The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is set to host a roundtable consultation in early April 2025 to discuss a range of pharmacy programs that sit outside the Eighth Community Pharmacy Agreement (8CPA).
The roundtable follows the Minister for Health Mark Butler MP’s January announcement of a new pharmacy programs agreement, where PSA will facilitate stakeholder consultation, negotiate and be a signatory.
This agreement will cover a range of pharmacy programs that no longer sit within the 8CPA including but not limited to medication management programs (including Home Medicines Reviews and Residential Medication Management Reviews), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific programs, and rural support programs that encompass pharmacists in a range of practice areas.
The new agreement will see PSA and the Commonwealth work together, alongside other pharmacy stakeholders, to strengthen programs that pharmacists deliver across the health system.
Content of the new agreement will be informed by outcomes from the consultation roundtable, alongside the results of an independent cost-effectiveness review of existing pharmacy programs run by Deloitte on behalf of the Commonwealth.
The consultation roundtable is set to be Chaired by PSA Consultant Pharmacist Advisor Debbie Rigby FPS, who said consultation with stakeholders, including pharmacy representative bodies, primary care stakeholders, consumers and health groups, will inform programs that better support pharmacists to deliver safe, accessible, timely care to Australians.
“As the peak national body for pharmacists across all areas of practice, PSA is leading a roundtable with key pharmacy and health stakeholders, setting the agenda for programs that sit outside of the Eighth Community Pharmacy Agreement,” Ms Rigby said.
“By bringing together key stakeholders, we get a comprehensive, profession-wide view of both the challenges and opportunities ahead.
“Harnessing the insights gathered through this consultation, PSA is identifying challenges in current services, and potential improvements to existing programs, to enable sustainability and better outcomes from these programs,” Ms Rigby concluded.
PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS reaffirmed PSA’s commitment to a collaborative approach that seeks input from across the sector.
“Following the Minister’s announcement earlier this year, we’re excited to be progressing consultation with a range of key stakeholders, signalling our collaborative approach to improving pharmacy programs.
“Our focus is on ensuring that programs delivered by pharmacists are fit for purpose and evolving to meet the growing health needs of Australians.
“Under our incredible Advisor Debbie Rigby’s leadership, our Board including Agreements Lead Shane Jackson, and alongside the broader PSA team, I look forward to working with a diverse range of stakeholders to work toward pharmacy programs that better work not only for our profession, but for patients,” Associate Professor Sim concluded.
Consultation on individual pharmacy programs is currently open on PSA’s website. Members and the broader pharmacy profession are encouraged to provide their insights, case studies on challenges or barriers limiting patient access, and ideas on how to improve the quality and accessibility of services.
Feedback can be submitted through program surveys at psa.org.au/pharmacy-programs-feedback.
Text by: PSA.
