AT LAST week's Pharmacy Connect 2024, Pharmacy Guild of Australia President, Trent Twomey, did a deep-dive into the payments in the 8th Community Pharmacy Agreement (8CPA), which will provide $26.5 billion to support community pharmacies.
Of the contribution, $2.1 billion will fund the new Additional Community Supply Support (ACSS) payment, legislated under Clause 4.1 of the 8CPA.
The new payment aims to assist pharmacies in dispensing PBS medicines, ensuring continued access for Australians while providing cheaper medicines.
ACSS payments will be available with Services Australia, making the first payments by the end of Oct.
Initially, these payments will be processed manually on a quarterly basis, with full automation expected by 01 Jul 2025.
To receive accurate payments, pharmacists must certify and close all PBS and Repatriation PBS (RPBS) claims within 30 days.
The ACSS payment supports the supply of PBS and RPBS scripts and includes a base-level fee of $0.78 per dispensed script for all general schedule medicines in 2024-25.
Additionally, an extra fee of $4.79 will be provided per eligible increased Maximum Dispensed Quantity item when supplied in full quantity.
Twomey also mentioned the Cormack review on pharmacy's full scope of practice, and hinted at potential federally-funded pathways for the sector.
He also urged pharmacists to prepare for upcoming changes to the Quality Care Program, including on-site assessments, and to ensure their practices met the required standards. JG
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