7CPA NIP clause a ‘significant signal’

MOVES to push State and Territory Governments to open access to National Immunisation Program (NIP) stock to pharmacists are set to be bolstered by a clause in the freshly inked Seventh Community Pharmacy Agreement (7CPA).

Under the clause, the Federal Government has voiced its support for equitable access to the NIP through the community pharmacy network.

Pharmacy Guild of Australia National President, George Tambassis, said the securing the Government’s support on the issued was “one of the easiest” parts of the year-long negotiations for the 7CPA.

“They want uniform access and administration of vaccines across the States and Territories,” he said.

“We’re hoping it will make things happen a bit faster through the National Cabinet Health Committee.”

Speaking to Pharmacy Daily, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) National President, Dr Chris Freeman, welcomed the inclusion of the clause as a “step forward”.

“It’s a significant signal around the ability for pharmacists to adopt administering vaccines included in the NIP as appropriate,” he said.

“One of the things that the agreement tries to achieve is to ensure equitable access to medicines for all Australians, and that includes vaccines,” he said.

“We’ve seen inequity in the system in the past, when pharmacists in some states [have had access], but not across the nation.

“This agreement takes that step to try and harmonise access to patients to immunisations under the NIP.”