CHANGES to the Rural Pharmacy Maintenance Allowance (RPMA) are set to deliver increased funding for 960 rural and remote pharmacies, however, a number of stores are set to lose out under the new Modified Monash Model for rural classification.
Under the Seventh Community Pharmacy Agreement (7CPA) $21 million a year is being made available through the RPMA, an increase of $5 million on the 6CPA.
Federal Health Minister, Greg Hunt, announced the expansion of the program on 22 Dec 2020, saying more than 400 additional pharmacies will become eligible for funding under the new classification model.
"Eligible pharmacies will receive between $3,000 to $51,328 per year under this expansion, depending on their remoteness classification and Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme prescription volumes," he said.
"The Government recognises the importance of maintaining the pharmacy network to provide a steady and reliable supply of medicines and other pharmacy services, in particular to people outside in the regions."
While the scheme is set to provide increased payouts to some, a number of rural and remote pharmacists reported that they were set to be worse off.
Posting on the Rural Pharmacy Network Australia (RPNA) Facebook group, one pharmacist estimated that up to 110 pharmacies were set to lose more than $7,000 a year in funding.
Another owner described the updated RPMA as a "slap in the face", adding it "was a really great email to receive just before Christmas while our staff are slaving away to keep everyone on track over the festive period".
Further information on the RPMA is available through the Pharmacy Programs Administrator HERE.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 04 Jan 21
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