MEASURES aimed at boosting access to new medicines through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), increased investment in aged care and additional funding for mental health services, announced in last night's Federal Budget, are being welcomed by the pharmacy sector.
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) Acting President, Michelle Lynch, said the Government's $2.8 billion investment in listing new medicines over the next four years would improve access to medicines, while adding that the PBS Unique Identification Framework will improve medicines safety "by allowing the assessment and tracking of medicines when they come into Australia, through to dispensing of medicines to patients".
"This will support medicine recalls and reduce the potential for counterfeit medicines," she said.
Lynch added the allocation of funding for 23,000 home care packages for aged care patients and $5.7 billion to be spent on mental health, would lay the groundwork for the future with opportunities for pharmacists to do more to improve the safe use of medicines in the areas of aged care and mental health.
Pharmacy Guild of Australia Executive Director, Suzanne Greenwood, has also voiced support for the Budget measures.
"The Government has rightly declared mental health and suicide prevention as a national priority," she said.
"Community pharmacies are the most accessible of all health destinations, and as such pharmacists and their staff play an important role in identifying and assisting patients with mental health issues.
"On aged care, we strongly support the significant announcement of $1.6 billion for an additional 23,000 home care packages for older Australians who want to keep living at home."
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 07 Oct 20
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 07 Oct 20
