COMMUNITY pharmacies across Australia are set to receive an extra $3 billion in funding thanks to a deal struck between pharmacists and the Federal Government.
Last week, federal health minister Mark Butler and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia announced they had brokered an agreement that would deliver the taxpayer funds to approximately 6000 community pharmacies over the next five years.
This is the eighth version of the Community Pharmacy Agreement (8CPA), which pays approved pharmacists to supply Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme medicines to patients.
Mr Butler the government and the Guild will work together in good faith to finalise the agreement, which is set to begin on July 1.
“The Government recognises the very important role played by community pharmacies, and the 8CPA will support them to play an even bigger role in the primary care sector,” he said.
After adamantly opposing the doubling of prescription timeframes announced in last year’s Budget, leader of The Nationals’ David Littleproud welcomed the “peace deal”, saying it will significantly help regional, rural and remote communities.
“The PBS changes were an example of the Labor Government’s failure to understand the essential needs of everyday regional Australians and the consequences of 60-day dispensing,” Mr Littleproud said.
“Labor did not think through the ramifications for regional, rural and remote Australia, which leads to community pharmacies struggling to stock the medicine required.”
The full details of the measures will be announced when finalised.
