Pharmacy DailyPharmacy Daily | $4.1m boost for WA’s EACPP

THE Western Australian government yesterday announced an expansion of the Enhanced Access Community Pharmacy Pilot (EACPP), with a $4.1 million investment to further support pharmacist training.

The funding, to be included in the 2026/27 State Budget, will boost the cohort of pharmacists undertaking the subsidised training by 200, adding to the 80 currently undergoing the training.

WA Minister for Health Meredith Hammat outlined the government's commitment to increasing patient access to pharmacist-led primary healthcare services.

"There has been a lot of interest from pharmacists who want to undertake this additional training so they can give their communities the healthcare they need, when they need it," Hammat said.

"This expanded pilot will provide a significant boost to primary healthcare access for Western Australians, particularly those living in areas facing GP shortages."

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia WA branch, which has engaged extensively with the government on the development of the EACPP, thanked the minister.

"[The investment] will significantly increase patient access to qualified pharmacists authorised to assess, manage and prescribe appropriate medicines for a range of conditions with the objective of delivering patient safety and increased accessibility to health care," a spokesperson said.

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia also welcomed the news, with WA branch president Kristian Ray saying it will mean "more pharmacists can provide more services to the state sooner".

"This investment will help Western Australian pharmacists meet the growing health needs of their communities as they eagerly await qualification to deliver high-quality care for these 17 conditions for their patients."

Ray added that the PSA is working with the government to offer its educational program as another option for WA pharmacists. KB