Pharmacy Daily | Vic ‘simply must fund’ MATOD fees

VICTORIAN patients requiring access to medication addiction treatment of dependence (MATOD) have been forced to bear the cost for "far too long", Pharmacy Guild of Australia Victorian Branch President, Anthony Tassone, believes.

Tassone told Pharmacy Daily that the Andrews Government "simply must invest in funding MATOD, including the opioid replacement program to recognise the services undertaken by pharmacists to ensure safe and witnessed dosing by patients along with coordination of care with prescribers".

The Guild leader's comments followed Victorian State MP, Dr Tim Read's call for the Government to "step in" and fully subsidise the program (PD 14 Dec).

"Whilst the medication is provided at no-charge to pharmacies, the payment for the pharmacy's professional services is left to the patient," Tassone said.

"We do not expect other patients with other chronic health conditions in our system to bear these sorts of costs themselves and nor should we of those receiving MATOD.

"Why should Victorian patients seeking MATOD be treated so differently to their fellow Australians in other jurisdictions?"

Under the current arrangements, Tassone said pharmacy owners have taken a financial hit to ensure patients have access to MATOD services.

"Why are Victorian pharmacies expected to continue to carry the can, endure recurring bad debts and late payments and be relied on for their goodwill to provide this service that saves lives, keeps patients out of the justice system and improves their chances of contributing to their communities and society?" he asked.

"Whether appropriate funding of MATOD would increase participation by more community pharmacies is hard to know -- with almost half of the network already providing services.

"We should be focused on at least ensuring those pharmacies currently participating will continue in the future and encouraging more prescribers to participate with only a small percentage currently doing so.

"The world has changed a lot in the last 12 months, but not so for the past 25 years in the provision of MATOD by community pharmacies in Victoria who have effectively frozen their daily dosing fee so that patients can afford treatment."