NO MATTER who wins tomorrow's Federal Election, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) will have "a seat at the table" when negotiations for the 7th Community Pharmacy Agreement (7CPA) commence.
The PSA had sought firm pre-election commitments that the three main political groups, Coalition, Labor and the Greens would confirm the society would be a signatory of the agreement, due to be finalised in the middle of 2020.
Federal Health Minister, Greg Hunt, had announced the Coalition's support for having the PSA sign the agreement at the launch of Pharmacists in 2023, earlier this year, while Green's leader, Senator Richard Di Natale, also voiced his support for the proposal.
"The lack of transparency in the current community pharmacy agreement is very concerning," Di Natalie said.
"I have been advocating for greater transparency and reform of how the agreement is negotiated for many years now.
"The inclusion of the PSA as a signatory to the agreement is a welcome step."
A letter of support to the PSA from the ALP was more ambiguous in its commitment to the society saying, "the next CPA will need to consider the role of pharmacists and community pharmacies in the primary health care reform".
"Labor agrees that pharmacists should work to their full scope of practice, without fragmenting care or duplicating services," the party said.
"A Shorten Labor Government will honour the 6CPA and lead early and inclusive negotiations, giving PSA a seat at the table toward the next agreement."
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 17 May 19
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