NPS: spotlight on savings
January 17, 2014
The Commission of Audit will
shine a spotlight on areas where
savings can be made in the health
system this year, NPS MedicineWise
executive manager Karen Kaye said.
Pharmacy Daily has asked
peak industry body leaders their
expectations for the coming year.
In this PART II of three responses
(see PD yesterday for Part I), Kaye
said with the implementation of
enhanced price disclosure, the
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
was “demonstrably” not an area of
budgetary growth.
“A challenge for the medicines
industry will be to demonstrate
how we can save money by using
medicines wisely.”
Kaye said in this environment,
debate over generics’ pricing and
the best outcomes for all would
continue, as would the debate over
appropriate off-label prescribing.
Industry highlights this year
included the enhanced prescribing
role for pharmacists with the
implementation of the Health
Professionals Prescribing Pathway.
“This pathway rationalises use
of health professionals’ skills and
will pave the way for pharmacists
to take on new roles and a greater
responsibility for patient care.”
Pharmacists were well placed
to support consumers in better
decision making when it came to
managing their own health care,
Kaye said.
“Taking time out to address
the concerns of customers and
help them with their medicines
questions can greatly improve
adherence and medication safety.”
The industry should keep
achieving the best health outcomes
for consumers at the forefront of
services, she said, by ensuring the
appropriate use of home medicines
reviews and Residential Medication
Management Reviews for high risk
patients.
Pharmacists could also take
a responsible approach to
complementary medicines,
ensuring patients had evidence-based
information to make an
informed decision about medicines.
Transparency was key due to
an increased scrutiny of the
commercial arrangements between
pharmacies and suppliers, she said.
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