expectations.
Len spoke about a number of different elements of the industry - the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (which changes what is on 'the list' 4 times each year); the Therapeutic Goods Association, Pharmaceutical Schedules - which provide information about what can be accessed and at what level of involvement is required from the pharmacy; Pharmaceutical Council - which reviews courses; the Guild which ensures locations are suitable for pharmaceutical work.
Who knew that it was such a complex industry!?
Thanks Len for giving us a great insight into how it all works.