Guild submits to audit
November 15, 2013
Pharmacy Guild executive
director, David Quilty, says that
the Australian National Audit
Office investigation into the
Fifth Community Pharmacy
Agreement (PD 28 May) creates
both opportunities and risks for
community pharmacies.
Writing in this week’s Forefront
Guild newsletter, Quilty has
confirmed that the Guild has been
asked to make a submission to the
National Commission of Audit.
“As long as the Commission takes
a pragmatic and non-ideological
approach, the opportunities should
outweigh the risks,” Quilty said.
A letter inviting the Guild
submission stresses the
Commission’s interest in the overall
efficiency and effectiveness of
government services, including
opportunities to reduce duplication
within and between the different
tiers of government.
“In our submission, we will
demonstrate the sustainability of
PBS expenditure,” Quilty said.
“The Guild has repeatedly stated
that it supports cheaper medicines
for consumers and taxpayers.
“However this cannot be at the
expense of Australia’s network of
5,350 community pharmacy small
businesses,” he said.
The Guild focus will be on
pharmacies being brought into the
centre of the primary care system,
with a widening range of services
which will free up scarce doctor
resources, reduce hospital stays and
unite the electronic health records
for full efficiency & security.
“It is high time that pharmacies
were brought into the centre of
the primary health care system...
there is ample evidence that a
relatively modest investment in
the quality use of medicines would
significantly reduce unnecessary
hospital stays,” he said.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 15 Nov 13To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 15 Nov 13
