APESMA PROPOSES NEW TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR SENATE INQUIRY INTO PHARMACY

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APESMA today proposed a new Terms of Reference for a Senate Inquiry into pharmacy which focuses on new potential benefits to the pharmacy profession including providing a role for pharmacists in medicare locals and GP clinics and new measures to reform the health care system.
Mr Walton said despite incorrect and mischievous claims by the Pharmacy Guild there was nothing in the Senate Inquiry before the Senate that would cause the current Community Pharmacy Agreement to cease.

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“A Senate Inquiry is the best way to review the current arrangements and make sure that we deliver a better system for patients and pharmacists – not just the pharmacy owners’ guild,” Mr Walton said.

“However we need to get the Terms of Reference right so that we get all the benefits of such a review.

“The Pharmacy Guild is frightened of an Inquiry because it fears that their bullying tactics and grubby deals will be exposed to the public.
Clearly the Guild is trying to kill off any kind of inquiry by bullying the PSA and NAPSA into dropping their support for it.

“But it is standard practise and good governance to review major funding agreements to make sure future arrangements are better.”

Mr Walton said that page 33 of the Senate Notice paper had published the original terms of reference of the proposed Senate Inquiry and there were no indications that the fifth agreement could be terminated.

http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/work/notice/snpf_071.pdf

“If we don’t review this agreement we cannot expect better outcomes for patients and for pharmacy professionals in the future,” Mr Walton said.

The Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia (APESMA) wants better pharmacy careers, better wages and conditions and a better opportunity for pharmacists to use their knowledge and skills.

“Innovation in pharmacy can occur now.
The Community Pharmacy Agreement does not need to change to allow pharmacists to work in medicare locals, for example.”

Proposed Terms of Reference

That the following matters be referred to the Community Affairs Senate Committee for inquiry and report by 30 June 2012:

The nexus between improving health outcomes and the effectiveness of Part VII of the National Health Act 1953 with particular reference to:


a. Providing a reliable supply of essential medicines to Australian consumers;
b. Improving health outcomes for Australian consumers;
c. Integration with and capacity to build upon other national health initiatives;
d. Value for taxpayer funds;
e. Transparency of all arrangements and outcomes conducted under and/or funded by monies approved under this Part;
f. Monitoring and evaluation of all arrangements conducted under and/or funded by monies approved under this Part;
g. Lines of accountability of all arrangements conducted under and/or funded by monies approved under this Part;
h. Facilitating innovation and the use of pharmacist skills to improve community health outcomes
i. Encouragement of better cooperation between pharmacists and other health professionals to achieve integrated care;
j. Integration of hospital, home and aged care with community pharmacy services.
k. Appropriateness of the current Community Pharmacy Agreement processes including the appropriateness  of a single entity (The Pharmacy Guild of Australia):
I.        being considered as the legal voice representing registered pharmacists;
II.       negotiating the Community Pharmacy Agreement;
III.      overseeing the operation of the Community Pharmacy Agreement (through the two-party Agreement Consultative Committee);
IV.      approving allocation and expenditure of funds under the Community Pharmacy Agreement (through the two- party ACC);
V.       negotiating pharmacy location and ownership rules;
l. Assess the appropriateness of a party to the Community Pharmacy
Agreement also owning or part owning:
I.        computer software that implements CPA programs;
II.       accreditation systems for pharmacies, including standards development and accreditation of its member pharmacies;
III.      dispensing software that implements CPA-related activity including the security and potential distribution of patient level data;
m. Potential conflicts between pharmacists professionalism and ethics focused on consumer outcomes and commercial interests of pharmacy owners

The Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia (APESMA) is the largest national non-profit organisation representing professional employees including engineers, scientists, managers, architects, IT professionals, pharmacists, surveyors, veterinarians, collieries staff and many other professionals.
Over 25,000+ members are found in all areas of public and private employment across Australia.

For more information contact Matt Nurse, APESMA Media and Marketing Manager on 0407 351 277