The First Aboriginal Owned Pharmacy

In 2000 The Tiwi Island Health Board acknowledged that to run an efficient pharmaceutical service, to suit the community's needs - they would have to do it themselves.

The Tiwi Health Board has already set a precedent in being the first to own and operate a pharmacy approved to dispense Pharmaceutical Benefits and not be owned by a pharmacist. This has been made possible because of the NT Pharmacy Act not requiring a pharmacist to own a pharmacy. The controversial nature of this approval has focused the attention of pharmacy leaders in Australia to the NT and the Tiwi Islands.

The experience being gained on the Tiwi Islands is showing that a pharmacist can improve the quality use of medicines in a remote setting. It has been possible to develop new systems that will allow clinicians in remote health clinics to have access to the latest in technology to assist them with medication management.

This logical and straight forward concept has evolved to ensure that patient care from the pharmacy is the best available and just as important, available from Aboriginal Health Workers within the community. A success story on the Tiwi Islands, Mirrijini Pty Ltd is now in a position to make its' products and services (and training in these services) available to other remote Aboriginal communities throughout the Northern Territory and Australia.