Pharmacy Daily | Focus to move program funding forward

THE Federal Government has signed a Strategic Agreement on Pharmacist Professional Practice Standards with the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), alongside the eighth Community Pharmacy Agreement (8CPA) (PD 03 Jun).

The five-year agreement starts on 01 Jul and aims to maintain the standards governing all pharmacists in Australia.

Under this agreement, the PSA will be responsible for developing, reviewing, and updating various practice standards, guidelines, codes, and competency frameworks.

The government will also engage in discussions with the PSA and other stakeholders about programs not covered by the 8CPA, which are delivered by pharmacists in various practice areas.

The agreement was signed in Canberra by PSA National President A/Prof Fei Sim and Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler.

Butler emphasised the importance of pharmacists in the healthcare system, stating, "Australians trust their local pharmacist to look after their health needs".

"This new agreement will support pharmacists to deliver more services and cheaper medicines."

PSA National President A/Prof Fei Sim noted, "PSA's Strategic Agreement on Pharmacist Professional Practice acknowledges that the role of pharmacists is changing and evolving".

"The agreement provides a pathway to create data and evidence to demonstrate the need for long-term, continued funding for critical programs."

The lead negotiator for the PSA agreement Dr Shane Jackson, added with the announcement of the 8CPA and the strategic agreement, "our focus now shifts to optimising programs no longer included in the 8CPA and developing new programs that may be delivered by pharmacists".

Anticipating further details of the additional $103.3 million for new and improved pharmacy programs is Kristin Michaels, Chief Executive of the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia.

"We look forward to continuing our discussions regarding pharmacy programs not included in the 8CPA, such as the Home Medicines Review Program and Residential Medication Management Review Program," said Michaels, along with the extended use of the 22 specialty Standards of Practice. JG

Pictured (L-R): PSA CEO Steve Morris, Dr Jackson, Dr Sim, Assistant Health Minister Emma McBride, Butler, Health Dept's Secretary Blair Comley, and Deputy Secretary Penny Shakespeare.