Prepare for NDSS changes
June 21, 2016
Pharmacists need to stay
alert to communications from the
Department of Health, Diabetes
Australia and the Pharmacy Guild
to ensure their staff are prepared
for patient enquiries and to inform
them of some of the NDSS changes,
according to Anthony Tassone,
president of the Vic Branch of the
Pharmacy Guild of Australia.
The transition period should
be relatively seamless, he said,
providing pharmacists are prepared
and aware of the changes.
“From 01 Jul 2016, pharmacies
will be eligible to receive a payment
of $1 for each NDSS product
supplied,” Tassone explained.
“Previously there has been
no remuneration, and the new
payment is a step in the right
direction in acknowledging the time
and effort spent by pharmacies in
supporting people with diabetes.
“Pharmacies will also be able to
charge a fee for clinical services
they provide which could include
supporting patients on topics like
correct injection technique that
will result in better management of
their diabetes.”
Hilary Crilly, md of diabetes
support products company BD
Australia and New Zealand said,
“The upcoming changes to the
National Diabetes Services Scheme
(NDSS) are an opportunity for
community pharmacies to become
more involved with diabetes care
and they should access the support
provided by diabetes organisations
and suppliers during this transition
period.”
Key changes are that NDSS
products will no longer be supplied
to NDSS Registrants from Diabetes
Australia or its agents, insulin
pump consumable (IPC) patients
will have to get their products
from community pharmacies and
that patients with type 2 diabetes
who don’t use insulin will now be
restricted to an initial six-month
supply of subsidised test strips.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 21 Jun 16To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 21 Jun 16
