A Freedom of Information request lodged by a Pharmacy Daily reader has highlighted the ongoing availability of the "little-known" Continuing Medication Program, which assists people who are homeless and require help with accessing PBS medications.
Introduced in 1990 in response to the launch of patient co-payments, the scheme aims to help people who are homeless and considered incapable of managing their own affairs, to continue their PBS medication where non-medication could lead to undesirable medical or social consequences.
Participating pharmacies must have the capacity to operate an account which provides an invoice/receipt for each PBS item dispensed to eligible clients of an approved participating non-profit organisation which provides care to homeless people.
Safety net records must be kept for clients whose payments are charged to this account, and the pharmacy must also be able to provide service to the charity organisation in urgent situations.
The reader said he believed there were many pharmacists and charities in Australia that were not aware of the program, which may help them to provide some assistance to the homeless.
The guidelines can be viewed online at www.health.gov.au.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 19 Jul 17
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