A pharmacist has won a court case against GlaxoSmithKline, which the Pharmacy Guild considers an important precedent.
It relates to a nationwide recall of the drug, Marevan (warfarin) last year.
Pharmacies were asked to contact all patients who received the medication between November 2009 - January 2010, but GlaxoSmithKline refused to pay pharmacist Ian Johnson of Otara for the costs incurred.
A District Court judge has found that the process was disruptive to the pharmacy's normal business and it should be compensated at a rate of $40 per hour.
The Pharmacy Guild says this establishes a precedent that pharmacists can expect to be paid when they are asked to provide services.
GlaxoSmithKline says the ruling has broad implications in urgent recall situations and it is deciding whether to lodge an appeal.