In relation to the PBS Safety Net, the Australian Government should: require the PBS Safety Net to be managed electronically for consumers. This functionality should be automatic from the consumer’s perspective; investigate whether the PBS Safety Net scheme can be adjusted to spread consumer costs over a twelve-month period; provide sufficient transparency in the way a consumer’s progress towards the PBS Safety Net is collated, including information on any gaps in how it is calculated; and investigate and implement an appropriate system which allows payments for opiate dependence treatments to count towards the PBS Safety Net. 2.4 CONSUMER INFORMATION ON SERVICES Some consumers are unaware of the range of services available from community pharmacies. Utilising technology to improve consumer awareness could increase overall access. The diversity of pharmacy businesses is strongly valued by consumers; however, this diversity brings with it a complexity which, for some sections of the community, acts as a barrier to access. The Panel is therefore keen to ensure that all consumers can access an acceptable minimum set of information about the location, opening hours and health services offered by individual pharmacies. ATLAS Most consumers appear to have a low awareness of the 6CPA funded programs available from community pharmacies, such as the availability of Home Medicines Reviews (HMRs), and the pharmacy’s responsibilities this program. Similarly, some community pharmacies have tailored their services to help meet the diverse cultural, linguistic and demographic needs of their local communities, whereas other pharmacies in the same region have not. The Panel believes that providing a consumer with this information is of the utmost importance in facilitating consumer access to the most appropriate community pharmacy for an individual’s own needs. The need to improve awareness of specialist programs and services was in the Discussion Paper: programs are in place for the delivery of certain specialist services, not all community “Although pharmacies participate in these programs and in many instances do not promote the services. It was noted to the Panel that consumers accessing these specialist services are hesitant to openly ask about these services owing to privacy concerns and stigma associated with their condition. Consumer groups suggested that public education and awareness of these specialist services could be improved through an online website or digital application that listed all community pharmacies that delivered specialist services. It was also noted that discreet symbols could be displayed at the front of pharmacy premises to denote participation in specialist programs.”
In relation to the PBS Safety Net, the Australian Government should: require the PBS Safety Net to be managed electronically for consumers. This functionality should be automatic from the consumer’s perspective; investigate whether the PBS Safety Net scheme can be adjusted to spread consumer costs over a twelve-month period; provide sufficient transparency in the way a consumer’s progress towards the PBS Safety Net is collated, including information on any gaps in how it is calculated; and investigate and implement an appropriate system which allows payments for opiate dependence treatments to count towards the PBS Safety Net. 2.4 CONSUMER INFORMATION ON SERVICES Some consumers are unaware of the range of services available from community pharmacies. Utilising technology to improve consumer awareness could increase overall access. The diversity of pharmacy businesses is strongly valued by consumers; however, this diversity brings with it a complexity which, for some sections of the community, acts as a barrier to access. The Panel is therefore keen to ensure that all consumers can access an acceptable minimum set of information about the location, opening hours and health services offered by individual pharmacies. ATLAS Most consumers appear to have a low awareness of the 6CPA funded programs available from community pharmacies, such as the availability of Home Medicines Reviews (HMRs), and the pharmacy’s responsibilities this program. Similarly, some community pharmacies have tailored their services to help meet the diverse cultural, linguistic and demographic needs of their local communities, whereas other pharmacies in the same region have not. The Panel believes that providing a consumer with this information is of the utmost importance in facilitating consumer access to the most appropriate community pharmacy for an individual’s own needs. The need to improve awareness of specialist programs and services was in the Discussion Paper: “Although programs are in place for the delivery of certain specialist services, not all community pharmacies participate in these programs and in many instances do not promote the services. It was noted to the Panel that consumers accessing these specialist services are hesitant to openly ask about these services owing to privacy concerns and stigma associated with their condition. Consumer groups suggested that public education and awareness of these specialist services could be improved through an online website or digital application that listed all community pharmacies that delivered specialist services. It was also noted that discreet symbols could be displayed at the front of pharmacy premises to denote participation in specialist programs.”
review-of-pharmacy-remuneration-and-regulation-final-report.docx