Builder-developer ALAND has drawn back the curtain on its first city-focused new apartment development.

The North Sydney development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-walden-north-sydney-173-179-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The Walden</a>, is the first time the company has ventured this close to the city, having previously completed thousands of apartments predominantly in Sydney's west, and more recently in Gosford.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aland">ALAND</a> acquired the prime North Sydney site, spanning Walker and Hampden Streets just down the road from the Victoria Cross Metro station, for $240 million in June.

Now they've unveiled the new project, a mix of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments across a 30-level building designed by Rothelowman.

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The Walden will capitalise on the site’s front-row position on the eastern fringe of the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/north-sydney-nsw-2060">North Sydney</a> CBD, which offers uninterrupted Sydney Harbour views stretching from the Sydney Harbour Bridge all the way to Sydney Heads.

The main tower will be flanked by a small four-level amenity building known as The Pavilion, offering exclusive resident-only amenities including a dedicated concierge service, a sauna and private wellness studio, a gymnasium and fitness studio, a resort-style rooftop pool and sundeck.

There will also be a&nbsp;residents’ lounge, private dining and a wine cellar, and co-working facilities with an on-site meeting room and boardroom.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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ALAND Founder Andrew Hrsto said the company knew they could create something "iconic" with The Walden when they saw the site.

&nbsp;

“As a company, we had been searching for a site in one of Sydney’s blue-chip locations, spanning the Eastern Suburbs, the Sydney CBD and the North Shore, and when we had the opportunity to purchase this site, we immediately recognised that it could be something iconic – being the last development with a view offering this exceptional.

“We identified the attributes and quality of the site as being perfectly aligned for ALAND – and we feel that this off-market acquisition is a perfect opportunity to showcase our craftmanship and expertise through a truly unique offering."

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Hrsto pointed to ALAND’s longstanding development expertise as a significant benefit in delivering a positive outcome for The Walden.

“Being a fully integrated development and construction business with a highly experienced team, we have the benefit of in-house experts across the development spectrum, from acquisitions, design, planning, and construction, to sales, marketing, property management, through to building management.

“As one of Australia’s largest private development and construction groups, we’ve been in operation for 23 years, with a Gold Star iCIRT rating and a 100 per cent delivery success rate across numerous masterplanned and mixed-use projects – and we’re very much looking forward to bringing this expertise to The Walden and contributing to the ongoing revitalisation of North Sydney."

The Walden is the latest development in Sydney to have the 10-year Latent Defects Insurance policy by Resilience Insurance, protecting buyers from any structural or waterproofing-related issues for 10 years post-completion.&nbsp;

Demolition of existing structures on The Walden site has already commenced through specialist civil contractor Moits, with the aim of completing preparatory ground works by the end of 2025, ahead of construction commencement in early 2026.

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Joel Robinson

ALAND unveils The Walden, North Sydney's latest luxury apartment development

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/toga-group">TOGA</a> has opened sales for the final building in Macquarie Rise, its latest mixed-use development in Macquarie Park.

Since launching its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/macquarie-rise-122-herring-road-macquarie-park-nsw-2113">Macquarie Rise</a> in late 2023, TOGA has secured over 125 sales in the Herring Road development, to a range of purchasers, from first home buyers to investors and downsizers. Around 65 per cent of purchasers have been owner-occupiers.

TOGA has now launched a new release of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments in the final building, Saunders Rise. Many of the apartments feature multi-purpose rooms and offer views of the surrounding greenery. Also part of the release is a series of&nbsp;sub penthouses housed on the upper floors.

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&nbsp;

“We’re delighted with the ongoing strong interest in our Macquarie Rise development, which is testament to the need for premium housing in this much-loved Sydney suburb,"&nbsp;Allan Vidor AM, Managing Director at TOGA, said.

"We’re proud to be able to offer buyers a unique product that includes luxury amenities, spacious living areas and flexible layouts, designed to suit all kinds of buyers, from young professionals to families and investors.

“We have long been advocates of Macquarie Park, and once Macquarie Rise is complete, TOGA will have built 1,000 apartments in the area, delivering much needed homes within a thriving precinct. It’s great to see the area become renowned for high-quality apartments, proximity to amenities and green spaces."

TOGA, one of Australia’s few Gold Star iCIRT rated developers, is also handling construction of Macquarie Rise. They are on track to complete the building in 2027.

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Macquarie Rise boasts a prime location, placing residents within immediate reach of Macquarie Centre, Macquarie University, and the newly completed Macquarie University Metro, connecting to the Sydney CBD is just over 20 minutes.

&nbsp;

Macquarie Rise residents also have access to Club Rise, an exclusive, residents only lounge designed by luxury hotel designers Stack Studio, offering an abundance of work and break-out areas, a Pilates studio, a gym, and a karaoke room. As well as these premium amenities Macquarie Rise will also feature an impressive podium top 20m lap pool.

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“Offering luxury, spacious apartments in a vibrant and well-connected neighbourhood, it’s no surprise that Macquarie Rise remains popular with a range of buyers," said TOGA's General Manager of Sales, Anthony Falas.&nbsp;

"With interest rates tracking downwards, we expect the final apartments to continue to receive high levels of interest.”

Located at 122 Herring Road, Macquarie Park, the development will be delivered in partnership with Baptist Union NSW and Morling College with a value of over $400 million.

&nbsp;

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TOGA launches final stage apartments in Macquarie Rise

Southern Cross Station anchors the western end of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">Melbourne</a>’s CBD, connecting metropolitan and regional rail with tram and bus interchanges in one of the city’s busiest transport corridors.&nbsp;

Just metres away, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/640-bourke-street-melbourne-640-bourke-street-melbourne-vic-3000">640 Bourke Street</a>&nbsp;will place residents in the heart of the city, with immediate access to Spencer Street trams, a growing mix of retail, hospitality and cultural venues, and a neighbourhood evolving into a lively residential precinct.

Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/far-east-consortium">Far East Consortium</a>, the 68-level project integrates a sculptural glass tower with the heritage-listed Eliza Tinsley Building on a 2,765 sqm Bourke St site.&nbsp;

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Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, the development replaces a previously approved scheme for 813 apartments with a refined offering of just over 600 larger-format residences, responding to a growing owner-occupier demand for spacious city living.

The location sits within a dynamic pocket undergoing significant transformation. Marvel Stadium and the Docklands waterfront are less than 10 minutes away on foot, offering both sports and leisure attractions.&nbsp;

Bourke Street Mall, Queen Victoria Market, and the State Library are all within walking distance, while Flagstaff Gardens, Melbourne’s oldest park, provides a green escape just to the north.

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Proximity to some of the city’s largest employers and education hubs, including the courts precinct, legal chambers, RMIT, and major hospitals, makes 640 Bourke Street an appealing residential address for professionals, families and students alike.

Education opportunities span all levels. Nearby, Haileybury City Campus offers private schooling just a short walk from 640 Bourke Street. Just beyond the CBD fringe, Carlton Gardens Primary School, one of Melbourne’s oldest state primary schools, and Docklands Primary School provide convenient government schooling options.

Higher education is equally accessible. RMIT University’s city campus spans multiple buildings just a few blocks away, while the University of Melbourne’s Parkville campus is easily reached via tram along Swanston or Elizabeth Streets.

Victoria University’s City Queen campus, focused on law and business, is also close by, positioning 640 Bourke Street within walking distance of three of Melbourne’s major tertiary institutions.

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The neighbourhood’s retail tapestry continues to evolve into something distinctly local and walkable. Just steps away, Woolworths Metro on Bourke Street ensures that everyday essentials are easily within reach.&nbsp;

For larger shopping trips, Spencer Outlet Centre on Spencer Street and QV Melbourne on the opposite side of the CBD broaden the offering with supermarkets, fashion, dining and specialty stores.

The lane-to-lane vibe unfolds beautifully in nearby arcades and alleys. Hardware Lane, with its European-style red-brick paving and alfresco dining, pulses with jazzy evenings and casual lunches.

A few minutes north, Howey Place and Centre Place offer leafy, boutique-lined lanes where hidden cafés and niche retailers congregate under historic glass-covered cloisters.

Completing this tapestry is the newly opened Mecca “beauty playground” on Bourke Street. Spanning 4,000 sqm over three levels, the flagship blends immersive retail within an art-deco heritage setting.

&nbsp;

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This finely grained network of shops, eateries, arcades and service outlets defines the everyday lifestyle at 640 Bourke Street - further enriched by over 3,000 sqm of resident amenity including a Turkish-inspired pool, gym, co-working rooms and private cinemas.&nbsp;

Apartments are priced between&nbsp;$640,000 and $3.95 million. Off the plan stamp duty concessions available until October 2026. Prospective buyers can visit the on site display gallery which has&nbsp;fully built one, two, and three-bedroom apartments.

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640 Bourke Street: A heritage address at the heart of Melbourne

Lower North Shore development specialists&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/abadeen-group">Abadeen</a>&nbsp;has topped out its new local apartment development,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/northcote-collective-naremburn-2-6-northcote-street-naremburn-nsw-2065">Northcote Collective</a>.&nbsp;

Located in the tightly held suburb of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/naremburn-nsw-2065">Naremburn</a>, Northcote Collective is a collection of just 58 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments designed by award-winning architects Rothelowman.&nbsp;

The building is just a five to 10 minute walk from the heart of Crows Nest and the new&nbsp;St Leonards and Crows Nest Metro stations. Abadeen has also brought doorstep convenience, with a ground-floor retail offering on Northcote Street.

Northcote Collective is being delivered by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/decode">Decode</a> — an iCIRT-rated construction company well regarded in the new development industry.

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“This is an important and exciting moment for Northcote Collective, and we’re proud to celebrate this milestone with our partners, consultants, and future residents,” said Justin Brown, Executive Chairman and Founder of Abadeen.&nbsp;

“From the outset, our vision was to create something truly special for Naremburn — homes that respect the character of the neighbourhood while elevating the standard of Lower North Shore living. With connectivity to transport, retail on the doorstep and a true village lifestyle, this milestone also comes at a perfect time when buyer confidence is returning to the market. I am incredibly proud of our team and of Decode for their dedication in helping us bring this vision to life.”

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The development is two-tiered, with two rooftops for residents. The taller building has an impressive rooftop pool, a rare inclusion in the new Sydney apartment market. The level, with panoramic views, also includes an entertaining terrace with barbecue facilities.

Local downsizers and young professionals are showing the strongest interest in the development, with recent improvements in the property market — supported by three rate cuts in 2025 — boosting borrowing power and buyer confidence.

Auction activity across Sydney surged by almost 30 per cent in recent weeks, with clearance rates above 70 per cent — signalling a renewed wave of buyer demand.

Northcote Collective will welcome buyers in 2026.

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Abadeen tops out Northcote Collective in Naremburn

Sunshine Coast-based <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/devcon-property-group">Devcon Property Group</a> has acquired one of Maroochydore’s most prominent development sites for $12 million unlocking the potentialfor a mixed-use project in the Cotton Tree precinct.

&nbsp;

The 4,178 sqm site at 41–43 Aerodrome Road—well known locally as the former home to one of Australia’s last Sizzler restaurants—was sold via an off-market expressions of interest campaign by Colliers agents Nick Dowling and Baydn Dodds. More than 70 targeted buyer groups were approached, resulting in multiple competitive offers for the property.

Devcon Property Group Managing Director Michael Kain said the acquisition was a strategic move in line with the company’s focus on delivering high-quality projects in prime coastal locations.&nbsp;

“We’re excited about the possibilities this site, in one of the Sunshine Coast’s most iconic beachside &nbsp;communities, offers for a broad range of development outcomes,” Kain said.

“Its location, ocean view potential, and proximity to the Maroochydore CBD and beach make it an &nbsp;outstanding development prospect. Our plans are to refurbish the existing building and then review &nbsp;development options for the remainder of the site.”&nbsp;

<img alt="Aerodrome Rd site overlooking Beach (Large)" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a29dc4ed-68c1-4bec-a4fc-283063dcde1e" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Aerodrome%20Rd%20site%20overlooking%20Beach%20%28Large%29.jpg?VersionId=b0WxJWevmLoAfCP4YvGImZpR3rSCJJ9L" />

Colliers Special Projects Manager Baydn Dodds said the sale reflected the ongoing strength of the &nbsp;Sunshine Coast’s development site market, particularly for projects capable of achieving water views. &nbsp;

“Sites of this scale, in walkable beachside locations with ocean views, are tightly held and continue to attract significant interest from both local and national developers,” Baydn Dodds said. &nbsp;

“Holding a prominent position as the former home to one of Australia’s last Sizzler restaurants and more recently occupied by Rashays, the prime site is located just 150 metres from Maroochydore Beach.&nbsp;

“With stunning ocean view potential, located in one of the Sunshine Coast’s best known iconic &nbsp;beachside communities, within steps of shops, cafes and the beach it is no surprise that there was strong interest in the site. The transaction highlights the ongoing depth of demand for well-located &nbsp;mixed-use sites across the Sunshine Coast.”&nbsp;

Colliers Sunshine Coast Managing Director Nick Dowling said the transaction reinforced the &nbsp;Sunshine Coast’s status as one of Australia’s most active development markets.&nbsp;

“The combination of strong population growth, lifestyle appeal, and infrastructure investment is &nbsp;driving demand for quality development opportunities,” Nick Dowling said. &nbsp;

“The Sunshine Coast is one of only three markets nationally to record an increase in crane numbers, &nbsp;reflecting the strength of the region’s construction pipeline.&nbsp;

“Opportunities like this are rare and continue to generate strong buyer interest in the region.”&nbsp;

The Sunshine Coast development market is booming, with several high-profile developers like Cube Developments, Gardner Vaughan Group, and RCQ, planning developments in the region.

Devcon buys Sunshine Coast’s former Sizzler site for new apartment development

Pharmacy

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Two Potts Point CBD fringe retail chemists/pharmacies have been offered for lease.
One is at 4/81 Macleay Street, featuring 128 sqm of NLA.
The second is at 91 Darlinghurst Road (pictured above) with 100 sqm of NLA.
Dillon Frain and Nik Simonovic of Burgess Rawson are marketing the properties.
Although they are currently approved as pharmacies, it is noted in the marketing material that they may suit a wide variety of retail uses.<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/10/28/Darlinghurst%20Road%20Chemist%202.JPG" alt="">
The Darlinghurst Road property, currently tenanted to Crest Hotel Chemist (pictured above) is located in close proximity to the Kings Cross station.
The Macleay Street holding is currently home to the Amcal Pharmacy, within the Ikon development.
</body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Two Potts Point pharmacies seek new lessors

<html><body>
EXPERT OBSERVER
 
On the way home, you wander into the supermarket for a loaf of bread. But before you reach the bread aisle, you drop in your prescription at the supermarket pharmacy. Shopping done, you pick up your pills on the way out.
Across the US, UK and mainland Europe, supermarket pharmacies are becoming the norm. But in Australia, they’re banned.
The Commonwealth government is negotiating the <a href="https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/New-7th-Community-Pharmacy-Agreement" target="_blank">seventh Community Pharmacy Agreement</a> with pharmacists, which outlines how community pharmacy is delivered over the next five years, who delivers it and where.
So could pharmacies in supermarkets be an option for Australia?
<h2>How common are they?</h2>
Overseas, pharmacies have been in supermarkets for decades. In the UK, supermarkets like <a href="https://www.asda.com/about/instore/pharmacy" target="_blank">ASDA</a>, <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/56e1a52d40f0b6037900001d/Tesco_hearing_summary.pdf" target="_blank">Tesco</a>, <a href="https://my.morrisons.com/help/information/store-services/pharmacy/" target="_blank">Morrisons</a> and <a href="https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/gb/groceries/get-ideas/our-instore-services/--sainsburys-pharmacy?storeId=10151&amp;langId=44&amp;krypto=3Yh4GQ%2BNdq51nNqI8mxTmkZXe9Ggb9L33GTajzfwdGXhiQftJrJArZAib4hw%2Bs8JTxwLH2HfrQCChmYTBIAbS7BEz2U5FalmUXfV%2FK4wt6OhdFjJrMlhiZMBhuu2s45yNiOQDTkMs%2BONJUT5MWYlSGhWL5pH5YQM9gRqD0wFloM%3D&amp;ddkey=https%3Agb%2Fgroceries%2Fget-ideas%2Four-instore-services%2F--sainsburys-pharmacy" target="_blank">Sainsbury’s</a> have them. And so do <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.walmart.com/cp/pharmacy-services/1088604" target="_blank">Walmart</a>, <a href="https://www.kroger.com/topic/pharmacy" target="_blank">Kroger</a> and <a href="http://www.publix.com/pharmacy-wellness/pharmacy/pharmacy-services" target="_blank">Publix</a> in the US.
Canada’s largest supermarket Loblaw <a href="https://www.thestar.com/business/2010/05/04/loblaw_plans_drugstore_expansion" target="_blank">announced plans</a> in 2010 to expand more aggressively into the pharmacy business. It later bought pharmacy chain <a href="https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/loblaw-companies-limited-completes-acquisition-of-shoppers-drug-mart-corporation-514006661" target="_blank">Shoppers Drug Mart</a>.
<h2>Arguments against</h2>
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia argues pharmacies in supermarkets means community pharmacies would be unable to compete, supermarkets would put shareholders’ interests ahead of patients, and consumer protection would be lost. Such critics argue supermarkets would push smaller players out of the market, limiting consumer choice and access.
The Guild also suggests it would be hypocritical for supermarkets to run pharmacies when <a href="https://www.guild.org.au/news-events/news/2013/12/19/supermarkets-and-health-care-don-t-mix" target="_blank">they rely on</a> cigarette and alcohol sales.
Overseas, there is public support for small, independently run community pharmacies over supermarket-owned ones.
For instance, in 2013 <a href="https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/residents-rallied-behind-helsby-pharmacy-5191264" target="_blank">almost 2,000 people petitioned against</a> supermarket giant Tesco, fearing an existing pharmacy across the road would be “bulldozed” out of business.
<h2>Arguments for</h2>
The main arguments for pharmacies in supermarkets seem to be they would offer the public a <a href="https://www.retailwire.com/discussion/would-you-go-to-walmart-to-see-a-doctor/" target="_blank">cheaper and more convenient service</a>.
For instance, <a href="https://corporate.walmart.com/newsroom/2005/01/04/wal-mart-unveils-24-hour-pharmacies" target="_blank">Walmart</a> employs more than 10,000 pharmacists across 3,000 retail pharmacies throughout the US and launched a 24 hour pharmacy service over a decade ago. Then it began dispensing generic medications for as <a href="https://corporate.walmart.com/newsroom/2006/09/20/wal-mart-cuts-generic-prescription-medicines-to-4" target="_blank">little as US$4</a>.
Supermarkets also seem committed to supporting pharmacies in store, despite tough times. In 2019, Tesco, which runs 300 in-store pharmacies, <a href="https://www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk/news/tesco-pharmacy-staff-9000-job-cuts" target="_blank">reported</a> no pharmacy staff positions would be lost when 9,000 store positions became redundant.
There are also <a href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/a-chemist-can-own-a-supermarket-but-supermarkets-cant-own-a-pharmacy/news-story/fe97c42c3d2b55bbb613559cbf194cc1" target="_blank">claims of hypocrisy</a>. Why does existing Australian legislation prevent a supermarket from owning a pharmacy, but not a pharmacy from owning a supermarket?
<h2>What might work in Australia?</h2>
If Australia follows international trends, we might consider two models:
<ul>
<li>straight-out ownership, where a supermarket owns a chain of pharmacies and employs pharmacists to run them, or</li>
<li>a strategic alliance, where a pharmacy chain, like Chemist Warehouse, has smaller versions of its stores inside a supermarket.</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/292346/original/file-20190913-35596-1bt65lt.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/292346/original/file-20190913-35596-1bt65lt.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=237&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a> In-store pharmacies might be convenient, but is that enough to convince policy makers they’re right for Australia? <a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/pharmacy-pickup-area-237587" target="_blank">from www.shutterstock.com</a>
Examples of straight-out ownership include Sainsbury’s in the UK and Walmart in the US. This arrangement allows them to sell these assets at a later stage.
This is what happened with Sainsbury’s, which <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jul/29/sainsburys-sells-pharmacy-business-celesio-125m" target="_blank">sold its 281-store pharmacy business</a> to Celesio, the owner of the Lloyds Pharmacy chain, for £125m in 2015. Sainsbury’s indicated the move would enable further growth, while extending their pharmacy services to customers.
In an example of a strategic alliance, UK pharmacy chain Boots and supermarket Waitrose <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/experts-weigh-marketing-benefits-waitrose-boot-tie-up/941645?src_site=brandrepublic" target="_blank">agreed in 2009 to stock each other’s products</a>.
<a href="https://www.boots.com/stores/6313-lichfield-waitrse-ws13-6rx" target="_blank">Boots supplied</a> health care, pharmaceutical products and services, like flu jabs and medical check-ups to Waitrose, and Waitrose supplied food to Boots. Pharmacies in 13 Waitrose stores were also re-branded “Boots Pharmacy”.
 
However, existing legislation prevents either option in Australia unless changes are made in the new Community Pharmacy Agreement. This is because <a href="https://www.guild.org.au/news-events/news/forefront/v08n16/ownership-a-foundation-stone" target="_blank">current pharmacy ownership rules</a> prevent supermarkets or anyone (other than a pharmacist) from owning a pharmacy.
If ownership rules were lifted, but <a href="https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/DDB409EBB18FCE8FCA257BF0001D3C0C/%24File/Pharmacy%20Location%20Rules%20Applicants%20Handbook%20December%202018.pdf" target="_blank">location</a> rules remained, supermarkets would be prevented from operating pharmacies opening within 1.5km of one another.
This means if Coles had an in-store pharmacy, then Woolworths across the road, could not operate one, and vice versa. And if there was already a pharmacy in the neighbourhood, neither could open one, even if ownership rules were relaxed.
<h2>Are we set for regulation or liberalisation?</h2>
The <a href="https://www.guild.org.au/" target="_blank">Pharmacy Guild of Australia</a>, which represents owners of community pharmacies, and the <a href="https://www.psa.org.au/" target="_blank">Pharmaceutical Society of Australia</a>, which represents individual pharmacists, both support current ownership rules — strong regulation over ownership and location.
However, pharmacy giant Chemist Warehouse and Ramsay Health Care (which owns pharmacies as well as private hospitals), <a href="http://competitionpolicyreview.gov.au/files/2015/03/Competition-policy-review-report_online.pdf" target="_blank">say</a> ownership rules are redundant and ineffective. And they’re not alone.
Critics of the current Community Pharmacy Agreement <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/208-2016-09-23-grattan-institute-submission.pdf" target="_blank">argue</a> over-regulation of pharmacies, particularly surrounding ownership and location, limits competition and growth.
And in 2015 the <a href="http://competitionpolicyreview.gov.au/final-report/" target="_blank">Harper Report</a> into competition policy recommended:
[…] pharmacy ownership and location rules should be removed in the long-term interests of consumers. They should be replaced with regulations to ensure access to medicines and quality of advice regarding their use that do not unduly restrict competition.
European countries seem to be moving towards deregulation. In 2017 Italy <a href="https://www.hlregulation.com/2017/08/02/italy-opens-the-door-to-corporate-ownership-of-pharmacies-a-revolution-for-the-italian-pharma-distribution/" target="_blank">passed legislation</a> to allow corporate entities to own a pharmacy business, and also increased the number of pharmacies a proprietor may own.
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/292339/original/file-20190913-190044-1tczc4s.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/292339/original/file-20190913-190044-1tczc4s.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a> In the US, in-store pharmacies in supermarkets are common, convenient and can offer cheaper products. But current Australian pharmacy ownership rules ban them. <a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/shopping-basket-pills-concept-buying-drugs-1289871286?src=-1-2" target="_blank">from www.shutterstock.com</a>
So what are the impacts of deregulation? If we look at <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168851009002875" target="_blank">evidence</a> from Europe, when the UK relaxed ownership and location rules, pharmacies operated more efficiently. Pharmacies also had more freedom to set prices for over-the-counter products and offered a wider range of services.
Yet, the same research also found where there was stronger regulation, such as in Spain, consumer access to pharmacy improved, as new pharmacies were opened based on geographic, demographic or needs-based criteria. Simply, if there was already one pharmacy servicing a neighbourhood, they didn’t need another.
<h2>Is Australia likely to see supermarket pharmacies?</h2>
Whether Australia is likely to see supermarket pharmacies any time soon is open to debate.
In a speech to the Pharmacy Guild’s national conference in 2019, federal health minister Greg Hunt <a href="https://www.guild.org.au/news-events/news/2019/minister-hunt-delivers-support-for-community-pharmacy" target="_blank">said</a> there would be no change to the ban on locating pharmacies within supermarkets.
However, other powerful groups are calling for change. These include the <a href="https://ama.com.au/media/new-working-group-look-pharmacy-agreement" target="_blank">Australian Medical Association</a>, which wants the regulations changed to allow broader ownership of pharmacy businesses.
If supermarkets were to guarantee <a href="https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/New-7th-Community-Pharmacy-Agreement" target="_blank">sufficient controls</a> — such as to ensure the safe use of medicines, staff were properly trained and there were safeguards to ensure equitable access for elderly patients, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, particularly people living in rural and remote areas — it would be hard to argue for existing rules about pharmacy ownership and location.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/122640/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;">
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/gary-mortimer-1322" target="_blank">Gary Mortimer</a>, Professor of Marketing and Consumer Behaviour, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847" target="_blank">Queensland University of Technology</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/louise-grimmer-212082" target="_blank">Louise Grimmer</a>, Lecturer in Retail Marketing, Tasmanian School of Business and Economics, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888" target="_blank">University of Tasmania</a>
This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/a-loaf-of-bread-and-a-packet-of-pills-how-supermarket-pharmacies-could-change-the-way-we-shop-122640" target="_blank">original article</a>.
Main photo: www.shutterstock.com
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A loaf of bread and a packet of pills: how supermarket pharmacies could change the way we shop

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Ramsay Pharmacy has decided to move to a bigger premises within the Tunstall Square shopping centre in Doncaster East.
Fitzroys Agency Manager, Jordan Ceppi negotiated the five-year lease with a five-year option for Shop 7, 41-63 Doncaster Road, Doncaster East at $215,000 per annum net.
The 186 sqm corner retail space is located amongst national tenants within the neighbourhood shopping centre that include Coles and Vintage Cellars, Chemist Warehouse, Baker’s Delight and Flight Centre.
Ramsay Pharmacy is part of Ramsay Health Care, Australia’s largest private hospital operator.
Ceppi said the versatile space attracted enquiry from a range of retailers looking to trade in a high exposure space within a convenience-based shopping centre, which have typically proven to be more resilient throughout retail headwinds.
“Much of Melbourne’s nation-leading population growth is being accommodated throughout the inner and middle-ring suburbs, and centred around the shopping and lifestyle precincts. People appreciate the convenience of medical and health care clinics, as well as fitness and personal services, being located nearby,” Ceppi said.
“Services have joined hospitality in increasing their presence throughout shopping centres across Melbourne in recent years, and it remains difficult for the online world to replicate those types of offerings.”
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