Page 55 - RPA Magazine December 2020

Seventh Community Pharmacy Agreement (7CPA) The Covid-19 period has overlapped with the beginning of the 7CPA. The Guild secured an estimated $1.132 billion increase in dispensing remuneration for community pharmacies relative to the 6CPA for above co-payment prescriptions dispensed. Community pharmacy programs funding will also grow over the life of the 7CPA. Each five-year agreement has encapsulated some reform and innovation with patients in mind. The 7CPA is no different. For example, the 7CPA recognises the Guild’s support for the development of the government’s 10- year Primary Health Care Plan. Moreover, the 7CPA provides the foundation for measures to enhance innovation that improve patients’ access to medicines, information and other health services. Areas of focus will include: • eHealth and e-prescribing initiatives. • Measures that promote access to affordable medicines. • Mental health related initiatives. • Initiatives to be developed in response to recommendations from the Royal • Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. Enhanced pharmacy programs assessed as being suitable for ongoing funding. 2020 YEAR IN REVIEW 53 offerings to meet changing consumer needs in a post pandemic environment. Innovation is occurring at the individual business level – with examples of some pharmacies setting up triage desks at the entrance of their premises, enhancing home deliveries, mobile EFTPOS and click and collect, and forming closer relationships with other health care, especially medical specialists and community care organisations. The path to community pharmacy premises becoming integrated health destinations continues, with a greater range of prescribing options, including for example, providing consultation rooms staffed by pharmacists and other health professionals. The challenge now is for policy and decisions makers at all levels of government in Australia to recognise the valuable contribution community pharmacist have made during the Covid-19 period and to embed these successes through long-term reforms that better utilise the community pharmacy network to deliver primary health care in and accessible and effective way to patients. The 7CPA also provides the backbone for pharmacy viability during these turbulent and highly uncertain times, giving confidence to the millions of patients that rely on local and accessible healthcare that community pharmacies have always provided. For example, a dispensing remuneration guarantee has been introduced for the first time. This will ensure there is no repeat of the shortfall in total dispensing remuneration that occurred over the 6CPA, providing certainty to both the community pharmacy network and the federal government. Conclusion: a post-pandemic future As expected, around eight in 10 community pharmacies are refocussed on increasing already high standard hygiene practices for customers and staff. More fundamentally, most community pharmacists have indicated they are likely to restructure their RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • DEC 2020