Medicines and poisons: retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers

If you're the retailer of a remote shop, you may be able to get a licence to sell pharmacy medicines for minor and temporary ailments.

Your shop must be at least 25km away from a pharmacy by road.

You must also refer customers to health professionals for advice on using the medication safely.

What you can sell

Pharmacy medicines are called schedule 2 medicines.

Examples of schedule 2 medicines include:

• paracetamol liquid for children
• non-drowsy antihistamines
• certain cough and cold remedies.

You don't need a licence to sell schedule 5 or 6 substances at your shop.

How to apply

To apply for a licence to sell pharmacy medicine at your shop, follow the below steps.

Step 1. Fill in the application

Fill in the application for a retailer licence DOCX (76.8 KB).

Step 2. Attach supporting documents

You must provide all of the following with your application:

• a plan and description of your shop and the security measures
• information about how your records will be kept
• the name and address of the nearest pharmacy, and distance by road from your shop.

Step 3. Pay the fee

The fee to get a retail licence is $140.

This includes the annual fee of $70 and an initial application fee of $70.

You can register for 1, 2 or 3 years.

You can pay by cheque, money order or credit card.

Payments must be made to the Darwin Receiver of Territory Monies.

Step 4. Submit the application

Submit the application, supporting documents and a copy of your payment receipt by mail, email or fax to:

Medicines and Poisons
Department of Health
PO Box 40596
Casuarina NT 0811
poisonscontrol@nt.gov.au

Fax: 08 8922 7200

Renewal

You should renew your licence before the expiry date. The renewal fee is $70.

Displaying your licence

Your licence must be displayed in your premises.

Working with health clinics

You should:

• talk to your local health clinic or other prescribers about the range of medicines you will stock
• refer customers buying medicines to these services for advice
• be wary of customers making frequent or big purchases.

Conditions

You must make sure the medicines you stock are:

• not tampered with
• in good condition with the labels visible
• within their expiry date when sold
• stored behind the counter and not for self-service sale
• stored at the right temperature.

Read more about storing medicines and poisons.

Records

You must keep records of all transactions for drugs and poisons you're licensed to sell for 2 years.