Credit where credit’s due
April 7, 2016
DESPITE enormous contributions
by the pharmacy sector to deliver
a sustainable PBS, the industry has
not always received the recognition
it deserves for these reforms,
according to Pharmacy Guild
executive director David Quilty.
In the regular Forefront Guild
update issued yesterday, Quilty says
it is “now indisputable that the PBS
is fiscally sustainable,” meaning the
future of the scheme is assured.
“A decade ago, multiple
Intergenerational Reports identified
the PBS as the Government’s
biggest fiscal risk...now it has
become the stand-out fiscal
success of the health care reform,”
he said, with consumers now
having increased access via their
community pharmacies to a
broader range of medicines at
reduced prices - with no negative
impact on patient care levels.
“Clearly we need to do more
to educate the broader health
sector and political and economic
commentators about this stand-out
PBS reform,” Quilty added.
He said pharmacies have shown
they can embrace reform, and
“stand ready to play a central
role in an integrated primary care
system with a strong focus on
transitional care”.
Quilty said there were some
positive signs such as Pharmacy
Trial Program, Health Minister
Sussan Ley’s recognition of the role
of pharmacists in the Health Care
Home announcement, and the
COAG Health Reform process.
“Eventually community
pharmacies will knock down the
door as they have done in countries
like Canada,” Quilty promised,
warning that it “will not be an
easy road” in a health system that
remains shy of reform.
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