Rural pharmacy changes
November 9, 2011
A RANGE of pharmacies outside
of Australia’s major cities will no
longer be eligible for support under
rural programs funded by the Fifth
Community Pharmacy Agreement,
after changes announced by the
Pharmacy Guild yesterday.
Only pharmacies located in
PhARIA (Pharmacy Access/
Remoteness Index of Australia) 2-6
areas will be able to access the
programs, with the move effective
from next Mon 14 Nov.
The Guild said that previously
some regional PhARIA 1 locations
were deemed eligible for the
support, but the new arrangements
will “ensure the programs continue
to strengthen and support the rural
pharmacy workforce”.
PhARIA 1 locations are areas
which are considered to have high
access to community pharmacy
services, with some previously
included in the rural programs
because of “historical workforce
factors” such as pharmacist
shortages and lack of proximity to
pharmacy schools.
“The changes have been made
following consultation between the
Guild and the Department of
Health and Ageing, and will provide
for consistency across the suite of
rural programs,” the Guild said.
“They recognise changes in the
pharmacy landscape since the
programs were first introduced
more than ten years ago,” it added.
The affected programs include
the Rural Pharmacy Continuing
Professional Education Allowance;
the Rural Pharmacy Scholarship
Scheme; the Intern Incentive
Allowance for Rural Pharmacies;
and the Rural Pharmacy Student
Placement Allowance.
The Guild said the changes are
being made to ensure alignment
with the policy intent of the rural
programs funded under 5CPA, as
well as “to make the best use of
limited funding”.
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