THE Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) and the Australian Government are ready to negotiate the first dedicated agreement on pharmacy programs, both parties have announced.
The agreement will cover a range of pharmacy programs that no longer sit within the 8th Community Pharmacy Agreement, which include medication management programs (including Home Medicines Reviews and Residential Medication Management Reviews), First Nations programs, and rural workforce and training programs.
The new agreement will see PSA and the Commonwealth work together, alongside other pharmacy stakeholders, to strengthen programs that pharmacists deliver across the health system.
PSA National President Assoc Prof Fei Sim said the agreement was an opportunity to reform programs to ensure they are fit-for-purpose, now and into the future.
"This agreement is an opportunity to reform program rules and funding arrangements to maximise the impact of pharmacists across the health sector," Associate Professor Sim said.
"In negotiating a standalone agreement with the Australian Government, we are advocating for the changes we have long known need to happen, allowing pharmacists to best serve our communities," she said.
With security of funding for the programs assured, the PSA is turning its focus to removing barriers that have prevented pharmacists from playing a greater role in patient care.
Advanced Pharmacy Australia (AdPha) has also welcomed the opening of consultation.
"We look forward to helping shape pharmacy programs that better support the safe and effective care of older Australians, and improve medicines access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples," said AdPha President Tom Simpson.
The Government says that the new agreement will ensure the programs are cost-effective and provide value for patients and pharmacists through improved program design and delivery, noting that the independent cost-effectiveness review of existing pharmacy programs run by Deloitte will inform the agreement's content.
Mark Butler, Minister for Health, said that the new agreement will support the Government's ongoing commitment to improving patient health outcomes and providing cheaper medicines.
"Community pharmacies already play an integral role in the health care of their local communities," Butler said.
"The Government wants to see pharmacists play a larger role in the primary care sector by further supporting patients."
Butler added that he was "looking forward to working with the PSA and other pharmacy stakeholders to improve pharmacy programs to meet the health needs of Australians".
The PSA will soon be seeking feedback from pharmacists and stakeholders on program arrangements and barriers. KB
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