PBS approval numbers
Updated November 9th 2011
Victorian Pharmacy Brokers usually have PBS approval numbers available for sale, subject to the Purchaser's application meeting the strict criteria required to submit an application to open or relocate a pharmacy to the Australian Community Pharmacy Authority (ACPA).
All applications submitted to the ACPA for approval must be made using the approved form and must include:-
•a complete and signed section 90 application form that nominates the pharmacy relocation rule under which the application is made; applications can only be submitted until 15th April 2012 and the applicant must satisfy the ACPA that before October 18th 2011 the applicant had the legal right to occupy the proposed premises.
•specific evidence relating to the relevant distance requirement made under Rules 125, 126 or 127 and
•evidence that the applicant has a legal right to occupy the proposed premises;
•a floor plan of the proposed premises
•evidence that the proposed premises can be used for the purpose of operating a pharmacy;
•a declaration regarding whether the proposed premises are accessible from within a supermarket;
•evidence of when the applicant will commence trading at the proposed premises
Please refer to the following website for complete details:- http://www.health.gov.au/ACPA
Providing that the Vendor of the PBS Approval Number and VPB are satisfied that the application satisfies the ACPA requirement that on or before October 18th 2011 the applicant had the legal right to occupy the proposed premises, a PBS approval number can be secured after the price is agreed to, this usually this takes 3 – 5 days from the initial enquiry and a deposit of 10% of the agreed purchase price is paid into our Trust account. Please be aware that GST is payable with all approval number sales, there may also stamp duty payable also. In some states or territories.The current price for relocatable PBS approval numbers is $275,000 plus GST, VPB recommend that if you are considering submitting an application to the ACPA to relocate a pharmacy under rules 126 or 127 you should seek the services of a person who has extensive experience and success in ACPA approvals.
VPB can introduce you to various people and organisations that can facilitate your application if required.For further information on selling or purchasing a PBS Approval Number please contact Ken or Paul, if it's not convenient for you to talk during business hours please forward an email, please include in your email your contact details and a brief summary of whether you are considering selling a PBS Approval Number or want to purchaser a PBS Approval Number.
Please call either Ken Green or Paul Meehan on 03 9593 1111 or send an email to ken@vpb.com.au or.
A summary of the New Pharmacy Location Rules that came into effect on October 18th 2011 (sourced from:- www.health.gov.au/ACPA
Any Application to establish a new pharmacy or relocate and existing pharmacy lodged on or after October 18th 2011 is considered under the Pharmacy Location Rules v1.0, 18 October 2011
The rules have converted 5 previous relocation rules to new approval rules meaning that an existing approval number is no longer required to be relocated before a pharmacy can be established in “facilities” such as Small and Large Shopping Centres, Large Medical Centres, Private Hospitals and “one pharmacy towns”. For a full definitions of “facilities” and “one pharmacy towns” please refer to the glossary on pages 53 to 56 of the Pharmacy Location Rules – Applicant’s Handbook v1.0, 18 October 2011 which is available on the Department of Health & Aging website:- www.health.gov.au/ACPA or by phoning 132 290 & asking to speak to the Pharmacy Planning Officer.The Rules set out location-based criteria which must be met in order for the Australian Community Pharmacy Authority (the ACPA) to recommend approval of a pharmacist. The ACPA cannot override the requirements of the Rules. It can only recommend that an application be approved if it is satisfied that all of the requirements of the Rule, under which the application was made, have been met. Similarly, the Authority is unable to recommend that an application be approved if it is not satisfied that each of the requirements have been met.
All applications will continue to be lodged through the Department of Human Services (Medicare). Applications made on or after 18 October 2011 will be assessed under the amended Rules and will require the use of a new application form available on the Medicare website. Applicants wishing to lodge an application for consideration under the amended Rules should consult the Pharmacy Location Rules – Applicant’s Handbook, v1.0, 18 October 2011Applications made up to and including 17 October 2011 will continue to be assessed under the Rules in place for that period, and applicants should consult the Pharmacy Location Rules - Application's Handbook March 2009.
It is up to the applicant to select the rule which best suits their situation as each rule has different requirements. Applicants must satisfy all of the requirements for a particular rule if they are to receive a recommendation for approval from the ACPA.A completed application form must be lodged with Medicare, together with all of the supporting documents before the deadline for the corresponding ACPA meeting. Medicare will register applications before forwarding them to the ACPA secretariat in the Department of Health and Ageing.
Please note: It is advisable for an applicant to retain the original documentation and provide copies with the application as no paperwork will be returned.
ACPA Meeting dates 2011-2012
The ACPA meeting dates for the end of 2011 and for 2012 and the corresponding application lodgement timeframes for complete applications to be received by Medicare are outlined in the table below. Please note these dates are subject to change
Note: Application lodgement timeframes are to ensure that Medicare and the ACPA Secretariat have sufficient time to process and register applications, undertake consultation with third parties and for the ACPA to give proper consideration of applications.
ACPA Meeting |
Timeframe to lodge an Application with Medicare Australia |
|
Friday |
From (Tuesday) |
To (Monday) |
16 Dec 2011 |
18 Oct 2011 |
14 Nov 2011 |
20 Jan 2012 |
15 Nov 2011 |
19 Dec 2011 |
24 Feb 2012 |
20 Dec 2011 |
16 Jan 2012 |
30 March 2012 |
17 Jan 2012 |
20 Feb 2012 |
27 April 2012 |
21 Feb 2012 |
19 March 2012 |
25 May 2012 |
20 March 2012 |
16 April 2012 |
29 June 2012 |
17 April 2012 |
21 May 2012 |
27 July 2012 |
22 May 2012 |
18 June 2012 |
24 Aug 2012 |
19 June 2012 |
16 July 2012 |
28 Sept 2012 |
17 July 2012 |
20 August 2012 |
26 Oct 2012 |
21 Aug 2012 |
17 Sept 2012 |
23 Nov 2012 |
18 Sept 2012 |
15 Oct 2012 |
14 Dec 2012 |
16 Oct 2012 |
12 Nov 2012 |