Insights

Dispensing with inappropriate behaviour – a guide for pharmacists

This article was first published by the Pharmaceutical Defence Limited (PDL) in their November 2023 PDL Practice Alert. In recent years since the #MeToo movement has gained widespread support, we have seen increasing media reporting and public interest in inappropriate workplace behaviours (Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, Russell Brand to name a few). Similarly, there has […]

Case Note | The Supreme Court of Queensland again orders a permanent stay of proceedings in a child abuse claim, meanwhile the High Court of Australia overturns one

In August 2022, the Supreme Court of Queensland granted a permanent stay of proceedings in the matter of Willmot v State of Queensland[1], which involved allegations of child sexual and physical abuse occurring between 1957 and 1967.  Chief Justice Bowskill concluded that a fair trial was not possible due to the passage of time since […]

High Court of Australia grants application for special leave to appeal a decision to permanently stay proceedings involving historical child sexual abuse

Warning: This Case Note discusses serious sexual and physical abuse. We recently published a Case Note about the Queensland Supreme Court decision of Willmot v State of Queensland [2022] QSC 167, which outlined when a permanent stay should be granted in a case involving allegations of historical sexual and physical abuse that were said to […]

Willmot v State of Queensland [2022] QSC 167

Warning: This Case Note discusses serious sexual and physical abuse. In its recent decision of Willmot v State of Queensland,[1] the Supreme Court considered whether a permanent stay should be granted in a case involving allegations of historical sexual and physical abuse that were said to have occurred between 1957 and 1967. Accepting that her […]

Complex Compounding – How does a pharmacist prove competency?

The focus of this article is to explore how an individual pharmacist can create and maintain the documentation which may assist them in proving to the Pharmacy Board of Australia (Board) that they have met the training requirements for complex compounding. What is compounding? Drug compounding is the combining of individual ingredients in the exact […]

A cautionary note to all health practitioners: don’t be caught out by section 130 of the National Law!

With increasing frequency in recent times, Meridian Lawyers is acting for registered health practitioners who have been the subject of investigation and/or disciplinary action for failure to comply with their obligation to notify their National Board of a ‘relevant event’. This article also serves to remind health practitioners and students[1] of their obligations to notify, […]

Social Media: What’s OK – What’s Not

Today’s health practitioner graduates do not know a world without social media – it’s part of their DNA and it is here to stay. Social media platforms span our personal and professional lives and can play an important role in public health education and the marketing of health services. While regulated health service providers and […]

Owing prescriptions – are you courting danger?

Most pharmacists will have been asked to dispense prescription-only medicines to patients who do not have a valid prescription. Although Pharmacy Dispensing Software (PDS) allows for the processing and supply of medicines without a valid prescription, thereby creating an ‘owing’, there is no legislation that provides for this. Pharmacists assisting their patients should familiarise themselves […]

You have received a notification – what now?

The practice of pharmacy is highly regulated and modern society is becoming increasingly litigious. With that in mind, pharmacists should anticipate that they may be contacted by a statutory authority or investigator at some stage during their careers. In 2017-18, 1.9% of pharmacists in Australia were the subject of notification to AHPRA[1]. Common statutory authorities […]

Ask for help, and ask early – advice for surviving an AHPRA notification

Meridian Lawyers regularly assists health practitioners who have been the subject of notification to statutory health authorities such as AHPRA, HCCC and the OHO. Our role is to help these practitioners understand, respond to and navigate the complaints process.  Unfortunately, we regularly hear clients express distress that they are the subject of complaint. Many suffer […]

Case Note: Bergin v Queensland Cork & Timber Solutions Pty Ltd [2019] QDC 141

A cautionary tale: The risks of failing to test a witness’ evidence before trial, and the benefits of requesting a plaintiff commit to a version of events at the outset of a claim Bergin v Queensland Cork & Timber Solutions Pty Ltd [2019] QDC 141 is a decision recently delivered by Her Honour Judge Vicki […]

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