ADEQUATE funding and recognition of the professional contribution and competencies of community pharmacists will be critical to ensuring their integration into primary health networks, researchers believe.
In an article published in Pharmacy Practice, looking at primary care policy and the vision for community pharmacy in Australia, the authors from the University of Technology Sydney, noted the "integration of community pharmacy into primary health care faces challenges, including the lack of realistic integration in Primary Health Networks (PHNs), and in service and remuneration models from government".
The authors said the details of both the yet to be signed Seventh Community Pharmacy Agreement (7CPA) and the Federal Government's Primary Health Care 10-year Plan, would shape the future practice and viability of community pharmacy.
"It is essential that both provide a philosophical direction and prioritise integration, remuneration and resources which recognize the professional contribution and competencies of community pharmacy and community pharmacists, the financial implications of service roles and the retention of medicines-supply roles," they said.
"A significant barrier to pharmacists achieving high-impact contribution as integrated members of the health team is the current state of remuneration for services.
"The right incentives must be provided for all health practitioners, like GPs, nurses and pharmacists to integrate services effectively, with clear responsibilities contributing to overall health outcomes.
"All aspects of the pharmacist's role need to be resourced appropriately.
"However, there will also be specific challenges such as freeing pharmacists' time to deliver services, recording and using data to demonstrate value for the viability of community pharmacy.
"Without adequate funding and recognition of pharmacist's contributions to primary care, it will be difficult to ensure integration.
"It is clear that the next five years will be critical to lay the foundation for change that is needed to support further integration of community pharmacy into primary care. "
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