AUSTRALIAN Healthcare Associates has been reappointed as the Administration Agency for the Community Service Obligation (CSO) funding pool under the Sixth Community Pharmacy Agreement, after an open tender process.
AHA, which has held the role since the CSO was established under the Fourth Community Pharmacy Agreement in 2006, will oversee the funding pool of up to $195 million per year which is paid out to eligible CSO distributors (pharmaceutical wholesalers) that meet specific service standards for the delivery of PBS medicines to community pharmacies.
The wholesalers must also provide National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) products to community pharmacies and other NDSS access points, with the aim of ensuring that all Australians have ongoing and timely access to the full range of PBS medicines and NDSS products regardless of where they live.
AHA ceo Richard Stock said administration of the CSO pool involved several functions including undertaking payment calculations, as well as monitoring the performance of eligible CSO distributors and conducting audits to ensure compliance with specific service standards.
AHA also administers a complaints process for community pharmacies and other access points and manages a sanctions framework.
Stock said his organisation "looks forward to continuing to ensure the aims of the program are successfully met, by working objectively and independently to efficiently administer the CSO funding pool".
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 17 Jan 17
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