Review options lacking - PSA

THE Pharmaceutical Society of Australia says the interim report of the Review of Pharmacy Remuneration and Regulation “does not provide options that will see long-term, sustainable reform and development of the community pharmacy sector”.

In the PSA submission to the consultation period on the report, the Society’s president Shane Jackson said clinical services delivered by pharmacists - and in particular dispensing - “need to be seen through a health lens and not an economic lens.

“Dispensing is a core clinical activity performed by the majority of pharmacists across the country.

“We need to build on this core role, and expand on the services available for community pharmacists to help their patients,” Jackson said.

The PSA submission provides a response to all of the options presented in the interim report.

Key recommendations include involving the Society in future Community Pharmacy Agreement negotiations, and allowing flexibility in terms of setting for pharmacist services remunerated by government.

“Any changes to the remuneration for dispensing should be modelled and considered extensively prior to adoption and implementation, as they may have significant unintended consequences, potentially compromising the viability of the pharmacy sector,” the PSA warned.

Jackson said PSA looked forward to working with the Panel, the government and the broader pharmacy sector “to assist in ensuring pharmacists’ role within Australia’s health system can be optimised” - see psa.org.au.