Pharmacy Business Ownership Administration

A state-based Department of Health engaged Modis to provide an online portal and application for the Pharmacy Business Ownership Administration.  The solution was built using Microsoft Power Apps Portal and Microsoft Dynamics 365.  The system provides clients with electronic lodgement capability and then processing and workflow of the pharmacy business lodgements.  The project was delivered using an agile based methodology.

All applications must meet the requirements as set out in the Pharmacy Ownership Act; this means that new applications must provide a large amount of information to the Department to allow for processing of the application. Under the manual system, reviewing new information and historical information from previous applications about the Pharmacy, Pharmacists and organisations involved in the ownership caused long processing times. It also did not provide the Pharmacist clear status of application. This led to dissatisfaction among applicants and put increased pressure on Department staff.

The strategy for Modis was to build a system that eased workloads for pharmacists or their proxies to lodge and manage their applications for opening or selling a physical pharmacy within the state. Further the solution needed to assist Health Department staff in processing the applications using automation and provide better visibility of historical data within the system. The solution also needed to provide better visibility and reporting on the processing times and status of applications.

A new portal and Application system was required to support Pharmacy business ownership in the state as regulated under the Pharmacy Business Ownership Act. The PBO Act is intended to promote the professional, safe, and competent provision of pharmacy services and to maintain public confidence in the pharmacy profession.

The Pharmacy Business Ownership Administration System (PBOAS) makes it easier for Department of Health staff, pharmacists, or their proxies to provide administrative, registration and notification details.

The portal and case management system were designed, developed, tested, and implemented by Modis, using an agile based project methodology. The Application case management portion of the solution was implemented using Microsoft Dynamics 365 (Cloud) through the Customer Engagement Module.  The electronic forms and front-end portal were configured and implemented using Microsoft PowerApps Portal technology and the whole solution is now hosted on Microsoft Azure cloud platform onshore in Australia.

Modis currently provides ongoing application and platform support services from our national centralised support function (Modis Service Centre).

The PBOAS allows users to:

• Register New Users – Department of Health staff assess and approve access and role to be given to the new user as part of this process.  
• Manage Pharmacy Change Notifications
• Validate submitted notification – includes integration to electronic records management
• Issue Notice Advice
• Provide Query Assistance
• Manage Pharmacy Compliance Assessments and Checks

Through building this solution, Modis provided Project Management, Business Analysis, Solution Architecture, Application configuration development, Data migration, integration with QH Health systems, environment management, Testing, Quality Assurance, Warranty Support Services, cloud services, central support, and overall Account Management.

With this new solution, the Pharmacy Business Ownership Administration System (PBOAS) facilitates a quicker, improved application process for registering and managing new Pharmacy business registrations and transfer of ownership.  The previous process involved editable PDF being emailed to DPLH to be manually entered into the old legacy system.  Through the new system, Modis has designed an online portal that provides authentication of users, digital forms, and self-service and now the entire process of Pharmacy Ownership compliance has improved. The benefits to Pharmacists and their representatives included:

• The forms are online digital forms that provides more instructions on the information required, reducing incorrect information and delays in processing the application.
• The portal provides visibility on the status of their applications and allows for them to provide new information, if required, to assist with their application.
• Have access to articles and FAQs to assist with understanding the application process and information needed when completing filling in application forms

Department Health users can process application faster, with greater accuracy and traceability of decision.  There are more efficiencies across data integrity and overall reporting has been improved. The as-a-service delivery model provides Department of Health with a consumption-based application, that is agile and is flexible to meet additional user needs, while also being highly portable, to provide the Department with commercial flexibility.

The project was finished on time within defined 7 months for start to go-live on the new solution and within budget. 

Modis’ flexibility and agility was successfully in managing the project as an agile engagement to deliver a system that provided substantial business benefits.

Technologies Used

Solution Design that caters for external customers and internal staff

Modis soon to become Akkodis, is a global leader in the engineering and R&D market that is leveraging the power of connected data to accelerate innovation and digital transformation. With a shared passion for technology and talent, 50,000 engineers and digital experts deliver deep cross-sector expertise in 30 countries across North America, EMEA and APAC.
We offer broad industry experience, and strong know-how in key technology sectors such as mobility, software & technology services, robotics, testing, simulations, data security, AI & data analytics. The combined IT and engineering expertise brings a unique end-to-end solution offering, with four service lines – Consulting, Solutions, Talent, and Academy – to support clients in rethinking their product development and business processes, improve productivity, minimize time to market and shape a smarter and more sustainable tomorrow. Modis soon to become Akkodis is part of the Adecco Group.