THE Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has announced it is providing expert advice in support of a case to increase the award wage for pharmacists.
The PSA said it agreed to be called as an expert witness in a review of the award before the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to highlight changes in pharmacist practice since the last review in 1998.
PSA national president Joe Demarte said that as the peak body for all pharmacists, not only was PSA best placed to provide expert advice, given its lead role in developing and implementing professional practice standards, but was also strongly committed to improving remuneration and wages for pharmacists working in all sectors of the profession.
"Standards, Codes and Guidelines produced by PSA clearly highlight the increasing complexity and professional healthcare services provided in pharmacist practice in Australia, which needs to be better reflected in pharmacists' remuneration," Demarte said.
PSA also made a comprehensive submission to the Government's Review of Pharmacy Remuneration and Regulation last year, calling for more appropriate, evidence-based payment models for pharmacist services.
Key recommendations from the PSA included pharmacist services remuneration by Government allowing for flexibility in terms of service-setting to meet consumers' needs and that a more appropriate payment model is one recognising and remunerating pharmacists based on the complexity of the presenting consumer's situation and/or services provided.
"We will continue to explore reforms and solutions to improve income and wages across the entire sector, including through access to remuneration outside of the existing 6th Community Pharmacy Agreement and hospital funding," Demarte said.
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