In the long term, a single pharmacy regulator could be considered. As an interim measure, state and territory registering bodies should coordinate with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency to ensure that pharmacy regulations are being adequately monitored for best practice of pharmacy and the safety of the public. Government Response The Government notes this recommendation. The Government is supportive of initiatives to harmonise legislation and reduce regulatory burden for the sector and notes that jurisdictional differences create complexity for businesses as well as pharmacists and prescribers. Harmonisation of all state, territory and Commonwealth legislation pertaining to pharmacy, including harmonisation of jurisdictional responses to Commonwealth scheduling decisions, would be a complex process requiring the cooperation and agreement of all Australian governments. Consultation with key stakeholders including consumer, business and professional representative groups would also be important. Recommendation 6-6: Evaluation Mechanisms As early as practicable, the Australian Government should require the establishment of appropriate evaluation mechanisms for community pharmacy to ensure that policy and delivery requirements are met. Government Response The Government notes this recommendation. The 6CPA, made between the Government and the Guild, operates in the context of National Medicines Policy and The National Strategy for Quality Use of Australia’s Medicines. As part of the 2017-18 Budget measure Improving Access to Medicines support for – community pharmacies, the Government is providing $600 million to community pharmacy for new and expanded community pharmacy programs delivered under the 6CPA. Under this arrangement, the Australian Government Department of Health has worked with the Guild to redesign existing community pharmacy programs to provide better primary health care for Australians in key areas. These programs have also been redesigned to support the collection of additional information to allow assessment of their effectiveness. This information will inform the of community pharmacy Government’s consideration programs in connection with the negotiation of future CPAs. Recommendation 7-1: Community Service Obligation The Panel believes that the Community Service Obligation should revert to supply of all PBS medicines to any pharmacy within twenty-four hours and that this be considered a minimum standard to ensure that there can be no fragmentation of delivery arrangements across wholesalers or access for consumers through any community pharmacy.
In the long term, a single pharmacy regulator could be considered. As an interim measure, state and territory registering bodies should coordinate with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency to ensure that pharmacy regulations are being adequately monitored for best practice of pharmacy and the safety of the public. Government Response The Government notes this recommendation. The Government is supportive of initiatives to harmonise legislation and reduce regulatory burden for the sector and notes that jurisdictional differences create complexity for businesses as well as pharmacists and prescribers. Harmonisation of all state, territory and Commonwealth legislation pertaining to pharmacy, including harmonisation of jurisdictional responses to Commonwealth scheduling decisions, would be a complex process requiring the cooperation and agreement of all Australian governments. Consultation with key stakeholders including consumer, business and professional representative groups would also be important. Recommendation 6-6: Evaluation Mechanisms As early as practicable, the Australian Government should require the establishment of appropriate evaluation mechanisms for community pharmacy to ensure that policy and delivery requirements are met. Government Response The Government notes this recommendation. The 6CPA, made between the Government and the Guild, operates in the context of Australia’s National Medicines Policy and The National Strategy for Quality Use of Medicines. As part of the 2017-18 Budget measure Improving Access to Medicines – support for community pharmacies, the Government is providing $600 million to community pharmacy for new and expanded community pharmacy programs delivered under the 6CPA. Under this arrangement, the Australian Government Department of Health has worked with the Guild to redesign existing community pharmacy programs to provide better primary health care for Australians in key areas. These programs have also been redesigned to support the collection of additional information to allow assessment of their effectiveness. This information will inform the Government’s consideration of community pharmacy programs in connection with the negotiation of future CPAs. Recommendation 7-1: Community Service Obligation The Panel believes that the Community Service Obligation should revert to supply of all PBS medicines to any pharmacy within twenty-four hours and that this be considered a minimum standard to ensure that there can be no fragmentation of delivery arrangements across wholesalers or access for consumers through any community pharmacy.
Pharmacy-Review-Aus-Gov-Response-3-May-2018.docx