AUSTRALIA'S Health Minister, Mark Butler (pictured) addressed hundreds of delegates at APP2024 last Fri to highlight what had been achieved by signing the Heads of Agreement for the eighth Community Pharmacy Agreement (8CPA) (PD 14 Mar).
Butler said the landmark announcement, which underscores a commitment by the Albanese Government to make a further investment of $3 billion into community pharmacy and cheaper medicine, marked "exciting times" for the pharmacy sector.
"I'm pleased to say that we have worked through our differences and are now on the cusp of delivering an eighth Community Pharmacy Agreement - one that will deliver the government to perform objectives for the pharmacy sector," he told attendees.
Those objectives, Butler explained, are "cheaper medicines for Australians, taking pressure off stretched family and household budgets...[and] a strong and viable community pharmacists sector supported not just in our big cities but in the bush".
The Health Minister went on to acknowledge that while the introduction of 60-day dispensing "caused great concern in parts of the sector", he pointed out that "none of the doomsday scenarios presented in some parts of the media" came to pass.
Since the 60DD policy was announced, the Government has received 87 applications to open new pharmacies - up 50% compared to the same period the year before, Butler highlighted.
"We support pharmacy viability and a viable pharmacy sector right across Australia; we've not deviated from that commitment even while implementing these difficult reforms.
"It's why we ensure every dollar the Government saves from 60-day scripts is being reinvested into the pharmacy sector," he concluded.
MEANWHILE, The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) has welcomed progress made toward the 8CPA.
SHPA Chief Executive Officer Kristin Michaels praised the continuing engagement with government on the future of CPAs, medicines supply and pharmacy services and programs.
"On behalf of our members we congratulate the government and all contributing parties on progress toward the 8CPA, and look forward to continuing our involvement in 8CPA negotiations toward an outcome in which the pharmacy profession is fully supported to optimise patient care," she said. JM
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