Pharmacy Daily | Terry White review input

TERRY White Chemists, Chemmart and Chemplus pharmacies have called on the Review of Pharmacy Remuneration and Regulation to support the current funding system and recognise the role pharmacists play beyond dispensing.

The TWG group, representing some 500 Australian community pharmacies, in their combined submission, argued that the cross-subsidy inherent in the dispensing fee supports the timely and targeted delivery of a broad range of services that would cost more under the fee-for-service model.

"Dispensing medicines and providing meaningful pharmacy services is not 'ordinary commerce', and the current system needs to be enhanced - not destroyed," said Anthony White, ceo of Terry White Group.

"It underpins patient-centric care provided by pharmacists to patients across Australia.

"It is the bedrock of a system that not only delivers great outcomes for patients but also great value to government.

"The role Australia's network of accredited community pharmacies plays in providing health care services should be recognised and the roadblocks to broadening their health care role should be removed," White said.

The submission includes 20 key recommendations supported by case studies provided by pharmacists from across the group demonstrating how their level of patient care goes well beyond the dispensary every day.

Among the recommendations is that current services are maintained and that new fees are introduced for evidence-based professional services that will deliver greater choice and value.

Patients will benefit by current regulatory and legislative roadblocks to these additional services being removed, the submission argued.

Immunisation services were identified as an example, as well as the provision of some medications without a script, as long as appropriate pharmacy protocols were developed.

The TWG submission also called for the Pharmacy Board of Australia to be empowered to more actively monitor compliance with its Guidelines for Proprietor Pharmacists to help address concerns around pharmacies taking advantage of the cross-subsidy.

"With the weight of 500 Terry White Chemists, Chemmart and Chemplus pharmacies behind this submission, the Review will hear a compelling message from a united group," White said.

CLICK HERE to access the TWG submission.