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10 NEWS IN FOCUS FROM PAGE 9 The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, first-time signatory of a CPA, welcomed the $1.2 billion ongoing funding for patient-focused pharmacy programs that it says will provide greater access to pharmacists and support the safe and quality use of medicines for all Australians. PSA National President Associate Professor Chris Freeman said the 7CPA would deliver increased investment where it’s needed most, including for people living in rural, regional and remote areas, and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Importantly, he added, the recent changes to medicines management programs to enable a cycle of care approach, including patient follow-up, will be maintained to support quality and safe use of medicines, particularly for older Australians. Mr Freeman said the agreement provided certainty around medication management programs, which would enable pharmacists to help solve the issue of medication-related harm in Australia that costs the economy $1.4 billion annually. “This agreement is an increase of $100 million on expenditure for professional programs under the previous agreement,” he said. “PSA fought incredibly hard to represent pharmacists in this agreement. This was a particularly difficult one to negotiate, given the likely impacts resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a forward- looking agreement, flexible in its approach. It provides an opportunity for the implementation of significant policy reforms, particularly in the areas of aged care and mental health, that will have a direct impact on patient health outcomes. “This agreement also supports the uptake of electronic prescribing to enable safer and more efficient use and supply of medicines by pharmacists while supporting patient choice and ensuring their privacy is maintained.” Wholesalers win The federal government has committed an additional $92 million in funding through the Community Service Obligation and introduced a floor price to continue to support medicine supply through the wholesaler network over the next five years. The investment is necessary to help offset years of funding erosion and ongoing PBS reform and cost increases. Wholesalers stock and distribute more than 300 million medicines each year, providing a daily delivery service to pharmacies in metropolitan, rural and remote locations, generally within 24 hours of orders being placed. This includes stocking and supplying specialist low-volume, high-care medicines to the small numbers of patients who rely on them. The National Pharmaceutical Services Association (NPSA), the peak industry body for medicine wholesalers, welcomed the increased government funding for Australia’s network of medicine wholesalers. pharmacy. New government funding will allow investment with confidence in things such as distribution centre infrastructure, automation, technology solutions and jobs. “We’re very grateful for the extensive work and careful consideration provided by the Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, his advisers and department, during discussions leading to this agreement. “Ultimately, it was the collaboration between government, manufacturers, wholesalers and community pharmacy that enabled critical services to be delivered to the community during the bushfire crisis and COVID-19 pandemic, and these new agreements recognise this work.” Symbion CEO Brett Barons said the agreement delivers the ongoing certainty that the company and other NPSA members need to support the national health infrastructure that ensures all Australians have ready and timely access to critical medicines, wherever they live. “In his recent announcement regarding the agreement, it was pleasing to see the federal Health Minister acknowledge the importance of the wholesale model in supporting community pharmacies in providing equitable and timely access to medicines for all Australians,” he said. “Throughout the negotiations, Symbion maintained its position that ongoing wholesale remuneration was required to help offset the impact of PBS price disclosure reforms and increased costs.” Mr Barons also thanked the minister and the Department of Health for their efforts during negotiations, noting the positive engagement from both sides and the acknowledgement of the important role Symbion plays as part of Australia’s critical infrastructure. “The recent devastating bushfires and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted the critical role we play in ensuring Australians can continue to access critical medicines, particularly in rural areas, even under the most extraordinary and difficult circumstances,” he said. “These crises have underlined the value of the strong and collaborative relationship we have with the minister and the Department of Health, which has seen us work together proactively to ensure the CSO model continues to deliver equitable access to medicines for all Australians.” “Ultimately, it was the collaboration between government, manufacturers, wholesalers and community pharmacy that enabled critical services to be delivered to the community during the bushfire crisis and COVID-19 pandemic, and these new agreements recognise this work.” RETAIL PHARMACY • JUL 2020 “We’re pleased to have reached agreement with government on funding to support Australians with timely and equitable access to medicines,” NPSA Chair Mark Hooper said. “After a decade of declining funding due to the ongoing impact of PBS reform, it has never been more important to invest in the logistics network that’s relied upon to deliver medicines to all parts of the country. “We’re very proud of our role in the health system, particularly in recent months as we’ve overcome the dual challenges of the new year bushfires and COVID-19 restrictions, which placed extraordinary and sustained pressure on our systems. Our distribution centre network is on the Attorney-General’s critical national infrastructure list for good reason. “Implicit in this new agreement is recognition of the capability and value that the wholesalers provide in supporting government, Australia’s PBS, medicine manufacturers and community