Arthritis strategy

ARTHRITIS Australia has engaged a number of stakeholder organisations, including the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, to create the National Strategic Action Plan for Arthritis.

All levels of government are being called upon to invest in implementing the plan.

The Action Plan provides an “evidence-based blueprint to guide national efforts to improve health and quality of life for people living with arthritis, reduce the cost and prevalence of the condition, and reduce the impact on individuals, their carers and the community,” according to Arthritis Australia Chair Kristine Riethmiller.

“Implementation of the Action Plan will go a long way towards ensuring people with arthritis get the right treatment, care and support they need to live well with their condition.

“However, significant upfront and ongoing investment to implement the actions set out within this plan is absolutely essential if we are to make any progress in our fight against this debilitating and costly disease,” she said.

Concerns exist around management of these conditions which affect four million Australians, and the Action Plan outlines “quality policies, programs and services to prevent arthritis, and deliver high-value care to improve health and quality of life.”

See arthritisaustralia.com.au.