The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the Morrison Government’s 2020-21 Federal Budget commitment to pharmacists with a new medicines listing guarantee and supply chain reforms.
Acting PSA President Michelle Lynch said the $2.8 billion investment over four years for a new medicines listing guarantee would improve access to medicines for all Australians.
“The guaranteed listing of all new medicines recommended by the PBAC gives patients certainty that new and lifesaving medicines are available on the PBS,” she said.
“The PBS Unique Identification Framework will allow improved medicine safety by allowing the assessment and tracking of medicines when they come into Australia, through to dispensing of medicines to patients.
“This will support medicine recalls and reduce the potential for counterfeit medicines.”
PSA also acknowledges tonight’s budget secures funding for the 7CPA, providing $18.3 billion for the delivery of medicines and patient-focused programs for the safe and quality use of medicines.
Also announced was significant investment in aged care which includes a record 23,000 home care packages, delivered at a cost of $1.6 billion as well as $5.7 billion to be spent on mental health in 2020-21.
Ms Lynch said these measures lay the groundwork for the future with the opportunity for pharmacists to do more in medicine safety in areas including mental health and aged care.
“We have continued to call for funding to ensure pharmacists have more time on the ground in aged care to address the issues of chemical restraint and medicines safety more broadly,” she said.
“We will continue to highlight that the challenges posed by medicine use in aged care can only be fixed by pharmacists playing a larger role in protecting residents from the harm caused by overuse and misuse of medicines.
PSA also welcomes the $22.5m investment in improving the use of antimicrobials supporting the government’s commitment to medicine safety as Australia’s 10th National Health Priority Area. This will help to monitor and reduce the threat of antimicrobial resistance in Australia.
The continued implementation of the MBS Review Taskforce recommendations is vital to ensure its recommendations, such as the positive recommendation for medication management services for complex patients, will be implemented.
These announcements come on the back of the Morrison Government’s $25 million investment in medicine safety through the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), continuation of home medicines delivery and continued dispensing arrangement announced by the Federal Government late last month.
