On September 1, 2006 AusPharm moved to a 'user pays' subscription model. We did this because we wanted to improve the (e)news in a number of ways , in particular by including more pharmacy relevant articles and industry news items. Also, even though support from sponsors and advertisers continues to grow, we find that we can no longer 'feed the family' with the revenue generated.

Exactly what did we do?

In short, much of the AusPharm website is now only available to 'premium' level members and the 'basic' level (e)news is much less interactive than at preesent. It does not contain the text of AusPharmList posts.

* Access to AusPharmList via the website remains free to all registered users.
* Access to the entire AusPharmacist site will also remain free to all registered users.
* Access to some of the AusPharm website also remains free to users but much of it is now 'premium' content accessible only to paid subscribers. 'Premium' content includes the feature articles, the editorials, the 'In the news' links, the 'What I do' features, 'Peter's pearls', the 'Industry news' section and, hopefully, some new features including podcasts of some of the AusPharm feature articles.

We are producing 2 versions of the (e)news each day, the 'free' version, and the 'premium' version. To see a mock up of a 'free' version, click here.

The annual subscription is $132 (inc gst). All registered AusPharmers will have the opportunity to have a 2 week free trial at any time but this will only be available once to each member. To arrange this please log in to the AusPharm website and then click on the 'Cghange details' link and follow the prompts.

A premium subscription not only covers access to all of the premium content on the AusPharm website, it also allows you to receive the 'premium' version of the (e)news each morning. As there will be about 250 issues of the (e)news published each year this represents a cost of about 40c an issue for those who take advantage of our special introductory offer.

Undergraduate pharmacy students automatically qualify for free access to the 'premium' content

For undergraduate students to arrange for this, they need to send me an email (mark@auspharm.net.au) requesting an upgrade and confirming that they are still an undergraduate student (ie that they have not graduated since registering with AusPharm).

Pre-regs' and 'retired' pharmacists also have access to a discounted rate of subscription of $66 p/a (inc gst).

To arrange a discounted subscription rate, log in to the 'Change your details' section on the AusPharm website (details below) and tick either the 'Pre-reg' or 'Retired' box in the category section.

(AusPharm defines 'retired' as working in pharmacy less than 20 full time days a year.)

Save these details, log out and then log back in. The Paypal payment will then recognise that you are in one of these categories and the payment amount will automatically be reduced to $66 (inc gst).

'Bulk' rates are available for corporates etc.

Please email (mark@auspharm.net.au to enquire.

How to upgrade your subscription to the 'premium' level 

To pay for your 'premium' level subscription please go to the AusPharm home page at www.auspharm.net.au and log in (box at top left, pictured at left). Once you have logged in, click the "Change details" link (also at top left, pictured at right) and follow the prompts.

Payment is made through Paypal. You DO NOT need to have a Paypal account to pay through Paypal. All you need is a valid MasterCard or Visa credit or debit card. Unfortunately Paypal, in Australia, does not accept American Express or Diner's cards. Just follow the prompts when you are taken to the Paypal website. However, if you want to create a Paypal account before you upgrade your AusPharm subscription you can do so by clicking here.

AusPharm acknowledges that some people might struggle with this payment method. As a last resort, we can arrange for payment by other means, however this will attract a $10 service fee. To arrange this please email Mark Dunn mark@auspharm.net.au.

You will receive a tax invoice by email as the final step in the upgrade process. If you have trouble, please email AusPharm webmaster Caine Barlow webmaster@auspharm.net.au