YESTERDAY the Victorian state government handed down its 2023-24 budget, with the figures confirming an allocation of $18.9 million for "backing pharmacists to boost our health system".
The money will fund a pilot scheme for community pharmacists to treat "straightforward urinary tract infections, common skin conditions, and reissue contraceptive prescriptions," according to the budget papers.
The scope for community pharmacy to administer vaccinations will also expand under the initiative, with the addition of travel vaccinations and more public health vaccinations.
The state government said the funding delivered on its election commitment for a 12-month trial (PD 24 Nov 2022) which will see pharmacists funded to deliver a range of services, ensuring patients do not face out-of-pocket costs.
Pre-election costing documents indicate a proposed 01 Jul start date for the pilot, with the state government to pay $20 per consultation to pharmacists, as well as the equivalent of the PBS reimbursement amount so a Victorian will be no worse off getting their treatment at a pharmacy than at a doctor.
PBS contributions are assumed to not be claimable for medications, as pharmacists are not currently a prescribed pathway under Commonwealth legislation.
It's assumed that 50% of people with a condition eligible for treatment will be attending a pharmacist throughout the course of the 12-month trial.
Based on assumptions about the number of pharmacist consultations and reimbursed scripts, the figures estimate 130,000 UTI treatments with a $15 average gap per script, plus 231,837 repeat oral contraceptive scripts, 65, 933 minor skin conditions costing $25 on average per script, and 40,921 travel medications, with that figure based on an estimated 818,410 international departures and that one in 10 might need a travel vaccination.
The Victorian budget for 2023/24 also provides funding to increase access to pharmacotherapy and expand Victoria's naloxone supply program as part of a $333 million commitment to drug treatment and rehabilitation.
Papers note that in 2021/22 there were 15,153 individuals in the pharmacotherapy program, while the 2023/24 allocation targets 14,630 participants.
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