Community Pharmacy Programs
Page last updated: 10 May 2019
Please note: The information on this page may no longer be current and is only included here for historical reference.
Current information is maintained on the Seventh Community Pharmacy Agreement page.
Up to $1.26 billion in funding is available under the Sixth Community Pharmacy Agreement (6CPA) for evidence-based, patient-focused professional pharmacy programs and services. This consists of:
- $613 million for the continuation of a number of programs and services from 5CPA;
- $50 million for the pharmacy trial program; and
- up to $600 million for new and expanded community pharmacy programs.
Program review
Under the current Sixth Community Pharmacy Agreement (6CPA), there is a commitment to undertake cost‑effectiveness assessments of the Community Pharmacy Programs, which carried over from the previous Fifth Community Pharmacy Agreement. This assessment process supports a consistent approach to informing investment that delivers the greatest benefit to consumers.
The Department engaged the Medical Services Advisory Committee and external healthcare consultants to review the following programs:
Review of Community Pharmacy Programs:
- Quality Use of Medicine Evaluation Report (PDF 2.4MB) - (Word 633KB)
- Staged Supply Evaluation Report (PDF 400KB) - (Word 208KB)
- Dose Administration Aid Final Evaluation Report (PDF 1MB) - (Word 298KB)
- Clinical Intervention Final Evaluation Report (PDF 687KB) - (Word 308KB)
- Residential Medication Management Review Final Evaluation Report (PDF 834KB) - (Word 273KB)
- Home Medicines Review Final Evaluation Report (PDF 1.1MB) - (Word 955KB)
- MedsCheck and Diabetes MedsCheck Final Evaluation Report (PDF 1.1MB) - (Word 596KB)
Additionally the ongoing Pharmacy Workforce Programs were also reviewed.
- Main Report (PDF 1.4MB) - (Word 357KB)
- Detailed Analysis (PDF 1.3MB) - (Word 1MB)
- Technical Paper (PDF 2.7MB) - (Word 1MB)
The Rural Pharmacy Maintenance Allowance and Electronic Prescription Incentive Payment were reviewed as part of the Review of Remuneration and Regulation.
Pharmacy Trial Program
Under 6CPA the Pharmacy Trial Program will trial new and expanded community pharmacy programs which seek to improve clinical outcomes for consumers and/or extend the role of pharmacists in the delivery of primary healthcare services through community pharmacy. The 6CPA notes particular priority will be given to consumers in rural and remote Australia, as well as particular population groups such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Program administration
From 1 February 2019, Australian HealthCare Associates administer the pharmacy programs under the banner of Pharmacy Programs Administrator. Previously administration was provided by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia.
