Plunkett criticises Guild
October 29, 2010
THE Pharmaceutical Society of
Australia has slammed the
Pharmacy Guild for negotiating the
Fifth Community Pharmacy
Agreement without the involvement
of the PSA, saying being locked out
meant the Society had to “fight a
more direct battle” with health
department officials to ensure that
there was still adequate funding of
professional services.
Speaking at the opening of the
Pharmacy Australia Congress in
Melbourne, PSA President Warwick
Plunkett said the society was
continuing to push for a wider role
for pharmacists, as evidenced by its
development of the Future of
Pharmacy project announced
earlier this year.
Plunkett claimed that the signing
of the five year agreement means
that in the mind of the govt
“Australian pharmacy is done and
dusted, off the political agenda.
“This agreement fails
pharmacists in determining an
appropriate role in the forthcoming
changes around primary health
care reform and preventative
health,” Plunkett added.
He said it was vital that pharmacy
be part of the health reform process
and become integrated into the
primary health care environment.
Speaking later in the day Plunkett
also said it was time for the PSA to
stand up and be noticed.
He admitted that in the past the
Society had been “timid”, signalling
a new more aggressive approach to
ensure that pharmacists and
professional services are
highlighted in the evolution of the
Australian health care system.
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