Pharmacy Daily | No unilateral CPA changes

A FEDERAL Government led by either of the two major parties will not impose unilateral changes on community pharmacists outside of the Community Pharmacy Agreement.

Speaking in a much-anticipated debate at the National Press Club yesterday, both Health Minister, Greg Hunt, and Shadow Health Minister, Catherine King, said no changes could be made without the support of the pharmacy profession.

Hunt said the Government would continue to "consider and consult" when provided recommendations by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC), when asked "why did you side with 3,000 wealthy pharmacy owners at the expense of the hip pockets of Australian patients" on the recommendations to allow patients pick up two months' supply of certain medicines at once.

King was more explicit in her support for the CPA.

"The CPA is the process by which the Government negotiates with community pharmacies," she said.

"If you're going to do anything you've got to do it within this agreement."

The two parties were also on the same page with Labor supporting the Government's decision to cut the number of prescriptions required to access the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) safety net for concession cardholders from 60 to 48 a year, effective from Jan 2020.

This change will save patients up to $80 per year "but more importantly it means over one million Australians will be able to access free medicine even quicker," said Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Welcoming the backing from both parties for the changes, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia said, "this is a positive step, especially for chronically ill patients, many of whom struggle to fill prescriptions because of cost.

"We acknowledge the bi-partisan support for this measure, but note there is more that can be done to restore universality to the PBS through ensuring patients across Australia access subsidised medicines on the same terms.

"We also stress the importance of ensuring that the vital final component of the PBS supply chain -- community pharmacies -- are kept viable so that patients continue to have the world's best access to the medicines they need."